Founded in 1841 and steeped in history, Shebbear College is a thriving day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 4 to 18. Our 85-acre campus is situated in the beautiful Devon countryside, close to Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks and the fantastic surfing beaches of the North Cornwall coast. Life at Shebbear is busy, filled with academic purpose, co-curricular activity, creative discovery and outdoor adventure. We are a community where everyone is known and cherished and lifelong friends are made within our supportive and caring environment.
Pupil numbers. In the Senior School there are around 200 pupils, of whom around 50 are boarders, and around 60 pupils in our Prep School.
Situation and location. Shebbear College borders on Dartmoor National Park and stands in 85 acres of unspoilt countryside. It can be easily reached by main road and rail links; only 40 miles west of Exeter and 40 miles north of Plymouth. Both cities have their own regional and international airport.
Buildings. Shebbear College boasts impressive facilities in all areas of the curriculum. The extensive buildings include a separate Sixth Form Centre; a purpose-built block for Science; a modern Computing suite; a superbly equipped modern Music Centre; Art Rooms and two Performing Arts halls. Our Sports Hall, gym and dance studio provide full-scale indoor facilities. The Pre-Prep and Prep School are situated within the grounds and are fully equipped for children aged 4–11 years. There are two boarding houses, Ruddle girls and Pollard boys.
Admission. Admissions into all year groups are accepted all year round, with an Entrance Day for those looking to join Year 7 and Year 9 taking place each January. We are a non-selective school and this day is simply designed to help us establish the academic ability and level of each child. Entry into the Sixth Form is by interview.
Houses. Every pupil belongs to a House – Pollard, Ruddle, Thorne or Way. These Houses organise activities and games competitions throughout the year. The House Tutors watch each child’s progress academically as well as their general development.
Curriculum. All pupils at Shebbear College follow the National Curriculum until the age of 14. A wide choice of subjects is available in the following two years leading to GCSE, but everyone is obliged to take English, Mathematics, Science and, usually, a foreign language. In the Sixth Form there is not only a wide choice of A levels, but there is particularly flexible timetabling which enables students to mix Arts and Science subjects. We also offer a variety of BTEC courses which pupils can study alongside A levels and/or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
Sport. With more than 25 acres of playing fields, modern sports hall with multi-gym, dance studio, cricket nets, all-weather pitch, tennis and netball courts, pupils have the security to exercise within the school grounds confidently. The main games covered for the boys are rugby and football, and for girls, netball and hockey. We also offer mixed cricket, athletics and tennis. A variety of other sports are also on offer including rounders, volleyball, badminton, basketball, gymnastics and dance.
Outdoor education. Shebbear College is well known for its strong Outdoor Education programme, and its vision is to become the best school for Outdoor Education in the South West. Pupils take part in weekly lessons which include Forest School, learning bushcraft skills, building, trekking and tree planting. Pupils take part in the Ten Tors Challenge and Duke of Edinburgh Award each year.
Music and drama. Music and drama play a central role in life at Shebbear. Our choir has over 40 members and our orchestra, also with over 40 members, represents most instruments. Players perform regularly in concerts and instrumental ensembles. Every year, a theatrical or musical production is performed to a very high standard. Following successful completion of A levels, we regularly have pupils going on to the Cardiff University School of Music and other prestigious Conservatoires.
Societies and activities. All pupils participate in at least four afternoons a week of extracurricular activities. This widens their interests and develops their self-confidence. The list of activities is endless and includes the usual and unusual. Many pupils enjoy getting involved with Ten Tors training, hillwalking, camping, sailing, canoeing, and surfing. Many pupils are involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
Careers. Our innovative careers department, Horizons, prepares all of our pupils for their lives beyond school. In the Sixth Form, pupils have access to our excellent programme dedicated to university applications, apprenticeships and gap years.
Scholarships and bursaries. We offer scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+ for talented pupils in the areas of academia, sport, music, drama, performing arts, and art. Bursaries are available to all pupils but are based on parental income. We also offer transitional bursaries to talented students looking to join our Sixth Form which can account for up to 100% of fees.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Prep School: £2,325–£3,980. Senior School: Day £5,400–5,540, Weekly Boarding £7,990, Full Boarding £11,950.
Governors & Staff:
Chairman of the Governors: Mr N Buckland
Head: Mr Charlie Jenkins
Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mrs F Lovett
Deputy Head Academic: Miss E Southern
Head of Prep School: Mr M Foale
Director of Finance and Operations: Mr K Maukonen
Head of Marketing & Admissions: Mrs J Conway
Heads of Departments/Senior Staff:
Head of Additional Learning Needs: Mr S Sansom, BA, PGCE
Art: Miss H Kaur, BA Hons, PGCE
Creative, Digital and Performing Arts: Mrs R Sadler-Smith, BMus Hons, PGCE
Digital Learning: Mr R Giles, MEng, MSc, QTS
English: Mrs F Shamsolahi, BA Hons
English & Languages/Horizons: Mrs J Aliberti, BA Hons, PGCE
Drama: Mr J Pomroy, BA Hons, PGCE, MEd
Humanities: Mr E Grey, BA Hons, PGCE
Mathematics: Mr R Giles, MEng, MSc, QTS
Sport & Personal Development: Mr P Nicholls, BA, GTP, QTS
Science and Environmental Studies: Mrs A Kingsland, BSc, PGSE
Head’s PA: Mrs A Stairs