PLYMOUTH COLLEGE AND ST DUNSTAN'S ABBEY SCHOOLS CHARITY

BUSINESS MANAGERRECRUITMENT PACKPLYMOUTHCOLLEGEBUSINESS MANAGERPlymouth 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. The Board of Galaxy Global Education Group and the Head of Plymouth College now seek to appointan accomplished, collaborative leader with strong financial, analytical and commercial acumen to serveas the College’s Business Manager. This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious professional toadvance their leadership career within a high‑performing and forward‑thinking independent school.As a member of the Senior Leadership Team and a key contributor to the Group Bursar’s wider team,the Business Manager will provide strategic, forward‑looking leadership across finance, estates, HR,compliance, IT and all support services. Working closely with the Head, Group Bursar and senioroperational managers, the postholder will drive operational excellence, support capital planning,strengthen cross‑College communication and identify opportunities to enhance commercial income andlong‑term sustainability.The Business Manager will report to the Head and be accountable to the Group Bursar, and willline‑manage the Director of Marketing, Admissions & External Relations; Head of Finance; Logistics  and Transport Manager; HR Manager; Sports Hall Manager; H&S Officer; and Domestic ServicesManager.This is a full‑time, permanent appointment with a salary of £60,000–£65,000, reflecting the seniorityand scope of responsibility.THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 09.00HRS BST ON MONDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2026Plymouth 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:Team LeadershipEnsure the smooth and effective running of all support staff services at Plymouth College.Work closely with the support staff leadership team to deliver operational excellence across allfunctions, including gathering and analysing data to inform business decisions.Maintain clear, concise and timely communication across departments to ensure seamlessday‑to‑day operations.Review and refine operational processes and quality‑control measures, ensuring compliance withbest practice and regulatory frameworks.Provide leadership and direction to support staff and contractors, modelling professionalism,collaboration and high expectations.Monitor the operational success of support functions to ensure high‑quality service delivery thatenables outstanding teaching and learning.Ensure appropriate out‑of‑hours operational cover and emergency response arrangements.Financial ManagementSupporting the Group Bursar, and working closely with the Head of Finance, the Business Managerwill:Ensure contracts and licences are reviewed, renewed and fit for purpose.Ensure the College, its assets and activities are appropriately insured at all times.Maintain effective systems for the timely collection of fees, allocation of financial assistance(scholarships and bursaries), and debtor management.Oversee procurement procedures and ensure compliance with school policies for all majorcontracts, goods, services, utilities and transport.Maintain detailed cost analyses and statistical records, contribute to benchmarking exercises andpresent findings to the Senior Leadership Team and governors’ committees.Ensure the maintenance and accuracy of the Assets Register.Ensure financial procedures and controls are robust, reliable and fit for purpose.Lead a comprehensive budget‑setting and reporting process, supporting budget holders andmonitoring performance against targets.Assist with financial modelling and maintain long‑term financial projections, including cash‑flowforecasts.Identify opportunities to improve operational surplus and financial efficiency.Oversee the preparation of annual statutory accounts and the audit process.Liaise with external professional advisers including banks, insurers and legal professionals.ROLE SUMMARYThe Business Manager is a senior leader responsible for the strategic and operational management ofPlymouth College’s support services. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team and a keycontributor to the Galaxy Global Education Group’s bursarial structure, the postholder provides clear,forward‑thinking leadership across finance, estates, HR, compliance, IT, catering, transport and wideroperational functions.The Business Manager ensures that all non‑teaching services operate efficiently, safely and in alignmentwith the College’s ethos, strategic priorities and regulatory obligations. The postholder reports to theHead and is accountable to the Group Bursar, and line‑manages the Director of Marketing, Admissions& External Relations; Head of Finance; Logistics and Transport Manager; HR Manager; Sports HallManager; H&S Officer; and Domestic Services Manager.THE POSTDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Estates & Facilities ManagementProvide oversight of the College estate, ensuring high‑quality maintenance, development andcompliance.Supervise on‑site capital developments, including design and specification, ensuring delivery toagreed time, cost and quality parameters in liaison with the Group Bursar.Work with Facilities Managers to maintain and enhance buildings, grounds and facilities in line withstatutory requirements.Ensure the effective management of caretaking, cleaning, porterage, grounds and maintenanceteams.Support the H&S Officer, Domestic Services Manager and Logistics and Transport Manager todeliver high‑quality services across health and safety, transport, maintenance and hygiene.Lead initiatives to reduce the College’s environmental footprint and energy consumption.Ensure all capital projects comply with legislation, including tendering, contracting, performancemanagement, project sign‑off and snagging.Oversee utilities management, including negotiation of supply contracts.Ensure appropriate staffing and support for out‑of‑hours events and emergency response.CateringEnsure catering provision meets nutritional standards in a cost‑effective manner.Work with the school catering committee to deliver the best possible food offer for pupils.Where catering is contracted out, lead tender processes at required contractual break points.Human ResourcesWorking with the Group Head of HR & Compliance and the Senior Leadership Team, the BusinessManager will oversee the HR Manager to:Ensure compliance with all relevant employment legislation and Group‑level policy.Plan staffing resources effectively and review deployment in line