PLYMOUTH COLLEGE AND ST DUNSTAN'S ABBEY SCHOOLS CHARITY

GRADUATE STRENGTH ANDCONDITIONING COACH(With optional Boarding Duties)RECRUITMENT PACKPLYMOUTHCOLLEGEGRADUATE  STRENGTH ANDCONDITIONING COACH(With optional Boarding Duties)Plymouth College is currently seeking a to join our community Plymouth College is a leading co-educational school, which has operated at the forefront ofindependent education since its inception in 1877. With its excellent programmes for the academicand personal development of pupils, fantastic wellbeing and pastoral care and world-leadingperformance sports and co-curricular activities, the College produces well-rounded, confident andresilient young people who stand out from the crowd. We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and committed Graduate Strength and Conditioning Coachto support the physical development of Plymouth College pupils and Plymouth College Aquaticshigh‑performance swimmers. This role is ideally suited to a recent graduate wishing to develop theircareer in Strength & Conditioning within a highly successful and professional environment.Accreditation through the UKSCA (ASCC), or the ability to achieve this within six months, is desirable.The College will provide mentorship and CPD, both practical and theory‑based, to support progresstoward accreditation.Candidates may also choose to undertake optional boarding duties, assisting with the supervision andpastoral care of boarders on a duty rota. These duties are not part of the core 33‑hour graduatecontract but offer valuable additional experience within a busy boarding and day school environment.Residential OptionOn‑site accommodation is available only for graduates who opt into the boarding element of the role.To reside on site, the postholder must undertake a set number of boarding duty hours, which areseparate from and additional to the 33‑hour Strength and Conditioning contract.This post is contracted for 33 hours per week across 35 weeks of term time, with an additional twonon term time weeks worked during the school holidays as part of the core Graduate Strength andConditioning Coach role. Salary is circa £18,000 per annum. This fixed‑term contract will run acrossthe 2025/2026 academic year and into the 2026/2027 academic year. The anticipated start date iseither Monday 23 February or Monday 20 April 2026.THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 09.00HRS BST ON MONDAY 19TH JANUARY 2026Interviews will take place either Thursday 22nd or Friday 23rd January 2026For further information on the role, please speak with either Charlie Irish (Director of Sport) or Phil Mutlow (Deputy Head (Co-Curricular & Operations))Plymouth College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successfulcandidate must be willing to undergo an enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure and BarringService.THE POSTDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:This role requires energy, enthusiasm and the ability to act as a positive role model. The postholdermust be able to work alongside young people, engage with them at their level, and inspire them bycontributing actively to the wide range of activities offered at Plymouth College.The duties for this role fall into two areas:1.Strength & Conditioning responsibilities (core role).2.Optional boarding responsibilities (for those who choose to undertake boarding duties and/orreside on site).STRENGTH & CONDITIONING ROLEKey Relationships: Director of Sport, Deputy Head (Co-Curricular and Operations), Head of Strength & ConditioningResponsible ForDelivering high quality Strength & Conditioning coaching across a range of sports and athletes for 35hours per week.Aim of PostThe postholder will be a key member of the S&C coaching team, assisting, supporting and, wherecompetent, leading the delivery of S&C programmes for Plymouth College Aquatics high‑performanceswimmers and for pupils of all ages and sporting backgrounds across the College.Key S&C Coaching Responsibilities:Assist the Head of S&C with the delivery of gym based sessions for Plymouth College Aquaticshigh performance swimmers.Support the education of sports coaches and teaching staff in S&C principles and best practice.Record and log key monitoring data after every session to maintain accurate and up‑to‑datedatabases.Assist with regular physical testing and athlete monitoring using established College protocols.Supervise allocated open gym sessions, ensuring pupils follow their programmes effectively anddemonstrate safe, efficient lifting techniques.Coach athletes through their S&C programmes in 1:1, small‑group and large‑group settings.Lead the delivery of S&C content in games, activities and extracurricular club sessions.Engage fully with the weekly in‑house CPD programme.Attend S&C staff meetings.ROLE SUMMARYThis role offers a blend of hands‑on Strength & Conditioning coaching and the opportunity to gainvaluable pastoral experience through