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  • Plymouth College
    Ford Park
    Plymouth
    Devon
    PL4 6RN
  • Head: Peter Watts
  • T 01752 505100
  • F 01752 203246
  • E [email protected]
  • W www.plymouthcollege.com/
  • A mainstream independent school for pupils aged from 11 to 18 with a linked junior school
  • Read about the best schools in Devon
  • Boarding: Yes
  • Local authority: Plymouth
  • Pupils: 403; sixth formers: 125
  • Religion: Church of England
  • Fees: Day £17,412 - £20,628; Boarding £28,908 - £41,298 pa

    Fees last updated: 23/07/2024

    Please note school fees are subject to VAT from January 2025. During this transition period, please contact school for full fee information.

  • Open days: October and March
  • Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
  • Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
  • Linked schools: Plymouth College Preparatory School

What says..

In a city boasting three single-sex, academically rigorous grammars, parents say this school is the hidden gem because, ‘instead of pressure, they offer a sense of belonging where pupils are accepted whatever their ability and talent, making them happy enough to fly academically.’ But the most striking thing about the school is its all-action, adventurous heart. Not content to simply offer DofE and Ten Tors (both of which it excels at), the school has...

Read review »

What the school says...

Our academic curriculum is really strong but we also believe firmly in the importance of the wider curriculum, which is reflected in the diverse mix of sporting, outward bound, artistic, musical and dramatic activities. Everyone is able to find success and enjoyment along a broad front. There is a great community spirit at the College and those who come here make lasting friendships and forge good relationships at all levels. ...Read more

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Curricula

Cambridge Pre-U - an alternative to A levels, with all exams at the end of the two-year course.

Other features

All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

Choir school - substantial scholarships and bursaries usually available for choristers.

Sports

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

Fencing

Shooting

Sailing

What The Good Schools Guide says

Interim head

Since September 2024, Peter Watts, previously at Prior Park Gibraltar.

Entrance

Academically non-selective, but entrance exams in maths and English and for scholarships. Around 50 per cent of intake come from the prep. Others mainly from local primaries, with parents who want to avoid the testing for local grammars. For sixth form entry, a minimum of six 5s at GCSE including English and maths, with 6s in the subjects to be studied at A level.

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Please note: Independent schools frequently offer IGCSEs or other qualifications alongside or as an alternative to GCSE. The DfE does not record performance data for these exams so independent school GCSE data is frequently misleading; parents should check the results with the schools.

Who came from where

Who goes where

Special Education Needs

The school welcomes a pupil who has specific learning problems so long as, with help and support, the pupil can make sound progress through the school. The support depends on the nature of the difficulty but may be individual lessons or small group tutorials. Teachers will be informed as to how they can best help a pupil and parents are kept informed of progress and what is being achieved. Where appropriate, extra time is given in exams and word processors are used. Care is taken to bear in mind any difficulties with entrance examinations. 10-09

Condition Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Aspergers Y
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders Y
CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Dysgraphia
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia
English as an additional language (EAL)
Genetic
Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory
Has SEN unit or class Y
HI - Hearing Impairment
Hospital School
Mental health
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Natspec Specialist Colleges
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Special facilities for Visually Impaired
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
VI - Visual Impairment

Who came from where


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