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Plymouth College

Plymouth, Devon
1877
Founded
3 - 18
Age range
Co-ed
School type
£10,809 - £15,445
Boarding / term
In short

Plymouth College is a co-ed boarding and day school in Plymouth, Devon, educating pupils aged 3 - 18 and founded in 1877. Boarding fees are £10,809 - £15,445 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.

Type
Co-ed boarding & day
Boarders from
11 - 18
Ethos
Guardian required
Yes
Known for SwimmingCricket
About

About Plymouth College

The story, ethos and character of Plymouth College.

Setting
City
Head
Mr Peter Watts
Plymouth College — school buildings and grounds

A very warm welcome to our school. For the last 150 years, Plymouth College has consistently delivered an innovative and creative education whose excellence is unsurpassed anywhere in the city. Plymouth College is located in the heart of Plymouth; a city that benefits from the being on the Devon coast and half an hour from the beautiful Dartmoor countryside.

This offers our pupils a little bit of everything on their doorstep. We are a co-ed day and boarding school, with a Prep School (age 3 - Year 6) and Senior School (Year 6-13) on the same site. The Senior School offers GCSE (including 1 year), A Levels as the principal Sixth Form course (years 12 and 13) with the Extended Sports BTEC (equivalent of 3 A Levels in UCAS points) for those who have a passion in this area.

We want our pupils to become both leaders and champions: leaders of sports teams, leaders of the industry, leaders of their communities; and champions of their favourite subject or favourite activity or favourite cause.
Plymouth College — campus and grounds

This holistic education is part of our DNA. Everything we do - every lesson, every form period, every activity - is a truly enriching experience for pupils and enables them to develop intellectually, academically, socially, morally and physically.

They emerge from their Plymouth College education with fantastic exam results and as rounded, grounded, happy and confident young men and women. Our extensive Enrichment Programme, Pre-Med Sixth Form Programme for Medical/Science degrees and 'Life Experience Series' focuses on supporting our pupils' into the world of further education and work.

Plymouth College — the school groundsPlymouth College — around the schoolPlymouth College — school buildings and groundsPlymouth College — specialist facilitiesPlymouth College — school facilitiesPlymouth College — on-site facilitiesPlymouth College — specialist facilities
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Academics

Academics at Plymouth College

What pupils study at Plymouth College — and where it takes them.

117
A-level students
6
Programmes
Yes
SEN / EAL support
Plymouth College — school facilities

are complemented by a wide range of curriculum enhancing opportunities including trips to the theatre, the Eden Project, ancient castles, trips to France and London, overseas residential trips, and field trips to South Devon beaches and Dartmoor.

Years 7, 8 and 9 There is no setting or streaming from the beginning of Year 7. This gives all students the opportunity to settle into the school academically and socially. From partway through Year 7 and in Year 8 and 9 there is broad setting in Mathematics, Science, Humanities and English.

Programmes offered

GCSEA levelIB DiplomaBTECEALSixth Form

Subjects offered

Additional ScienceArt & DesignArt & Design: Fine ArtArt & Design: GraphicsArt & Design: PhotographyArt & Design: TextilesBiologyBusiness StudiesChemistryClassical CivilisationComputer ScienceD&T - Graphic Products+ 22 more — ask us

Where our leavers go

Recent Leavers Destination Degree and Course Bournemouth University Sports Therapy University of the West of England Sport Rehabilitation, Psychology De Montfort University Mechanical Engineering Durham University Natural Sciences, General Engineering Harper Adams University Agri-Food Marketing with Business Imperial College London Physics King's College London Business Management, Biochemistry Leeds University Natural Sciences Liverpool John Moores University Criminology and Psychology Loughborough University Criminology, Psychology with Criminology Nottingham Trent University Biomedical Sciences Princeton University (USA) French and History Royal Holloway, University of London Business and Management University of Edinburgh Biological Sciences, Mathematical Physics University Miami (USA) Psychology (Minor in Biology) University of Bath Politics and International Relations, Criminology, Sport and Exercise Science, Sport (Sport Performance) University of Bristol International Management, Accounting and Management, Management University of California, Berkeley (USA) Molecular and Cellular Biology University of Cambridge (Robinson College) Modern and Medieval Languages University of Exeter Accounting and Finance, Human Biosciences, Geography (Science) University of Kent Classical and Archaeological Studies University of Leicester Ancient History and History University of Nottingham Medicine, Ancient History, Architecture, Archaeology and Classical Civilisation University of Plymouth Marine Biology and Oceanography, Geography with International Relations University of Southampton Business Management X2, Sport Studies University of Stirling Business Studies and Management, Sport University of Surrey Psychology X2, Veterinary Biosciences University of Tampa (USA) Business Management University of the Arts London (Firm) Fashion Design and Development University of Warwick Biological Sciences University of York Business and Management Warsash Maritime College Officer Cadet

Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.

Boarding

Boarding at Plymouth College

Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Plymouth College.

Boarding houses
Girls 1, Boys 1, Mixed 0
Exeat weekends
No
Guardian required
Yes
Saturday lessons
No
Plymouth College — everyday boarding life

College replicates the best qualities of family life in the boarding house. The School is warm and welcoming, the children are happy, absorbed in their work and play, and enjoy opportunities that they simply would not have elsewhere. I often hear students within days of starting at the School, say that the boarding house feels life a second home.

While the boarding house rings with the excitement of reunions with friends, as the boys and girls personalise their rooms. These are indeed moments to be cherished! The Plymouth College boarding experience is both stimulating and enriching.

