Plymouth High School for Girls 11+ Guide

A detailed look at Plymouth High School for Girls including past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers.

About Plymouth High School for Girls

Plymouth High School for Girls is a selective secondary school in Devon. For children to get into Plymouth High School for Girls they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Plymouth High School for Girls is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Plymouth High School for Girls (PHSG) is a renowned grammar school that has been nurturing the minds of young women for well over a century. As a girls' only institution, PHSG fosters an environment where students can thrive academically and personally, free from the distractions and pressures often associated with co-educational settings. The school's unwavering commitment to excellence is reflected in its specialist subjects, which include Mathematics, Science, Design Technology, and Information Technology.

All images © Plymouth High School for Girls.
All images © Plymouth High School for Girls.

At PHSG, students are encouraged to embrace their individuality while working collaboratively within a supportive community. The school's house system, comprising Anthony, Kendall, Latimer, and Temple, plays a crucial role in promoting a sense of belonging and healthy competition. Students proudly represent their houses in various events, developing valuable skills such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience.

All images © Plymouth High School for Girls.
All images © Plymouth High School for Girls.

Beyond the classroom, PHSG offers a wealth of opportunities for personal growth and development. With a wide array of clubs and activities, students can explore their passions and discover new interests. From the pupil-led climate awareness group to the hands-on engineering experience with the school's Formula 24 racing car, Hummingbird, PHSG encourages its students to think critically, take initiative, and make a positive impact on the world around them.

All images © Plymouth High School for Girls.
All images © Plymouth High School for Girls.

At the heart of PHSG's ethos lies a deep-rooted belief in the power of education to transform lives. The school's dedicated staff work tirelessly to provide a high-quality learning experience, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in an ever-changing world. By embracing achievement, personal development, and happiness, PHSG empowers its students to become the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow.

Plymouth High School for Girls is a girls-only grammar school.
Plymouth High School for Girls is a girls-only grammar school.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Plymouth High School for Girls together with their admissions contact details.

Address
Plymouth High School for Girls,
St Lawrence Road,
Plymouth,
Devon
PL4 6HT
School Website
Telephone 03333602230
Email Address office@plymouthhighschoolforgirls.org.uk
Gender Girls only
Total Year 7 Places 120
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) 826 (778 Girls / 48 Boys)
Headteacher Mr Simon Underdown

Plymouth High School for Girls is a girls only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 826 pupils attend Plymouth High School for Girls and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Simon Underdown.

Plymouth High School for Girls Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Plymouth High School for Girls for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • Mathematics (115 pupils)
  • English Language (115 pupils)
  • English Literature (115 pupils)
  • Geography (76 pupils)
  • History (66 pupils)
  • Science: Double Award (61 pupils)
  • Chemistry (53 pupils)
  • Biology (53 pupils)
  • Physics (53 pupils)
  • D&T Food Technology (41 pupils)
  • French (41 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Fine Art) (34 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (30 pupils)
  • German (29 pupils)
  • Music (29 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (27 pupils)
  • Design & Technology (26 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (26 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (20 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Psychology (45 pupils)
  • Biology (32 pupils)
  • History (23 pupils)
  • Law (21 pupils)
  • Geography (21 pupils)
  • Chemistry (20 pupils)
  • Mathematics (20 pupils)
  • English Literature (20 pupils)
  • Media/Film/Tv Studies (20 pupils)
  • Environmental Science (19 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (19 pupils)
  • Art and Design (Fine Art) (18 pupils)
  • Physics (12 pupils)
  • Design and Technology (Product Design) (8 pupils)
  • Government and Politics (7 pupils)
  • Physical Education / Sports Studies (6 pupils)

Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ Information

In order to get into Plymouth High School for Girls, children need to pass the Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

  • English
  • Maths

The 11+ exam for Plymouth High School for Girls and Devonport High School for Girls consists of two multiple-choice papers supplied by GL Assessment, a leading provider of 11+ exams in England. The papers, each lasting approximately 45 minutes to one hour, are taken on separate dates and cover the subjects of English and Maths.

The English paper assesses the child's understanding of the national curriculum, including reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation. Children are required to read a passage and answer questions to demonstrate their understanding, as well as complete additional questions testing their English skills.

The Maths paper, based on Year 5 content, evaluates the child's knowledge of essential mathematical concepts such as times tables, mental maths, shapes, space and measures, the four basic operations, and interpreting graphs. Some questions may be more challenging than what the child is accustomed to, requiring them to apply their skills to solve novel problems.

Other Schools using Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+

As well as Plymouth High School for Girls, several other schools also use Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+. These are:

Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Plymouth High School for Girls is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.
Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.
Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Plymouth High School for Girls, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ tests (to get into Plymouth High School for Girls) as well as other relevant dates.

