Plymouth High School for Girls continues to be 'Good' in all areas of the Ofsted criteria.

Following our inspection in April 2024, we are delighted to announce that Ofsted continue to judge Plymouth High School for Girls and our Sixth Form provision as a ‘Good’ school in all areas of Ofsted's criteria.

Ofsted’s report highlights several aspects of our school that we are particularly proud of. Our students have expressed that they are 'proud to attend the school,' and Ofsted has recognised us as a 'welcoming community' with an 'effective personal development curriculum’ where ‘pupils achieve well’. These words truly capture the spirit of Plymouth High.

The report commends our school for its wide range of extra-curricular activities, including opportunities to join the student leadership team, become an anti-bullying ambassador, digital leader or pupil librarian. The school’s motto of ‘for life, not school, we learn’ was acknowledged as a way to reflect ‘the school’s desire for pupils to leave as happy, well-rounded individuals.’

The staff received strong praise for their efforts in preparing pupils for their future aspirations, offering a broad range of subjects and career guidance.

The report for Plymouth High School for Girls includes:

Students achieve well and possess the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful as they move into further education or employment.
The strong support and career guidance pupils receive enables them, and the students within the Sixth Form, to make well-informed choices about their next steps, with many alumni returning to the school to share their success stories.
Our ambitious and well-planned curriculum allows students to build their knowledge effectively. Subject leaders have carefully sequenced the order of units, so pupils build their knowledge successfully over time.
Our students are mature, articulate, and respectful towards each other, with sixth form students serving as role models.
Our staff enjoy working at the school, with many having been part of our community for several years.

As for our sixth form provision, Ofsted have praised the welcoming environment that helps students who join from other schools quickly become part of the Plymouth High family. This is encouraging to hear and a reminder to the community that we welcome people to apply to join our Sixth Form.

We are incredibly proud of our achievements and the positive impact we have on our students’ lives. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to provide the best possible environment for all our young people.

Mr Underdown, Headteacher said:

It is fantastic news that Plymouth High School for Girls, as well as our Sixth Form, continue to be recognised as good. This achievement is thanks to the ongoing commitment of both our staff and students, who enjoy coming to this school. At Plymouth High, we believe in preparing our pupils for the future, to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful as they move into Higher education, apprenticeships and employment, and I am delighted to see the report from Ofsted reflect that.

Mr Davenport, Regional Director for the South West at Thinking Schools Academy Trust said:

Plymouth High School for Girls is a positive example of what it means to attend a welcoming school full of opportunities within the classroom and away from lessons, through extra-curricular activities. Teachers deliver an ambitious and well-planned curriculum, which paves the way for positive outcomes for all. Congratulations to Mr Underdown and his team on this success.

The full Ofsted report is now available on the Government Ofsted website, alongside a link to our own webpage here .