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Photo of Plymouth College
Reviewed

Plymouth College

Independent school · Plymouth, PL4 6RN
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-18
  • From £19,152 pa
  • 403 pupils
  • Boarding
  • Choir school
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

Muddy-faced, huge smile, boundless enthusiasm – that’s what this school would look like as a person. Oh, and did we mention they’d be dedicated to their passions and with intelligent opinions? There’s not much wrong with that!

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

Unlock to access

Overview & data

Pupil numbers
403 ·
Sixth form numbers
125 ·
Offers boarding
Yes ·
Religion
None
Fees
Day £19,152 - £22,690; Boarding £39,628 - £45,428 pa
Local authority
Plymouth City Council
Area guides
Linked schools

Headteacher

Head

Peter Watts

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


Entrance

In March 2025 school announced that it had been acquired by a Chinese company, the Galaxy Global Education Group. Plymouth College is the fourth UK school to join this group—alongside Ruthin School, Durham High School and Malvern St James. Quoted in

Open days
October and March

Exit

School won’t tell us how many leave after GCSEs, but it is usually around 20 per cent – almost all to local grammars and sixth form colleges, though a ‘solid handful’ bounce back in again when they realise the grass isn’t greener. Others swiftly


Latest results

In 2023, 40 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 26 per cent A*/A at A level (50 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 38 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 33 per cent A*/A at A level (56 per cent A*-B).

Average points score (2024)

School
34.00
LA avg.
33.38
Eng. avg.
35.69
Data highlight

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.


Teaching & learning

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

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
16:1
Pupil to teacher ratio
20
Average class sizes (up to GCSE)

Learning support & SEN

‘Exceptional,’ say parents. Around 15 per cent of pupils have some form of mild educational need, with the learning support team (led by head of learning support SENCo plus two peripatetic teachers) offering tailored programmes that focus on

0 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
26.3 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

The most striking thing about this 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 three full-time outdoor education experts who ensure that every pupil has


Sport

This has always been a sporty school, competing with Millfield and Mount Kelly as the top south-west school for elite swimming. It excels at taking the trauma of raising top athletes out of the hands of exhausted parents, delivering rigorous,


Boarders

Two on-site single-sex boarding houses are located in a terraced row of large cream stucco 19th-century villas, with the head of boarding and his family in the middle property. Befitting their age, the houses have high embossed ceilings and large

67
Total boarders
60
Full time boarders
7
Weekly boarders

Ethos & heritage

Founded in 1877 as Plymouth High School for Boys, the school moved to its current site at Ford Park in 1880, changing its name to Plymouth College three years later. Several mergers with girls’ schools followed, becoming fully co-ed in 1995. The


Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

‘Fantastic pastoral care, I utterly trust the school to spot if something is amiss and to be able to deliver incredible support when needed,’ said a parent. Nobody could slip under the radar here, we heard, which was demonstrated on our visit.


Pupils & parents

Pupils we met were lively, enthusiastic, modest and up for adventure. The ‘whole school’ ethic is a key focus, all helped by vertical inter-year relationships, peer mentors and sixth formers actively helping out at the prep. ‘Definitely not an ivory

403
Number of pupils

Money matters

Scholarships include all-round, academic, art, drama, music, performing arts and sport. Means-tested bursaries also available, as well as discounts for siblings and military families.

Fee information
Day £19,152 - £22,690; Boarding £39,628 - £45,428 pa

The last word

Muddy-faced, huge smile, boundless enthusiasm – that’s what this school would look like as a person. Oh, and did we mention they’d be dedicated to their passions and with intelligent opinions? There’s not much wrong with that!

What the school says

At Plymouth College, we take pride in our strong academic curriculum while firmly believing in the value of a rich and varied wider curriculum. Our pupils thrive in a dynamic environment that offers outstanding opportunities in sport, outdoor education, music, drama and the arts. From Olympic-bound athletes to national championship teams, talented musicians at the Royal Albert Hall and scholars securing places at top universities worldwide, success comes in many forms. A strong sense of community defines us, fostering lifelong friendships and meaningful connections. Here, every pupil has the chance to excel, discover their passion and experience more.

Contact the school

Address

Ford Park
Plymouth
Devon
PL4 6RN
Get directions

Have you considered?

Reviewed

Mount Kelly

Independent school · Tavistock, PL19 0HZ ( miles)
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • 13-18
  • From £26,028 pa
  • 384 pupils
  • Boarding
Reviewed

Trinity School

Independent school · Teignmouth, TQ14 8LY ( miles)
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • 11-19
  • From £18,450 pa
  • 160 pupils
  • Boarding
School data & information Plymouth College Ford Park, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 6RN
403 Pupil numbers
125 Sixth form numbers
67 Total boarders
60 Full time boarders
7 Weekly boarders
20 Average class sizes (up to GCSE)
16:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Plymouth College and is updated annually. See the review

GCSE-level results data is not reliably reported on for independent schools. We have chosen to show only the results achieved in individual subjects. Find out more

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 24 7
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 6 7
Latin GCSE (9-1) Full Course 7 7
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 48 6
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 6 6
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 8 6
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 13 5
Classical Civilisation GCSE (9-1) Full Course 10 6
Chinese GCSE (9-1) Full Course 6 9
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 23 7
Business Studies:Single GCSE (9-1) Full Course 26 7
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 23 7
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 10 6

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
25%
LA avg.
18%
Eng. avg.
20%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
34.00
LA avg.
33.38
Eng. avg.
35.69

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Religious Studies GCE A level 9 A
Psychology GCE A level 14 D
Physics GCE A level 8 A
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 14 C
Mathematics GCE A level 12 A
History GCE A level 14 B
Geography GCE A level 12 B
English Literature GCE A level 7 A
Classical Civilisation GCE A level 12 B
Chemistry GCE A level 6 B
Biology GCE A level 12 C
Art and Design (Photography) GCE A level 6 B

Entry and exit data

We do not have entry or exit data for pupils at this school. Find out more


SEN overview

Plymouth College is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

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

0 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
26.3 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired
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