Boarding at Shebbear

Boarding at Shebbear builds confidence, friendships and develops independence – as well as being a lot of fun! We offer full, weekly and flexi boarding to girls and boys from the ages of 8 – 18 and welcome pupils from across the UK and all over the world.

We have two co-educational boarding houses – Ruddle, which houses our full boarders from Form 1 (Year 7) through to Upper 6 and some of our weekly boarders, and Pollard, which houses our older weekly boarders. Our boarders are never bored, with a jam packed calendar of weekend events and evening activities on offer, as well as everything that comes with being a pupil at Shebbear College, from engaging lessons to exciting co-curricular activities.

Our 85-acre campus is situated in the beautiful Devon countryside, close to Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks and the fantastic surfing beaches of the North Cornwall coast. We offer a safe and tranquil environment in which to go to school, and despite being in a rural area of the UK, we are situated in the centre of everywhere with the local towns of Bude, Bideford and Barnstaple just down the road, the cities of Exeter and Bristol not far away, and the South West Coast and stunning moors right on our doorstep!

Firm friendships are made for life as pupils share the highs and lows of their lives together.

Our boarding staff are very much part of the family, and our pupils form close bonds with them. They provide an additional role model for boarders and help them to build confidence and independence away from home.

Facilities

Each boarding house has recently been refurbished, offering a modern, yet homely, place for our boarders to live and both houses have the same warm, friendly atmosphere. Pupils feel happy, safe and secure and there is always someone to turn to for help, advice or just a chat.

• Modern, well equipped Common Rooms with TV, Multisport Table, comfortable sofas, breakfast bars, dining table, LED lighting
• Modern kitchens
• Modern bedrooms with comfy beds,  soft carpets, wardrobe, shoe rack, and multiple plug and charging ports
• Bespoke single rooms for older students with all of the above as well as sofa bed and LED lighting
• Accessible rooms
• Fitness Suite
• Snug for cosy movie nights
• Modern bathrooms with individual shower cubicles, sinks and heated towel rails
• Separate toilet cubicles
• ‘Quiet’ room
• Music room

A Typical Evening

At 4.45pm, school activities end and the boarders change into home clothes ready for a faculty enrichment activity from 5pm – 6pm. A wide range of activities in Music, Drama, Sport and Art are offered and pupils can make the most of the school facilities. Tea is at 6pm in the dining hall and after this, everyone has a session of quiet time until 7pm. This gives our younger pupils the opportunity to do their prep, whilst others can read or just relax with their friends.

From 7.15pm – 8.15am pupils in Form 1 (Year 7) and above have an hour of Prep time. They can also meet with their Academic Tutor to discuss work and their general progress. Once they have finished their Prep they then have free time until heading back to the boarding house before bedtime.

Weekends

The weekend activities programme is full and varied, meaning that there is rarely a moment where boarders can feel lonely or bored. Saturday sports fixtures take place each week as well as planned enrichment activities and House competitions so that there is something for everyone to join in with. Weekend activities include music, drama, art, design technology, cookery, swimming, golf, debating, chess, squash, badminton and a range of other sports including gym sessions.

Trips are planned regularly which all boarders are encouraged to attend. These include horse riding, trips to the beach for surfing and water sports, theatre trips, day trips to a theme park, climbing, go-karting, paintballing, cinema trips, bowling, shopping, ice skating and camping.

Examples of Sunday activities – 2024-25