South Devon Private Schools

[Shelllp]

Hi there! We’re relocating to Devon from Cheshire and wanting insider information on senior schools in South Devon area. We’d ideally like to be in the South Hams area, in an ideal world our so would get a place at a state grammar but we’re also interested in state senior schools and also mainstream private schools (but not to board). We’d really appreciate any views/opinions. Also generally, having got two older sons who’ve loved living in Cheshire, we want to know how your teens socialise living in a more rural area? Is it all based around the beach, are they bored or are they grateful to be there. Thanks in advance, much appreciated

My info is a bit out of date. There isnt many private schools in South Hams. There is Stover and I think an alternative school in Totnes. Depending on where you want to live there are the Torbay Grammars including Churston, and Plymouth Grammars.
From A comp point of view. Kingsbridge I think has a good rep as does Totnes KEVIC, Ivy bridge is massive but again I believe OK. Lots of kids are bused in. Dartmouth never been good and now tiny.
Remember journeys can be very slow.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, I appreciate. Does anybody have any insider insights on Stover or Kingsbridge please?

Stover is pretty entry level. I suppose what I mean is that there doesn't seem to be a particular reason to choose it unless simply belonging to a private school is the main aim. You've got some excellent grammar options in South and East Devon, along with some decent non-grammars such as King Edward VI in Totnes. And there's independent Exeter School with a strong academic reputation. I don't really see what Stover offers other than a nice uniform and attractive setting, particularly for a non-boarder. I certainly wouldn't use it for my own teen boys as day pupils. If you want a good independent school and could reach Tiverton, Blundell's would be a much better alternative.

Thanks so much for this info - definitely just interested in a good academic setting rather than bells and whistles! I’ll look up the KE school in Totnes and Blundells, neither of which I’ve researched to date. Thanks again.

Stover tends to take a lot of children who have failed to get in to the local grammars. It isn’t selective, so may explain the average results. A friend’s daughter studied there, the pastoral care was very good. They really focussed on future careers and putting children in best place to move on successfully in to their areas of interest.

Where in South Hams do you hope to be. The school choice would be very different for Wembury area to Dartmouth. Plymouth schools v Torbay schools within range. Or up near A 38 could go Exeter, or Plymouth. But not near beach. When we were in South Hams anyone who went to Blundells boarded, ditto Mount Kelly

Might be worth looking up school bus routes for Plymouth College, Exeter School and Stover for ideas of locations etc

Very dependant on where in the South Hams you are, it's an area that's very rural, with small towns that are miles from each other in commute time.
For instance Kingsbridge is 12 miles from Dartmouth, 12 from Totnes so in small road distance it takes half an hour to them.
Factor in tractors, buses to get stuck behind!
Oh and caravans.

The schools there are not private.

Torquay has a grammar school.

That's a good 45 mins from say Kingsbridge.
I believe there's now a bus service.

Have you been to the area before to get a feel for the area?

Kingsbridge or KCC has good results. Fairly well respected.
It does generate student satisfaction on the whole.

Personally I found it lacking in enough pastoral care for anyone who isn't a model student

My DC didn't thrive there with mh issues but I guess that's a challenge for many schools and services they can't provide.

We’re quite near Stover.
the kids who went there locally tended to be those struggling in state - they were well liked after I believe.
yep kingsbridge is a good state school. It’s a great quality of life in south Devon generally, but remember you’re a long way from everything in that area. We live on the edge of Dartmoor, 25/35 minutes drive from Exeter and like being in the countryside but near the city.

I get you. My two eldest sons - now thankfully both happy and graduated - have had their fair share of crises before they’ve arrived at this point. This is probably why I’m at pains to find the right school for my third. I do not think my nerves could take another such bashing!

If you want private then there are limited options, Plymouth college does minibuses ( I think) and stover. In terms of grammar’s Plymouth facing there is only Devonport for Boys and Devonport (girls) and Plymouth High school for girls. From a comprehensive perspective Ivybridge although big has a really good offer (good sports academy’s and good academics), pass rate today was the best GCSE’s they’ve ever achieved. (90% pass for English and Maths)

Thanks for taking the time to add some comments. The areas we know well are Strete and Dartmouth and west to Kingsbridge. That would probably be as far west as we’d want to go. It’s great to hear mostly positive comments about Kingsbridge as I think that’s our state school of choice if the grammars aren’t an option. From all the comments that you have all kindly left, it’s making me think we need to looking further east though. We’ve stayed in Exeter and think it’s a lovely city but a we’ve lived in the south suburbs of south Mabdchester we’re hoping for a quieter vibe, ideally coastal (or within 30 easy reach). We like the size of Dartmouth so probably looking to base ourselves in the outskirts of a small town/large village. This, we hope, would give us greater peace then we have now but still enough for our son and elderly mother we have in tow.

Topsham is quite a good prospect for a coastal town that's within easy reach of Exeter...

We visited Topsham earlier this month and liked it. Great shops! I’ll have a nosey at school options in that area. No doubt my son, as he gets into his later teenage years, might appreciate being closer to a city.

Folliwing the comments received I’ve now booked in a tour of Exeter School. Besides Topsham, are there any other pleasant, larger villages you would recommend within 20/30 mins of Exeter? Also any other decent state schools besides Colyton they are within 30 mins of Exeter. I believe Colyton is extremely competitive to get into. Thanks again.

Chagford, moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey- all just about within 30 minutes, large villages backing onto Dartmoor. They each have a co-op or similar, a few cafes, a few pubs, a deli and grocers, and an outdoor pool.

Our two children are currently attending Stover and it is an excellent school that priorities kindness, wellbeing and happiness above just grades. My children love it there. They identify pupils with a genuine interest in learning and extracurriculars, fostering a diverse group rather than focusing solely on high academic scores.