Coombe Dean School

On the eastern fringe of Plymouth, where suburban housing gives way to the green expanse of South Hams, Coombe Dean has served families since 1976. The school combines a specialist mathematics and ICT heritage with a distinctly practical approach to post-16 education. With nearly 1,000 students, this mixed comprehensive offers something increasingly rare: a sixth form where value-added scores outperform every other provider in Plymouth. The Progress 8 score of +0.16 indicates students here make above-average progress from their starting points. For families in Elburton, Plymstock, and the surrounding villages, Coombe Dean represents a school that has weathered challenging times and emerged stronger.

The campus tells the story of a school that has evolved thoughtfully. The original 1976 buildings have been extended through successive waves of investment: a Mathematics facility with eight new classrooms opened in 2004, an English block with geothermal heating followed in 2007, and a dedicated Post-16 block was added in 2012. Solar panels integrated into the Drama Hall roof since 2008 reflect an early commitment to sustainability that predates current environmental trends.

Caroline Granville leads the school, having been part of this community for nearly 18 years. Her leadership centres on three core values: community, integrity, and opportunity. The vision is direct: every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive. Beyond the corporate language, this plays out in specific initiatives. The WE Care group supports young carers, while specialist provision exists for students experiencing bereavement or those with parents in the armed forces.

Coombe Dean is part of the Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST), a family of 31 schools spanning Devon, Plymouth, and Cornwall. The trust provides shared governance and support without erasing individual school identity. The trust connection enables the collaborative sixth form model that has become central to post-16 provision here.

The 2022 Ofsted inspection rated the school Good across all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision. This marked a return to form after a period of Requires Improvement in 2018. The trajectory matters: Outstanding in 2009 and 2012, a dip, then recovery. Inspectors found pupils enjoy lessons and most take part in school clubs and activities.

GCSE Results

Results tell a story of solid, if unspectacular, performance that sits comfortably within the middle ground of schools in England. The Attainment 8 score of 48.6 places Coombe Dean above the England average of 45.9. In 2024, 53% of students achieved grade 5 or above in English and mathematics, compared to 46% across Plymouth and the same figure nationally. The school ranks 1,540th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Locally, Coombe Dean sits 8th among Plymouth secondaries.

The Progress 8 score of +0.16 deserves attention. This positive figure indicates students make slightly better progress than expected given their starting points. In practical terms, students arrive and leave having gained ground relative to similar pupils elsewhere. The EBacc average point score of 4.38 exceeds the England average of 4.08, suggesting reasonable breadth in academic subjects.

A-Level Results

The sixth form picture is more nuanced. At A-level, 39% of grades achieved A*-B, compared to the England average of 47%. Grades at A*/A reached 15%, below the England figure of 24%. The A-level ranking of 1,780th in England places Coombe Dean in the lower 40% nationally, with a local rank of 11th in Plymouth.

Yet these headline figures obscure something important. The school reports achieving the highest value-added score of any sixth form in Plymouth for 2024/25, with students making approximately half a grade more progress than the England average. Raw grades and value-added tell different stories. Students here may not arrive with the strongest GCSE profiles, but they make good progress during their two years of post-16 study.

The curriculum follows established patterns with some distinctive features. Mathematics and ICT specialist status, achieved in 2003, left a lasting imprint on provision. Sciences are taught separately. Setting enables differentiation, and students without grade 4 in GCSE Maths or English receive additional weekly sessions towards resitting.

Class sizes are manageable for a school of this size. The collaborative approach extends beyond the school gates: Coombe Dean works in partnership with Plymstock School, Hele's School, and Eggbuckland Community College sixth forms. This partnership expands the available A-level menu significantly. Students can access Photography, Religious Studies, and Health and Social Care BTEC at Plymstock, or Applied Science, Digital Media BTEC, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Product Design at Hele's.

Teaching is structured and expectations are clear. The curriculum provides access to powerful knowledge, inspiring students to think deeply, grow confidently, and dream ambitiously, according to school leadership. Beyond the aspirational language, this translates to a traditional academic core supplemented by vocational options where appropriate.

The Post-16 block, added as an extension to the Art block in 2012, houses a sixth form that has developed a distinctive character. Entry requires grade 4 in Maths and English (Language or Literature), with specific subject requirements detailed in course guides.

Subjects Offered

A-level subjects taught at Coombe Dean include Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Literature, Film Studies, Further Maths, Geography, History, Modern Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, and Sport. Additional options through the consortium extend this range considerably.

All students study three full A-levels or Level 3 Applied General courses. Some take additional qualifications: a fourth A-level, Maths Studies, or the Extended Project Qualification, which carries weight equivalent to half an A-level for university applications.

The Medicine Pathway

The Coombe Dean Medicine Pathway stands out as a distinctive offering. This bespoke enrichment programme runs throughout Year 12, targeting students interested in healthcare careers: medicine, dentistry, nursing, physiotherapy, biomedical science, and allied health professions. The programme includes seminars, lectures, and workshops, with work experience coordinated through Plymouth University.

The healthcare sector represents the fourth largest source of employment in the South West. The school has designed this pathway to improve students' chances of securing university places in competitive fields. Students commit to attending all activities and applying for additional enrichment opportunities through the university partnership.