optional boarding duties. The postholder will play an active rolein supporting the physical development of pupils and Plymouth College Aquatics swimmers, whilebuilding practical skills in programme delivery, athlete monitoring and youth development.For graduates who choose to undertake boarding duties and reside on site, the role also providesmeaningful experience within a vibrant residential community, contributing to the care, wellbeing anddaily routines of boarders. Overall, this position is an excellent opportunity for a motivated graduateseeking real‑world experience in both S&C and pastoral work within a high‑performance schoolenvironment.THE POSTDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:BOARDING TUTOR ROLE (OPTIONAL)Key Relationships: Deputy Head (Pastoral), Head of Boarding, and the House Parents.Responsible For Supporting the House Parents in the supervision, care, safety, discipline, transportation, chaperoningand pastoral wellbeing of all boarders, and helping to organise and deliver a varied programme ofextra‑curricular activities.Key Boarding Responsibilities:Support the safeguarding and pastoral care of boarders, following all school and boarding policiesand protocols.Assist in welcoming new boarders and providing effective induction and guidance.Help maintain accurate records relating to each boarder’s personal, health and welfareinformation.Build positive relationships with boarders; listen, support and nurture them in line withsafeguarding expectations.Promote positive behaviour and uphold the codes of conduct of both the house and the school.Support evening prep sessions to ensure a calm, structured and productive academic environment.Assist in delivering a full and varied programme of extra‑curricular activities, ensuring boardersare appropriately occupied, particularly at weekends.Chaperone boarders to appointments and accompany them on residential trips as required.Be willing and able to drive school minibuses (training and test provided) to transport boarders toactivities during the week and at weekends.Support the safety and security of all boarders at all times.Assist with regular fire drills during boarding hours and ensure fire precautions are maintainedwithin the boarding houses.General School Responsibilities:(Some or all of the following may apply depending on skills and interests.) Assist teaching and/or sports staff during lessons.Support extra‑curricular activities, sports fixtures and school routines, including some eveningsand weekends.Chaperone pupils on residential trips.Assist with break and lunchtime duty patrols around the school site.Support off‑site excursions as required.Contribute to coaching in your specialist sport (e.g., hockey), if applicable.PERSON SPECIFICATIONEssential CriteriaDesirable CriteriaQualificationsand ExperienceEducated to degree level orequivalent.Full, clean driving licence with aminimum of two years’ confidentdriving experience.Accreditation through the UKSCA,NSCA or ASCA, or the ability toachieve this within six months.Residential experience working withyoung people.A recognised first aid qualification.Willingness to engage in CPD andmentorship provided by the Collegeto support accreditation.Skills andKnowledgeAble to work independently and useinitiative with minimal supervision.Strong verbal and writtencommunication skills.Highly organised, with the ability tomanage a varied and demandingworkload effectively.Confident in organising and leadingactivities for young people.Willing and able to drive a schoolminibus for daily transport, bothlocally and further afield.Able to work flexibly across early andlate shifts as part of a diverse rota.Experience coaching or supportingsport or extra‑curricular activities.Experience contributing to residential,pastoral or co‑curricular programmes.PersonalQualities andAbilitiesGenuinely passionate about thepastoral welfare of young people.Empathetic, calm, caring and patient inapproach.Demonstrates integrity,professionalism and sound judgement.Positive, proactive and adaptable, witha strong can‑do attitude.Approachable, courteous andsupportive when working with pupils,colleagues and parents.Acts as an inspirational andresponsible role model within theschool community.Ability to build strong, positiverelationships with pupils and families.Enthusiasm for contributing to thewider life of a busy boarding and dayschool.The qualities and experience outlined in theperson specification will be assessed by thefollowing methods:Sight of original qualifications.Plymouth College application form.Interview.References from current employer and otherchosen professionals.Plymouth College is committed to safeguarding andpromoting the welfare of children. The successfulcandidate must be willing to undergo an enhanceddisclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service.Complete your official Plymouth College application form, whichmust include all dates of previous employment and give reasonsfor any gaps in employment.  