School Updated 26 April 2026

Plymouth / Plymouth 11+

Plymouth High School for Girls

St Lawrence Road, Plymouth, PL4 6HT

A selective girls grammar school in Plymouth, Devon, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 795 pupils on roll.

Girls Academy converter Ages 11-18 Sixth form GL Assessment

At a glance

Key facts

GCSE rank
UK Rank #135
Admissions
Girls only
Assessment
GL Assessment
Places in Year 7
120
Competition
3.0 applicants per place
Catchment
There is no catchment area. Places are allocated through named priority categories and then by 11+ score rank order.
Ofsted
Good

Overview

A selective girls grammar school in Plymouth, Devon, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 795 pupils on roll. Based in Plymouth, Devon, the school serves girls aged 11-18 and includes sixth-form study as part of the offer. Current published roll and admissions data point to around 795 pupils on roll and 120 Year 7 places.

Admissions are central to understanding whether this school is the right fit and realistic shortlist option. The current route includes GL Assessment, with 120 places available in Year 7 and demand that currently looks high by grammar-school standards. Catchment or distance rules still matter at allocation stage, so this is the kind of school where families need to read the admissions policy carefully rather than rely on headline scores alone.

Academically, the published picture is strong and easier to judge than reputation alone. The latest published Ofsted judgement is Good. Recent official performance measures show Progress 8 at 0.24 and Attainment 8 at 65.3. 90.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths in the latest stored GCSE figures. In the sixth form, 14.8% of entries were awarded AAB or better at A level. Destinations data also suggest strong progression after sixth form, with 56% moving into higher education.

Published school information highlights facilities such as Library. The wider offer currently includes Duke of Edinburgh, Sport. For many parents, the presence of a sixth form is part of the attraction, because it gives able pupils the option to stay in a familiar academic setting through to A level. That mix of selective entry, published outcomes, and school life is what will matter most to families deciding whether Plymouth High School for Girls belongs on a serious shortlist.

Key points

Assessment route
GL Assessment across a 2-stage process, covering English and Maths.
Places and demand
120 places in Year 7 and 3.0 applicants per place
Catchment
There is no catchment area. Places are allocated through named priority categories and then by 11+ score rank order.
Results
96.1% grade 5+ in English and maths and 65.5 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 14.8% AAB or better and 56% in higher education.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Plymouth and England.

School Local authority England
GCSE benchmark comparison Latest GCSE benchmark measures for Plymouth High School for Girls, Plymouth, and England. 0 50 100 Att. 8 5+ E&M EBacc APS EBacc %
Attainment 8
65.5
Grade 5+ English and maths
96.1%
EBacc APS
5.93
EBacc entry
53.4%

Attainment 8 trend

Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Plymouth and England.

School Local authority England
Attainment 8 trend line Attainment 8 over time for Plymouth High School for Girls, Plymouth, and England. 80 66.7 53.3 40 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25

Destinations

Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Plymouth and England.

Education Apprenticeships Employment Other / unknown
Destinations stacked bar comparison Year 11 destinations for Plymouth High School for Girls, Plymouth, and England across education, apprenticeships, employment, and other or unknown destinations. 0 50 100 School Local auth. England

School details

School type
Academy converter
Admissions
Girls only
Age range
11-18
Headteacher
Mr Simon Underdown
Pupil roll
795 pupils
Sixth form
Yes
Trust
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust
FSM
11.1%
EAL
8.6%
EHCP
0.3%

Facilities

Library

Extracurriculars

Duke of Edinburgh Sport

Location and contact

Address

Address
St Lawrence Road, Plymouth, Devon
Postcode
PL4 6HT
Area
Plymouth
Exam area
Plymouth 11+

School leadership

Headteacher
Mr Simon Underdown

School contact

School phone
03333602230

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admissions Office
Admissions phone
0333 360 2230

Admissions

Year 7 places
120 places (2025 entry)
Applications listed
362 applications (2025 entry)
First preferences
133 first preferences (2025 entry)
Applicants per place
3.0 applicants per place
Catchment picture
There is no catchment area. Places are allocated through named priority categories and then by 11+ score rank order.
Pass mark note
Looked-after and previously looked-after candidates, and up to 12 FSM/Pupil Premium/Ever 6 candidates, can be considered at scores up to five marks below the adjusted cut-off score. Other places are allocated by rank order of 11+ score.

There is no catchment area. Places are allocated through named priority categories and then by 11+ score rank order.

Oversubscription and eligibility

  1. 1

    EHCP naming the school

    Candidates with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school are admitted where the policy's academic requirement is met.

  2. 2

    Looked-after and previously looked-after children

    Eligible looked-after and previously looked-after candidates are considered if their score is equal to or higher than five marks below the adjusted cut-off score.

  3. 3

    Up to 12 FSM, Pupil Premium or Ever 6 places

    Up to 12 places are available for eligible FSM, Pupil Premium or Ever 6 candidates whose score is equal to or higher than five marks below the adjusted cut-off score.

  4. 4

    Other candidates by rank order

    Remaining candidates are ranked by their 11+ score, with higher scores considered first.

Exam and test format

The GL Assessment 11+ entrance test format

The 11+ assessment is provided by Quest Assessments and consists of English comprehension and mathematics multiple-choice papers. Verbal, non-verbal and spatial reasoning are not tested, and there is no free-writing element.