The 2024 leavers data reveals a diverse picture. From a cohort of 88 students, 38% progressed to university. Apprenticeships attracted 9% of leavers, while 30% moved directly into employment. Further education accounted for 5%.

Oxbridge applications remain modest. In the measurement period, 3 students applied to Oxford, though none received offers. The school's Oxbridge combined ranking of 2,240th in England reflects a realistic picture: this is not a hothouse for elite university entry, but a school serving a broad range of aspirations.

The university progression rate of 38% sits below the England average for sixth forms, but context matters. Plymouth's economy offers strong employment opportunities, particularly in healthcare, marine industries, and the public sector. The combination of 30% entering employment and 9% starting apprenticeships suggests students are finding viable pathways into work.

Westcountry Schools Trust acts as the admission authority. Applications for Year 7 are coordinated through Plymouth City Council, with parents applying via the council's school admissions portal rather than directly to the school.

472 applications for 169 offers, giving a subscription proportion of 2.79. The school is oversubscribed. Competition for places is genuine, with approximately 2.8 applications for every available spot. However, specific catchment distances are not published in the available data.

Oversubscription Criteria

When oversubscribed, priority follows a standard hierarchy: looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school come first, followed typically by siblings and then distance. Living in an area where children have previously attended does not guarantee admission in future years. Families should consult the school's published admission arrangements for the relevant year.

Sixth Form Entry

Post-16 applications run separately. The deadline for 2026 entry is Monday 9th February 2026 at 4pm. Late applications are processed after on-time submissions. Throughout March, applicants attend interviews with Mr C Jacks, Leader of Post 16.

A Post 16 Open Morning is scheduled for 22 January 2026. The school welcomes visits from prospective families; contact office@coombedean.co.uk to arrange.

Pastoral care is described as deeply personal, with specialised support extending beyond standard provision. The WE Care group supports young carers, recognising the specific pressures these students face. Bereavement support is available, as is provision for students whose parents serve in the armed forces.

The inspection found behaviour and attitudes rated Good. Students feel safe and supported. The emphasis on kindness, respect, and responsibility runs through the values framework and translates into daily interactions. Personal development received a Good judgement, indicating the school prepares students for life beyond academic study.

Sport

The Coombe Dean Sports Centre provides facilities that serve both school and community. The complex includes a gym, sports hall, fitness suite, and outdoor pitches for football, rugby, netball, tennis, rounders, softball, and cricket. The all-weather AstroTurf, installed in 2004, enables year-round training.

Sports clubs run until half-term and are reviewed before new opportunities are introduced. No sign-up is required; students simply attend. This low-barrier approach encourages participation from those who might hesitate to commit formally.

Community use extends the facilities' reach. Hooe Rovers FC, Plymouth School of Aikido, South Coast Martial Arts, and Discovery Martial Arts all use the centre. Adult fitness classes including Kettlecise, Pilates, Bootcamp, and Yoga operate regularly.

Arts and Academic Enrichment

Extracurricular activities divide into four categories: Arts, Wellbeing, Academic, and Sports. Recent productions have included Jane Eyre, demonstrating the school's commitment to challenging theatrical work. Debate and history groups operate alongside musical opportunities.

The school believes learning extends far beyond the classroom. The Enrichment Week programme, scheduled for 2026, provides immersive experiences. A December 2025 trip took 20 students from Years 10-13 to 10 Downing Street, bringing British politics to life.

Student leadership opportunities develop responsibility and confidence. Netball umpiring qualifications allow students to contribute to the sporting community while gaining transferable skills.

The school day starts at 8:35am, with students lined up in designated areas ready for a prompt 8:40am start. The day ends at 3:10pm. After-school clubs run from 3:10pm to 4:10pm, finishing in time for the late bus at 4:30pm.

Plymouth City buses arrive by 8:25am; Devon buses by 8:30am. The location in Elburton provides good access from surrounding villages and Plymouth suburbs, though families further afield should factor in travel times.

Oversubscription pressure. With 2.8 applications per place, securing a Year 7 spot requires planning. Families should verify their position relative to previous years' admission distances before relying on a place.

A-level raw grades below average. While value-added performance is strong, headline A-level results sit below England averages. Students aiming for highly competitive university courses should consider whether the consortium arrangement provides sufficient stretch.

Sixth form consortium model. The partnership with Plymstock, Hele's, and Eggbuckland expands choice but may require travel between sites. Students should understand the logistics before selecting subjects taught elsewhere.

Geography limits options. Plymouth's relative isolation means fewer alternative schools within easy reach. Families uncomfortable with the school's provision may face longer journeys to alternatives.

Coombe Dean delivers solid secondary education with a sixth form that punches above its weight on value-added measures. The return to Good following the 2018 dip demonstrates resilience and effective improvement. The Medicine Pathway offers genuine distinction for healthcare-focused students, while the consortium model provides breadth that a single school could not match.

Best suited to families in Elburton and surrounding areas seeking a local comprehensive with strong pastoral support and practical post-16 options. Students who thrive here are those who engage with opportunities, whether through WE Care, the Medicine Pathway, or the sports and arts programmes. The main challenge remains entry; once secured, students make good progress in a supportive environment.