A CV will not be accepted instead ofan application form.You should also include a covering letter with your application,which should not repeat the contents of the personal statementsection within the application form.Submit your completed application form and covering letter tothe HR Department via email to HR@plymouthcollege.com or bypost to Plymouth College, Ford Park, Plymouth, PL4 6RNAPPLICATION PROCESSTH E CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 09.00HRS BST ON MONDAY 19TH JANUARY 2026The Job Description is not necessarily acomprehensive definition of the post andis designed to be enabling rather thanrestrictive.It will be reviewed at least once every yearand may be subject to modification oramendment at any time after consultationwith the post holder.References of shortlisted candidates willnormally be taken up before interview,one of which should from your mostrecent employer.123Plymouth College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofchildren and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening,including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. GENERAL REQUIREMENTSREFERENCESAPPOINTMENT TERMSAll appointments are subject to:The receipt of two satisfactory references (if these have not already been received).A satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and, if appropriate, a check of the Barred List maintained by theDBS.Other relevant checks in line with guidance provided by KCSIE.Terms and Conditions of Employment:Fixed Term Contract.33 hours per week across 35 term time weeks, with an additional 2 non term time weeks workedduring the school holidays as part of the core Graduate Strength and Conditioning Coach role.Salary Circa £18,000 per annum.Assist in various aspects of the school day for a minimum of 33 hours per week, times to beflexible as required and may include some Saturdays and sports fixtures, if applicable.Optional Boarding Duties and Residential Accommodation:Candidates may choose to undertake additional boarding duties on a rota basis, which will includeearly morning, evening and weekend duties. These duties are not part of the core contract. On‑site accommodation is available only to those who opt into the boarding element of the roleand is provided on a ‘licence to occupy’ basis; fuel and light expenses are charged as required byHMRC. The anticipated start date for this post is either Monday 23rd February 2026 or Monday 20thApril 2026.On successful appointment there is a probationary period of six months. Successful candidates are required to attend compulsory annual safeguarding training, keep up to datewith key policies and undertake any other necessary training as deemed relevant to the post.BENEFITS FOR STAFFPlymouth College fosters a warm and inclusive workplace culture where every member of staff is valuedand encouraged to contribute to a thriving, collaborative community.We are proud to offer a broad range of benefits to our employees, designed to support wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional development.  Please note that in certain benefits, such as pensionenrolment, commence after three months of continuous employment with the College.HEADMASTER'S WELCOMESchools will always be a source of hope and promise for the future, and guiding pupils inschools is both a privilege and a challenge. Working to support and guide young children andadolescents through what seems an increasingly uncertain world is a truly important vocation,carrying great responsibility and accountability. For those of us who choose to take on thischallenge, witnessing the development and flourishing of young people is the greatest reward.Ours is a community which believes in learning for all, learning for life and learning in a fullersense than just academically. For our pupils, this means that whilst examination success anddemonstrable academic progress is valued, so too is the personal growth and characterdevelopment gained through co-curricular activity, but also opportunities to support and leadothers and to undertake community service. Pastoral care and education, and knowing all of ourpupils well in our inclusive community, underpins all that we do. For our staff, learning is keytoo, through opportunities for career development and continuing professional development ofhigh frequency and measurable value. Success in life is measured in many different ways, most obviously by gold medals andexamination results. Our community is rightly proud of our Olympic heritage in sport and theexcellent achievements of our pupils at both GCSE and A level, but we also recognise thatsuccess for each individual means different things. We support our pupils in testing themselvesin and beyond the classroom, and value resilience, teamwork, perseverance and service as muchas we do raw attainment. Ultimately, how our pupils are as peopleand how they build relationships withothers will be of more importance tothem, and to society, than how talentedthey are. Our community thrives insupporting both those who displayexcellence and those who struggle; itthrives in the development of academicand emotional intelligence and literacy,and in enhancing in our leavers a senseof their responsibility for themselvesand their own actions, to others and totheir environment and in creating amore compassionate and aware globalcommunity.PETER WATTSHEADMASTERPlymouth College today is a forward-looking and inclusive educational community providing abroad, balanced and enriching education.  