Teaching and Education

At South Devon College, your learning goes far beyond the classroom. Our impressive £36 million campus in Paignton is home to an exciting range of specialist, industry-standard facilities designed to give you the very best start in your chosen career – all while enjoying a vibrant and welcoming college experience.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll see why our facilities stand out. You’ll have access to over 200 computers, Apple Mac suites, and collaborative learning spaces across campus. Our £17 million award-winning Hi-Tech & Digital Centre offers state-of-the-art labs in computing, cybersecurity, creative media, and engineering, keeping you connected to the future.

For those with a passion for the arts, we have dedicated photography studios, digital production suites, and even a cinematic 4K screening room. Into hospitality? You’ll find Horizons, our on-site fine dining restaurant, where catering students cook and serve professional meals to the public in a commercial restaurant environment.

Beauty and hair students gain hands-on experience at Inspirations, our fully operational salon, and Barberworx, a public-facing barbershop. Both are designed to simulate real commercial environments and use the latest professional equipment.

Animal Care students train in our on-campus Animal Unit, where they care for creatures great and small. including meerkats, pigs, pygmy goats, rabbits, and more. Meanwhile, our Marine Academy gives students unique access to specialist maritime training.

Our Mama Bear’s Nursery supports parents studying at the College, providing professional early years care right on campus.

For downtime, there’s plenty to enjoy too – relax in our student common room with pool tables and games consoles, cool off at the ice cream parlour, or grab a hot drink in one of our cosy cafés. When it’s sunny, head outside to enjoy green spaces or catch a match at the South Devon College Sports Centre, complete with a 3G pitch, MUGA courts, changing facilities, and a community teaching space.

At South Devon College, our Animal and Land-Based Unit offers an immersive, hands-on learning environment where you’ll work with over 150 species – including meerkats, skunks, porcupines, pigs, rabbits, lizards, and insects – using industry-standard facilities that mirror real working environments, including a commercial dog grooming area.

Animal welfare is central to everything we do. Our experienced teaching team delivers ethical, high-quality training that prepares you to work confidently and compassionately in the animal care and management sector. Through strong partnerships with local employers, including Paignton Zoo, you’ll also benefit from work placements and vocational trips that expand your skills and expose you to real career pathways.

As part of your studies, you’ll explore key topics such as animal handling, biology, husbandry, and conservation. Sustainability is also a key focus within the Animal Unit. Students take part in projects that support biodiversity and environmental responsibility, such as designing and building bird boxes, bat boxes, hedgehog homes, and barn owl boxes using recycled materials. These projects not only reduce waste but also help to create space for nature around our campus.

Our courses range from Level 1 through to a top-up BSc (Hons) in Applied Animal Science at University Centre South Devon, giving you a clear progression route into careers such as veterinary nursing, wildlife rehabilitation, and animal rescue.

At South Devon College, our Elective Home Education programme offers a welcoming, aspirational environment tailored to meet the needs of home-educated students across South Devon. Delivered three days a week, this popular programme supports students aged 14–16 (Years 10 and 11) with the structure and guidance needed to gain recognised qualifications while enjoying a rich, college-based learning experience.

Students work towards achieving Maths, English, and Science qualifications, alongside a technical subject of their choice, helping them to explore their interests and shape future ambitions. Every part of the programme is designed to offer clear progression routes into further education, apprenticeships or employment.

What makes our provision truly stand out is the supportive and inclusive environment we create. With smaller class sizes, dedicated personal tutors, and access to full safeguarding and wellbeing support, students benefit from individual attention and a community that champions their success.

Home-educated students also enjoy full use of the College’s impressive facilities, including the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) with over 25,000 resources, the Maths and English Hub, on-site catering outlets, a dedicated Wellbeing Café, and confidential counselling services – all designed to create a safe and nurturing space for growth.

At South Devon College, we support every student to thrive – academically, socially and emotionally.

Housed in South Devon College’s Hi-Tech & Digital Centre our Virtual Production Studio offers a cutting-edge space where creativity and technology combine, giving you hands-on access to the tools used by leading professionals in the film, television and immersive media industries.

This specialist facility is part of a wider suite of state-of-the-art digital media resources, including film editing suites, industry-standard recording studios, professional cameras, virtual reality equipment, and Apple Mac labs loaded with special effects and editing software. Whether you’re filming, directing, compositing, or producing content for VR or traditional screens, you’ll be working with the same equipment powering today’s most innovative productions.

