Classpot

Plymouth High School for Girls

Plymouth, PL4 6HTSecondaryAges 11–18GirlsState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Apr 2024
Progress 8
+0.24
Above average
−20+2
Competition
1.1×
Oversubscribed
133 1st-choice / 120 places
Ranking
#966
of 3,141 nationally

About Plymouth High School for Girls

Plymouth High School for Girls is a popular choice among local families, with 133 first-preference applications for just 120 places in the 2025/26 admissions round. The school was oversubscribed 3.02 times over, meaning for every place available, three families put it as their top pick. Of those 362 total applications, 90 first-preference offers were made. While the school does not publish a parent-view recommendation score, the high demand suggests strong local confidence. The school is a state-funded girls’ secondary with a co-educational sixth form, and it operates as a non-faith school. It currently has 795 pupils on roll, just shy of its 804 capacity, and 11.1% of students are eligible for free school meals, which is slightly below the national average for secondary schools.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderGirls
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressSt Lawrence Road, Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 6HT
HeadteacherSimon Underdown
Local AuthorityPlymouth
Number of Pupils795
Free School Meals (FSM)11.1%
School Capacity795 / 804 (99% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, 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

18 Apr 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Requires improvement

Latest monitoring visit (18 Apr 2024): School remains Good

Source: Ofsted, 20 Oct 2011. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
Art StudiosSwimming PoolICT SuiteSixth Form CentrePlaying FieldsSports HallGymnasiumChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

19

Sports

BadmintonCross CountrySwimmingGymnasticsNetballFootballRoundersRugbyBasketballHockey

Clubs & Activities

Duke of EdinburghScience ClubDebateNewspaperCodingBook ClubOrchestraChessArt Club

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

SEND Support

AutismMental Health

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Plymouth High School for Girls

Plymouth 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.