Just over 400 pupils are currently educated at theSenior School, of whom approximately 100 are boarders. The Prep School educatesapproximately 150 pupils with numbers presently increasing at a pleasing rate. The boarderscome from around 35 countries, with many attracted by the College’s elite sports provision. Therange of nationalities adds greatly to the cultural richness of the College. The College received its last integrated ISI Inspection in 2019 and the quality of pupils’ academicand personal development, as well as other achievements, were described as excellent. ABOUT PLYMOUTH COLLEGEOUR HISTORYFounded in 1877, originally as a boys’ school, Plymouth College has a unique history of providinga first class, holistic and outward-looking education. During the middle of the 20th Century, theCollege served as a direct grant grammar school until 1976, when it became independent andthe first girls were admitted to the School’s Sixth Form. It became fully coeducational in 1995,and in 2004 the College merged with St Dunstan’s Abbey School, with the Prep School movingto the old St Dunstan’s site. In September 2021, the Prep School joined the Senior School onthe Ford Park site, joining together all our pupils for the first time in 70 years. As we looktowards our 150th anniversary in 5 years’ time, our newly launched Development Office ispresently planning many events over the next few years.  PLYMOUTH COLLEGE TODAYOUR MISSIONOur educational mission is to be excellent in every aspect of the education that we offer and weare constantly evaluating what we do to ensure that we deliver this.  This excellence manifestsitself in numerous ways. Our latest ISI inspection report concluded that every aspect of oureducational quality was excellent. Our public examination results, particularly when measured interms of added value, are consistently outstanding and our pupils secure places at the world’s bestuniversities.  Most importantly, Plymouth College pupils are widely regarded as rounded, grounded,interesting, mature and successful young people. Our mission is to educate, enrich and empower all members of our community.  Our primaryfunction is to educate pupils but, crucially, not just to pass exams. Holistic education is just part ofwhat we do, even in these difficult times, with more extra-curricular activities on offer than everbefore. We develop our pupils intellectually, academically, socially, morally and physically by creating anenvironment that is genuinely intellectually stimulating, progressive, adventurous and dynamic.  Secondly, we need to ensure that everything we do – every lesson, every form period, everyactivity – is a truly enriching experience.  Thirdly, our pupils are genuinely empowered so that theymay become successful young people, ready to make a difference in whatever field they go into. OUR ETHOSPlymouth College seeks to produce happy, knowledgeable, successful and compassionate pupilswho develop into independent citizens that contribute positively and responsibly to our globalcommunity. The School is a caring community in which every individual is of equal importance andin which we seek to work together for the benefit of all members of the community. Whilst academic success is the first priority, we recognise that each person has talents which maylie in other areas. Our intention is to ensure that every pupil reaches their full potential inwhatever sphere he or she may excel, whilst broadening their interests by pursuing a variety ofactivities. Whilst the School is of a Christian tradition and pupils are familiar with, and encouraged in, thetenets of the Christian faith, we are very much an inclusive community and pupils of all religiousbeliefs and of none are welcome. We celebrate diversity. PLYMOUTH COLLEGE PRINCIPLESWE OFFER A VALUES-BASED EDUCATION IN WHICH OUR PRINCIPLES ARE EMBODIED: RESPECTThe College expects its pupils to have respect for others, our environment, other cultures, BritishValues and to be tolerant of difference. SERVICEWe pride ourselves on having a culture of serving others, rather than self-service. RESILIENCEWe teach our pupils not to let failure drain resolve and to overcome difficulties. INTEGRITYOur community values the strong moral principles of honesty, fairness and decency and the ability todiscern right from wrong. ASPIRATIONWe foster ambition, hope, confidence and self-motivation in all our pupils. Aiming high is thePlymouth College way. KINDNESSWe promote kindness as being the most important principle that our pupils should demonstrate.PREP SCHOOLSENIOR SCHOOLSIXTH FORMACADEMIC RESULTSPlymouth College has a strong reputation for academic excellence and has consistently demonstrated highlevels of value-added.  