Independent Private School in Devon, South West England

Plymouth College:
Plymouth College is a co-educational school based in the bustling maritime city of Plymouth with the magnificent moorland, countryside and coastal landscapes of Devon and Cornwall close to hand. Our two locations, Prepschool towards the west near Stonehouase and our senior school to the north in the Mutley Plain shopping district are easily accessible and have been at the forefront of education in the South West of England since 1877 and, whilst quietly conscious of the past and traditions remain forward-looking and dynamic. The school offers continuous education from ages 3 to 18 years with boarding facilities at the Senior School from age 11. We have a long tradition of providing a happy environment in which all pupils are encouraged to reach their full potential. Our recent Inspection Report described the life of a Plymouth College Preparatory School pupil as 'rich and rewarding' and we aim to provide children with the best possible start to their academic careers.

Preparatory School Curriculum:
The curriculum aims to provide all pupils of the school with a diverse and balanced education which will thoroughly prepare them for transition to senior schools at 11. Each subject on the curriculum is overseen by a subject co-ordinator who monitors the delivery of the subject syllabus across the whole Prep School. Liaison is also carried out with the Senior School to ensure that their requirements are met. Whilst most teaching time is given to core subjects, English, Maths and Science, ample time is given to other subjects to ensure a balance is maintained.

The Curriculum is designed to enable a range of teaching methods to be used and cross-curricular and individual investigative work is encouraged at all levels. It allows for creativity by the teachers enabling them to produce lessons that are not just informative but also fun.The School's success rate with 11+ entries to the local Grammar Schools and the Senior School indicates that the curriculum meets all the requirements of these schools and enables pupils to make a smooth transition to secondary education. However, the curriculum is subject to regular review and update and new ideas are always encouraged.

Kindergarten:
The Kindergarten is a class of up to 24 children, led by a qualified teacher with two Nursery Assistants. It is a pre-school class, open to children of 3 and 4 years of age and it offers a transition between Nursery and School. Children are gently introduced to a school day with assemblies and set play times. Kindergarten pupils can attend for any combination of full and half days, increasing the amount of time as they become ready for the challenges of school life.

Emphasis is placed on developing each individual through the experience of a wide variety of different stimuli. The development of language skills through conversation, singing and books is a strong feature of our work.

We follow the six areas of learning suggested in the foundation stage curriculum:

* personal, social and emotional development
* language and literacy
* mathematical development
* knowledge and understanding of the world
* physical development
* creative development

Government funding is available for 3 and 4 year old pupils at Plymouth College Preparatory School. Please ask the Secretary for further details.

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2:
This follows the core guidelines set down in the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 so that all children are fully prepared for their Key Stage 1 assessments in the summer term of Year 2. However, we are not constrained by the National Curriculum and offer teaching beyond and outside its boundaries depending on the ability and individual needs of your child.

We endeavour to provide a broad and balanced curriculum to ensure your child reaches his/her full potential in all areas of development.

The curriculum is divided into seven broad areas:

* Language Development - This encompasses talking, listening, reading and writing and consequently embraces all other core areas.
* Numeracy - Computation, problem solving, mental agility and thematic work with an emphasis on practical application form the basis of our daily mathematics lessons.
* Science - This includes Physical Science, Environmental Science and Health Education.
* ICT - Information and Control Technology is a developing area of the curriculum. Children have opportunities to develop a range of skills and experience programmes linked to different curriculum subjects.
* Humanities- This encompasses History, Geography, Religious Education as well as Personal and Moral Education.
* Physical Education - Children cover a range of physical activities, including PE, swimming and games (in Year 2) which are taught by specialist teachers.
* Arts- Music, Dance, Drama, Art an Design, Poetry and Literature are all part of the Infant curriculum.

Year 3:
This is an important transitional year where the children are encouraged to become more independent and responsible. Most of the school day is based with their class teacher where most subjects are taught. A great emphasis is placed on the traditional skills of reading, writing and numeracy. Environmental Studies, which include Science, History and Geography are topic based. There are strong cross curricular links between these subjects and Art. The children visit other teachers for Sport, PE and Music.

Year 4:
As with Year 3, the children in Year 4 are based, for most of their lessons, with their class teachers. Great emphasis is placed on literacy and numeracy and there are cross curricular links with the Humanities and Art. The Year 4 children visit specialist teachers for Sport, Music, Science, PSE and Art.

