About Devonport High School for Boys
Devonport High School for Boys (DHSB) is a selective state grammar school for boys in Plymouth, admitting 180 boys to Year 7 each year. For September 2027 entry it selects using the Quest Assessments 11+ — two age-standardised, multiple-choice papers sat on two Saturdays (English reading comprehension on 12 September 2026 and Mathematics on 19 September 2026), plus a short school-set English writing paper. There is no fixed pass mark; the school sets a qualifying standard and ranks qualifying boys by score.
Founded in 1896, DHSB combines high academic standards with a broad curriculum and strong co-curricular life. In recent results around 57% of GCSE grades were 9–7 and roughly 72% of A-Level grades were A*–B.
About the Quest Assessments 11+ Test for Devonport High School for Boys
Devonport High School for Boys is a boys' state grammar school in Plymouth that uses the Quest Assessments 11+ entrance test to select pupils for Year 7. The school admits 180 boys each September. You register directly with the school to sit the test, then list DHSB as a preference on the Plymouth City Council Common Application Form (CAF).
For 2027 entry the Plymouth grammar schools have moved to Quest Assessments. The test is two multiple-choice papers covering English and Mathematics only — there are no verbal or non-verbal reasoning papers. Papers are sat on two Saturdays: 12 September 2026 (English reading comprehension) and 19 September 2026 (Mathematics). DHSB also sets a short English writing paper. Scores are age-standardised, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged.
Results are released to parents in mid-October 2026 — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026, giving you time to consider the outcome before listing preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 1 March 2027, when Plymouth City Council issues Year 7 secondary school offers.
DHSB is academically selective — boys must meet the qualifying standard to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the 180 places, the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Devonport High School for Boys
Devonport High School for Boys Admissions Criteria
Devonport High School for Boys (DHSB) is a selective boys' grammar school in Plymouth, admitting 180 boys per year via the Quest Assessments 11+. The test covers English and Mathematics only and is sat on two Saturdays in September 2026; DHSB also sets a short English writing paper. There is no fixed pass mark — qualifying boys are ranked by score.
- ✓Register directly with Devonport High School for Boys (via the school's website) to sit the Quest Assessments 11+.
- ✓Sit two multiple-choice papers: English reading comprehension on Saturday 12 September 2026 and Mathematics on Saturday 19 September 2026.
- ✓DHSB also sets a short, school-marked English writing paper.
- ✓There are no verbal or non-verbal reasoning papers; scores are age-standardised.
- ✓There is no fixed qualifying score — places go to the highest-ranked qualifying boys.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children receive highest priority.
- ✓Up to 18 places are prioritised for Pupil Premium pupils who meet the standard.
- ✓Apply via the Plymouth City Council CAF by 31 October 2026; distance is used only as a tie-break.
Devonport High School for Boys Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 180 Year 7 places, the Academy Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Children who meet the qualifying standard are ranked by their age-standardised Quest score.
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school (admitted first)
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children who meet the qualifying standard
- Pupil Premium pupils who meet the standard — up to 18 places, ranked by Quest score
- Children of staff who have worked at the school for two or more years
- Remaining qualifying boys ranked by total age-standardised Quest score (highest first) up to the admission number
- Tiebreak: straight-line distance from home to school for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Devonport High School for Boys 2027 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | Summer term 2026 (via the school website) |
| 📌 Registration closes | Monday 31 August 2026 (noon) |
| 📌 Quest Assessments 11+ — English | Saturday 12 September 2026 (reading comprehension) |
| 📌 Quest Assessments 11+ — Maths | Saturday 19 September 2026 |
| 📌 Test results released | Mid-October 2026 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (Plymouth City Council) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to Devonport High School for Boys via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register with Devonport High School for Boys for the Quest 11+
Register directly via the school's website when registration opens in the summer term. Registration closes Monday 31 August 2026 (noon). There is no fee to sit the test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Event at DHSB
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the Quest Assessments Entrance Test
Your son sits two multiple-choice papers — English reading comprehension on 12 September 2026 and Mathematics on 19 September 2026 — plus a short school-set English writing paper. Scores are age-standardised.
Step 4 — Receive your age-standardised results
Results are released to parents in mid-October 2026, BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive an age-standardised score and an indication of whether your son has met the qualifying standard.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Devonport High School for Boys as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via Plymouth City Council (or your home Local Authority, if different). You can usually list several preferences.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications, reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued by Plymouth City Council on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join the school's waiting list.
Quest Assessments Subjects Tested at Devonport High School for Boys
Devonport High School for Boys selects through the Quest Assessments 11+ — two age-standardised, multiple-choice papers covering English and Mathematics, ranked by score with no fixed pass mark. DHSB also sets a short, school-marked English writing paper.
