Devonport High School for Girls 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Devonport High School for Girls.
How to get into Devonport High School for Girls
Devonport High School for Girls is a selective secondary school in Devon. To get into Devonport High School for Girls children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Devonport High School for Girls with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Devonport High School for Girls offers 158 places annually for Year 7 entry and accepts girls aged 11-18 [1]. All candidates must sit the 11-plus examination to be considered for admission. There is no catchment area for the school, meaning girls from any location can apply.
The 11-plus examinations use GL Assessment English Comprehension and Mathematics papers [1]. The school has received more applications than places available for several years, making competition intense for admission.
- Children must be eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2026
- Must pass the Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ examination
- Applications processed through Plymouth City Council
- No residential catchment area restrictions apply
- Contact details available in the school information section
Application Process
Admission applications must be made through Plymouth City Council on their website [1]. Families need to complete both the 11+ examination registration and the school application separately.
Registration for the 11+ opens on Tuesday 22nd April 2025 and closes on Sunday 31st August 2025. The two 11+ examinations take place on Saturday 13th September 2025 and Saturday 20th September 2025 [1].
- Register for Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ between 22nd April and 31st August 2025
- Complete registration online through the school website
- Submit Common Application Form by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- Include any Free School Meals or Pupil Premium forms if eligible
- Receive examination results by 17th October 2025 (see key dates)
- School offers announced on 3rd March 2026 (see key dates)
Examination Details
The 11+ exam takes place over two dates with the first paper on Saturday 13th September and the second paper on Saturday 20th September. Students can take the examinations at either Devonport High School for Girls or Plymouth High School for Girls as they are identical tests taken on the same days [1].
Both papers last approximately 45 minutes to one hour and are multiple-choice format. Questions test reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and mathematical skills based on the national curriculum.
- English Paper: Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and spelling
- Mathematics Paper: Number, algebra, geometry and problem-solving
- Both papers are multiple-choice format lasting 45-60 minutes each
- Tests supplied by GL Assessment
- Mock examination available in July before the real tests [1]
Oversubscription Criteria
There are 158 places available at Devonport High School for Girls. Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school are given places first if they achieve the cut-off score.
All other children are allocated places in this specific order: looked after and previously looked after children who achieve the required score, up to 12 places for children eligible for free school meals or pupil premium who meet the score threshold, then all remaining children ranked by score order starting with the highest.
- First priority: Children with EHCP naming the school (meeting cut-off score)
- Second priority: Looked after and previously looked after children
- Third priority: Up to 12 places for Free School Meals/Pupil Premium eligible children
- Fourth priority: All other children ranked by examination score
- Tie-breaker: Distance from school if scores are identical
Preparation Guidance
Effective preparation requires consistent practice and familiarity with the examination format. Building a good knowledge base using a 'little and often' approach is key, with child psychologists recommending regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11.
The school partners with Atom Learning to provide free online learning and 11+ preparation for children eligible for Pupil Premium [1]. GL Assessment provides free familiarisation materials on their website.
- Start preparation 12-18 months before the examination
- Use 20-30 minute daily sessions for optimal learning
- Focus on National Curriculum content for Years 3-6
- Practice with multiple-choice answer sheets
- Access free preparation resources via practice papers section
- Consider professional tutoring through 11+ tutor services
- Attend the mock examination in July if available
Practical Advice
Examination day preparation should focus on ensuring children are well-rested and familiar with the test venue. Students must be available on both examination days to complete all required tests [1].
Building confidence through regular practice and maintaining a positive approach helps children feel prepared for exam day. Practice with past papers helps familiarise children with the question styles and time constraints they will face.
- Ensure adequate sleep before both examination dates
- Arrive at the test venue with time to spare
- Bring required identification and stationery
- Practice time management with timed papers beforehand
- Use breathing exercises to manage examination nerves
- Consider backup school options in Devon and Plymouth area
- Contact the school information section for specific queries
Support for Disadvantaged Families
The school actively works to attract students from disadvantaged backgrounds and believes in raising aspirations for families eligible for pupil premium funding [1]. Children eligible for free school meals at any point in the last six years can access free Atom Home preparation resources.
Up to 12 places are specifically allocated to children who achieve the required score and qualify for free school meals or pupil premium. This ensures the school maintains diversity and provides opportunities for academically able children from all backgrounds.
Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ Information
In order to get into Devonport 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 admission to Devonport High School for Girls and Plymouth High School for Girls consists of two multiple-choice papers supplied by GL Assessment. These papers assess the candidates' proficiency in English and Maths, with each paper lasting approximately 45 minutes to one hour.
The English paper evaluates the students' comprehension skills through reading passages and answering related questions. It also tests their knowledge of spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation. The Maths paper, on the other hand, assesses the students' understanding of key mathematical concepts, including times tables, mental maths, shapes, space and measures, the four basic operations, and interpreting graphs.
While the content of the papers is based on the Year 5 national curriculum, the questions in the Maths paper may be more challenging than what the students are accustomed to. Some advanced questions will require the students to apply their skills to solve novel problems.
