Plymouth High School for Girls

I am a student here and have been since year 7. Personally I do enjoy going to PHSG though there are some aspects which are rubbish (as there are in any school).

Mr Underdown (the head teacher) is very patronising and completely unlikeable. He forced the school to join TSAT who restrict learning techniques to stupid bubble maps and brace maps and encourage no kind of creative learning techniques which is ridiculous because they except everyone to learn in the same way: mind mapping. It would be okay if you got to choose how to take your notes but no, you have to take notes the way the teachers say. I'm fairly certain lower down in the school, they've implemented no use of highlighters to look neat for when off-stead come in. He also wants teachers to cold call which is absolutely horrifying for someone who suffers with anxiety. Some of the people in my class are extremely shy - it would be a nightmare for anyone let alone them. He speaks to us like we are four and has always got a plastic smile on his face. All he asks us about is how we like the school and if any criticism is given, it wont be acted on.

The food is really rubbish - its cold and bland and seems to be made blindfolded with the amount of care put into making it. Theres also not enough room in the canteen so we have to sit outside, even in the middle of winter when it's freezing, pouring down with rain, thundering etc. because eating in our form rooms is forbidden. I know several people with eating disorders so I can't imagine how much more difficult it makes it for them to eat - sometimes I go home hungry because I refuse to eat in an overcrowded canteen or outside in the freezing cold. And yet they say they care?

They have about 70 maths teachers and seem to put all the budget into the maths corridors, yet the only music teacher has old instruments and has the burden of year 7 classes, year 8 classes, year 9 classes, year 10 classes and year 11 classes. Every timeI see her she always looks exhausted and utterly stressed. There is no room for the creative subjects on the priority list because the same can be said for the drama facilities which are virtually falling apart. The GCSE people who take drama don't even have the drama hall for half the year because of the mocks (they take place in there) so they have to do their practical spread in different, cramped classrooms around the school while that is taking place. They are doomed to fail I swear. The IT teacher also isn't a great teacher. He sits back all lesson and gets you to teach yourself. There is no motivation. We don't even get books to take notes. You have to take notes on the computer which is proven to be less efficient as you aren't physically writing out the words, you are just pressing buttons (so the info doesn't go into your head as good.)

The mentors in the support base are alright but I swear theres no confidentiality. One day there was a fire drill so the whole school was stood on the courts and my friend's mentor who wanted to catch up with her called her out to speak to her just before everyone went to go back inside so now everyone knows that she's got a mentor and that her mental health isn't great. The only solution they seem to offer is get more sleep and when you're ranting to them about your life, they always make it seem as though your problems are made up in your head. They need more training in mental health but overall I think they mean well.

There is damp and mould all over the rs block which needs to be sorted . The toilets are rubbish too they always leak and don't flush. Most of the doors don't lock and its really dark. I wish Mr Underdown would stop spending money on maths and stuff (ironically he is a maths teacher too).


My teachers overall are really great with a few I really love and have inspired me to take A levels in the subjects. It is a good school and I enjoy the environment and everything and overall I specifically think the English course is really great. The head of English is an angel sent from heaven and she's really saved me. Math's is okay if you like the subject and you like quite similar structured lessons every lesson. The sciences are okay too, theres definitely a lot of support there if you are looking to improve your grade, though i feel some of the teachers just witter and don't get to the point of what we are supposed to be learning. Biology AQA is specifically annoying for a GCSE because the mark scheme is so stupid but if you study along side the mark scheme you can improve your grade. Art is just amazing! 10/10 would recommend there is so much support and the teachers are amazing. Geography is really supportive too, the environment is calm and the work load isn't too much. History is stupid. The work load is so excessive that we aren't going to finish the course in time in lesson so we are having to teach it to ourselves plus there is word of cutting a few of the history lessons next year (for GCSE years) to do more wellbeing which doesn't make sense but okay. There are just a few things which frustrate me. I think some of the reviews might be a bit harsh but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

