Welcome to Shebbear College

Shebbear College features both Senior and Junior School, taking children from Kindergarten to Sixth Form. It draws upon over a century and a half of history in shaping its values and outlook. The school honours its illustrious past but has its sights firmly set on the future, embracing innovations in thought, technology, and education. Set in an easily accessible beautiful rural environment the College has a unique sense of community centred upon Christian teaching.

Our aim is to educate each pupil to achieve his or her potential by encouraging the highest possible standards of attainment and behaviour. We achieve this through a balanced, flexible and challenging curriculum. We provide a supportive and nurturing environment to help develop each pupil's sense of self-worth, enthusiasm for learning and optimism for the future.

With the college being founded in 1841 the schools grounds are steeped in history. Shebbear College now sits in 85 acres of the North Devon countryside and boasts rugby pitches, sports halls together with the original buildings amongst its grounds.

The historical buildings are complimented with sympathetically designed modern ones that help ensure the College stays comfortable and abreast of technology, whilst maintaining its links with the past.

Shebbear College has a continuous programme of investment in its facilities. This ensures its pupils leave with an understanding of the past, the experience of the present, and an eye for the future.

At Shebbear College we strive to have the best of the old but add to it the very best of the present. Many parents feel that the essence of boarding in the United Kingdom is best captured in a rural setting. The natural elements of peace and quiet, fresh air and space to play are combined with modern facilities housed in historic buildings.

Modern boarding houses offer comfortable ‘home from home’ facilities and a stable environment where changing family situations and relationships do not disturb a child's equilibrium.

A country setting provides an environment where children can be children. Equally important are the members of staff that dedicate their time to help growing children.

Shielded from the dangers of city streets, pupils experience personal safety - a highly desirable pre-requisite to learning. The pressures of city schools to adopt more ‘sophisticated’ lifestyles are to some degree, held at bay. Similarly, the drug culture that dominates so often in urban society is diminished by a rural location and the bounds of a residential campus.

We are committed to developing each pupil’s potential and preparing them for the future by encouraging lifelong learning and good manners. This begins at the earliest opportunity. The Junior School provides a perfect environment in which to build a firm base of knowledge, skills and sense of enquiry that will underpin future progress. Through a thoughtfully constructed timetable, using a careful balance of traditional and modern teaching methods in small classes, your child is assured high quality teaching with a generous amount of individual attention.

We recognise the need to encourage and support our pupils to use their talents to the full. We positively nurture all aspects of creativity. All forms of music and physical activity are central to our well-rounded approach to education. Junior pupils successfully compete in a wide range of sports and we offer an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities that is available to all. Emphasising our Christian tradition, we aim to instill in our pupils respect for others, our environment and the School. We are proud of our welcoming atmosphere that recognises and rewards everyone’s achievements and demonstrates our commitment to high standards of behaviour and education

Our philosophy

We seek to prepare all our pupils for adult life by challenging and expanding young minds in teaching both personal and social responsibility.

We take great pride not only in our pupils' academic successes but also in producing well-rounded, caring, motivated young adults who have a clear knowledge of right and wrong, and who are comfortable and confident in their surroundings.

Our Sixth Formers see us as a bridge between the tight control of GCSE and the freedom of university. We gain immense satisfaction when we observe each student make this transition to independent learning.