Assessment route
GL Assessment
Papers and stages
2 papers
Format
Multiple-choice papers

This school uses the shared Plymouth and Devon consortium route. The consortium page brings together the common test format, key dates and official papers used across that route.

Open Plymouth and Devon guide

Papers and rounds

  1. Paper 1

    English

    English paper

    Quest English comprehension multiple-choice paper, scheduled for 12 September 2026.

  2. Paper 2

    Maths

    Mathematics paper

    Quest mathematics multiple-choice paper, scheduled for 19 September 2026.

What the test includes

English and Maths are included in the published format.

Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, Science and Creative writing are not listed in the current published format.

Included

  • English

  • Maths

Not listed

  • Verbal reasoning

  • Non-verbal reasoning

  • Science

  • Creative writing

Application

Key dates

  1. Registration opens

    27 April 2026

  2. Registration closes

    31 August 2026

  3. English paper

    12 September 2026

  4. Mathematics paper

    19 September 2026

  5. 11+ results

    15 October 2026

  6. Common Application Form deadline

    31 October 2026

  7. National Offer Day

    1 March 2027

How to apply

  1. 1

    Register for the 11+

    Complete online registration between 9am on 27 April 2026 and 12 noon on 31 August 2026.

    Timeline
  2. 2

    Sit the English paper

    The English paper is scheduled for 12 September 2026.

    FAQ
  3. 3

    Sit the mathematics paper

    The mathematics paper is scheduled for 19 September 2026.

    FAQ
  4. 4

    Check results before naming schools

    11+ results are due on 15 October 2026.

    Timeline
  5. 5

    Submit the Common Application Form

    Name the school on the local-authority CAF by 31 October 2026.

    Year 7 admissions

Results

Attainment snapshot

Progress 8
+0.24 Progress 8
Attainment 8
65.5 Attainment 8
GCSE results
97.1% grade 4+ in English and maths
Grade 5+ English and maths
96.1% grade 5+ in English and maths
EBacc average point score
5.93 EBacc APS
A-level results
14.8% AAB or better
A-level average points
35.28 points per entry

Where students go next

Higher education progression
56% in higher education
Apprenticeships
10% in apprenticeships
Employment
18% in sustained employment

Latest official destinations data currently covers 2022/23 study leavers.

Subject performance

Maths
91.3% grade 5+ in EBacc maths
English
94.2% grade 5+ in EBacc English
Sciences
88.2% grade 5+ in EBacc sciences
Languages
79.4% grade 5+ in EBacc languages

Performance trends

Recent trend

Overall GCSE performance

This follows the school's published overall GCSE score across the subjects pupils take. Higher is better.

Plymouth High School for Girls Grammar schools England
Overall GCSE performance across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Plymouth High School for Girls, grammar schools, and England. 80 70 60 50 40 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 69.4 74.2 49.4
2022/23 65.6 71.8 47.0
2023/24 65.3 72.1 46.7
2024/25 65.5 72.3 46.8

Recent trend

Average A-level result

This follows the published average A-level result for the school's sixth form. Higher is better.

Plymouth High School for Girls Grammar schools England
Average A-level result across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Plymouth High School for Girls, grammar schools, and England. 50 pts 45 pts 40 pts 35 pts 30 pts 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 B average (39.2 points) 44.0 points 37.5 points
2022/23 C+ average (33.9 points) 40.5 points 33.7 points
2023/24 C+ average (34.3 points) 41.3 points 34.5 points
2024/25 B- average (35.3 points) 41.8 points 35.0 points

Recent trend

Where pupils go after Year 11

This follows the share of pupils moving into a sustained destination after Year 11, such as education, apprenticeships, or employment.

Plymouth High School for Girls Grammar schools England
Where pupils go after Year 11 across 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 for Plymouth High School for Girls, grammar schools, and England. 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
Year This school Grammar schools England
2021/22 97% 99.1% 94.1%
2022/23 99% 98.9% 93.9%
2023/24 99% 99.0% 93.3%
2024/25 95% 97.8% 91.4%

Latest year breakdown

In education 91%
In apprenticeships 3%
In employment 1%

Inspection

Good

Latest inspection: 18 April 2024

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

Similar schools and comparisons

Nearby schools families also consider

Local rivals first, then nearby alternatives that still fit the same shortlist-building context.

Nearby schools with similar results

Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What assessment types does Plymouth High School for Girls use?

Plymouth High School for Girls currently uses GL Assessment.

How do I apply to Plymouth High School for Girls?

1. Register for the 11+: Complete online registration between 9am on 27 April 2026 and 12 noon on 31 August 2026. 2. Sit the English paper: The English paper is scheduled for 12 September 2026. 3. Sit the mathematics paper: The mathematics paper is scheduled for 19 September 2026. 4. Check results before naming schools: 11+ results are due on 15 October 2026. 5. Submit the Common Application Form: Name the school on the local-authority CAF by 31 October 2026.

When are the key dates for Plymouth High School for Girls?

Registration opens: 27 April 2026. Registration closes: 31 August 2026. English paper: 12 September 2026. Mathematics paper: 19 September 2026. 11+ results: 15 October 2026. Common Application Form deadline: 31 October 2026. National Offer Day: 1 March 2027

What does the latest Ofsted picture look like for Plymouth High School for Girls?

Plymouth High School for Girls is currently rated Good following the latest published inspection dated 18 April 2024.