Outdoor education and pastorial care

Outdoor Education

At Plymouth College we believe that extra-curricular activities are central to the all-round development of our pupils and we aim to provide as many opportunities as possible for pupils to enrich their lives both inside and outside school. We are immensely proud of our Outdoor Education programme that encourages our pupils to get out there, get stuck in, give it a go and above all - have fun!

Outdoor Education offers something for everyone, and for some people it is everything. Outdoor Education enriches the lives of our pupils by allowing them to discover their own boundaries, comfort zones and find their place in the world.

Developing the much sought-after ‘soft skills’ of leadership, collaboration, resilience and perseverance, we see the co-curricular life of Plymouth College as not merely being about enjoyment and participation but as an important mechanism by which our pupils can be equipped to make an impact on the world at large. It is about challenge, it is about determination. It is about the rich reward of hard work and the ability to bounce back when you fall down. It is, above all else, about ensuring that all pupils are nurtured and encouraged during their time at Plymouth College and can develop interests, passions, skills and values that will stay with them long after they leave the school gates as they enter the world beyond.

Well-being support and pastoral care

At Plymouth College, we recognise that academic and pastoral needs are inseparable. We know that only happy pupils reach their full potential and perform well academically, so great care and support are given to ensure that all pupils have a positive experience and look forward to each day at Plymouth College. With high levels of academic and pastoral monitoring, alongside small class sizes, every child’s journey through the school is closely observed and, should any concerns arise, they are dealt with promptly and effectively.

Plymouth College offers excellent healthcare facilities and our health centre (open daily) is run by a qualified, registered nurse. The health centre is linked to a local GP Surgery to provide our boarding pupils with on-site visits by a doctor.The school employs its own independent counsellor, so that pupils may access support on-site during the school day.

Healthy eating is also promoted as part of our holistic approach to well-being. We are proud to be in partnerships with Chartwells who provide an excellent service. They cater for elite athletes, those with allergies and intolerances, cultural diets and hold regular food forums with the pupils.

The House system is also at the heart of Plymouth College life and offers another sense of belonging to each pupil as well as an opportunity to showcase talents against other houses in the many House competitions. This vertical system, with pupils represented from each year group, really helps to promote leaders and as pupils progress through the school, they are encouraged to become positive role models and leaders for the younger years. Pupils are organized into tutor groups according to their year group, with specialist bespoke tutoring incorporating PHSE, RSE and careers guidance.