Plymouth College
School summary
Founded in 1877, Plymouth College is a mixed independent school with a Church of England character that takes pupils right through from age two to eighteen, with day and boarding places on offer. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent both overall and for personal development, and judged all compliance standards met. A favourable pupil-to-teacher ratio of around ten supports close attention, and the sizeable sixth form of 130 gives older pupils a substantial peer group. The breadth of provision, from prep through to A-levels and BTECs, makes it a school built for families wanting continuity over many years.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
36%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
33%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
61%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 3 February 2026
Teaching & academics
Results sit comfortably above the national picture: 36% of GCSE grades reach 9-7 against a national average of 23%, while at A-level 33% of grades are A*-A and 61% A*-B, both ahead of the national figures. The sciences feature strongly at every stage, with Physics, Chemistry and Biology popular at GCSE and A-level alongside Mathematics and Economics. The curriculum is broad, offering GCSE, A-level, BTEC and the EPQ, and the presence of subjects such as Classical Civilisation points to genuine academic range.
GCSE subjects
Head of prep · Mrs Jo Newnham
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 130
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport is a clear strength, with swimming, football and rugby among the main activities on offer. Scholarships extend well beyond academics, covering all-round ability, art, drama and sport, which signals real investment in pupils' wider talents.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1877
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 0%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £11,131 - £15,354
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £28,197 - £41,826
Available
Schools nearby
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Chapel Bridge School
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Oneschool Global Uk Plymouth Campus
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Fountain Head House School
Cornwall, South West
The Wildings Lovaton
Lovaton, South West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A through-school with above-average results, a strong sixth form and serious sporting ambition. Day fees run from around £11,000 to £15,000, with bursaries available for families who need support.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Plymouth College 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.