I hope this is of some help, I would recommend the school despite the flaws I've mentioned. I think the environment is easy to settle into and the school definitely holds more potential. I hope in the coming years improvements will be made as the refurbishment and stuff is only new this year. :)

You can tell many teachers are trying their best, but some are fundamentally unqualified and should not be allowed to teach. The school is physically falling apart (some classrooms are unfit and unsafe for teaching) and the leadership is condescending. Unfortunatley, for the moment, this is one of the best schools plymouth has to offer - but that isn't saying much. They parade the high achievers around as a badge of honour for them (even though students accolades are almost entirely thier own) and neglect those children who actually need help. Also, when high achievers are struggling (mentally or with work) they insist the student just needs to 'work harder'. The school does not effectivley deal with allegations and has a very 'brush it under the carpet' mentality. Send your kid outside of the city for school.

There are some serious things wrong with this school.

As someone who has spent a lot of time in this school, I can tell you it's better than some schools in the area but that's only if you look from the outside in.

This school is falling apart and no one in any form of power is willing to do anything about it, only the students. I have witnessed many students contemplate sending emails or talking directly to HOYS or the SLT but eventually get turned away with the thought of getting into trouble for speaking up or just not getting their opinions heard at all. The history department is in a state of disrepair. Drama, music and art are slowly being wiped off of the curriculum. The science and PE departments equipment are outdated. The funding we have recently gotten from the Trust should've been spared equally throughout the whole school, not just in maths.

The support for students could be considered laughable. 3 people aren't enough to deal with the problems of the majority of the school, and they are mostly first aiders anyways. Mindfulness colouring does not help the rise of anxiety and depression amongst us. They also call home and tell them anything you say to them, I have also heard of students who have asked to have their names changed (without their parents knowing) being outed in phone calls home. They don't even care if it could be considered a safeguarding risk. Most teachers are understanding of the problems that many of us go through; however, a few are just blindly ignorant and some even refuse to accept the problems they push onto their students. Bullying and isolation is also handled very poorly here with lack of communication between teachers "sorting it" and students involved.

This school has some of the most wonderful teachers I've ever met and I have definitely been challenged throughout my time here. The food used to be some of the best I've ever had. Most of the teachers have a great relationship with students, yet those in command are trying to stop that, and you could tell that most teachers genuinely liked working there.

It is sad to watch a beautiful school break down from the inside but the first few years I spent here were lovely. Nothing is being done to help or discipline students and major cracks have begun to break our school. The sense of community is always there however it is but a small flame in a crumbling building.

I would say send your children to Plymouth High but I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I and many others have here. It's your decision as a parent or child anyways.

Compared to other schools in the area this school is very good. The learning environment in great as there is no disruption in classes like is common in my friends classes from other schools. 90% of the teachers are lovely and make a huge effort with teaching and 90% of the students are eager to learn. If you pay attention in lessons you will definitely do very well in your exams as the school gives you lots of opportunities to learn and have catch up lessons if you do not understand. The house system is also really good as there is the music, drama , dance festivals which is unique to the school and fun. However yes the school has gotten worse over the years after the new head came. He asks for input and then ignores it just so he can say he has asked. He is not open minded and is unwilling to take on new ideas. He also treats both staff and student like they are below him and are 5 years old The trusts influence on the school has definitely triggered a downward spiral. However no matter what he does the school will still remain good because of the type of students in it (as it is a grammar school) but more could be done in terms of refurbishment, less strict uniform codes and treatment of the older years.

