Exeter School
Exeter School is an independent co-educational day school in Exeter, Devon, England, providing education for pupils from ages 3 to 18 on a 25-acre campus in the city centre.[1][2] Founded on 1 August 1633 as the Exeter Free Grammar School by wealthy merchants and initially housed in St John's Hospital, it evolved from a boys' grammar school into its current form, becoming fully co-educational in 1997 and independent in 1976.[3] The school maintains high academic standards, earning excellent ratings across all eight inspected areas in its 2024 Independent Schools Inspectorate review, with recent GCSE results showing 23% of grades at the top level of 9 and 47% at grades 8 or 9.[4][5] Exeter School supports extensive extracurricular opportunities, including sports facilities such as an indoor pool, all-weather pitches, and a climbing wall, fostering pupil development in a nurturing environment recognised as leading in the South West.[1][2]History
Founding and Early Development
The foundations of Exeter School lie in St John's Hospital, established in the thirteenth century by Exeter merchants Gilbert and John Long on the south side of High Street to provide care for the poor and infirm.[6] By the early seventeenth century, the hospital's medieval buildings were repurposed for educational purposes, reflecting a shift from charitable alms to structured learning amid growing civic demands for grammar education.[7] [8] Exeter Free Grammar School opened on 1 August 1633, funded by bequests from local benefactors including £200 from Thomas Walker in 1628 and £100 from Alderman Walter Borough, with governance vested in the Mayor and Common Council of Exeter.[3] [9] Intended primarily for the sons of city freemen, particularly merchants, it offered free instruction in Latin and Greek in the upper rooms of the hospital buildings, while a downstairs English Free School taught reading, writing, and arithmetic to up to 50 poor children.[3] [8] William Nosworthy, M.A., was appointed the first headmaster on 18 June 1633, with an initial salary of £20 per year, later supplemented to £50 annually through endowments like a £20 rent charge from Exe Island Manor.[9] [3] Early operations faced challenges, including legal disputes over site usage—such as opposition from the Dean and Chapter—and conflicts with predecessors like William Ferryman, resolved through Privy Council intervention in 1630.[9] Despite these, the school endured, formalized by Royal Letters Patent in 1637, which confirmed its statutes and separation of grammar and English instruction.[9] By the eighteenth century, leadership under headmasters like John Reynolds (1714–1734) and John Marshall (1763–1793) stabilized the institution; Marshall notably revived the old boys' society in 1787, fostering alumni connections.[3] The curriculum remained focused on classical languages, preparing pupils for university or apprenticeships, though enrollment fluctuated due to limited space in the aging hospital structures.[3] [7]Expansion and Modernization in the 19th and 20th Centuries
In 1880, Exeter School relocated from its historic premises at St. John's Hospital to a new 25-acre site on Victoria Park Road in Heavitree, marking a major expansion to accommodate growing enrollment and modern educational needs.[3][10] The land was acquired for £7,600, with construction of the initial buildings, designed by Gothic Revival architect William Butterfield, costing £16,750; these included dedicated classrooms, administrative facilities, and boarding houses to support an expanded pupil body.[3][10] This move replaced the cramped medieval structures of the former site, enabling larger-scale operations and reflecting broader 19th-century trends in public school development toward purpose-built campuses.[3] The early 20th century saw further infrastructural enhancements, including the addition of a classroom annex in 1919, initially comprising four rooms named after benefactors—Oswald-Simpkin, Parker-Smith, Morys, and Kenyon—to address space constraints amid rising demand.[11] Financial modernization efforts intensified post-World War I; facing deficits, the school transferred governance to Exeter City Council on 1 April 1921, which stabilized operations through public funding.[3] By 1929, it transitioned to aided status under a reconstituted governing body, regaining autonomy while benefiting from state support, a model that persisted as a direct grant grammar school from 1945 until the scheme's abolition in 1975.[3] These changes facilitated curriculum broadening beyond classical emphases, incorporating science and modern subjects to align with national educational reforms, though pupil numbers remained modest—typically under 300—until mid-century growth.[3] In 1976, following the end of direct grants, the school reverted to full independent status, enabling fee-based expansion and investments in facilities that positioned it for late-20th-century adaptations.[3] The Victoria Park Road campus, with its Butterfield-era core now Grade II listed, underwent incremental modernizations, such as utility upgrades, to maintain functionality without altering the historic footprint.[11]Transition to Co-Education and Contemporary Era
