Senior School

Shebbear College is a non-selective academic school that places emphasis on its pupils to have a range of interests and aptitudes which it believes important to foster.

The College wishes to build up a community of pupils with a wide and diverse range of skills, but who are capable of pursuing an essentially academic curriculum.

Entry into Years 7 to 9 (Forms 1-3) is by:

Examinations which normally include English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning.

• School Reports
• Interview – the formality of which varies according to circumstance and practicability.
• A short trial period during which there is an assessment not only of academic ability but also character and personality.

There is no fixed pass marks in the examination. The Headmaster balances out the information presented in deciding to whom to offer a place. In particular the College is keen to see pupils with a range of extra curricular interests which can be developed, as well as contributing to the life of the community. The Headmaster must be satisfied that pupils will benefit from the education provided at the College.

Entry into Years 10 (Forms 4) is by:

Examinations which normally include English and Mathematics

• School Reports
• Interview – the formality of which varies according to circumstance and practicability.
• A short trial period during which there is an assessment not only of academic ability, for setting purposes, but also character and personality.

Entry into Years 12 ( Lower Sixth ) is by:

• School Reports
• Interview – the formality of which varies according to circumstance and practicality.
• A short trial period, if practical, during which there is an assessment not only of academic ability, for setting purposes, but also character and personality.
• GCSE results (5 Grade A* – C passes. Preferably with at least a B grade in subject chosen to be pursued at AS/A2 level.).

The reports and interview will have to show that the pupil is able meet the challenges of GCSE or AS/A2 level studies.

Please note that for all the above:

Allowances are made for those with specific learning difficulties and for those where English is not their first language. The College prides itself on the provision of support for these two areas but recognises that in order to be proficient and effective in supplying such support that there is a finite number of places that can be offered without placing an imbalance within the composition of each year group. The Headmaster will have, as a fundamental reference point, the need of the individual pupil to be able to cope with a curriculum that leads to GCSE without undue stress and that the level of support needed does become detrimental to the remaining pupils. It is expected that most pupils will take seven to nine GCSE subjects.

All teachers who work in the Learning Support Department are fully trained.

ESL teaching is taken by qualified staff and is organized for all overseas pupils, as appropriate, although an overseas pupil will be expected to show a level of understanding of English that allows them to take part in lessons effectively.

Other disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but three criteria will need to be met before an offer can be made:

• The candidate’s academic achievement and potential will need to be in line with other pupils in the College and be such to enable them to cope with the academic demands of a normal school routine.
• The candidate must be able to cope with the physical demands of school. The College has an extensive campus and has many old buildings that have three floors.
• That the College has the necessary staffing and expertise to provide a sufficient level of support without undue disruption to normal school procedures. In particular the candidate must have a certain ability to work independently.

The College will, wherever possible, endeavour to be flexible in its provision for those with a physical disability. It may be possible to adjust timetables and rooming to negate the effects of the disability but candidates will need to cope with sprawling nature of the site,  the rural nature of the College and its historical development which means that it has an eclectic mix of buildings with many stairways and small corridors.