Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #10 in Plymouth public Top 31% UK

Plympton Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMs Lisa Boorman

corporate_fareTHE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST

location_onPlymouth, PL7 2RS

language Visit Website phone 3333602202

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,152

trending_up

Attainment 8

43.1

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#11 in Plymouth

#2,072 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Plympton Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in Plymouth, serving ages 11-18. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

Plympton Academy is an academy converter in Plymouth, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,078 pupils on roll, of whom 22% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 43.1, placing the school #11 in Plymouth and #2,072 of 3,216 nationally. 43.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 9.9% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 13 A-level subjects. 32.9% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 13.4% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.56 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Requires improvement.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.2:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 3 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 11.7 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

43.1

Grade 5+ E&M

43.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)9.9%

Entering EBacc11.90%

EBacc APS3.57

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.39

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19.80%

EBacc APS3.5

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.21

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc17%

EBacc APS3.47

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.51

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc16%

EBacc APS3.54

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.2

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc25%

EBacc APS3.16

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.18

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc27%

EBacc APS3.45

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)75%

Apprenticeships17%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships11%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.56

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*3.7%

Achieving A*–A13.4%

Achieving A*–B32.9%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate84.6%

A-level subjects offered13

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.66

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate93.80%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate87.00%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate84.4%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

25 February 2025

Inspection Report

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19 March 2024

Inspection Report

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10 March 2020

Inspection Report

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13 January 2016

Inspection Report

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24 April 2014

Inspection Report

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14 May 2012

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-03-19

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

2020-03-10

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

2016-01-13

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2014-04-24

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

10.4%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

5.4%(58 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,078 pupils. During this period, there were 112 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 10.4%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,078	112	10.4%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,077	141	13.1%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,126	152	13.5%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,145	158	13.8%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,153	206	17.9%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,139	191	16.8%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,152	217	18.8%	6.4%	2
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,157	140	12.1%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,086	73	6.7%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,096	81	7.4%	4.9%	2
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,099	51	4.6%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	994	50	5.0%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,001	17	1.7%	1.0%	1
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,007	74	7.3%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	931	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	931	62	6.7%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	940	101	10.7%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	846	58	6.9%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	844	50	5.9%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	854	69	8.1%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	761	24	3.2%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	763	25	3.3%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	763	22	2.9%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	727	14	1.9%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	728	20	2.7%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	730	2	0.3%	3.1%	1

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 42 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 21 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 16 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 10 pupils

Physical Disability 6 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 4 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

47.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

47.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

15.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree6%

agree18%

disagree37%

strongly disagree35%

don't know4%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree6%

agree29%

disagree41%

strongly disagree20%

don't know4%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree12%

agree19%

disagree29%

strongly disagree31%

don't know1%

not applicable7%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes24%

no76%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree8%

agree19%

disagree24%

strongly disagree42%

dont know7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree12%

agree39%

disagree23%

strongly disagree15%

don't know11%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree8%

agree37%

disagree27%

strongly disagree20%

don't know8%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree9%

agree38%

disagree31%

strongly disagree20%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree11%

agree59%

disagree16%

strongly disagree10%

don't know4%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree13%

agree62%

disagree11%

strongly disagree4%

don't know10%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree9%

agree21%

disagree35%

strongly disagree21%

don't know14%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes26%

no74%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Plymouth

Devonport High School for Girls

Devonport High School for Boys

Plymouth High School for Girls

Hele's School

Coombe Dean School

Plymstock School