Years 5 and 6:
Each class in Years 5 and 6 has a form teacher who oversees the pastoral care of the pupils. All lessons are taught by specialist subject teachers. The children are 'set' in English and Mathematics and travel around the school to different subject areas.

Senior School:
In designing the curriculum for the senior school we very much aim to give every single child the chance to achieve his or her full potential. A particular priority is to help all pupils to achieve the best academic qualifications possible and to be well prepared for the next stages of education and career. But education is, of course, much more than examination passes! We wish our pupils to develop into personable, confident and articulate young adults, to develop an inquisitive nature and appreciate the value of learning, and to be able to take their place as full, well-informed members of society.

We aim to achieve this by means of a broad-based and well-planned curriculum which is applied as flexibly as possible to suit the needs and priorities of the individual. The timetabled subjects are complemented by a wide-ranging programme of clubs, sports and activities. Participation in this programme helps pupils to acquire the skills and values which are so important for success in life.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum: Years 7, 8 and 9:
In Year 7 pupils study:

* English and Mathematics
* Biology, Chemistry and Physics
* French
* History, Geography and Religious Studies
* Design Technology and ICT
* Art, Drama and Music
* PE and Games

In Years 8 and 9, in addition to the subjects above, pupils have the option of studying a second foreign language and able linguists may follow two extra languages. The choice is made from:

* Latin
* German
* Spanish
* Classical Civilisation
* Extra English and Mathematics (for pupils who need extra help here.)

There is no setting or streaming in Year 7. In Years 8 and 9 broad setting is introduced in Mathematics, Science, French and English. This is to help all pupils to progress at their own pace in these subjects.

Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11:
Subject choices for GCSE begin in Year 10 and are continued into Year 11. All pupils study:

* English Language and Literature (two GCSE subjects)
* Mathematics
* Biology, Chemistry and Physics (taken either as three GCSE separate subjects or a double GCSE award.)
* A modern foreign language: French or German or (from 2009) Spanish.

Pupils also have a choice of three optional subjects chosen from the list below. They are strongly encouraged to follow a humanities subject (Geography, History or Religious Studies.)

* Art: Fine Art or Photography
* Business Studies
* Classical Civilisation
* Design and Technology (Graphics or Textiles or Resistant Materials)
* Drama
* Geography
* History
* ICT
* Latin
* Music
* Physical Education
* Religious Studies

A second foreign language may be studied as one option.

Pupils also have games lessons and take part in the extended activities programme on Friday afternoons.

In Years 10 and 11 setting by ability is used in English, Mathematics, Science and French. The GCSE examination in most subjects is taken at the end of Year 11. Some pupils can take additional subjects such as Music and Greek by studying outside of normal timetabled time.
Option Systems and Subject Choices

The options systems in Years 10 and 11 and the Sixth Form do not consist of fixed blocks of subjects. These systems are re-designed each year to accommodate all pupils' preferred choices as far as is possible. Pupils are asked to select their choice of subjects by February in each year and advice to help make them to their choices is carefully planned. The option blocks are then constructed from these choices. Sixth Form students are not required to make their final choice of AS subjects until after the GCSE results are published. The exact range of subjects to be offered in the IB Diploma programme will also be constructed from pupils' choices.

Sixth Form:
The Sixth Form at Plymouth College provides a whole range of opportunities for students to develop their academic strengths, as well as other important life skills they will need outside of the classroom. Studying beyond Year 11 is viewed as a period of educational transition, and we aim to equip students with the confidence to study independently and develop the self-discipline necessary to be successful at University.

In addition to the breadth of academic courses available, an extensive range of extra-curricular and sporting opportunities are also available. We are committed to developing students as a "finished package" and participation in activities outside the curriculum is widely encouraged.

From the start of term, we strive to ensure that pupils are well integrated into our friendly and supportive environment. You will be given the opportunity to develop the skills of leadership, either through involvement in the Arts, Drama and Sport, or through the opportunities offered by Prefectship. Commitment to the highest standards of teaching and learning, as well as the provision of modern and state of the art facilities, including a new multi-function Sixth Form Centre, make Plymouth College a clear choice for any student who wishes to achieve the highest levels of success.