with best practice.Support the development, welfare and effective management of all support staff, includingProfessional Reviews and identification of training needs.Participate in formal HR processes (investigations, disciplinary, absence management etc.) withsupport from the HR Manager and Group HR Advisor.ITOversee and maintain reliable, secure, compliant and cost‑effective IT systems that fully supportthe school’s educational and administrative needs.Ensure robust cyber‑security measures are in place, including penetration testing, phishing testingand whitelisting, and that insurance requirements are met.Support long‑term planning for IT infrastructure and digital development.Compliance and Risk ManagementUnder the guidance of the Deputy Group Bursar, ensure compliance with all relevant legislationand guidance, including the Independent School Standards Regulations.Oversee and support the H&S Officer in delivering compliance across health and safety, fire safety,site security, accident reporting, external reviews and risk assessments.Work with senior staff to plan and rehearse critical incident procedures.Maintain and update the school’s Risk Register on behalf of the Group Bursar, including mitigationstrategies.Lead business continuity and critical incident planning.THE POSTDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Sustainability & Environmental ManagementLead initiatives to reduce the College’s environmental footprint and energy consumption.Oversee the design, installation and maintenance of energy management systems.Explore and implement renewable energy technologies where appropriate.Promote a sustainable ethos across the College community.SafeguardingUphold the College’s commitment to safeguarding and child protection.All staff have a duty of care to pupils and must report any concerns to the DesignatedSafeguarding Person.Contribution to the Wider CommunityPromote and protect the health, safety and wellbeing of oneself and others, including staff, pupilsand visitors.Contribute positively to the wider life of the College community.Undertake any other duties commensurate with the seniority of the role.PERSON SPECIFICATIONEssential CriteriaDesirable CriteriaQualificationsand ExperienceEducated to degree level orequivalent qualificationsPassion for education and acommitment to the School's visionand missionEntrepreneurial spirit, marketingexperience and a ‘can‑do’,solutions‑focused approachProven successful leadershipexperience in a middle‑managementor senior position, managing,organising and motivatingmultidisciplinary teams, includingsuccessfully managing changeProven finance, business and projectmanagement expertiseExperience of a wide range of facilitiesand event managementresponsibilities, preferably gained in anenvironment related directly orindirectly to educationAdvanced IT skills with the ability touse and manage IT systems andresources effectivelyKnowledge of and experience in usingfinancial, data or compliance‑basedsoftware packagesExperience in estates management,including building maintenance, newbuilding projects, relevant Health &Safety requirements, and liaison witharchitects, planning authorities andexternal organisationsExperience of working with a LocalAdvisory Board or equivalentstructureSkills andKnowledgeHighly developed interpersonal andcommunication skills: empathetic,diplomatic, open‑minded and able topersuade, negotiate and influenceothersAble to work individually and as partof a teamFlexible, strategically minded andsolution‑focused in approachSets high expectations for self andothers, able to work under pressure,leads by example and is resilientAble to self‑motivate, self‑evaluateand has a desire to learnCan‑do attitudeIntegrity and loyalty at all timesHigh‑level decision‑making skills:confident and willing to take difficultdecisions when necessaryGood sense of humourPERSON SPECIFICATIONEssential CriteriaDesirable CriteriaPersonalQualities andAbilitiesEmpathetic, diplomatic andopen‑mindedCalm, patient and supportive inapproachProfessional, reliable anddemonstrates sound judgementPositive, proactive and adaptableApproachable and courteous whenworking with pupils, colleagues andparentsActs as an inspirational andresponsible role model within theschool communityAbility to build strong, positiverelationships with pupils and familiesEnthusiasm for contributing to thewider life of a busy schoolThe 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 2ND FEBRUARY 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:Contract: Full‑time, permanent.Salary: £60,000–£65,000 per annum, commensurate with the seniority and scope of the role.Hours: Full‑time, with flexibility required to meet the operational needs of the CollegeOn 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 is a dynamic and inclusive educational community, committed to providing abroad, balanced, and enriching experience for every pupil. The Senior School currently educatesaround 400 pupils, 80 of whom are boarders from a large range of countries across the world.Many are drawn by the College’s reputation for elite sports provision, particularly in swimmingand modern pentathlon, which adds to the vibrant international character of our school. ThePrep School educates over 100 pupils, with numbers continuing to grow steadily. This diverse andsupportive environment fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and a strong sense ofbelonging. In its most recent integrated ISI inspection in 2019, the College was praised for the excellentquality of pupils’ academic and personal development.ABOUT PLYMOUTH COLLEGEOUR HISTORYFounded in 1877 as a boys’ school, Plymouth College has a rich tradition of delivering first-class,holistic, and outward-looking education. In the mid-20th century, the College operated as adirect grant grammar school until becoming independent in 1976 - the same year the first girlsjoined the Sixth Form. It became fully coeducational in 1995, and in 2004, the College mergedwith St Dunstan’s Abbey School, with the Prep School relocating to the former St Dunstan’s site.In September 2021, the Prep School joined the Senior School on the Ford Park site, bringing allpupils together for the first time in 70 years. As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2027, the College is preparing a series of celebratoryevents to honour our heritage and bring together the entire Plymouth College community.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 and 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