Basic Information & Location
Shebbear College is a vibrant day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 2 to 18, located on the outskirts of North Devon, Southwest England, about 3 hours and 40 minute from London Heathrow Airport. Life at Shebbear is busy, filled with academic purpose, cocurricular activity, creative discovery and outdoor adventure.
With fine educational experience since 1841, Shebbear aims to provide every young person with a Foundation for Life in the 21st Century, where pupils can challenge themselves, take risks, be innovative, enjoy learning and develop a wide variety of skills fit for their future. To join Shebbear is to join a community where everyone is known and cherished and life-long friends are made within our safe and happy environment.
School Motto
Ad Gloriam Per Spis – To Glory Through Thorns
Academic Development
Academic Support is a busy and thriving part of Shebbear College, helping pupils to achieve their full learning potential. Its innovative department can offer practical advice and assistance, for example, coloured reading rulers and overlays to help visual dyslexics, tangles for pupils needing something to manipulate and a multitude of educational games. The school strives to assist every pupil with learning difficulties, and to give them the resources to succeed.
Shebbear aims to be inclusive by working towards an ethos of quality first teaching. Teaching and learning is of a high standard and the Academic Support Department aims to enable those students who need that little extra to access a broad and balanced curriculum, to foster independent learning and to develop lifelong skills. Shebbear believes that students achieve and learn best when they feel safe, healthy, confident and happy, therefore self-esteem and personal fulfilment are key factors in success.
In 2020, Shebbear College A-level and BTEC pupils have achieved an outstanding set of results with a pass rate of 100% and the vast majority of pupils securing places at their first choice of university. Almost 50% achieved A* – A with an impressive 77% gaining A* – B and 93% scoring A* – C.
Pastoral Care & Boarding
Shebbear College is a happy and caring school, and staff do everything possible to ensure that children settle quickly and happily. Although all staff take an interest in pastoral care, class teachers and house staff have the most contact and responsibility.
The school’s two boarding houses, Pollard Boys and Ruddle Girls offer a real ‘home from home’ for all our boarding pupils, where they can relax, play and achieve. The houses have a warm, friendly atmosphere where pupils can feel happy, safe and secure.
Each room has internet access making leisure time, study and communication easier and more enjoyable. The social areas are homely and comfortable and have all the necessary facilities to allow pupils to relax with friends, watch television and films, listen to music and play games. The houses have kitchen areas where pupils can prepare drinks and snacks.
Extra-curricular & Personal Development
Shebbear believes that learning should not be restricted to the classroom and as such, the school places a great emphasis on its Co-Curricular offering. Activities change each term but the opportunities are endless and there is always something to suit every pupil. From sports teams to music ensembles, drama clubs, film-making, cookery, pottery and a long list of others, everyone is encouraged to join in.
School activities are designed to broaden horizons and develop personal qualities such as leadership, confidence and tecity, as well as learning new skills and developing interests. Shebbear is located close to the sea and moors, meaning that outdoor pursuits are extremely popular. The school also offers a number of enrichment trips within the UK and abroad.