It is the individual care and attention provided to our pupils that enables them todeliver of their best.ACADEMIC LIFEPlymouth College prides itself on preparing pupils for adult life, through a holistic, rounded education.  Academic excellence can be seen through examination results and university destinations, and our 16-18DfE progress score is one of the highest in the local area.  We pride ourselves on the examination resultsand future pathways of every individual student.Starting in Early Years, pupils develop skills and knowledge in the foundational areas of learning: literacy;mathematics; understanding the world; expressive arts; personal, social and emotional development.  Asthey move through the years, specific subjects such as Humanities, Science and Music are offered.  From Year 3, Computer Studies, Art and French are introduced, with Design Technology following in Year4.  These subjects are taught by subject specialists who take the pupils to specialist rooms, enhancing theirlearning experience in tandem with the main class teacher.  Years 5 and 6 consist of more subject specialisms, and pupils in these Upper Key Stage 2 years will have arange of teachers, consisting of mainly KS2 specialists for English, Maths and Science, and subject specialistsacross the remainder of the curriculum, i.e. for Humanities, Drama as well as those subjects started in theearlier years.After the transition to the Senior school, the Years 7 and 8 curriculum allows pupils to continue to study abroad and balanced curriculum, embedding those foundational stills across all academic areas as they begintheir journey towards GCSE.  These subjects include English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics,History, Geography, Religious Studies, Classical Civilisation, Design Technology, Computer Science, Art,Drama, Music, French and Spanish.In Year 9, extended optionality is introduced, with all pupils studying the core GCSE subjects of English,Mathematics and the three sciences, along with our bespoke Ocean Science introductory course.  Pupils willadditionally choose five options from the other dozen or so subjects.  Academic Physical Education is alsointroduced at this point.These options are refined in Year 10, where is the option to narrow down to four optional subjects. Weoffer a mix of GCSE and IGCSE courses in Year 10, with Business ad Marine Science being offered for thefirst time in Year 10.In the Sixth Form the core of our offer is a wide range of A Levels and a few carefully selected BTECs.  These are mainly the ones that are taught at GCSE, although Economics, Media Studies and Psychology arenew to the pupils in the Sixth Form.  We also offer a 1 A Level equivalent BTEC in Applied Science.  BTEC Sport is offered as a 2 A Levelequivalent Diploma or a 3 A Level equivalent Extended Diploma.  There are also many academic co-curricularoptions in the Sixth Form, such as the Extended Project Qualification and a bespoke super-curriculum option.HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTFew schools can claim the distinction of having nurtured an Olympic Champion, a World Recordholder, and an Olympic medallist - all while they were still in education. At the Paris 2024Olympics, fifteen current and former pupils of Plymouth College proudly represented theircountries, exemplifying our legacy of elite performance.Plymouth College boasts an exceptional track record, having produced Olympic, World,European, and Commonwealth champions at both junior and senior levels. Our alumni alsoinclude professional athletes across rugby and football, most notably Henry Slade, namedGallagher Premiership Rugby Player of the Year for the 2023/2024 season.Since the turn of the century, over 200 athletes from Plymouth College have gone on torepresent 47 nations in 15 different sports - an enduring testament to our internationallyrecognised culture of high-performance sport.Plymouth College enjoys an enviable worldwide reputation in swimming and diving.  The swimprogramme works in conjunction with Plymouth City Council, using their state-of- the-art 50mpool alongside the College’s own 25m pool.  