Plymouth High School for Girls is a mainstream secondary school in Plymouth for girls aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 22 of its 782 pupils (2.8%) were getting SEN support and 2 (0.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 782 pupils
- Girls only
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Plymouth.
2.8% get SEN support
22 of 782 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
0.3% have an EHC plan
2 of 782 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism6
- Social, emotional and mental health5
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Girls only
- Pupils
- 782 (places for 804)
- Admissions
- Selective (a grammar school)
- Headteacher
- Mr Simon Underdown
- Part of
- The Thinking Schools Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 13.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Plymouth
- School reference (URN)
- 148369
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Plymouth council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, September 2011; school remains Good (April 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in September 2011. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formRequires improvement
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, April 2024).
Contact and getting there
St Lawrence Road, Plymouth, PL4 6HT
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Chapel Bridge School Independent · Ages 6–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
- Stoke Damerel Community College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.0 mile
- Eggbuckland Community College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 1.4 miles
- Courtlands School Special school · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.8 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Plymouth High School for Girls
How many pupils at Plymouth High School for Girls have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 22 of the 782 pupils (2.8%) were getting SEN support and 2 (0.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Plymouth High School for Girls?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (6 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (5 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Plymouth High School for Girls?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Plymouth High School for Girls?
Through Plymouth council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Plymouth High School for Girls?
You can ask for Plymouth High School for Girls to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Plymouth High School for Girls have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Stoke Damerel Community College, about 1.0 mile away.
Where is Plymouth High School for Girls?
St Lawrence Road, Plymouth, PL4 6HT, in Plymouth.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.