Grammar schools offer a fantastic opportunity for students to access a selective, high-quality education. But if you’re new to secondary education, the admissions process can feel like a mystery.
In Devon, you won’t find grammar schools evenly spread throughout the county. There are only seven grammars and one partially-selective school, mostly located around Plymouth and Torbay. As a result, competition for places is intense. So, how can you and your child best prepare?
In this guide, we’ll break it all down. You’ll find an introduction to each Devon grammar school, an explanation of the 11+ exam format and pass marks, as well as which schools face the most competition—helping you make secondary choices with confidence.
How many grammar schools are there in Devon?
Devon has seven grammar schools and one partially-selective school. Unlike counties such as Kent or Buckinghamshire, where grammars are more widespread, Devon’s selection is smaller and mostly concentrated in Plymouth and Torbay. However, these schools are some of the finest in the country, with a history of academic excellence, strong community ties and impressive facilities.
Here’s a complete list of Devon’s grammar schools:
1. Colyton Grammar School
- Location: Whitwell Lane, Colyford, Colyton, EX24 6HN
- Size: Around 1,000 pupils
- Pupils: Mixed, ages 11–18
Nestled in the picturesque village of Colyford near the East Devon coast, Colyton Grammar School consistently ranks as one of the top-performing schools in the UK. With a history dating back to 1546, this school is steeped in tradition while embracing modern education.
Established for the “goodly and virtuous education of children”, Colyton Grammar boasts state-of-the-art science labs and an impressive track record in national competitions such as the UK Maths Challenge and Olympiads. Beyond excellent academics, it fosters a supportive, tight-knit community, offering students fantastic opportunities in music, drama and sports.
2. Devonport High School for Boys
- Location: Paradise Road, Stoke, Plymouth, PL1 5QP
- Size: Approximately 1,200 pupils
- Pupils: Boys, with a mixed sixth form
Devonport High School for Boys is renowned for rigorous academic standards and producing well-rounded individuals. Established in 1896, the school prides itself on nurturing talent across all fields, from science and technology to the arts. Its excellent facilities, including a dedicated sports centre, ensure a well-balanced education.
The school has a disciplined ethos with the simple vision that “Everyone Succeeds”. Although it’s all boys for Year 7 to 11, Devonport’s mixed sixth-form helps students transition into careers or higher education.
3. Devonport High School for Girls
- Location: Lyndhurst Road, Peverell, Plymouth, PL2 3DL
- Size: Approximately 850 pupils
- Pupils: Girls, with a mixed sixth form
Just a short distance from its boys’ counterpart, Devonport High School for Girls boasts an impressive reputation for academic achievement. Founded in 1908, the school has remained a cornerstone of education for girls in Plymouth.
Describing themselves as a “21st-century grammar school”, Devonport High for Girls combines academic rigour with a supportive pastoral environment. It’s celebrated for its extracurricular offerings, including a vibrant music and drama scene and successful sports teams. Like the boy’s equivalent, Devonport’s mixed-sixth form ensures students are well-prepared for top universities.
4. Plymouth High School for Girls
- Location: St Lawrence Road, Plymouth, PL4 6HT
- Size: Around 800 pupils
- Pupils: Girls, with a mixed sixth-form
Plymouth High School for Girls is another leading grammar school in the city, known for its welcoming atmosphere and focus on holistic development. Founded in 1874, it has a proud legacy of empowering young women to excel academically and personally.
The school offers a range of extracurricular activities, including a thriving debate society, environmental initiatives and creative arts programs. Needless to say, its academic performance is also consistently strong. In 2024, 92% of students achieved grades 9-5 at GCSE, with a 98% A Level pass rate.
5. Torquay Boys’ Grammar School
- Location: Shiphay Manor Drive, Torquay, TQ2 7EL
- Size: Approximately 1,100 pupils
- Pupils: Boys, with a mixed sixth form
Torquay Boys’ Grammar School is known for its outstanding academic results and strong emphasis on student wellbeing. As described by Ofsted, the school’s “drive for academic achievement” is balanced by a “deep commitment to students’ wider personal and social development.”
Established in 1904, Torquay Boys’ Grammar excels in sports, with competitive teams in rugby, cricket and athletics, as well as a thriving music and drama program. Its commitment to developing the “whole person” ensures students leave as well-rounded individuals ready to make their mark.
