Plymouth High School for Girls
Plymouth, PL4 6HT · Plymouth · Grammar school
Check the area around this school
3rd 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 665 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.6/10 among them, against 8.5/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 91.8 · 96 | 30% | 2.89 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.24 · 68 | 25% | 1.70 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 65.7 · 96 | 10% | 0.96 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Plymouth High School for Girls overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in May 2024. In 2024/25, 90.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 65.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.24 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.5 out of 10 among them, against 8.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Acappella Club, Debate Club, Digital Leaders, Duke of Edinburgh, Musical Theatre Club, School Choir, and School Orchestra. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 782 pupils against a stated capacity of 804. 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 maintain their progress from Year 9 to 11? What specific support is available for students aiming for high grades in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Plymouth High School for Girls
Overview
Plymouth High School for Girls continues to be a good school, maintaining high expectations for academic success and pupil behaviour. The report highlights a welcoming community where pupils are keen to learn, well-rounded, and proud of their school. Leaders provide strong support for careers guidance and personal development, ensuring pupils are well-prepared for future education or employment.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve well and possess the necessary knowledge and skills for further education or employment, with many progressing to university or apprenticeships.
- Teachers deliver an ambitious, well-planned curriculum with strong subject knowledge, carefully sequencing units to help pupils build knowledge over time.
- The school supports disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively, making reasonable adjustments in collaboration with families.
- Pupils behave consistently well, are mature and articulate, and engage positively in leadership roles, festivals, and environmental initiatives.
- Staff receive appropriate professional development opportunities, and most enjoy working at the school.
Areas to improve
- Teachers’ checks on pupil understanding are sometimes imprecise, leading to misconceptions or knowledge gaps; the school must ensure effective checking to plan subsequent learning.
- Pupils do not always read a range of academic texts to support their learning across the curriculum, limiting their depth of understanding in different subjects.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 65.3 |
| 2024/25 | 65.5 |
| 2025/26 | 65.7 |
| 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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