Devonport High School for Boys – 11+ Parent’s Guide

Devonport High School for Boys – 11+ Parent’s Guide

Essential Details

  • Address: Devonport High School for Boys, Paradise Road, Plymouth, PL1 5QP
  • Number of pupils: 900+ (boys aged 11-18, mixed Sixth Form)
  • Admissions contact: admissions@dhsb.org
  • Number of places in Year 7: 150
  • 11+ exam: Plymouth 11+ Selection Test
  • Catchment area: Yes (priority given to Plymouth residents)

Mark Your Calendar

See Devonport High School for Boys’s website for latest information and key dates.

Exploring Devonport High School for Boys: A Parent’s Guide

Founded in 1896, Devonport High School for Boys (DHSB) is a leading selective school with a distinguished maritime heritage and academic excellence. In 2023, the school achieved 88% 9-7 grades at GCSE and 83% A*-B at A-level, with students progressing to top universities including Oxford, Cambridge, and Russell Group institutions.

The school offers a specialist curriculum with maritime science and naval technology programs alongside strong provision in STEM, humanities, and modern languages. DHSB’s “Admiralty Pathway” provides unique opportunities in marine engineering, supported by outstanding facilities including a £3.5m Maritime Science Centre and partnerships with the Royal Navy.

Beyond academics, DHSB provides an exceptional extracurricular program including championship-winning sailing teams, award-winning Combined Cadet Force (Royal Navy Section), and thriving STEM clubs. The school’s “DHSB Navigator” program challenges students to complete leadership, technical, and community projects.

Navigating the Application process at Devonport High School for Boys

  1. Registration: Apply for Plymouth 11+ test by June 30th of Year 5
  2. Test Preparation: Focus on verbal reasoning and mathematics
  3. Test Date: Plymouth 11+ taken in September of Year 6
  4. Application Deadline: Submit CAF to Plymouth City Council by October 31st
  5. Results: Standardised scores released in October
  6. National Offer Day: March 1st
  7. Appeals Process: For candidates scoring within the review range

What to Expect on Devonport High School for Boys

The Plymouth 11+ consists of:

  • Two 50-minute papers taken on the same day
  • Paper 1: Verbal reasoning (including technical comprehension)
  • Paper 2: Mathematics (with maritime applications)
  • Standardised scoring system (minimum qualifying score typically 220+)
  • Exam conditions at designated test centres across Plymouth
  • Special arrangements available for students with SEN

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Expert Tips for Secondary Transfer Test Preparation

  1. Nautical Vocabulary: Focus on maritime and scientific terminology
  2. Mathematical Navigation: Master bearings, vectors and tidal calculations
  3. Technical Comprehension: Practice reading complex maritime texts
  4. Error Analysis: Maintain categorized mistake logs
  5. Test Strategy: Develop time management for multi-stage problems
  6. Spatial Reasoning: Strengthen 3D visualization skills

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