The Tor Bridge Partnership is one of Plymouth’s largest and most inclusive educational campuses, bringing together four schools on a single site to deliver high-quality education for children and young people aged 0 to 19, across a wide range of abilities and needs.
The campus officially opened in 2012 following a £39 million building programme, funded through the Department for Children, Families and Schools’ One School Pathfinder initiative, as part of the national Building Schools for the Future programme. This ambitious project transformed the former Estover Community College site into a state-of-the-art learning environment. The design and construction team included Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (architects), Kier Western (contractor), and EC Harris (project management).
The four schools on site are:
- Plym Bridge Nursery School and Children’s Centre – A maintained nursery for children aged 0–5
- Tor Bridge Primary – A mainstream primary school for children aged 4–11
- Cann Bridge School – A special school for learners aged 3–19 with severe learning disabilities
- Tor Bridge High – A secondary school for students aged 11–18
Cann Bridge School, formerly known as Downham School, was previously located in Plymstock before relocating to the new campus. Plym Bridge Nursery was already established on the site prior to redevelopment. The only original buildings that remain from the Estover Community College era are the Youth Centre, Sound House Arena, and Assembly Hall.
Originally formed as a federation of schools, dissolved in 2017, the Tor Bridge Partnership has since evolved. Each school now operates independently with its own governing body or board of directors:
- Plym Bridge Nursery and Children's Centre – A Plymouth City Council Maintained School
- Tor Bridge Primary – Part of the TIMAT Academy Trust
- Cann Bridge School – A Plymouth City Council Maintained School
- Tor Bridge High – Part of the Ted Wragg Academy Trust
Despite their independent governance, the schools continue to collaborate closely. Headteachers meet three times a year at Bridgehead Meetings to discuss site-wide matters, partnership opportunities, and shared developments. These meetings are chaired on a rotating basis. Additionally, the Tor Bridge Partnership Governors’ Meeting is held termly, bringing together Headteachers and their Chairs of Governors or Boards to discuss strategic issues. These meetings are also chaired by the hosting school and formally minuted.
All schools benefit from shared access to campus resources, facilities, services and teams through formal agreements. This collaborative model provides access to high-quality spaces and equipment that might not have been feasible if the schools were built separately—offering economies of scale, promoting sustainability, and enhancing educational opportunities for all learners.
The Tor Bridge Partnership logo visually represents the unity of the four schools. Each school is symbolised by a distinct colour:
- Plym Bridge Nursery and Children's Centre – Blue
- Tor Bridge Primary – Yellow
- Cann Bridge School – Green
- Tor Bridge High – Orange
- Tor Bridge Partnership - Grey
These are connected by an arch, symbolising the partnership bridge that unites the schools in shared purpose and collaboration.
The Tor Bridge Partnership stands as a leading example of a modern, collaborative education campus—serving not only its learners but also the wider community.
To learn more about each school go to: www.torbridge.net