- English: reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation (plus a short writing task).
- Mathematics: Key Stage 2 arithmetic and problem-solving.
Note: the Quest Assessments test does not include separate verbal or non-verbal reasoning papers.
11+ Practice Papers for Devonport High School for Boys (English & Maths)
The Quest Assessments 11+ used by Devonport High School for Boys tests English and Mathematics in a multiple-choice format. Our 11+ English and Maths practice papers — with full video explanations for every question — are well suited to Quest preparation.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Devonport High School for Boys 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Devonport High School for Boys (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Devonport High School for Boys achieves strong academic results, with high progression into further study at sixth form and university.
- GCSE: around 57% of grades at 9–7 in a recent year (2023).
- A-Level: roughly 72% of grades at A*–B (2023), with most leavers progressing to higher education.
- Inspection: rated Good by Ofsted at its most recent inspection.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Devonport High School for Boys
Admission to Year 7 is through the Quest Assessments 11+ — two age-standardised, multiple-choice papers (English reading comprehension on 12 September 2026 and Mathematics on 19 September 2026), plus a short school-set English writing paper. There are no separate reasoning papers. The school is selective with no fixed pass mark: it sets a qualifying standard each year and ranks qualifying boys by score up to the admission number of 180.
Devonport High School for Boys has no formal catchment area. The school draws boys from across south-west Devon, south-east Cornwall and the city of Plymouth, but admissions do not use a catchment priority. After children with an EHCP naming the school, places are allocated to looked-after children, then up to 18 Pupil Premium pupils, children of staff, and then the highest-ranked qualifying boys, with straight-line distance used only as a tie-break. Register directly with the school and name it on the Plymouth City Council Common Application Form by 31 October. Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions policy.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Devonport High School for Boys is a selective boys' grammar school for ages 11–18, on Paradise Road in Stoke, Plymouth, Devon (PL1 5QP), with more than 1,100 pupils. Founded in 1896, it is a long-established Plymouth grammar school and is now an academy.
The school offers a broad co-curriculum across sport, music, drama, the combined cadet force and leadership, alongside its academic programme. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Devonport High School for Boys
How do I apply to Devonport High School for Boys for Year 7?
Applications have two stages. First, register your son directly with Devonport High School for Boys (via the school's website) to sit the Quest Assessments 11+ — registration opens in the summer term and closes Monday 31 August 2026 (noon). Then list Devonport High School for Boys as a preference on your Plymouth City Council Common Application Form (CAF). The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026 for September 2027 entry.
Does Devonport High School for Boys use the Quest Assessments 11+ test?
Yes. For 2027 entry Devonport High School for Boys — like the other Plymouth grammar schools — selects using Quest Assessments. Children sit two multiple-choice papers on two Saturdays — Saturday 12 September 2026 (English reading comprehension) and Saturday 19 September 2026 (Mathematics) — and DHSB also sets a short, school-marked English writing paper. The papers cover English and Mathematics only; there are no verbal or non-verbal reasoning papers, and scores are age-standardised.
What is the pass mark / qualifying score for Devonport High School for Boys?
Devonport High School for Boys does not publish a fixed pass mark. Quest scores are age-standardised, the school sets a qualifying standard each year, and qualifying children are then ranked by score up to the admission number of 180 places.
How many Year 7 places does Devonport High School for Boys have?
Devonport High School for Boys admits 180 pupils to Year 7 each September. Demand usually exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria to allocate places.
When are the Quest 11+ results released in 2026?
For 2027 Year 7 entry, results are released in mid-October 2026 — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026. You will receive an age-standardised score and an indication of whether your son has met the qualifying standard.
When is National Offers Day for Devonport High School for Boys in 2027?
National Offers Day for Year 7 places in England is Monday 1 March 2027. Offers are issued by Plymouth City Council — not directly by the school. If unsuccessful you can appeal or join the school's waiting list.
Is Devonport High School for Boys a state school or fee-paying?
Devonport High School for Boys is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. It is academically selective via the Quest Assessments 11+, but pupils who meet the standard do not pay to attend.
How can my child prepare for the Devonport High School for Boys 11+ test?
Because Quest tests English and Mathematics only, focus practice on reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and Key Stage 2 maths under timed, multiple-choice conditions. ExamTutor's 11+ English and Maths practice papers with full video explanations are well suited; our verbal and non-verbal reasoning material is optional enrichment that builds underlying skills but is not part of the Quest test.
Where can I find Devonport High School for Boys's official admissions policy?
The full admissions policy for Devonport High School for Boys (2027 entry) is published on the school's official website and via Plymouth City Council. Always check there for the current oversubscription criteria, qualifying standard, registration window and any school-specific requirements.