The Virtual Production Studio allows you to explore real-time filmmaking techniques using green screen and motion tracking—skills increasingly in demand across the creative sector. You’ll gain experience using professional-grade tools to create immersive environments, blending digital effects with live-action footage in a fully controlled setting.

With access to the Centre’s screening suite, darkrooms, and photography studios, you’ll have everything you need to take your creative vision from concept to final cut. Supported by experienced tutors and industry insight, this is your chance to learn, create, and push boundaries in a truly future-facing environment.

At South Devon College, aspiring photographers have access to some of the most advanced and inspiring photography facilities in the region, all housed within the cutting-edge Hi-Tech & Digital Centre. Our specialist studios and creative workspaces are designed to mirror real-world industry settings, giving you the perfect space to experiment, create, and grow.

You’ll learn using professional DSLR cameras, a variety of lenses, and studio lighting equipment, gaining the technical skills to shoot across genres, from studio portraiture and commercial photography to location-based and experimental work. You’ll also develop your own creative portfolio, preparing you for progression into higher education or employment within the creative sector.

Our dedicated photography studios sit alongside an impressive range of facilities, including darkrooms, Apple Mac editing suites, and access to industry-standard special effects and retouching software. You’ll also have the opportunity to present your work in the Centre’s 4K digital screening suite – ideal for exhibitions, digital showcases, or collaborative media projects.

With support from expert tutors and access to the same professional equipment used by industry creatives, South Devon College’s photography facilities offer the perfect environment to bring your vision into focus.

At South Devon College, our computer labs give GCSE students access to a truly advanced digital learning environment, packed with the latest technology and designed to inspire the next generation of digital innovators. From the moment you enter, you’ll be learning in facilities that mirror the tools and systems used by today’s tech professionals.

You’ll study in state-of-the-art programming and networking labs, fully equipped with modern computer systems, interactive displays and industry-standard software. These labs create the ideal space for you to explore computer science in a way that’s practical, engaging and future-focused.

You’ll also gain insight into the latest cloud computing and network technologies, preparing you with skills that are both relevant and in demand. Our cyber security training systems introduce real-world scenarios in a safe and supported environment, helping you understand how digital systems are protected against threats and how to build resilient digital infrastructure.

The English and Maths Zone at South Devon College is a dynamic and inclusive space designed to support your success in these essential subjects. Whether you’re working towards your GCSEs or Functional Skills, this dedicated hub provides a calm and supportive environment where your progress is the priority.

Located within the heart of the College, the English and Maths Zone offers tailored one-to-one and small group support to help you develop your confidence, strengthen your understanding and achieve your goals. With expert tutors on hand, you’ll receive personalised guidance that meets your individual needs, whether you’re revisiting core concepts or preparing for final exams.

This specialist facility is equipped with a comprehensive range of learning resources, including past papers, targeted revision tools and interactive materials that make studying more engaging and effective. The welcoming atmosphere ensures that you feel comfortable asking questions and developing the skills that will help you succeed both in the classroom and beyond.

What sets the English and Maths Zone apart is its flexibility and focus on you. Drop in for a quick question, book a focused session, or use the space for quiet revision – however you prefer to learn, the Zone adapts to support your journey.

At the heart of South Devon College, our spacious, modern Library spans two floors and provides an inspiring environment for focused study, digital learning, and personal development.

With over 25,000 physical books, a wealth of academic journals, and access to a wide range of online databases and eBooks, the library supports every curriculum area across the College. Whether you’re researching for assignments or exploring your personal interests, you’ll find the resources you need, all backed by helpful, knowledgeable staff.

There are 65 bookable PCs available for student use, along with dedicated laptop zones on each floor and free Wi-Fi throughout. You can book a computer up to two weeks in advance, allowing you to plan ahead and secure your preferred study space. Prefer peace and quiet? Head to our Silent Study Room for distraction-free revision.

The library also features a dedicated Silent Study Room available until 2pm, perfect for those who prefer a quiet study area. Our Book Nook offers a refreshing break from academic reading, with a hand-picked selection of fiction, graphic novels, biographies and collections focusing on wellbeing, LGBTQ+ literature, and sustainability.

