Do you want to study in the best high schools in Plymouth? The options for high schools in Plymouth are endless!
Plymouth is home to some of the best schools in the country, and it is also one of the most beautiful cities in England.
This article reveals some great options for high schools in Plymouth.
Why Study in Plymouth?
Plymouth is a coastal city in Devon, England. It’s one of the most important ports in the world and has been for hundreds of years. Plymouth has a large student population, which makes it a great option for students who want to live on campus and be part of an active college community.
The city boasts many attractions for tourists as well as residents: Plymouth Hoe is home to many cafes, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions; Drake Circus shopping mall offers shopping opportunities; Plymouth Pavilions hosts concerts by popular musicians such as Ed Sheeran; The Barbican Theatre hosts plays and musicals; Plymouth Arts Cinema offers contemporary art exhibitions alongside film screenings.
Non-Selective High Schools in Plymouth
The schools listed below are all non-selective high schools in Plymouth; which means they don’t have a lot of extra requirements for entry. If you apply to one of these schools, there’s a good chance that you’ll be accepted and start attending classes there.
Plymstock School
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 1,549 students
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 17.8: 1.
Plymstock School is a co-educational high school in Plymouth, Devon. It is a foundation school administered by Plymouth City Council and one of the top high schools in Plymouth. It currently has about 1,600 students on roll who are taught by staff including eight members of the National Teaching Schools’ Forum.
The school has a specialism in science and technology; it also offers general studies, English language and literature, as well as art and design.
Hele’s School
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 1,243 students.
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 16.2: 1.
Hele’s School is a co-educational, English medium primary and nursery school based in Plymouth, UK. The school is dedicated to the development of students through an innovative teaching approach that encourages critical thinking and creativity.
Hele’s School provides a positive learning environment focused on fostering individuality and self-esteem allowing their students to pursue their passions with confidence, and contributing to their educational experience by encouraging independence, collaboration, and social skills.
Eggbuckland Community College
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 988 students
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 16.3: 1.
Eggbuckland Community College is a co-educational secondary school located in the suburb of Eggbuckland in Plymouth, Devon, England. The school is perceived by many to be one of the top high schools in Plymouth to receive education, thus its popularity.
The school is an academy and is part of the South West Learning Trust. It has been awarded Specialist Sports College status as well as International School status. The school offers GCSEs and BTECs as programs of study for pupils, while students in the sixth form have the option to study from a range of A-Levels and additional BTECs.
Tor Bridge High
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 1,251 students
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 15.9: 1.
Tor Bridge High is a non-selective school that has gained a good reputation in the city. The school was founded in 2011 (as academy status) and caters to students from 11 to 18 years old. It offers GCSEs, A-Levels, and vocational qualifications such as BTEC. The student body is mainly made up of pupils who live within Plymouth but also includes some from outside the city.
Many parents choose Tor Bridge because of its sporting prowess, particularly when it comes to rugby and football. Indeed, the school has been named as one of 16 partner schools for Plymouth Argyle FC’s academy program. In addition, there are many opportunities for students to develop their artistic talents at Tor Bridge, both as cosplay actors and stage performers.
Plympton Academy
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 931 students.
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 17.5: 1.
Plympton Academy is an academy school in Plympton, Devon, England. It was previously known as Plympton Community College. The school is situated on a site on the outskirts of Plympton, opposite the Devonport Leisure Centre.
Plympton Academy offers GCSEs and BTECs as programs of study for pupils, while students in the sixth form have the option to study from a range of A-levels and further BTECs. In addition to this, there are specialisms within these subjects that pupils can specialize in including Fine Art (Painting & Photography), Dance and Drama Studies, or Music Technology, which are all optional extras provided by Plymouth University through their pre-university course provider.
Millbay Academy
School Type: Co-educational school.
Student Body: 1,020 students.
Ages: 3 – 16.
Student-teacher Ratio: N/A.
In the Plymouth area, Millbay Academy is a top choice for those looking for private schools that offer an international curriculum and has a long history of academic excellence.
What are the school’s strengths? The strength of this school lies in its specialties, which include music and performing arts, as well as science, technology and engineering subjects. There have been many notable alumni from Millbay Academy over the years including athletes who have gone on to play for national teams or compete at university level.