As a former employee at Plymouth High School For Girls i was at shocked at the lack of motivation and support given to students. The way communication between senior leaders and everyone else is non existent with many confusing messages and incorrect information being inflicted upon the girls. With the headteacher unable to show basic respect for his employees and his patronizing attitude affecting the relationship between students and teachers. The students have been very vocal about their opinions with some even addressing emails to TSAT as they have been unable to talk to senior members of staff like head of year due to fear that they would be reprimanded or their opinion's rebuked. with parents sending in emails unable to even have the respect of a response with his private sectary dealing with all complaints despite the number of time people may have wished to contact him directly. With his main priority being making the outside of the school look good rather than fixing the many issues on the inside not only with staff and students but with the facility its self. The appalling state of the toilets and the mold growing in many places, the school itself is falling apart. however the money seems to be getting spent of fixing his office and reception rather than places like history and drama whom are in dire need of repair. With teachers themselves unable to express their thoughts o the many faults in the way the school is run and ********* showing everyone students and teacher alike that he looks upon the school as business giving all teachers different levels of respect regarding his own thoughts on their level of importance. If that doesn't highlight the level of complete arrogance and egotistical nature that the school is faced with maybe the whole forest he seems to be hoarding in his office will absolute disgrace.

I loved this school when the former headmistress was around, it was a wonderful happy environment. Ever since we got a new headmaster school has become one of the most toxic unpleasant places I have ever been in. His policies are so bad its actually laughable, every week a new infantilizing rule seems to be announced. Some of the teachers at this school are amazing, however unfortunately due to the schools major downfall they are all wanting to resign (I do not blame them). Leaving the students with the unexperienced patronizing teachers that do not care about you at all like the headmaster doesn't.
The vast majority of people that attend this school end up with some mental health issues and the school just turns a blind eye and focuses their attention on the grade 8/9 pupils. Due to the headteachers preferences. You cannot have a conversation with him without feeling like a child, he is extremely patronizing and its clear he only sees phsg as a business not a school. He spends the schools money on useless things such as his new office, totally ignoring the cracked dangerous history classrooms or drama.
If your a creative person not so much academic. I am begging you to not come here. All they care about is math's and English, everything else to the headteacher is pointless
My grades have dropped completely and so has my confidence since attending this school. If you get anything under a 7, they make you feel stupid and like a waste of space.

THEY DONT CARE ABOUT YOU. (apart from the food tech teacher she is amazing and lovely)

Could be a lot better.
For mental health awareness week they decided to do ‘mindfulness colouring’ rather than address the rise in anxiety and depression in teens and suggest ways to get help. Got bullied to the point of being very suicidal in my first year there, I brought this up repeatedly with staff and nothing got resolved.

I decided to go there because I loved the sense of community. But now, the school is so focused on efficiency it barely has any community left. The things I, and many others found to be attractive and special about this school has been ruined by the school governors.

Yes the school has some good facilities, some wonderful staff and some good policies, but overall mine, and many others experiences have been disappointing, and not what we have expected nor wanted.

This school is just fantastic, such a positive environment. Couldn’t recommend it enough.

The wallpaper is literally peeling off the walls. Also, the sanitary products have been removed from the toilets which is awful because you have to bring your whole bag to the toilets or shuffle around for it in your bag and shove it into your pocket before you go. You have to literally pray you don't get a bad teacher bc if you do, bye bye GCSEs😍 I was getting 80% in maths and then I got a new teacher and i failed my end of year exams. I'm actually worried about my GCSEs because if I get a bad teacher I won't get into sixth form or anything. Not to mention the dress codes. I saw a girl get a break detention for wearing grey socks in pe instead of black or white ones in not even kidding. One time I nudged a chair against a wall and the whole wall caved in. The buildings old and some of the teachers are older and refuse to change their teaching methods to the point where every single person in their class will get below 30% and the students will get blamed. I'm only giving it 3 stars because some teachers are really good and we got new computers so yeah.

the schools falling apart. the wallpaper peeling off the walls. way too many pe and science teachers and not many of the rest. they do not care about your wellbeing at all

this is a good school, personally my grades aren’t amazing being in year 11 but the smart kids are all 9’s. most of the teachers are decent. hate one of the math and history teachers i have but ohwell. they’re not awful with mental health, better then the devonport for girls and year 11 get cool benefits. there is also some favouritism with teachers that is very noticeable

You get a good education and they care about your mental health. Alot of pressure to get good grades; 8s and 9s are what they want no less than a 6. Lovely teachers