Maintaining this relationship is essential to the healthof the boarding provision, as well as giving the College an international reputation. Our swim programme allows individuals to come to Plymouth from a young age and to remain apart of the programme up to, and possibly beyond, the conclusion of their schooling, allowingthem to have consistency of coaching into their University years or post-18 careers. This haswelcomed many day and boarding pupils who have developed into Olympic and World champions,World, European and Commonwealth record holders and medallists. It ensures regularinternational selections for Great Britain and home nations’ swim teams, as well as facilitatinginternational success for athletes from many overseas nations. Recent alumni of the school include Ruta Meilutyte, Ben Proud, Josh Gammon, LauraStephens, Tom Fannon, Aimee Canny, Sophie Freeman, Honey Osrin and many more.TEAM SPORTSCRICKETCricket at Plymouth College follows a year-round programmethat is built on high quality coaching, a very strong fixture cardand the clear provision of pathways to the professional gamevia District, County, University Centres of Excellence and FirstClass cricket.  At the junior level, the school provides severalCounty representatives year on year and has begun a programof playing County sides, hosting the winter training programmefor Devon girls and pre and in season fixtures from Under 10-15 age. These strong links are crucial in the development of ourmost capable boys and girls. GIRLS HOCKEYOur Hockey squads have seen considerable success in recenttimes, with a number of players gaining representative honoursfor Devon, West Panthers, Performance Centre and UK Lions.The U14 team were also crowned England Hockey Tier 2National Champions in 2019.  RUGBYOver the last twenty years, the College’s Fifteens and Sevensteams have become recognised as being among the mostconsistent performers in the country and a significant force inthe South West. Each team, throughout the school, from U12to the 1st XV, has experienced coaches. We field six teamsinvolving a high percentage of boys in the school. At seniorlevel, there is a full programme involving strength andconditioning, skills training, match-play and nutrition.  NETBALL A wealth of fixtures take place in the Spring Term, allowing allage groups  from U8 upwards to experience competition fromother independent schools in the area. The Head of Netball  isan ex-Team Bath Netballer who brings a wealth of knowledgeabout the sport and this is passed on to our pupils during theirtraining sessions.FOOTBALLPlymouth College is delighted to announce the launch of itsHigh Performance Football Programme in partnership withPlymouth Argyle Football Club, set to commence in September2025. This exciting collaboration aims to provide talented youngathletes with the opportunity to pursue a first-class educationwhile advancing their footballing careers. OUTDOOR EDUCATIONThe Outdoor Education programme at Plymouth College is sector-leading.  The College is fortunateenough to be surrounded by beautiful South West countryside and this, together with the Devon andCornwall coastline, provides ample opportunities for outdoor pursuits. At Whiteworks on Dartmoor,the College has a bunkhouse which can accommodate 25 people.  Activities such as caving, climbing,mountain biking, sailing, sea kayaking, canoeing, mountain and hill walking, camping, bushcraft andgorge walking are all on offer and Plymouth College pupils have been taking part in the Ten TorsChallenge for the last 40 years.   Prep pupils also enjoy Outdoor Education, with our Year 5 and 6Outdoor Explorers Club being one of the most popular, and our youngest pupils exploring theoutdoors through their Forest School lessons and activities.  DRAMAA key target for the School is ensuring that children become more confident speakers as they movethrough the School. Drama plays a crucial role in this and from the moment pupils enter Pre Schoolthey are given plenty of opportunities to develop their acting and public speaking skills.  Throughoutthe Prep and Senior Schools, pupils are presented with numerous performance opportunities and theyparticipate in local drama festivals, performance evenings and school productions. We offer peripatetic Speech and Drama for those who wish to take LAMDA exams and many of ourpupils go on to perform in professional productions at the Theatre RoyalMusic is an integral part of life at Plymouth College. From the early preparatory years, pupils areencouraged to take part and enjoy music-making and this continues throughout the upper years withthe opportunity to undertake performance, listening, composition, and recording work as part of thecurriculum. Tuition is available on all orchestral instruments, including percussion, as well as voice,piano, organ and all types of guitar. Beyond the classroom, there is ample opportunity for musicians including an excellent School Choirthat sings at all major school events, concerts, and church services and there are a wide range ofextra-curricular music clubs such as Girls' and Boys' Voices in Harmony Clubs, Chamber Choir, StringEnsemble and Live Lounge for rock, pop and jazz. There are a number of concerts every term,enabling pupils to hear, support and learn from each other. MUSICCO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIESPlymouth College offers an exceptional range ofenrichment activities which vary from term toterm.  