Plymouth College

Plymouth College is an HMC co-educational school based in the bustling maritime city of Plymouth with the magnificent moorland, countryside and coastal landscapes of Devon and Cornwall close to hand. The school has been at the forefront of education in the South West of England since 1877 and, whilst quietly conscious of its past and traditions, it is now renowned for being forward-looking and internationally successful.  The school offers continuous education from age 3 to 18 with boarding facilities from age 11, resulting in an international community which, among the students, represents over 35 nationalities.

We believe Plymouth College provides a first class, holistic education.  Academic excellence in the classroom is enhanced by a wealth of enriching clubs and after school activities, such as music, the arts, drama and sports.  Our Outdoor Education department is sector leading, providing a plethora of activities from caving and climbing, to coasteering and mountain biking amidst the beautiful South West countryside and coastline.

Plymouth College enjoys an enviable worldwide reputation in swimming and diving, which has resulted in multiple national, international and Olympic successes. Traditional team sports such as rugby and hockey have also gained significant recognition, and in 2019 the U14 Girls' Hockey team were National Tier 2 Champions.

We place an emphasis on developing the all-important soft skills, which are sought after by employers, the skills which turn interviews into offers of employment, and which ensure that Plymouth College students fly further and faster in their careers than peers educated elsewhere.  Our students are quietly confident, resilient, and possess communication skills and values that set them out from the crowd.

We value each of our students as an individual.  Education is personalised by our highly qualified teachers, with lively engaging lessons and modern teaching techniques supported by our emphasis on traditional values.

At the heart of our educational ethos is a culture of success, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere:  the Plymouth College family.  A happy child will be a successful child.  Surrounded by like-minded individuals, our students enjoy their education and celebrate their enthusiasm for learning, whilst developing lifelong friendships.

A Plymouth College education is: inspiring; aspirational; culturally rich; and life enhancing.

ISI Inspection

“The school is extremely successful in fulfilling its aim to produce happy and knowledgeable young adults who strive to reach their potential and gain confidence in their learning. Pupils benefit from an extremely broad, balanced and flexible curriculum in both the prep and senior schools, and from an exceptional elite sports programme in the senior school as part of wide-ranging extra-curricular provision.”