International Students
We welcome students from all over the world to join our school! We are home to international pupils from many different countries who benefit from being in a British school environment.
Boarding is offered from the age of 8 – 18 and as we are a relatively small school, all of our overseas pupils mix fully with others from a range of different nationalities. Around 90% of our pupils are from the UK and so our overseas pupils find that they learn English very quickly as they are fully integrated in to school life.
Our beautiful 85-acre campus is perfectly located between Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks in North Devon. With close proximity to the stunning South West beaches and just a short drive from the historic towns of Bideford and Barnstaple and the University City of Exeter, Shebbear is a safe and tranquil environment in which to learn.
The wellbeing, happiness and security of all our students is our number one priority and we keep in regular contact with our international community to ensure that they are happy at school.
Application Process
To apply for a place at Shebbear College you can either register with one of the many agents that we work with globally, or approach the school directly. We are happy to accept applicants throughout the school year and pupils can join at any stage, depending on place availability.
International pupils looking to join Shebbear College will need to take papers in English as an Additional Language and Maths, provide supporting references and undertake an interview either at school or via Skype with a member of staff.
We also use UKiset tests as part of the admissions process. More information about UKiset, how to register, arrange a test centre, or organise online invigilation can be found here.
If needed, we may recommend that a pupil receives EAL tuition if their English needs additional support to reach their full academic potential. We have an excellent EAL department which helps such pupils to develop both their English language skills and confidence. We develop each of the main skill areas – speaking, reading, writing and listening – while also helping pupils to understand specific subject-based terminology and language.
In some instances, you will need to provide a Child Student Visa for your child. Once a place has been formally accepted, we are happy to provide a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS) to enable you to do this.
Guardians
For all of our international pupils, during holidays and half terms boarders can either return home or stay with a Guardian (at an additional cost). Guardians can be a family friend or relative living permanently in the UK, preferably reasonably close to the school, and aged over 25, or appointed via a Guardian Agency. Shebbear College is a member of the Boarding School Association (BSA) and they have a number of certified Guardian Agencies to help you start your search. Similarly, we are also a member of Brightworld Guardianship. However, the appointment of a guardian must be entirely the parents’ decision.
Heathrow Airport 'Meet & Greet'
We run a 'Meet and Greet' service to and from London Heathrow Airport for all of our International Pupils. Our friendly school travel team will be at the airport on arrival to greet pupils, escort them to our private coach and travel back to Shebbear College with them. On the way back, our team will accompany pupils to the airport and assist with check in and luggage.
They will also look after any pupils, booked in by parents or agents, who are travelling as Unaccompanied Minors (UM) and parents will be given the name of the member of staff collecting them.
Pupils using other London airports can also utilise the Heathrow coach service, but must travel from the arrival airport and Heathrow by taxi (we can arrange taxi bookings).
Travel from other areas
For pupils travelling to and from Bristol and Exeter Airports (or any other destination), we can help with any arrangements for booking taxis or transfers.
Information for International Pupils Booklet
