We are proud to announce that Shebbear College has once again been shortlisted for the Independent Schools of the Year 2025 awards, in the category of Small Independent School of the Year. This marks the third consecutive year the school has received this prestigious recognition, having been named a finalist in 2024.
The awards, run by Independent School Parent magazine, celebrate excellence across the UK’s independent education sector. Shebbear College’s continued recognition reflects its unwavering commitment to personalised learning, exceptional pastoral care, and a vibrant, inclusive community.
Head, Charlie Jenkins commented:
“We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted once again. As a small school, we pride ourselves on knowing every pupil as an individual and creating an environment where every child can thrive. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils, and the strength of our community.”
Known for our family-like atmosphere—where “everyone knows each other” and “Mr Jenkins knows every pupil by name”— we offer a truly personalised education. Small class sizes allow for tailored teaching, helping pupils build confidence, resilience, and achieve their personal best. On average, students gain one full grade higher than predicted, a testament to the school’s outstanding value-added performance.
Now part of the Inspired Learning Group (ILG), the college continues to flourish while staying true to its ethos. The 2024–25 academic year has seen the launch of the Little Explorers Nursery, offering children aged 2–4 a unique early years experience with specialist lessons in Robotics, Dance, Gymnastics, and more—all set within the school’s stunning 85-acre campus.
Our co-curricular programme, 360@Sheb, brings enrichment into the school day, with activities ranging from surfing and gig rowing to horse riding and climbing. In sport, Shebbear has punched well above its weight, with teams competing at national level in rugby, netball, equestrian events, swimming and athletics.
In the arts, our wonderful productions of West Side Story and Mary Poppins Jr showcased the talents of pupils across all age groups, while the innovative Horizons careers programme continues to prepare students for life beyond school—whether that’s university, apprenticeships, or gap years.
Shebbear’s strong pastoral care is underpinned by its Wellbeing Award for Schools status, recognising its commitment to mental health and emotional support. Our core values—compassion, creativity, curiosity, courage, confidence, and courtesy—are woven into every aspect of school life.
The winners of the Independent Schools of the Year 2025 awards will be announced later this year.
