Boarding at Plymouth College fully supports the school’s ethos and aims. All pupils at the school are expected to be considerate and courteous. Personal development is an important aspect of life at school and we regard courtesy, resilience; honesty; kindness and respect for others as important qualities.
At Plymouth College, we offer Full, Weekly and Flexi-boarding options.
Weekly boarding offers the perfect balance for students who want to get the most out of their educational experience Monday to Friday. Integrated throughout the houses, weekly boarders are very much part of the boarding family and receive the same level of care and opportunity as full boarders. With no daily commute, boarding pupils start the day with a leisurely and hearty breakfast, knowing that their first lesson is just a few steps away. Weekly boarding is available on a term-by-term basis, five nights a week and includes dedicated bed, evening meal and breakfast, laundry service and evening activities.
Flexi-boarding at Plymouth College offers occasional overnight stays for up to 14 nights per term, with the possibility of arranging additional nights through negotiation with the Head of Boarding. This flexible option is ideal for families needing occasional boarding solutions, whether for travel, work commitments, or to provide pupils with a taste of the boarding experience. Parents find this arrangement particularly advantageous, allowing their children to enjoy the supportive and enriching environment of our boarding community as needed. Due to its popularity, we highly recommend early booking to secure a place.
Our aim is for boarders to feel at home as soon as possible. Upon arrival, a member of the boarding team and our Sixth Form pupils are on hand to support new boarders. Each new boarder is paired with an experienced boarder of a similar age where possible. Our boarders have access to useful information on all aspects of boarding life through weekly house meetings and our notice boards. There is a member of staff available throughout the day and evening to be available help with homework or offer a listening ear with a cup of tea and biscuit. In a caring small community such as ours, there are many people that boarders can turn to for help or advice. We want our boarding houses to feel like a second home and the pupils to have an extended family.
Plymouth College is easily accessible via our local international airports, Exeter and Bristol, with a transport service available from Exeter. We provide a chaperoned transport service for boarders to Heathrow airport.
For international students there is a short-stay, full boarding option giving them the opportunity of experiencing life in an English school while improving their language skills, typically for one or two terms. Many enjoy their time here so much that they stay on to complete full GCSE or A Level courses.
International pupils and their families will need to appoint a Guardian, who will support them in many ways - from assisting with travel to and from the school, to attending school productions, events and organising the student's holiday accommodation with local host families if not travelling home.