Specialist staff also deliver workshops and guidance on a variety of study skills including presentation techniques, research skills, referencing and exam preparation amongst others.

You’ll also benefit from access to our eLibrary and Virtual Learning Environment, where you can browse the library catalogue and can access resources remotely 24/7.

Horizons is South Devon College’s very own licensed fine-dining restaurant, offering a unique training environment where hospitality and catering students develop their skills in both professional cookery and food and beverage service.

Set within a bright, airy and contemporary space, Horizons is open to the public and delivers a full-service experience that reflects the standards of the modern hospitality industry. From elegant lunches and evening meals to themed dining events and special occasions, every dish is thoughtfully prepared and professionally presented by our students, under the guidance of expert College staff.

The restaurant operates alongside our fully-equipped training kitchens, where students refine their culinary techniques and service knowledge in a live, customer-facing setting. Guests benefit from creative, seasonal menus and exceptional service, while students gain invaluable hands-on experience in a working hospitality environment.

Located at the South Devon College Paignton Campus, South Devon High School offers a unique opportunity for Key Stage 4 pupils to thrive in a mature, inclusive, and high-achieving setting. With consistently above-average GCSE results, our environment is designed to bring out the best in every pupil through small class sizes, state-of-the-art resources and a strong focus on individual success.

Pupils joining us in Year 10 can study up to nine GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, combining core subjects like English, Maths and Science with a choice of specialist technical pathways, including areas such as Engineering, Health, Computing and more. Classes typically have 18 pupils or fewer, allowing for personalised support from our experienced tutors and academic coaches, alongside a Supported Study Club.

Pupils have access to advanced learning spaces, specialist workshops, digital suites, science labs, and a host of enrichment opportunities that support both academic and personal development.

We offer a nationally recognised careers programme that meets 100% of the Gatsby Benchmarks, providing world-class guidance and impartial advice to help pupils understand their future pathways. Our supported study club and dedicated careers team help each pupil map out their goals with confidence.

At South Devon High School, pupils are treated like the young adults they are, supported by an employment-focused culture that builds the technical, academic and personal skills needed for success in a fast-changing world.

At South Devon College, our cutting-edge Cyber Resilience Simulation Suite provides one of the most advanced cyber training environments in the region, preparing students and professionals alike to thrive in an increasingly digitised and vulnerable world.

As part of our commitment to developing future-ready talent, the Cyber Suite is a core feature of the College’s Computing and Digital Technologies provision. This specialist facility offers a safe and controlled space to simulate real-world cyber attacks, allowing learners and business teams to experience, detect, and respond to threats such as ransomware, phishing campaigns, malware outbreaks and hacking attempts. The ‘sandbox’ environment, with ‘red team / blue team’ simulations, allows safe testing responses to simulated cyber attacks.

Whether you’re studying towards a qualification or taking part in professional training, you’ll engage in realistic scenario-based learning, where one team attempts to breach systems while another defends them, mirroring the kind of challenges faced by modern cyber security professionals.

With access to training labs, interactive simulations, online learning tools, and expert-led instruction, students and staff can build confidence in both strategic and technical aspects of cyber security.

Step into the future of creative production at South Devon College’s Hi-Tech & Digital Centre, where the Digital Media Screening Suite offers a truly cinematic experience at the heart of one of the region’s most advanced learning environments. Whether you’re studying film, photography, gaming or digital media, this state-of-the-art facility provides the ideal platform to showcase, review and refine your work.

Equipped with a 4K digital projector, 7.1 surround sound, and seating for up to 100 guests, the Screening Suite mirrors professional cinema standards, giving students the opportunity to present their projects in an environment that reflects the expectations of the creative industries. It’s more than just a classroom – it’s a space to experience your work at a professional level.

The suite is also fully connected to the wider Centre, with the ability to cast content to all 4K screens throughout the building -perfect for hosting live events, exhibitions, conferences or multi-room showcases. This level of connectivity ensures your creativity reaches wider audiences in dynamic and engaging ways.

Whether you’re premiering a short film, analysing media content, delivering a live gaming broadcast, or hosting a digital showcase, the screening suite offers the technology and atmosphere to bring your ideas to life.

Supported Study Club takes place after school every day, from 3.30pm-4.30pm. Although not compulsory, pupils can use this time to complete homework or receive support whilst completing homework. This Club is supported by the Academic/Personal Coach as well as independent Study Officers.