In 1981, Exeter School began admitting girls to its Sixth Form, marking the initial step toward co-education.[3] This partial integration allowed the school to assess the impact of female students while maintaining its traditional boys-only structure for younger years. By 1995, the governors decided to transition to full co-education, a change implemented in September 1997, admitting girls across all year groups.[3] The move followed the success of the Sixth Form program and aligned with broader trends in independent education toward inclusivity, though it ended the Assisted Places Scheme that had supported over 200 pupils from 1979 to 1997.[3] The shift to full co-education coincided with other structural changes, including the reversion to fully independent status in September 1976 and the cessation of boarding in 1999, transforming the institution into a dedicated day school.[3] In the contemporary era, Exeter School has focused on infrastructure enhancements to support its co-educational model and growing enrollment. Notable developments include the opening of a 25-meter indoor swimming pool in 2017, coinciding with celebrations of the 20th anniversary of full co-education, and the addition of a sensory playground at the Junior School in 2021.[3] Further expansions have extended the school's reach downward in age range: in 2022, it acquired The New School, incorporating nursery to Year 2 provision, which was rebranded as Exeter Pre-Prep School in 2023.[3] In 2024, the Sixth Form Centre underwent refurbishment, introducing innovative study spaces to enhance learning environments.[3] These investments reflect ongoing commitments to modern facilities and holistic education in the post-co-educational period.[3]Governance and Leadership
Administrative Structure
Exeter School is governed by a Board of Governors, who serve as trustees of the charitable trust and directors of the associated limited company, responsible for setting the strategic direction to ensure long-term success, supporting the Head and senior leadership team in delivering high-quality education, managing financial oversight, and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.[12] [13] The Board is chaired by Gillian Hodgetts, who has held the position since March 2011, with vice-chairs Adrian Burbanks, Catherine Gibaud (appointed March 2017), and Claire Baillie (appointed March 2023); other members include Helen Clark, Howard Dyer, Ikenna Iroche, Michael Johnson, Dominic Kalantary, Gregory Lachas, Katherine Lloyd Clark, and Richard May.[12] The governors operate through committees focused on areas such as education, welfare, and safeguarding, with the Chair signing off on key policies like health and safety on behalf of the Board.[12] [14] Day-to-day administration is led by the Head, currently Louise Simpson, who oversees academic, pastoral, and operational matters, with Dr. Adrian Rainbow appointed to succeed her starting September 2026.[15] [16] The senior leadership team, reporting to the Head, includes roles such as Deputy Heads for academics and pastoral care, alongside administrative positions like the Bursary Manager (Lisa Stewart) and Academic and Examinations Administrator (Emily Buchanan), who handle financial, regulatory, and support functions.[17]Headteachers and Key Figures
The first headmaster of Exeter School, established in 1633 as the Exeter Free Grammar School, was William Nosworthy.[6] In the early 18th century, John Reynolds served as headmaster from 1714 to 1734; he was a fellow of Eton College and canon of St Peter's Cathedral, Exeter, and uncle to the painter Sir Joshua Reynolds.[3] His son, William Reynolds, succeeded him, holding the position from 1734 to 1744.[3] The Rev. John Marshall led the school from 1763 to 1793 and revived the old boys' society in 1787, instituting annual events including a founder's day, prize day, and dinner.[3] In the 20th century, John L. Andrews was headmaster during the 1930s, overseeing operations amid economic challenges.[18] Louise Simpson became head in September 2020, serving until August 2025 as the school's first female head and emphasizing character education alongside academics.[19] Following her departure, Graham Bone, previously deputy head (academic) with 20 years at the school, assumed the role of acting head for the 2025–2026 academic year to ensure continuity.[17][20] Dr. Adrian Rainbow was appointed as the next permanent head, effective September 2026, after a selection process focused on leadership experience in independent education.[16]Campus and Facilities
