Scott Medical and Healthcare College

About Scott Medical and Healthcare College

Scott Medical and Healthcare College is a state secondary school in Plymouth that serves pupils from age 13 to 19, and it stands out in the local landscape. In the Plymouth local authority, which contains 18 secondary schools, it ranks second based on Progress 8 scores, placing it in the top 11 per cent of schools in the area. Its closest peer, Devonport High School for Girls, holds the top spot with a Progress 8 score of 0.78, just ahead of Scott's 0.76. Other notable local competitors include Lipson Co-operative Academy and Devonport High School for Boys, both of which rank lower on the same metric. The school is led by headteacher Anita Frier and currently has 238 pupils on roll against a capacity of 375, meaning there is room for growth. Just over a quarter of its students (27.3 per cent) are eligible for free school meals, which is a significant proportion and reflects the school's inclusive intake.

Academically, Scott Medical and Healthcare College delivers strong outcomes, particularly at Key Stage 4. Its Progress 8 score of 0.76 is well above the Plymouth local authority average of -0.04, and nationally it ranks in the top 7 per cent of all schools. The Attainment 8 score sits at 56.5, and 83.6 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, though the figure drops to 56.7 per cent for grade 5 or above. The school's English Progress 8 score is notably high at 1.3, while maths progress is a more modest 0.4. Only 7.5 per cent of pupils entered the EBacc, which is a narrow academic pathway. At sixth form, the picture is more mixed: with just 11 pupils in the data, the average points per entry is 24.85 (equivalent to a D+ grade), and the value-added score is -0.29, which is rated as average. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025 confirmed that standards are maintained, with a Good rating across all categories including quality of education, behaviour, and leadership.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a theatre, swimming pool, astro turf, and a sixth form centre, plus clubs such as Chess, Debate, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Sports on offer include football, dance, and swimming. For families with children who have special educational needs, the school lists provisions for dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, speech and language challenges, and autistic spectrum disorder. Parent View responses from 69 families between September 2024 and September 2025 show strong satisfaction: 82 per cent of parents agree or strongly agree that their child is happy, and 84 per cent agree that their child does well. However, only 65 per cent of parents feel concerns are dealt with properly, and just 48 per cent agree that SEND children receive the support they need. The school is oversubscribed in terms of capacity, but with 238 pupils against 375 places, it may suit families looking for a smaller, specialist-focused secondary with a strong academic record in a city where no schools are rated Outstanding.

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