Tor Bridge High

About Tor Bridge High

Tor Bridge High’s headline Progress 8 score of -0.11 sits just below the Plymouth local authority average of -0.04 for secondary schools, placing it in the middle of the pack rather than at either extreme. Within Plymouth’s 20 state secondaries, it ranks 11th, which puts it in the bottom half but not far off the median. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 44.2 and its EBacc average point score of 3.79 give a solid, if unspectacular, picture of where its students finish at GCSE. What stands out more is the gap between the basics measure at grade 4 and above (68.3%) and the tougher grade 5 and above threshold (46.2%), suggesting that while most pupils secure a standard pass in English and maths, fewer reach the higher benchmark. The school is oversubscribed, with 344 applications for 211 places in 2025/26, and 189 first-preference offers were made, indicating that local families are keen despite the middling headline metrics.

Ofsted’s most recent graded inspection in November 2021 rated the school Good across the board, including for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. This is a consistent improvement from the previous inspection in 2015, which also rated overall effectiveness as Good but did not assess several categories. The Progress 8 banding is officially ‘Average’, and the breakdown shows that progress in maths (-0.04) is very close to the national average, while English (-0.09) and the EBacc subjects (-0.16) are slightly weaker. At A-level, the picture is more mixed: the value-added score of -0.26 is rated ‘Below average’, and the average points per entry of 31.67 equates to a C+ grade. Only 37 pupils took A-levels, so the sixth form is relatively small, and no students achieved the AAB combination in facilitating subjects.

The school offers a wide range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, and a dedicated sixth form centre, plus sports such as rowing, hockey, and gymnastics. Clubs include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Model United Nations, and Young Enterprise, which add breadth beyond the classroom. SEND provision covers eight areas, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and physical disability, so the school is equipped to support a range of additional needs. With 27.5% of pupils eligible for free school meals, Tor Bridge High serves a relatively disadvantaged intake compared with the national average. This school will suit families looking for a large, inclusive state secondary with a Good Ofsted rating, a broad extracurricular offer, and a sixth form, but who are comfortable with GCSE and A-level results that sit around or slightly below local averages.

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