Main Site and Junior School
The main campus of Exeter School occupies 25 acres at Victoria Park Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4NS, in the heart of the city.[1][21] This site houses both the senior and junior schools, integrating educational facilities across age groups while providing dedicated spaces for younger pupils.[22] The Junior School caters to approximately 200 pupils in Years 3 to 6 (Forms One to Upper Two), operating as a distinct "school within a school" with a cosy atmosphere and specialist staff managing two classes per year group.[21] It shares the main campus's resources, enabling access to advanced amenities alongside junior-specific areas such as secure play spaces featuring a mini astroturf, a flexible assembly hall, and dedicated art and laboratory facilities.[22][21] Academic facilities on the site include state-of-the-art classrooms equipped with ICT suites, cutting-edge science laboratories for biology, chemistry, and physics, well-stocked libraries with digital resources, and creative spaces comprising art studios, music rooms, and a drama studio.[22] Sports infrastructure supports a range of activities with large playing fields, a full-size 3G astroturf arena, an indoor sports hall, a fitness suite, a climbing wall, an indoor shooting range, squash courts, all-weather tennis courts, and a 25-metre indoor swimming pool constructed in 2017 for lessons and competitions.[22] These amenities accommodate sports including rugby, hockey, football, cricket, tennis, athletics, squash, and basketball, with junior pupils utilizing them under tailored programs.[22][21]Recent Developments and Infrastructure
In recent years, Exeter School has pursued infrastructure enhancements through its long-term strategic planning programme, focusing on external areas to improve safety, aesthetics, and usability for pupils, staff, and visitors. A key project involved resurfacing central pedestrian zones with 120mm-thick Plaza Lineal paving in salt, pepper, and buff shades, establishing a one-way system and pedestrianised core capable of supporting light vehicle access up to 3.5 tonnes.[23] These upgrades, designed by Clifton Emery Design and constructed by Kennford Tarmac, contrast with the school's historic 1633 buildings while enhancing the overall environment.[23] Internal facility refurbishments have included the refit of the sixth-form boys' changing rooms, featuring solid-grade laminate-faced lockers with integrated end panels, vanity units, and heavy-duty steel-framed benches in a mid-grey palette accented by vibrant colours for durability and hygiene in high-traffic areas.[24] The school maintains a rigorous programme of ongoing refurbishments and upgrades to all classroom facilities to support contemporary educational needs.[25] These developments complement the campus's existing infrastructure, including a full-size all-weather pitch, indoor sports hall, fitness suite, climbing wall, shooting range, and squash courts, ensuring alignment with demands for modern independent schooling.[1]Academic Program
Curriculum and Teaching Methods
Exeter School employs a rigorous curriculum structured across its Pre-Prep, Junior, Senior, and Sixth Form stages, aiming to develop academic proficiency, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills through innovative teaching methods.[26] The policy adopts a 7-18 continuum model, progressing from foundational breadth in earlier years to greater specialization, with equal opportunities for all pupils irrespective of background and tailored adaptations for individual needs via learning support and pastoral input.[27] In the Pre-Prep and Junior School (ages 3-11), the curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework for Nursery and Reception, transitioning to National Curriculum-aligned subjects in Years 1-6, including core English and Mathematics alongside foundation areas like French, History, Science, Art, and Music.[27] Teaching emphasizes practical, hands-on activities—such as STEAM workshops in Science and coding with tools like Scratch in Computer Science—to build number sense, literacy, and digital skills, with dedicated focus on reading via coordinators, library resources, and enrichment like national challenges.[28] Assessments occur internally for core subjects, supporting progression tracking and growth mindset development.[28] The Senior School curriculum (Years 7-11) maintains breadth in Years 7-9, encompassing English, Mathematics (with setting), triple Sciences, modern or classical languages, Humanities, Arts, and Physical Education, supplemented by PSHE and Drama.