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Devonport High School for Girls

Plymouth, PL2 3DLSecondaryAges 11–18GirlsState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Feb 2025
Progress 8
+0.78
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
1.5×
Oversubscribed
237 1st-choice / 157 places
Ranking
🏆Top 10%
#203 of 3,141 nationally

About Devonport High School for Girls

Devonport High School for Girls is a state secondary in Plymouth that is clearly in high demand. The school has 916 pupils on roll, which already exceeds its official capacity of 840, and for the 2025/26 intake it received 356 applications for just 157 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.27. Of those, 237 families put it as their first preference, and all 157 first-preference offers were taken up. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 9.5%, which is below the national average for secondary schools, suggesting a relatively advantaged intake compared with the wider Plymouth area. The school is selective in practice, though not by formal academic entry test — it is a girls' grammar school, and its popularity reflects a strong local reputation. The headteacher is Lee Sargeant, and the school has no religious character.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderGirls
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressLyndhurst Road, Plymouth, Plymouth, PL2 3DL
HeadteacherLee Sargeant
Local AuthorityPlymouth
Number of Pupils916
Free School Meals (FSM)9.5%
School Capacity916 / 840 (109% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 104 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

12 Feb 2025
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Latest monitoring visit (12 Feb 2025): Improved significantly

Source: Ofsted, 16 Dec 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

10
ICT SuiteSwimming PoolTennis CourtsPlaying FieldsTheatreAstro TurfSports HallDining HallChapelSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

14

Sports

NetballCricketMartial ArtsGymnasticsTennisFootball

Clubs & Activities

Model United NationsNewspaperOrchestraFilm ClubScience ClubChoirDuke of EdinburghYoung Enterprise

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionMulti-SensoryOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Devonport High School for Girls

Devonport High School for Girls has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.