SchoolScoresPlymouth High School for Girls
Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Girls only · Sixth form
Part of THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST
St Lawrence Road, Plymouth, PL4 6HT
03333 602230 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 28 September 2011. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Requires improvement |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 18 April 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
155 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Plymouth comparisons use the 9 of its 19 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 63% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 76% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 87% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 79% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 4th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 67% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 47 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 54% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51% | 43% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 100 parents who had raised a concern Joint 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 54% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 61% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 69% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Plymouth figures pool parents at the Plymouth schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
103 pupils in this year group.
90% — 44 points above the Plymouth average, and 45 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 90% | 46% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 65.5 | 45.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
115 pupils in this year group.
96% — 5 points above the Plymouth average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 96% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 67% | 40% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 4% | 1% | 13% |
| Further education college | 19% | 37% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 9% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 99% | 96% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
109 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 25% | 22% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 53% | 51% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 35.3 | 34.4 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
24 subjects, 327 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 34 | 9% | 29% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 30 | 17% | 37% | 30% |
| Psychology | 30 | 3% | 13% | 19% |
| Mathematics | 29 | 10% | 38% | 40% |
| Law | 25 | 8% | 20% | 17% |
| English Literature | 24 | 4% | 17% | 23% |
| Business Studies:Single | 21 | 5% | 14% | 16% |
| History | 21 | 19% | 24% | 23% |
| Geography | 17 | 6% | 6% | 23% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 14 | 7% | 29% | 14% |
| Religious Studies | 13 | 0% | 46% | 22% |
| Government and Politics | 12 | 0% | 17% | 26% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 10 | 20% | 40% | 38% |
| Physics | 10 | 0% | 20% | 31% |
| Economics | 7 | 0% | 14% | 26% |
| French | 7 | 0% | 29% | 38% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 6 | 0% | 17% | 17% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, German, Design and Technology (Product Design), Mathematics (Further), Ancient History, Computer Studies / Computing, Polish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
114 students in this year group.
87% — 7 points above the Plymouth average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 87% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 10% | 15% | 7% |
| Work | 18% | 31% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 87% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
79 students in this year group.
81% — 33 points above the Plymouth average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 81% | 48% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 35% | 12% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 84% | 81% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Plymouth. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 119 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 104 |
| Of those, offered a place | 71 (68%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 317 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a grammar school: places depend on passing an entrance test (the 11 plus), usually taken in September of Year 6.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 17th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2% | 27.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 18th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 1% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.3% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 19th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 0% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.4% | 14.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 39% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 9.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 87% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.9% | 9.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 88% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 14.2% | 27.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 94% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.8 | 28.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 95% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.0% | 8.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.27% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 93% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.8 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 97% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 5th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 45% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4% | 10.4%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Plymouth College 0.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 35% A*/A at A level
- Lipson Co-operative Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 4 expected · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stoke Damerel Community College 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- Scott Medical and Healthcare College 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Millbay Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Devonport High School for Girls 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Devonport High School for Boys 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 94% grade 5+ English and maths
- Eggbuckland Community College 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- UTC Plymouth 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Boniface's RC College 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Plymouth High School for Girls's Ofsted rating?
Plymouth High School for Girls was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 28 September 2011. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 18 April 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Plymouth High School for Girls do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 90% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 45 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Plymouth High School for Girls?
86% of the 155 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Plymouth High School for Girls to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Plymouth High School for Girls oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 104 families put Plymouth High School for Girls as their first choice for 119 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 71 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 148369.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.