It’s also worth noting that it was one of only five schools across Plymouth to be awarded ‘Achiever School Status’ by Ofsted back in 2017 because they regularly exceed expectations in terms of student progress through their GCSE studies.
Sir John Hunt Community Sports College
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 771 students.
Ages: 11 – 19.
Student-teacher Ratio: 15: 1.
Sir John Hunt Community Sports College is a secondary school in Plymouth, Devon, England. It is a co-educational school for students aged 11 to 16. The school was awarded specialist status as an Art College in 2003 and again in 2008 as a sports college. The school has been rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted since 2004.
The school was named after Sir John Hunt, the British Army offer who led the successful 1953 British Expedition to Mount Everest.
Lipson Co-operative Academy
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 1,008 students.
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 15.2: 1.
Lipson Co-operative Academy is a secondary school in Plymouth, England. It was formed in 1999 when Plymouth Co-operative Society merged with Lipson Co-operative Society to form “Lipson Co-operative Community School”. The school has approximately 1,000 students aged 11–18 years old and it is an academy under the sponsorship of Plymouth University Peninsula Schools Trust (PUPS).
The school is situated on two sites: the main site at Lipson and the old site which houses Year 7 students.
UTC Plymouth
School Type: Co-educational school.
Student Body: 147 students.
Ages: 13 – 19.
Student-teacher Ratio: 10.9: 1.
UTC Plymouth is a university technical college that specializes in technology and engineering. This school can only take students who have been identified as being particularly gifted or talented in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.
Its students are taught by staff across the college’s four main departments — engineering & manufacturing, digital media & communications, health & social care, and sports science & sports management — alongside teachers from Exeter College Plymouth campus. The school has an extensive range of extra-curricular activities on offer including sports clubs such as football and netball, drama groups, dance classes, and community service projects at local schools etcetera.
UTC Plymouth is also known for its outstanding efforts to encourage young people into higher education.
Stoke Damerel Community College
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 1,291 students
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 15.1: 1.
Stoke Damerel Community College is a co-educational secondary school located in the Stoke area of Plymouth, England. It is a community school administered by Plymouth City Council, and one of the top high schools in Plymouth.
The college was founded as two separate schools, Stoke Damerel High School and Stoke Damerel Sixth Form Centre (which later moved to Devonport High School). They merged to form Stoke Damerel Community College; at this time, it also acquired its own sixth form center. There are now over 1000 students aged between 11 and 18 attending this institution.
It has been awarded Specialist Language College status for both English and French since 2003, which means that all students studying these subjects will receive extra support throughout their academic career at the college.
Notre Dame Catholic School
School Type: State-owned, girls-only school.
Student Body: 728 students.
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 16.3: 1.
Notre Dame Catholic School is a Catholic high school in Plymouth. Unlike most other high schools in Plymouth on this list that are co-educational, Notre Dame is for girls only. It is a voluntary aided school administered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth. The school has grown to become one of the largest high schools in Plymouth and its surrounding area.
Notre Dame has an excellent academic record for both A-Levels and GCSEs with over 80 percent of students achieving 5 or more A – C grades at GCSE level, and 80 percent getting 3 or more A levels at A2 grade or above every year.
Coombe Dean School
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 1,009 students
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 18.8: 1.
Coombe Dean School is a top high school in Plymouth. The school offers a wide range of subjects to study and provides an outstanding education for both male and female students from all over the world.
Coombe Dean School has specialist status in Mathematics and Computing, as well as Science and Technology. This means that it has been recognized by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) as being an outstanding school with excellent results in these subjects.
The school has also been awarded with Sports College Status by Sport England which helps students develop their sporting strengths through many different sports activities such as football, rugby, netball, etc.
Marine Academy Plymouth
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 883 students.
Ages: 11 – 19.
Student-teacher Ratio: 13.6: 1.
Marine Academy Plymouth is a non-selective high school in Plymouth that provides education for students of all abilities, from year 7 to year 13. The small class sizes at this school mean that teachers are able to spend time with each student, offering extra support if needed.
However, the academic reputation of Marine Academy Plymouth is average (according to Ofsted); so, it is safe to say that Marine Academy may not be ideal for your kid if you want to enroll them in the best high schools in Plymouth.
