Shebbear College
Beaworthy, Devon, South West · EX21 5HJ
Founded in 1841 and rooted in the Methodist tradition, Shebbear College is a small mixed boarding and day school set in rural Beaworthy, Devon, taking pupils from age 4 through to 18. With around 250 on roll and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of about nine, it offers an intimate setting where pupils are likely to be known well by staff. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education quality and personal development, and found compliance requirements met. A graduated mobile phone policy, tightening from full surrender in the younger years to sixth-form centre use only at the top end, signals a thoughtful approach to digital boundaries.
250
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£19,653
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 4-18
- Pupils
- 250
- Pupil:teacher ratio
- 9
- Location
- Beaworthy, Devon, South West
- Website
- http://www.shebbearcollege.co.uk/
- Telephone
- 01409282000
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Head Mr Charlie Jenkins
Latest results
Attainment 8
46.1
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
47%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
25%
A-level A*-A
25%
A-level A*-B
45%
Teaching & academics
Results sit broadly in line with national benchmarks: an Attainment 8 score of 46.1 against a national average of 46.9, and 47% of pupils reaching grade 5 or above in English and Maths, matching the national figure. At GCSE, a quarter of grades fall in the 9-7 band, while at A-level 25% reach A*-A and 45% A*-B. The school offers GCSE, A-level and BTEC routes, with sciences and geography popular at GCSE and subjects such as Psychology, Geography and Art and Design favoured in a small sixth form of 34. Around a quarter of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting a school used to working with a range of learning needs.
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 34
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 24.17%
- EHC plans
- 1.67%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Sport
Main sports
Beyond the classroom
Sport is a clear strand of school life, with football, rugby, netball, hockey, cricket and athletics all on offer. Scholarships span academic, art, music, sport, drama and performing arts, pointing to genuine breadth beyond the classroom. French and Spanish are taught as modern languages.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1841
- Religious character
- Methodist
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
Forms 1-3 and prep: phones handed in at registration, returned at 4:30pm. Form 4: phones stored in lockers during day. Form 5: phones kept but only used at break and lunch. Sixth form: phones kept but only used in sixth form centre.
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £7,869 - £19,653
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £27,306 - £40,875
Some means-tested bursaries offered
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 12 November 2024
The last word
A small, faith-rooted Devon school where boarding and day pupils share a close-knit, all-through community. Means-tested bursaries and a wide scholarship programme may help families weigh the considerable fee range.
The Passmate verdict
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Shebbear College 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Shebbear College located?
Shebbear College is located at Shebbear, Beaworthy, EX21 5HJ.
What type of school is Shebbear College?
Shebbear College is an independent (fee-paying) school in South West.
How many pupils attend Shebbear College?
Shebbear College has approximately 250 pupils on roll.
What is Shebbear College's inspection rating?
Shebbear College is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 12 November 2024.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.