Date Event Calendar Link
15/04/2024 Registration Opens For The PHSG And DHSG Practice 11+ Exam
22/04/2024 11+ Registration Opens
22/05/2024 Registration Closes For The Practice Exam
06/07/2024 PHSG And DHSG Practice (mock) 11+ Exam
16/07/2024 Results Sent For The PHSG And DHSG Practice 11+ Exam
31/08/2024 11+ Registration Closes
06/09/2024 Information Sent About The 11+ Exam Day
14/09/2024 11+ Exam Paper 1 (English)
21/09/2024 11+ Exam Paper 2 (maths)
14/10/2024 Parents Receive 11+ Results
31/10/2024 Secondary School Applications Close At 5pm
03/03/2025 Secondary School National Offers Day

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Plymouth High School for Girls as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Plymouth High School for Girls was last inspected by Ofsted on 28/09/2011 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 20/10/2011, declaring that the school was ''. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Plymouth High School for Girls obtained <strong></strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2011.
Plymouth High School for Girls obtained in their last Ofsted inspection in 2011.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date Inspected Inspection Duration (Days) Reporting Date Rating Full Report
28/09/2011 1 20/10/2011 Full Report

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Plymouth High School for Girls per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

Subject Total Pupils Grades Achieved
U 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Art & Design (Fine Art) 34 - - - - 1 8 13 4 4 4
Biology 53 - - - - - 6 21 8 5 13
Chemistry 53 - - - - 2 4 16 8 10 13
Computer Studies/Computing 20 - - 1 5 - 4 5 1 4 -
Design & Technology 26 - - - 1 4 6 8 5 1 1
English Language 115 - - - 2 6 20 27 25 24 11
English Literature 115 - - - 1 5 17 27 28 21 16
D&T Food Technology 41 - - - 3 4 9 7 8 5 5
French 41 - - 1 2 8 11 6 8 3 2
Geography 76 - - - 4 6 14 17 16 15 4
German 29 - - - 1 3 4 3 6 8 4
History 66 - - - 6 5 7 9 16 12 11
Mathematics 115 - - - 1 11 19 29 32 14 9
Music 29 - - 1 1 5 3 10 7 2 -
Physics 53 - - - - 3 6 12 12 7 13
Religious Studies 30 - - - 1 5 4 10 2 4 4
Drama & Theatre Studies 26 - - - - 2 10 7 2 2 3
Physical Education/Sports Studies 27 - - - 2 1 5 9 4 5 1
Science: Double Award 61 - - - - - - - - - -

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Subject Total Pupils Grades Achieved
U E D C B A A*
Art and Design (Fine Art) 18 - - 1 4 8 2 3
Biology 32 - 5 7 5 7 5 2
Business Studies:Single 19 - - 3 6 6 4 -
Chemistry 20 - - 7 4 3 3 2
Design and Technology (Product Design) 8 - - 3 2 1 1 1
English Literature 20 - - 1 4 11 3 1
Environmental Science 19 - 2 11 2 2 1 -
Geography 21 - - 3 8 5 5 -
Government and Politics 7 - 1 - 1 3 2 -
History 23 - 1 1 7 7 5 2
Law 21 - 3 4 1 6 5 2
Mathematics 20 - 3 2 2 7 3 3
Media/Film/Tv Studies 20 - 1 - 4 11 4 -
Physical Education / Sports Studies 6 - - 1 2 3 - -
Physics 12 - 3 1 2 3 - 1
Psychology 45 - 6 11 12 9 5 1

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Plymouth High School for Girls has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use our 11+ practice papers to help your child prepare.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ Ensure you double-check with Plymouth High School for Girls which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.

11+ Practice Papers for Plymouth High School for Girls by Exam Ninja

These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful and we would encourage parents to download and use them with their children.

Exam Board Subject Question Booklet Answers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish

11+ Practice Papers for Plymouth High School for Girls by GL Assessment

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. They remain useful and we would encourage parents to download and use them with their children.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Answers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Plymouth High School for Girls by Bond

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond.

Exam Board Subject Question Booklet Answers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Plymouth High School for Girls by CGP

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. They are up to date and extremely useful.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Answers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. Grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these tests remain useful.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Answers
CEMMaths
CEMVerbal Reasoning
CEMNon-Verbal Reasoning

FAQ

Is Plymouth High School for Girls hard to get into?

Yes, Plymouth High School for Girls is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.

Is Plymouth High School for Girls a private school?

No, Plymouth High School for Girls is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.

Is Plymouth High School for Girls free?

Yes, Plymouth High School for Girls is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Plymouth High School for Girls won't cost you any money.

How do I get my child into Plymouth High School for Girls?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Plymouth High School for Girls for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.

Is Plymouth High School for Girls a girls-only school?

Yes, Plymouth High School for Girls is a girls-only school.

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