Related Links:
College Statistics and Exam Results
Destinations of Students
How to Find Us
Virtual Tour
Who’s Who

The College

the college Tavistock College is a 11-18 Community College with specialist Language Status. We provide quality education for children from a wide and varied community, taking students not only from Tavistock itself but also from the middle of Dartmoor, and the north of Plymouth and across the Tamar into Cornwall. We pride ourselves on being a true community comprehensive school and aim to offer a broad and rich education to meet the needs of all students.

The College’s Vision was developed by students, staff and parents and is called ‘On Route to Success’. The vision has three main strands which we feel are equally important in this modern society: promoting and nurturing the personal qualities and personal interests of each individual as well as ensuring they achieve success. The College thus aims, through its broad and varied curriculum and many extra curricular activities, to provide stimulating learning opportunities which motivate independent learners and recognise and reward progress, both in the classroom and whilst taking part in projects, competitions, trips and visits. Our Reward Scheme has been designed specifically for the College by staff and students and sees young people on a day to day basis working towards celebration evenings, band nights, themed parties, trips to adventure parks and the ultimate Graduation.

At Tavistock College we run a huge range of trips and visits. As a Language College our students have the opportunity to study languages including Japanese, Spanish, French, German and Italian and then to try these out through exchange visits to Japan, Spain and Germany or trips to France and Italy. Some trips closely linked to the curriculum aim to enrich studies in the classroom, for example the History trip to the Normandy Landings in France and the Poetry Live trip to hear recitals of the GCSE English poetry. Other trips on offer develop the personal qualities and interests of individuals: students have learnt to sail on a Tall Ship, spent the weekend on Dartmoor completing their Duke of Edinburgh or travelled to Croatia or Norway to take part in a World Challenge Expedition. Sixth Form students have been able to spend ten days visiting our partner schools in Uganda and India and hosting visitors in Tavistock.

Not all students may wish to be so adventurous or travel so far a field so we also run a range of extra curricular activities at the College, including a two day Enrichment Programme at the end of the summer term. Each year group takes part in projects which may include ‘The Charlotte Dymond Experience’ on Bodmin Moor, ‘Big Art’ or ‘Vamos a la playa’ in College.

The Personal Development Programme aims to reach the passions of every student by exposing them to an exciting range of pathways designed to enrich their experience of life both in and out of College. In Year 7 all students take part in a full day of activities with their tutor group aimed to encourage team building. These students who are new to the College, each other and their tutor build rafts, take part in problem solving and paddle canoes together whilst getting to know and trust the people that will be their in college family for 5 years. In Year 8 we are currently running a ‘Fit to Learn’ programme where students can try out an alternative form of exercise: so far Archery has proved very successful and this new year students will be offered chances to take part in Tai Chi and Boxercise. Year 8's also go on a whole year Theatre trip to the local Theatre Royal.

Year 9 students take part in the 'Challenge Passport'. Challenge areas include Physical, Intellectual and Life Skills. Students can complete as many challenges as they wish during Year 9. Reward points are gained for each challenge completed. Students need to complete at least one challenge to gain a Gold Award at the end of the year.

Year 10 students are invited to join the Xtra programme which gives them access to gaining national qualifications such as the Red Cross Paediatric First Aid and Babysitting certificate and Bronze Medallion in Life Saving. Again students decide on the direction they wish to follow and have been offered Car Maintenance and Mechanics qualifications and outdoor pursuits challenges. One such challenge is the nationally renowned Ten Tors Challenge and the College has entered teams for the past 29 years.

As Year 11 dawns and the pressure of external exams looms students are offered Stress Busting sessions in areas such as Yoga, Tai Chi and Salsa dancing as well as Hot Lessons (physical wake up, healthy breakfast and fast revision sessions) to help them through this crucial part of their schooling. Sixth form students contribute to the college and their own Personal Development by helping out in tutor time and lessons, some help to run, alongside teaching staff, one of the 50+ clubs that run in the College whilst others contribute and expand their life experiences by standing as part of the College Senate and Council (which runs through all years). Our programmes are constantly developing to ensure that the young people of Tavistock College are encouraged to develop and pursue rewarding interests and pastimes and to become trustworthy and responsible individuals.

Simply, whether it is a passion for Maths, a gift for Art, a talent for Sport or enjoyment of the Performing Arts at Tavistock College your son or daughter will be given every opportunity and support to be the best that they can be.

Page updated Wednesday, February 24, 2010