Devonport High School for Boys 11+ Guide

About Devonport High School for Boys

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

Nestled in the heart of Plymouth, Devonport High School for Boys (DHSB) stands as a beacon of academic excellence, nurturing approximately 1,135 pupils aged between 11 and 18. This esteemed grammar school has carved a niche for itself in the educational landscape, earning recognition as one of the select few specialist engineering colleges in England. With its unwavering commitment to fostering talent and providing a well-rounded education, DHSB continues to uphold its legacy of producing accomplished individuals.

Beyond its engineering prowess, DHSB has garnered accolades for its exceptional language specialisms and Applied Learning programs. The school's dedication to holistic development is evident in its six distinct houses: Campbell, Edison, Newton, Priestley, Smeaton, and Winstanley. These houses serve as close-knit communities, fostering a sense of belonging and healthy competition among the students.

DHSB takes immense pride in its sixth form provision, which has been lauded as 'outstanding' by Ofsted. The school's unwavering focus on nurturing exemplary behaviors, attitudes, and personal development has earned it high praise. Visitors to DHSB are greeted by polite, respectful, and welcoming pupils who embody the school's values. The institution's commitment to providing ample opportunities for leadership and citizenship further enhances the overall educational experience.

As an academy, DHSB continues to set the bar high, preparing its students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. With its rich history, specialized curriculum, and dedication to all-around excellence, Devonport High School for Boys remains a premier choice for those seeking an exceptional grammar school education in Plymouth.

School Information

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

Devonport High School for Boys is a boys 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 1,238 pupils attend Devonport High School for Boys and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr Dan Roberts.

Devonport High School for Boys 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 Devonport High School for Boys for the 2022-23 academic year.

Devonport Boys 11+ Information

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

Devonport Boys 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Devonport Boys 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English Reading
• Maths
• English Writing

The 11+ exam for Devonport High School for Boys consists of three papers: English reading, maths, and writing. The English reading and maths papers are provided by GL Assessment, a well-known 11+ exam provider in England. These papers are multiple-choice and last between 45 minutes to one hour. Students will be given a question booklet and pre-printed answer sheets to mark their chosen answers.

The English reading paper assesses reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation based on the national curriculum. The maths paper, also based on Year 5 content, evaluates the student's understanding of key 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 usual, requiring students to apply their skills to solve novel problems.

The English writing paper, created internally by Devonport High School for Boys, lasts around 30 minutes. Students will select one prompt from a few options and compose an original piece based on the prompt, which may include writing the beginning of a story, a newspaper article, or a letter. Scores will be awarded based on varied sentence structure, correct punctuation, clear text structure and organisation, and overall composition and effect.

Devonport Boys 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Devonport High School for Boys 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.

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!

Devonport Boys 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Devonport Boys 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).

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 Devonport High School for Boys, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Devonport Boys 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

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

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

Ofsted Information

Devonport High School for Boys was last inspected by Ofsted on 17/10/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 10/12/2023, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Devonport High School for Boys was inspected by Ofsted on 17 October 2023 and received an overall rating of Good. The school demonstrated a Good quality of education, while both behaviour and attitudes and personal development were deemed Outstanding. Leadership and management at the school were also rated as Good.

The sixth form provision at Devonport High School for Boys was found to be Outstanding, indicating that the school provides exceptional support and opportunities for its older students. This suggests that the school is well-equipped to prepare students for their future academic and professional endeavors.

The inspection results highlight the school's strengths in fostering a positive learning environment, promoting personal growth, and maintaining effective leadership. While there may be areas for improvement in the quality of education and leadership, the overall performance of Devonport High School for Boys is commendable, with particularly impressive outcomes in student behaviour, personal development, and sixth form provision.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Devonport High School for Boys 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)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Devonport High School for Boys. Please note that this may include past 11+ papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Devonport High School for Boys currently uses.

The exam board that Devonport High School for Boys chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

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