Pastoral care

A genuine home away from home

Plymouth College — boarding house life

Our main boarding residence, College House, comprises a distinguished row of Victorian villas, providing a unique and characterful setting. Within College House, our boys' and girls' houses, Colson and Mannamead respectively, offer dedicated living areas tailored to their needs.

These distinct houses are thoughtfully separated by the Housemaster's own residence, ensuring a balance of community and appropriate privacy. Supporting our boarders, other dedicated house staff reside in self-contained apartments located throughout the boarding community.

Plymouth College — everyday boarding lifePlymouth College — pupils in their boarding housePlymouth College — boarding house lifePlymouth College — everyday boarding lifePlymouth College — pupils in their boarding housePlymouth College — boarding house lifePlymouth College — everyday boarding life

We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.

Admissions

Plymouth College admissions

How children join Plymouth College, and how we make it simple.

01

Tell us about your child

Share their age, interests and what you're looking for. Our advice is completely free.

02

We shortlist & introduce

We match you to the right schools and make the introductions to their admissions teams.

03

Assessment, offer & enrolment

We guide you through entrance assessments and interviews, and handle visas and guardianship if needed.

What you'll typically need

  • Recent school reports or transcript
  • Passport copy
  • English-language evidence (if applicable)
  • Completed registration form
  • A reference from the current school
Plymouth College — sport and outdoor activities

Special notes to agents about entry to the school Plymouth College's location makes it a popular choice for parents as it combines the advantages of living near the centre of a small city (population 256,000) with the sea and Dartmoor on the doorstep.

This location provides both academic and leisure opportunities for our students. We currently have students from approximately 25 countries in the school and yet our international students only make up 20% of the student population. This means that there is no one nationality that is dominant in the school apart from the UK students of course!

As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.

Fees

Plymouth College fees & funding

What Plymouth College costs, what's included, and how we help with funding.

£10,809 - £15,445
Boarding / term
Yes
Guardian required
Available
Scholarships & bursaries

What termly boarding fees include

  • Tuition
  • Boarding accommodation
  • All meals
  • Pastoral & house care
  • Most academic materials

Funding & scholarships

Registration deposits, EAL tuition, uniform and trips are usually charged separately. Many schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships plus means-tested bursaries — ask us and we'll send a full, current breakdown for Plymouth College.

Plymouth College — pupils playing sport

Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Plymouth College against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.

Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.

Location

Plymouth College location & travel

Where Plymouth College is, and how to get there.

Plymouth
Location
City
Setting
Devon
Region
Plymouth College — sport and fixtures

Travel details Address Ford Park, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 6RN, England Airport transfer Here at Plymouth College, we run buses to Heathrow airport at the beginning and at the end of term and at Half Term. We use a chaperone at Heathrow to ensure students safely embark and disembark planes.

This continually proves to be hugely successful. For students using other airports, we can provide a taxi service, to bring them safely to the school. Travel time to London by train Less than 3 hours Telephone +44 (0) 1752 505100 Website https://www.

FAQs

Plymouth College — frequently asked questions

Where is Plymouth College?
Plymouth College is located in Plymouth, Devon, England. The full address is Ford Park, Plymouth, Devon PL4 6RN.
How much are Plymouth College boarding fees?
Boarding fees at Plymouth College are £10,809 - £15,445 per term, depending on year group. Day places and international packages may differ — contact us for current figures.
What ages does Plymouth College take?
Plymouth College educates pupils aged 3 - 18, with boarders from 11 - 18.
Is Plymouth College co-educational?
Plymouth College is a co-ed boarding and day school.
When was Plymouth College founded?
Plymouth College was founded in 1877.
Does Plymouth College require a UK guardian?
Yes — international boarders at Plymouth College must have a UK-based guardian. We can arrange trusted guardianship if needed.
How many pupils study A-levels at Plymouth College?
Around 117 pupils study A-levels at Plymouth College.
What qualifications does Plymouth College offer?
Plymouth College prepares pupils for GCSE and A-level examinations, with strong EAL support for international students.
Does Plymouth College support SEN or EAL students?
Yes — Plymouth College supports a range of learning needs and English as an Additional Language. We can confirm specific provision for your child.
How many boarding houses does Plymouth College have?
Plymouth College has boarding houses (Girls 1, Boys 1, Mixed 0).
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Plymouth College?
No — Plymouth College does not have compulsory exeat weekends, so boarders can stay at weekends.
Does Plymouth College have Saturday lessons?
No — Plymouth College does not run Saturday lessons.
How do I apply to Plymouth College?
Applications to Plymouth College run through its admissions team. As your advisors we handle the introduction, paperwork and references for you — at no cost.
Does Plymouth College accept international students?
Yes — Plymouth College welcomes international boarders. We guide families through entry assessments, English requirements, guardianship and visas.
How much does Plymouth College cost?
Boarding fees at Plymouth College are £10,809 - £15,445 per term. Fees typically rise with year group and exclude extras such as registration deposits, EAL tuition and trips.
What's included in Plymouth College's fees?
Termly boarding fees usually cover tuition, accommodation and meals. Registration fees, deposits, uniform, EAL support and some activities are charged separately — we'll send you a full breakdown.
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Many UK boarding schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships, plus means-tested bursaries. Ask us and we'll check what Plymouth College currently offers.
Where exactly is Plymouth College?
Plymouth College is in Plymouth, Devon. Address: Ford Park, Plymouth, Devon PL4 6RN.
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