6. Torquay Girls’ Grammar School
- Location: 30 Shiphay Lane, Torquay, TQ2 7DY
- Size: Around 1,000 pupils
- Pupils: Girls, with a mixed sixth form
Like its boys’ counterpart, Torquay Girls’ Grammar School is known for its supportive environment and academic excellence. Established in 1915, the school has a long-standing tradition of empowering young women to achieve their full potential.
Ofsted rated the school as “outstanding” in all areas. Indeed, their academic results place them among the top schools in the country for both attainment and progress. Nonetheless, the school describes their essence as a “way of thinking”—helping students achieve “absolutely anything”.
7. Churston Ferrers Grammar School
- Location: Greenway Road, Churston Ferrers, Brixham, TQ5 0LN
- Size: Approximately 1,000 pupils
- Pupils: Mixed school, ages 11–18
Churston Ferrers Grammar School is a co-educational institution in the charming town of Brixham. Known for its inclusive and creative ethos (as well as an excellent academic record), the school provides a vibrant learning environment where students thrive.
At Churston Ferrers, teachers place great importance on imagination and innovation. The school boasts exceptional facilities for arts and technology, as well as a range of extracurricular activities, from theatre to sports clubs. This community-focused approach makes it a standout choice for creative families in Torbay.
8. The Spires College
- Location: Westlands Lane, Torquay, TQ1 3PE
- Size: Around 1,150 pupils
- Pupils: Mixed school, ages 11–18
The Spires College offers a modern and innovative approach to learning, with a strong emphasis on preparing students for present-day challenges. Its “welcoming and warm” environment and focus on personal development make it a great choice for students who value both academic achievement and community involvement.
Parents should note: The Spires College is only partially-selective. This means they accept 60 students into Year 7 based on their academic performance in 11+ exams. Even if your child doesn’t pass the 11+, they may still be eligible under the school’s other admissions criteria.
If you’re interested in grammar schools further afield, don’t miss our round-up of the best grammars in London and the whole UK.
What’s the exam format for the 11+ in Devon?
Navigating the 11+ in Devon can be tricky due to the variation in exam formats and admissions criteria across different schools. Each area—Colyton, Torbay and Plymouth—has its own approach and deadlines. So it’s important to understand how the tests work.
Here’s a breakdown.
Colyton Grammar School: 11+ Exam Format
Colyton Grammar uses the Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE) Year 7 Entrance Test, tailored to align with the KS2 National Curriculum in Maths and English. The exam is thorough, lasting approximately 3 hours with breaks.
This includes:
- Paper 1: English/Maths (50 minutes, multiple-choice)
- Paper 2: English/Maths (40 minutes, free-response)
- Paper 3: Writing (25 minutes)
What’s the pass mark for the Colyton Grammar 11 Plus?
Colyton Grammar doesn’t set a fixed 11+ pass mark. Scores are standardised according to each child’s age, meaning younger applicants receive adjustments to level the playing field. Applicants are then ranked by their test scores. Year 7 places are awarded to the highest scorers alongside the school’s other admissions criteria.
Torbay Grammar Schools: 11+ Exam Format
The grammar schools in Torbay, including Churston Ferrers, follow a simpler 11+ format. They use two tests designed to assess English and Maths skills, both of which are multiple-choice. These tests are created by GL Assessment, who publish free familiarisation materials and sample paper bundles.
This includes:
- Paper 1: English (50 minutes, multiple-choice)
- Paper 2: Maths (50 minutes, multiple-choice)
What’s the pass mark for the Torbay 11 Plus?
Similar to Colyton, Torbay grammar schools do not have a fixed pass mark. Students are ranked based on their test performance, and places are offered to the highest 11+ scores (alongside other admissions criteria). The effective “pass mark” varies each year depending on the number of applicants and their overall performance.
Plymouth Grammar Schools: 11+ Exam Format
The grammar schools in Plymouth—including Devonport High School for Boys, Devonport High School for Girls, and Plymouth High School for Girls—also have unique admissions criteria and test structures. The 11+ exams in Plymouth are primarily based on GL Assessment papers, with some variations depending on the school.
