Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #4 in Plymouth public Top 12% UK

Hele's School

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

personMrs Justine Mason

corporate_fareWESTCOUNTRY SCHOOLS TRUST

location_onPlymouth, PL7 4LT

language Visit Website phone 1752337193

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2017

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Students

1,341

trending_up

Attainment 8

50.7

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#4 in Plymouth

#847 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Hele's School is a Academy converter secondary school in Plymouth, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.2×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Hele's School is an academy converter in Plymouth, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of WESTCOUNTRY SCHOOLS TRUST. The school has approximately 1,393 pupils on roll, of whom 17% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 50.7, placing the school #4 in Plymouth and #847 of 3,216 nationally. 54.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 21.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 21 A-level subjects. 49.2% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 16.5% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.05 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2017. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.2× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 20.2:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 3 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 5.5 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

50.7

Grade 5+ E&M

54.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)21.5%

Entering EBacc57.40%

EBacc APS4.72

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc53.40%

EBacc APS4.45

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.13

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.0

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc68%

EBacc APS4.69

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.28

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc54%

EBacc APS4.33

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc54%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.03

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc79%

EBacc APS4.67

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.31

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc71%

EBacc APS4.32

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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

95%

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

Apprenticeships10%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

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

Apprenticeships12%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships9%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships7%

EmploymentSP%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

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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

+0.05

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

110

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*4.5%

Achieving A*–A16.5%

Achieving A*–B49.2%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate96.4%

A-level subjects offered21

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.07

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate93.10%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate97.50%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate94.4%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

22 March 2023

Inspection Report

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12 July 2017

Inspection Report

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09 October 2015

Inspection Report

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30 April 2015

Inspection Report

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02 May 2012

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2017-07-12

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2015-10-09

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2015-04-30

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

3.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.4%(33 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 1,393 pupils. During this period, there were 51 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.7%, which is below 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)	1,393	51	3.7%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,399	103	7.4%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,388	89	6.4%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,386	46	3.3%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,394	64	4.6%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,340	44	3.3%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,341	26	1.9%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,349	39	2.9%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,328	39	2.9%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,327	36	2.7%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,334	42	3.1%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,302	37	2.8%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,300	6	0.5%	1.0%	2
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,297	42	3.2%	3.9%	2
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,243	1	0.1%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,243	27	2.2%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,242	37	3.0%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,222	23	1.9%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,224	39	3.2%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,217	39	3.2%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,236	47	3.8%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,239	30	2.4%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,251	29	2.3%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,249	21	1.7%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,251	25	2.0%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,255	22	1.8%	3.1%	0

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

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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 72 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 42 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 37 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 33 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 20 pupils

Physical Disability 8 pupils

Visual Impairment 4 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

90.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

92.0%Positive

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

27.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree40%

agree47%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree43%

agree41%

disagree10%

strongly disagree1%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree42%

agree25%

disagree7%

strongly disagree5%

not applicable20%

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

yes22%

no78%

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

strongly agree42%

agree42%

disagree6%

strongly disagree8%

dont know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree54%

agree37%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree48%

agree41%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree47%

agree43%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

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

strongly agree51%

agree44%

disagree4%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree55%

agree39%

disagree4%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree42%

agree38%

disagree7%

strongly disagree4%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes90%

no10%

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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.

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

Coombe Dean School

Plymstock School

Marine Academy Plymouth