But that aside, it has sports facilities plus an on-site sports hall and gymnasium where pupils can play basketball, badminton, table tennis, netball, and indoor football or take part in fitness activities such as aerobics classes or spinning sessions.
All Saints Church of England Academy
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 581 students.
Ages: 11 – 16.
Student-teacher Ratio: 14.8: 1.
All Saints Church of England Academy is a co-educational high school in Plymouth for ages 11 – 16. The school has a strong Christian ethos, with 80 percent of its pupils being baptized and regular worship taking place across the school.
The sixth form at All Saints offers a wide range of A-levels and BTECs to its students, as well as vocational courses for those wishing to go into employment or study further at university level. The sixth form also has its own dedicated careers adviser who works closely with Year 12 and 13 students to support them in their future career choices. However, by academic standards and reputation, this school falls way below what is required of top high schools in Plymouth.
St. Boniface’s Catholic College
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 361 students.
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 17.3: 1.
St. Boniface’s Catholic College is a co-educational boarding school, which was founded in 1994 with around 100 students. The school has grown over the years and now has over 300 pupils on roll, including day and boarding students.
It offers a variety of academic and vocational courses at GCSE level, A-levels, and vocational courses as well as apprenticeships and sixth form courses for older students. The college also offers adult education classes including degree courses through its International Study Centre (ISC).
Top Grammar Schools in Plymouth
What is a Grammar School?
A grammar school (also known as selective secondary schools) is an independent school that selects its pupils based on academic ability. Pupils who attend these schools are usually aged between 11 and 18, although some may stretch up to the sixth form level. Grammar schools need to be less elitist than private schools in order to fulfill their public service obligations, so they usually charge lower fees than other independent high schools in Plymouth.
In Plymouth, the majority of grammar schools are co-educational institutions; however, some single-sex grammar schools do exist within this city. The main benefit provided by attending one of these institutions is that it gives you access to a larger range of careers than standard secondary education does – this means you have better opportunities for higher education and employment later on in life.
Devonport High School for Girls
School Type: State-owned school for girls only.
Student Body: 1,848 students
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 17.1: 1.
Devonport High School for Girls was founded in 1911 as a public school for girls. It is situated on Plympton Road, close to the A38 dual carriageway and lies opposite the Devonport Leisure Centre, a short distance from Plymouth City Centre.
The school has nearly 2,000 students (and pupils) on roll, with a current capacity of 584 including Sixth Form students.
It is a community school, which takes children from the age of 11 to 18. It is widely reputed as one of the outstanding high schools in Plymouth (according to Ofsted), second only to Brook Green at the time of writing.
Devonport High School for Boys
School Type: State-owned school for boys only.
Student Body: 1,229 students.
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 17.8: 1.
Founded in 1896, Devonport High School for Boys is one of the oldest high schools in Plymouth. It is high school in Plymouth for boys only, and is the largest non-fee-paying school in Britain. Like its female counterpart, ‘Devonport High’ is widely famous for the academic achievements of its students; albeit, not up to the standard that the former has set for itself.
Plymouth High School for Girls
School Type: State-owned school for girls only.
Student Body: 794 students.
Ages: 11 – 18.
Student-teacher Ratio: 19.4: 1.
If you’re a girl who has a passion for the arts, languages and/or business, Plymouth High School for Girls is a great choice for you. If you want to study math or sciences but also want to take up an extra language and art subject, this could be the school for you.
It’s also popular with girls who want to continue their education at university level in subjects such as medicine; it’s a great place to prepare yourself for that pathway by gaining some valuable skills in presenting yourself as an articulate, confident candidate.
Special High Schools in Plymouth
Plymouth is home to a number of special schools that cater to students with special needs, including those who are intellectually disabled, or learning disabled. Special schools provide specialized educational services, resources and opportunities that help students achieve their highest potential, like the:
- Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC): The ECEC serves infants through 5-year-olds who have developmental delays or disabilities, as well as children with behavior problems. The school provides education for both full-day and part-day programs for children with disabilities who are unable to be served in general education settings.
- Jala School: Jala School offers free educational services for children from ages 3–21 years old with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual disability, or multiple disabilities including ASD, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.
Brook Green Centre for Learning
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 98 students (estimated).