Clubs and activities run during lunchtimes, afterschool and at weekends and numerousresidential trips take place in the school holidaysto further add to the extra-curricular offer. Theenrichment activities are designed tocomplement the provision in the academiccurriculum. All pupils are encouraged toparticipate daily in order to aid their personaldevelopment; this could be discovering new skillsor developing existing talents. Form tutorsmonitor pupils’ involvement and help guide theirchoices. Clubs and activities include:  Electro Racers Club,Philosophy Film Club, Basketball, Lego Club,Mindfulness Colouring, Card Making, MathsPuzzle Club, Board Games Club, Young DesignerClub, Outdoor Discoverers and many more.  There really is something for everyone! CO-CURRICULAR SPORTFor many of our pupils, sport is about having theopportunity to take part, staying healthy andenjoying sport. We very much believe in themantra ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ and that thepride, spirit and determination fromparticipating, particularly in team sport, will flowthrough to the classroom. We offer a wide range of extra-curricular sportssuch as cricket, hockey, rugby, football andnetball and all are encouraged to ‘have a go’;from this many of our pupils discover a joy for aparticular team sport and not only does this helptheir personal physical and mental wellbeing butalso contributes to developing the skills requiredto be a team player of co-operation andcollaboration - key attributes to take forwardinto their adult lives. We are proud of how oursports programmes develop the talents of bothgirls and boys to county level and beyond. PASTORAL CARE AND WELLBEING SUPPORTFrom an early age we encourage pupils to develop real inner confidence and believe it is essentialto provide an enriching and empowering environment where pupils are happy and comfortable totry new things. Our small class sizes and specialist staff help us to get the most out of all ourpupils. From day one, all our children are very much a part of our School community. Within the PrepSchool, the younger children interact with the older pupils on a daily basis at assemblies, breaktimes and during whole School activities with older Senior School pupils and Sixth Formersworking with our younger children whilst on break-time duty, being part of our reading and peersupport programme, or helping at sport training sessions.  The well-being of our pupils is of the highest importance to us; pupils of all ages follow adedicated PSHE curriculum with tutor periods and assemblies providing a full and variedprogramme to ensure that all pupils are prepared and ready to participate fully in the worldaround them.  The pastoral structure at Plymouth College offers a multi-layered approach toensure that all pupils have a strong support network of qualified staff and well-trained pupilsavailable to them. Typically, this will include the Tutor (or class teacher at the Prep School),Tutor Prefect, Deputy Head of Year, Head of Year, Head of House, School Nurse, SchoolCounsellor and Head of Learning Support.   Leadership skills are encouraged throughout the School, particularly in sport, outdoor activities,music, drama and the House system. All pupils are allocated to one of four houses and housecompetitions allow pupils of all ages to work together and compete in various activities andevents.  This vertical system, with pupils represented from each year group, really helps topromote leaders and as pupils progress through the school, they are encouraged to becomepositive role models and leaders for the younger years.  FACILITIESWhile the School is within the city’s urban area, our campus, Ford Park, extends beyond thirteenacres. The school also owns an another seven acres of sport fields at Delgany, just a fifteenminute drive away. We are fortunate to have access to an outward bound bunk house inDartmoor called Whiteworks where pupils have the opportunity to enrich their education bytaking part in activities such as climbing, caving and camping to name a few.  Ford Park is home to all of our teaching and boarding facilities such as our Prep School, SeniorSchool and Sixth Form as well as Science laboratories, Art studios, DT workshops, Music andtheatre facilities, swimming pool, strength and conditioning gym even a fencing suite. There is amix of Victorian architecture as well as later additions of new, purpose built facilities such as theMeade King Hall and indoor sports hall. The George Stephenson Pavilion boasts an atmosphericcafé called George’s and overlooks the 1st XI Cricket square, athletics field and sports pitches. Itis a vibrant hub both on match days and also during the school week, providing a focal point forparents to meet over a coffee at drop-off times and catch up as a community. Boarding has been a vibrant and integral part of Plymouth College