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Reviewed

Plymstock School

State school · Plymouth, PL9 9AZ
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-18
  • 1,671 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

Popular community comprehensive. The sheer size may be daunting for some, but for sporty types it’s a no-brainer, the facilities are superb. New arts centre will be a fantastic addition for arty types. Good all-round education serving a large local community.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
1,671 ·
Sixth form numbers
207 ·
Religion
None
Local authority
Plymouth City Council
Area guides

Headteacher

Headteacher

Stuart Koehler-Lewis

Since September 2024, Mr Stuart Koehler-Lewis, previously a member of staff at Coombe Dean School for nearly 20 years. During his time at that school, he held various leadership positions including senior deputy headteacher, leading the senior team

Entrance

Five feeder primaries but other pupils also accepted; usual criteria with distance as a tie-break. Now increased to 300 year 7 places to accommodate families from the housing development next door. There is space on the campus but no doubt some green

Open days
September

Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Goosewell Primary Academy 20 %
Oreston Community Academy 16 %
Elburton Primary School 16 %
Other 9 %
Where the number of students is less than 10, we cannot say where they've come from or where they are going to due to data protection rules.
Hooe Primary Academy 9 %
Pomphlett Primary School 9 %
Morley Meadow Primary School 7 %
Prince Rock Primary School 6 %
Salisbury Road Primary School 2 %
Sherford Vale School & Nursery 2 %
St Mary's Church of England Primary School 1 %
Wembury Primary School 1 %
Unknown 1 %
Where the school a student attended before or after this school is not known. These might be students who have come from or going to home schooling, independent schools, moving abroad etc.
Data highlight

Exit

They lose almost 60 per cent after GCSEs for apprenticeships and vocational courses at the local college. Popular destinations include Cardiff, Birmingham, Bath, Exeter, Warwick, Bristol UWE, Plymouth and Marjons. A few overseas here and there.

% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)

School
54%
LA avg.
56%
Eng. avg.
66%
Data highlight

What is this?

The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.

Latest results

In 2022, 18 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 67 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English. At A level, 31 per cent A*/A (55 per cent A*-B).

GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
68%
LA avg.
66%
Eng. avg.
60%
Data highlight

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

A level - Average points score (2024)

School
33.73
LA avg.
33.38
Eng. avg.
35.69
Data highlight

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Teaching & learning

Over 30 A levels offered and some vocational courses but these are mainly covered by the local colleges. Maths, English and the humanities are popular with an increasing number opting for psychology, sociology or criminology.

Sets from year 7 for

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • BTEC
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
  • VRQ
83
Number of teachers
20:1
Pupil to teacher ratio

Learning support & SEN

Enhanced specialist provision – centre for communication difficulties and intensive numeracy and literacy programme for SEN in years 7 and 8.

2.9 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
12.7 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

Art is popular with around four full classes at GCSE level. Regular visits to galleries in London and St Ives. Printmaking, photography, ceramics and 3D. We saw some high standard work, in particular some stunning photography. Pupils’ work is

Sport

No longer a specialist sports college, but lucky enough still to be reaping the benefits with the outstanding facilities. There are two sports halls, a fully equipped gym, dance studios, two new 3G artificial playing surfaces, a rugby pitch,

Ethos & heritage

Founded in 1911 as a boys' school on the same large site, Plymstock is one of the oldest schools in Plymouth. Feels miles away from the city, but the electronic entrance gate is a harsh reminder that it is in fact very close. Once inside, the central

Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

The odd misdemeanour that we saw, eating en-route to class, walking too slowly between lessons, playing ball in the corridor, all rectified immediately with a short, sharp bark from the head. Bad behaviour is always punished but the school will also

Pupils & parents

Families are local. Parents are pleased with the improvements in communication, though a few mentioned that the ‘progress reports would benefit from a little more detail if the student is below target.’ The school has also set up a parents' forum to

1,671
Number of pupils

The last word

Popular community comprehensive. The sheer size may be daunting for some, but for sporty types it’s a no-brainer, the facilities are superb. New arts centre will be a fantastic addition for arty types. Good all-round education serving a large local

Inspection reports

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Good

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Good
Quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Good
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Good

Full inspection: Good

Leadership and management Outstanding

This school has not provided any information yet

If you are from this school, please, get in touch to feature images and useful information for parents.

Contact the school

Address

Church Road
Plymstock
Plymouth
PL9 9AZ
Get directions

Telephone: 01752 402679

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://plymstockschool.org.uk/

Local authority: Plymouth City Council

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School data & information Plymstock School Church Road, Plymstock, Plymouth, PL9 9AZ
1,671 Pupil numbers
207 Sixth form numbers
16 % % of pupils eligible for free school meals
6 % Pupils whose first language is not English
20:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
83 Number of teachers
22 Number of teaching assistants
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Plymstock School and is updated annually. See the review

% achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
68%
LA avg.
66%
Eng. avg.
60%

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average overall GCSE score (attainment 8) (2024)

School
46.10
LA avg.
46.20
Eng. avg.
44.20

What is this?

Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Improvement rates in core subjects (progress 8) (2024)

0.00 Score Average
≈ 35% of schools in England

What is a progress score?

This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. This is based on results in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 53 5
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 19 6
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 87 4
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 11 6
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 272 5
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 105 5
German GCSE (9-1) Full Course 31 6
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 162 5
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 65 6
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 273 5
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 272 5
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 27 6
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 39 4
D&T Food Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 22 4
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 65 4
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 19 6
Business Studies:Single GCSE (9-1) Full Course 107 6
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 19 7
Art & Design (Photography) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 34 5
Art & Design GCSE (9-1) Full Course 54 5

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
19%
LA avg.
18%
Eng. avg.
20%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
33.73
LA avg.
33.38
Eng. avg.
35.69

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Sociology GCE A level 14 B
Religious Studies GCE A level 11 B
Psychology GCE A level 37 B
Physics GCE A level 14 B
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 6 B
Mathematics GCE A level 21 A
History GCE A level 14 C
Geography GCE A level 17 B
English Literature GCE A level 9 C
English Language and Literature GCE A level 7 B
Computer Studies / Computing GCE A level 12 B
Chemistry GCE A level 13 B
Biology GCE A level 22 B
Art and Design GCE A level 11 C

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 12 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 11 exit (average 2020-2022)

Year 13 exit

SEN overview

Plymstock School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Plymstock School has a busy learning support department, which works alongside teaching staff to ensure that every student is able to discover their strengths and access the rich curriculum on offer. Support is available for a range of additional needs, with a strong focus on quality first teaching and treating young people as individuals. We believe in working closely with students, parents and other professionals to ensure that all of our students make excellent progress and mature into well-rounded young people.”

Updated Nov 2019
2.9 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
12.7 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment Yes
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes Yes
PD - Physical Disability Yes
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health Yes
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism Yes
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired Yes

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Good

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Good
Quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Good
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Good

Full inspection: Good

Leadership and management Outstanding
Our data explained
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