Devonport High School for Boys:
- English reading: GL Assessment (60 minutes, multiple-choice)
- Maths: GL Assessment (40 minutes, multiple-choice)
- English writing: School-specific paper
Devonport High School for Girls and Plymouth High School for Girls:
- English comprehension: GL Assessment, 45 minutes, multiple-choice (64 questions in 2024)
- Maths: GL Assessment, 50 minutes, multiple-choice (50 questions in 2024)
Familiarisation materials are available from the respective school websites.
What’s the pass mark for the 11 Plus in Plymouth?
For Plymouth High School for Girls and Devonport High School for Girls, places are offered to the top 278 ranked students listing these grammar schools as their first or second choice. If your child ranks outside the top 278, there’s still a chance they could secure a place if higher-ranked students decline their offers.
For Devonport High School for Boys, there’s no fixed pass mark as it changes each year based on results. However, to be eligible for a place, your child needs to score in the top 180 11+ candidates. Places are then allocated based on overall ranking.
Whichever Devon grammar you’re applying to, 80% or more in 11+ exams is a good benchmark to aim for. To help your child prepare, explore our guides to 11+ reading lists, powerful adjectives, SPaG and ambitious vocabulary.
What percentage of children get into grammar schools in Devon?
Unfortunately, there isn’t precise information on the percentage of children gaining entry to Devon grammar schools. However, across the country, about 5% of secondary-age children attend grammar schools. Around 100,000 children sit 11+ exams each year, competing for places at 163 schools.
Of Devon’s seven grammar schools (and one partially-selective school), it’s likely that between 30-40% of children taking the 11+ exam secure a place. But this number changes from year to year, as well as between schools.
How hard is it to get into Colyton Grammar?
Like all grammars in Devon, getting into Colyton Grammar School is challenging. We know that in 2023, 388 students sat the 11+ exam for Colyton Grammar School. Out of these students, 193 achieved an “eligible score”. In total, 232 pupils applied for Year 7 entry, competing for 160 places. This means that out of all those who sat the 11+ exam, about 40% secured a place.
Parents should also know that Colyton Grammar doesn’t have a catchment area (although in the event of a tie-break, they prioritise pupils with the closest postcode). This means children are welcome to apply from all over the country—with the highest-scoring applicants securing a place. As a result, many parents invest in 11+ tuition to help their child prepare.
Which are the hardest grammar schools to get into in Devon?
As we’ve seen, Colyton Grammar is one of the most challenging Devon grammars to get into. It’s particularly competitive due to its impressive academic results, attracting applicants from across the South West and beyond.
That said, Torquay Boys’ and Girls’ Grammar Schools and Churston Ferrers are also highly sought after. These schools consistently attract hundreds of applicants from their surrounding areas.
In terms of preferences for places alone, here are the latest statistics:
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- Torquay Girls’ Grammar School: 289 preferences for 160 places
- Torquay Boys’ Grammar School: 306 preferences for 168 places
- Churston Ferrers: 401 preferences for 150 places
- Colyton Grammar: 155 preferences for 155 places
While these figures may seem modest, they highlight the fierce competition for each school, with only students meeting the required qualifying score likely to apply.
Does Exeter have a grammar school?
Surprisingly, Exeter does not have a grammar school. For families living in Exeter, this can be disappointing—especially as Exeter is the largest city in Devon and home to a world-class university.
The nearest grammar schools to Exeter are either Colyton Grammar (about 28 miles, or a 45-minute drive) and the two Torquay Grammars (about 25 miles, also roughly 45 minutes drive).
If you’re based in Exeter, it’s worth researching each Grammar School’s admissions policy, paying close attention to catchment areas. All Devon grammar schools apart from Colyton Grammar prioritise students living within the local vicinity.
Thinking about Devon grammar schools for your child?
While Devon doesn’t have as many grammar schools as some other areas, the schools it does have are exceptional, offering children access to a fantastic education. Whether you’re considering Colyton, Plymouth or Torbay, understanding the admissions process, pass marks and competition is crucial to helping your child succeed.
If you’d like support navigating the 11+ process, we’re here to help. At Achieve Learning, we specialise in preparing students for the unique challenges of grammar school, offering tailored tuition (starting at Year 4 and Year 5), academic consultancy and mock exams. Contact us today to give your child the best chance of success.