Ages: 11 – 16.
Student-teacher Ratio: N/A.
Brook Green Centre for Learning is a special school for children with autism, complex needs, and additional disabilities. It is currently the only high school in Plymouth ranked as “Outstanding” (March 2018). If we hadn’t ranked the high schools in Plymouth in various categories on this list, Brook Green may have been ranked first among the top high schools in Plymouth on our list.
The school is located in Plymouth, Devon and was established in 2000 as part of the Brook Green Trust. It provides a unique education experience to all its students and has been recognized as an excellent school by Ofsted on several occasions. The school is also a member of the National Autistic Society, which aims to improve understanding of autism and provide support services for those who live with this condition.
Longcause Community Special School
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 105 students.
Ages: 4 – 16.
Student-teacher Ratio: N/A.
Longcause Community Special School is a specialized institution for students with learning disabilities, ranging in age from four to sixteen. About 100 students are enrolled at the institution. It focuses on students with academic, communication, and interpersonal difficulties.
In 2009, George Alagiah honored the school with an International School Award for its international interactions.
Mount Tamar School
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 110 students.
Ages: 4 – 16.
Student-teacher Ratio: N/A.
Mount Tamar School is a special school for children aged 4-16 with complex needs. The school has been rated as good by Ofsted and has specialist provision for children with autism.
It offers a range of facilities to help us meet the needs of all pupils, including:
- a sensory garden and sensory room,
- a hydrotherapy pool with an underwater treadmill and sauna bath, and
- Specialist staff who are trained in supporting children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
ACE Schools Plymouth
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 220 students.
Ages: 4 – 19.
Student-teacher Ratio: N/A.
ACE Schools are a chain of independent schools with academy status. The ACE Schools were founded in Plymouth, England, and have since expanded to include over 50 schools across England and Wales. The schools are co-educational, with roughly equal numbers of boys and girls enrolled at each school.
Cann Bridge School
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 91 students.
Ages: 3 – 19.
Student-teacher Ratio: N/A.
Cann Bridge School is a co-educational special school for pupils aged 3 to 19 years. The school has a range of specialist services and learning opportunities which support pupil’s needs. They have a large sports center which provides an excellent environment for sport, PE and healthy living.
Students also have access to a large playing field and have a range of extra-curricular activities, such as football and basketball. Equally, they offer residential courses at Beechfield Leisure Centre, which enables pupils to participate in many popular sporting activities with their peers from other schools.
Mill Ford School
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 100 students.
Ages: 3 – 19.
Student-teacher Ratio: N/A.
Mill Ford School is a special high school in Plymouth that has been providing education for pupils aged 3 to 19 since 1991. The school serves as an alternative provision to mainstream secondary education and is open to all children with a wide range of special educational needs.
It offers a curriculum which includes AS levels and vocational courses, alongside GCSEs in English language, mathematics, science and ICT.
Students are supported through the transition from one phase of learning to another by staff who use specialist teaching methods tailored specifically for their individual needs. In addition, there may be opportunities for pupils with physical disabilities or visual impairments to participate in mainstream sports clubs where appropriate facilities are available.
Woodlands School
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 85 students.
Ages: 2 – 19.
Student-teacher Ratio: N/A.
Woodlands School is a co-educational high school in Plymouth. Woodlands School is a special school for students with moderate learning difficulties and complex needs, as well as those who have profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Woodlands School was one of the first schools to be set up by Plymouth City Council in September 1967. The original buildings were designed by Eames Associates and built on what was once a farm site at Weston Mill Lane.
Courtlands School
School Type: State-owned co-educational school.
Student Body: 80 students.
Ages: 3 – 19.
Student-teacher Ratio: N/A.
Courtlands School Plymouth is a coeducational high school in Plymouth and sixth form with academy status. The school has two sites, one in Mutley Plain, Plymouth and the other on Marsh Mills Lane, Marsh Mills.
Wrapping It Up
The city of Plymouth is a great place to study. There is a large number of high schools in Plymouth, including grammar and non-selective ones. You can also find some special schools in the area, which offer specialized courses and curriculum for students with different learning needs or disabilities. If you’re looking for a school that offers an IB program then take a look at UTC Plymouth or Devonport High School for Boys.