Plympton Academy
Plymouth, PL7 2RS · Plymouth · secondary school
Check the area around this school
14th of 19 secondary schools in Plymouth we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 923 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.3/10 among them, against 4.0/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 45.9 · 52 | 30% | 1.57 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.39 · 21 | 25% | 0.53 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.8 · 49 | 10% | 0.49 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Plympton Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 for 2023/24 was -0.39, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally starting from the same place. Ofsted rated the school "Requires improvement" in May 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.7 out of 10 among them, against 3.7 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join British Sign Language, Board Games, and Japanese clubs.
Getting in
The published school roll is 984 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,350. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific actions are being taken to address the "Requires improvement" rating?
What Ofsted said about Plympton Academy
Overview
Plympton Academy is rated as ‘Requires improvement’ overall, with specific judgements of ‘Good’ for behaviour and personal development. While pupils generally enjoy learning and the school maintains a ‘calm and orderly atmosphere’, academic achievement and leadership require further development to ensure all students succeed.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate ‘positive attitudes towards school’ and follow routines well, with ‘low-level disruption’ not tolerated.
- The school ‘promotes equality and diversity well’, actively challenging discriminatory language and recognising global days.
- Students benefit from a ‘wide range of extra-curricular activities’, including performing arts, sport, and residential trips.
- Pupils receive ‘useful careers education’ and develop ‘active citizenship’ skills through local youth parliament participation.
- Safeguarding arrangements are ‘effective’, ensuring pupils are safe and protected.
Areas to improve
- Teaching must ‘check pupils’ knowledge effectively’ and remedy gaps in learning, as assessment is currently not used effectively in many subjects.
- The school needs a ‘rigorous and sequential approach to reading’ to support pupils who struggle with fluency and confidence.
- Leaders must maintain a ‘sharp focus on reducing rates of absence’ and devise strategies to secure sustained improvement in attendance.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.6 |
| 2024/25 | 43.1 |
| 2025/26 | 45.8 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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