since 1877, and it continues tothrive in the elegant Victorian buildings called Colson House and Mannamead House. Wereplicate the best qualities of family life and endeavour to create a close-knit community wherelife-long friendships are formed.Conveniently situated both physically and metaphorically right at the heart of the site, ourboarding community is small enough to enjoy a supportive, family atmosphere from which youngpeople can explore the richness of the wider school. Significant investment has allowed PlymouthCollege to provide an excellent modern environment within which to live and work. Youngerboarders share a bedroom with two others, while seniors have twin or single bedrooms. Thereare comfortable, well-equipped social areas, well-stocked kitchen areas to supplement theexcellent school dining, calm work areas, and safe, restful bedrooms.Led by the Head of Boarding, there is a team of specialist staff dedicated to ensuring the highestpossible quality of supervision at all hours of the day and night. Pupils are strongly encouraged toimmerse themselves in boarding life and contribute to the community through taking onresponsibility, sharing their talents and helping one another.A diverse cultural and extra-curricular programme is offered to all boarding pupils. These rangefrom educational trips and house events, to soirees and recreational outings. Whilst recognisingthe value of taking time out for quiet contemplation or pure relaxation, our weekends are variedand purposeful. Former boarders returning to Plymouth College often say that their boardinghouse has provided them with an invaluable and unique experience that will remain with them forthe rest of their lives.The 2019 ISI report noted that “boarding plays a significant role in establishing a supportivecommunity where pupils’ mutual respect and tolerance are the norm.” In addition, they noted“Boarding pupils speak about the established family feel of the boarding house, helping theirsocial enrichmentBOARDINGWELCOME TO PLYMOUTHWHAT DOES PLYMOUTH AND ITS SURROUNDING AREA HAVE TO OFFER?Plymouth is a port city in Devon and has not only an amazing maritime history and an historic Barbicandistrict, but also offers a combination of rural charm and modern city living. It is ideally located in thebeautiful South West of England.Britain’s Ocean City offers a stunning coastal experience and is home to breath-taking views. An ideallocation for leisure and learning with plenty of quiet spaces and recreational opportunities.  It hasexcellent transport links.  It is around three to four hours by train to London and there are ferrylinks to France and Spain.THE BARBICAN AND SUTTON HARBOURThe historic Barbican and Sutton Harbour are the heart of the city’s heritage with the oldest buildingsand the greatest number of historical stories.A vibrant place of cobbled streets, narrow lanes and more than 200 Listed Buildings, many of themTudor and Jacobean, offer a wide range of cosmopolitan boutique shops, galleries, antique stores,restaurants, cafes and bars set amidst picturesque scenery.Southside Street is home to the world famous Plymouth Gin Distillery, the building dating from theearly 1400s and a former monastery inhabited by Black Friar Monks.  Sutton Harbour with its lively waterfront culture, is perfectly placed to make the most of all Plymouthhas to offer, from unparalleled historic landmarks, to some of the city’s largest and liveliest familyattractions, such as the National Marine Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the UK.  It is also home tothe Mayflower Steps and a one mile Heritage Trail.  You can also see the sights from two wheels andtake advantage of the National Cycle Routes right on the harbour’s doorstep.ROYAL WILLIAM YARDSurrounded by water, Royal William Yard is steeped in history, it blends Plymouth’s historic naval pastwith award-winning design. Considered to be one of the most important groups of historic militarybuildings in Britain, it is also the largest collection of Grade I listed military buildings in Europe.You can relax on the lawn or take advantage of the breath-taking sea views of Plymouth Sound acrossto Cornwall, through the tunnel which offers a perfect look out point.One of Plymouth’s most iconic landmarks standing 72 feet high, Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse has thebest panoramic view in the city with elevated vistas of Plymouth Sound’s National Marine Park.The centrepiece of Plymouth Hoe, Smeaton’s Tower was built on the Eddystone Reef in 1759.  It wastaken down in the early 1880s when it was discovered that the sea was eroding the rock it was builton.  Two thirds of the structure was moved - stone by stone - to its current resting place.For more information visit:https://www.theboxplymouth.com/outside-the-box/smeatons-towerSMEATON’S TOWERPLYMOUTH COLLEGEFord Park, Devon, PL4 6RN+44(0)1752 505100ADMISSIONS+44(0)1752 505100admissions@plymouthcollege.com