UTC Plymouth
Plymouth, PL1 4RL · Plymouth · secondary school
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17th of 19 secondary schools in Plymouth we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.7/10 against 421 of them, against 0.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 24.3 · 7 | 30% | 0.21 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.13 · 1 | 25% | 0.03 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 31.5 · 2 | 10% | 0.02 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
UTC Plymouth overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in March 2023. In 2024/25, 33.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.13 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 594 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. 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 close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific technical qualifications are offered alongside GCSEs?
What Ofsted said about UTC Plymouth
Overview
UTC Plymouth is described as a “vibrant and welcoming school” where pupils are “proud to attend” and feel it is “like a family.” Leaders are “ambitious for all pupils,” including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and maintain high expectations for behaviour. The report highlights a strong focus on personal development and effective partnerships with local employers.
Strengths
- Pupils display positive behaviour, with bullying being “rare” and students feeling “safe” with trusted adults.
- The curriculum is carefully planned in most subjects, and the school’s “‘think like an engineer’ approach to learning” is valued by pupils.
- Leaders provide effective support for pupils’ personal development, including education on healthy relationships, mental health, and financial management.
- Successful partnerships with local employers prepare pupils effectively for workplace expectations and further education.
- Staff benefit from a supportive environment, with early career teachers receiving a “thorough induction.”
Areas to improve
- Teachers’ use of assessment to check what pupils know and remember over time is “not precise enough,” leading to some misconceptions.
- Some staff lack “sufficient subject-specific knowledge” to teach certain parts of the curriculum effectively.
- Initiatives to increase the frequency of reading are “still in their early stages.”
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with leaders maintaining accurate records, clear processes, and ensuring staff receive regular training.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 28.8 |
| 2024/25 | 36.4 |
| 2025/26 | 31.5 |
| 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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