Other Schools using Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+
As well as Devonport 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 Devonport 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.
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).
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 Girls, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Devonport High School for Girls 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Devonport High School for Girls) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 22/04/2025 | Registration Opens For The Dhsg And Phsg Practice 11+ Exam | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 28/04/2025 | 11+ Registration Opens | |
| 23/05/2025 | Registration Closes For The Practice Exam | |
| 05/07/2025 | Dhsg And Phsg Practice (mock) 11+ Exam | |
| 18/07/2025 | Results Sent For The Dhsg And Phsg Practice 11+ Exam | |
| 31/08/2025 | 11+ Registration Closes | |
| 13/09/2025 | 11+ Exam Paper 1 | |
| 20/09/2025 | 11+ Exam Paper 2 | |
| Mid October | Parents Receive 11+ Results | |
| Late October | Secondary School Applications Close At 5pm | |
| 02/03/2026 | 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 Devonport High School for Girls as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Devonport High School for Girls
As the Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.
Why use a private 11+ tutor?
Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.
11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.
11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.
Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!
Private 11+ Tutors for the Devonport High School for Girls 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Devonport High School for Girls 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.
11+ Past Papers for Devonport High School for Girls
Unfortunately, Devonport High School for Girls has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls
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 Devonport High School for Girls which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.
This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls by Bond
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+ to get into Devonport High School for Girls.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls by GL Assessment
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into Devonport High School for Girls.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls by Exam Ninja
These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Plymouth & Devonport Girls 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls by Owl Tutors
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into Devonport High School for Girls.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls by CGP
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into Devonport High School for Girls.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Devonport High School for Girls ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Girls by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about Devonport High School for Girls together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Devonport High School for Girls, Lyndhurst Road, Peverell, Plymouth, Devon PL2 3DL |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.devonportgirls.plymouth.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01752705024 |
| Email Address | anettleship@dhsg.co.uk |
| Gender | Girls only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 158 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 823 (804 Girls / 19 Boys) |
| Head Teacher | Mr Lee Sargeant |
Devonport 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 823 pupils attend Devonport High School for Girls and it's led by the Head Teacher, Mr Lee Sargeant.
Devonport High School for Girls Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Devonport High School for Girls was last inspected by Ofsted on 19/11/2019 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 16/12/2019, 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
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 19/11/2019 | 1 | 16/12/2019 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
Devonport High School for Girls was inspected by Ofsted on 19 November 2019 and received an overall outcome of Good. The school demonstrated Good quality of education, Outstanding behaviour and attitudes, and Outstanding personal development. The leadership and management of the school were also rated as Good.
The sixth form provision at Devonport High School for Girls was found to be Good during the inspection. This indicates that the school provides a high-quality education for students in their post-16 studies, preparing them well for their future academic and professional endeavors.
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 Girls for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Devonport 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) | 22 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Art & Design (Textiles) | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | - | 6 |
| Biology | 78 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 8 | 10 | 17 | 22 | 20 |
| Business Studies:Single | 51 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 19 |
| Chemistry | 78 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 13 | 17 |
| Chinese | 7 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 7 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | - | 3 | 1 |
| English Language | 124 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 8 | 18 | 27 | 41 | 29 |
| English Literature | 122 | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 7 | 13 | 26 | 26 | 45 |
| D&T Food Technology | 34 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 9 | 19 |
| French | 48 | 2 | - | - | 2 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 9 |
| Geography | 64 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 17 | 17 |
| German | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 2 | - | 5 | 2 |
| History | 74 | - | - | - | 3 | 5 | 8 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 16 |
| Latin | 13 | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | - | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Mathematics | 124 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 14 | 27 | 26 | 44 | 11 |
| Physics | 78 | 1 | - | - | 2 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 18 | 15 |
| Religious Studies | 58 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 18 | 18 | 10 | 8 |
| Spanish | 45 | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 32 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 3 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 29 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 5 |
| Science: Double Award | 45 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design | 8 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 6 | |||
| Biology | 34 | - | 2 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 3 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 8 | - | - | 1 | 2 | - | 2 | 3 | |||
| Chemistry | 24 | - | 2 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |||
| English Literature | 34 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 10 | |||
| French | 10 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |||
| Geography | 21 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | |||
| History | 24 | - | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 1 | |||
| Mathematics | 30 | - | 2 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 4 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 7 | - | - | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | 3 | |||
| Physics | 10 | - | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | - | |||
| Psychology | 36 | - | 2 | 2 | 7 | 16 | 7 | 2 | |||
| Religious Studies | 11 | - | - | 1 | - | 5 | 3 | 2 | |||
| Spanish | 11 | - | - | - | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||
FAQ
Is Devonport High School for Girls hard to get into?
Yes, Devonport 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 Devonport High School for Girls a private school?
No, Devonport High School for Girls is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Devonport High School for Girls free?
Yes, Devonport High School for Girls is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Devonport High School for Girls won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Devonport High School for Girls?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Devonport 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 Devonport High School for Girls a girls-only school?
Yes, Devonport High School for Girls is a girls-only school.