[27] GCSE study typically involves 10 subjects, with compulsory English Language and Literature, Mathematics, a modern foreign language (French, German, or Spanish), and separate Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (yielding 2-3 GCSEs), plus three options from areas like Art, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Drama, Geography, History, Music, or Religious Studies selected in Year 9.[29] Instruction integrates practical elements, such as lab-based experiments and cross-curricular projects, to foster resilience and ethical reasoning, with character education embedded via virtue ethics discussions and moral dilemmas.[29][27] In the Sixth Form, pupils pursue 4 A-Levels in Year 12 (reducing to 3-4 in Year 13), drawn from an extensive range including sciences, humanities, and arts, alongside an optional Extended Project Qualification and a "Futures" program for career and university preparation.[27] Advanced assessments include external A-Levels, additional qualifications like STEP for mathematics entrants to elite universities, and ongoing internal monitoring to ensure progression.[27] Overall, teaching methods prioritize a 40-period weekly structure enriched by lectures, field trips, clubs, and library resources, promoting independent learning and holistic growth beyond traditional classrooms.[27][26]Academic Standards and Performance Metrics
Exeter School's academic standards are rated excellent across all categories in the Independent Schools Inspectorate's (ISI) November 2024 inspection, which commended the school's progressive curriculum design fostering knowledge and skills development, alongside strong pupil outcomes in public examinations.[4][13] In the 2025 GCSE examinations, 69% of grades awarded were at levels 9-7, with 98% at 9-4; additionally, 23% of all grades were 9s and 47% were 8s or 9s, while 12 pupils achieved 10 or more grades at 9-8 and over half of the cohort secured eight or more grades at 9-7.[4][30] These results align with historical performance, where 9-7 grades ranged from 67% to 82% between 2017 and 2025.[4] For A-levels in 2025, across 334 entries, 17% of grades were A*, 55% A*-A, 84% A*-B, and 100% A*-E passes, including strong BTEC outcomes such as five Distinction* grades; this continues a trend of 54-63% A*-A grades from 2017 to 2025.[4] These metrics contribute to university placements at selective institutions, as seen in 2023 leavers (113 pupils, excluding gap years) attending universities including Bath (14 students), Durham (9), and Cardiff (9), with two to Cambridge and one to Oxford.[4] In independent school league tables, such as The Times' 2024 rankings, Exeter School placed with 58.7% A*-A and 82.3% A*-B at A-level.[31]Admissions, Fees, and Accessibility
Admission Process
Exeter School operates a selective admissions process for its Junior and Senior Schools, emphasizing academic merit assessed through entrance tests, interviews, and school references, while the Pre-Prep is non-selective.[32] Prospective families are encouraged to visit via open evenings or individual tours before registering online, which incurs a non-refundable fee of £150 per pupil for Junior and Senior entry or £100 for Pre-Prep.[33][34][35] For the Pre-Prep (ages 3–7, Nursery to Year 2), entry occurs half-termly after a child turns 3, with no formal assessments required; selection follows a school tour, taster day, and reference if applicable, prioritizing developmental readiness such as independence from nappies during the day.[35] Offers are issued after completing registration and acceptance formalities, typically planned a year in advance.[35] Junior School admissions (ages 7–11, Years 3–6) target largest intakes at Years 3 and 5, with assessments held in early February evaluating literacy (reading, comprehension, writing, grammar, spelling, handwriting) and numeracy (general maths and mental arithmetic papers; calculators permitted partially for Year 6).[34] Remote options include online interviews; decisions incorporate assessment results, current school references, and final reports, especially for Year 7 transitions, with late assessments available case-by-case.[34] Entry is possible into other years if vacancies exist, starting in January, April, or September.[34] Senior School entry (ages 11–18) primarily occurs at Years 7 or 9, though places arise across year groups; Year 7/8 candidates face English (1 hour), mathematics (1 hour, non-calculator), and Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) assessments in January, while Years 9/10 add science (1 hour, calculator-allowed) and extend English/mathematics to 1 hour 15 minutes each, followed by interviews.[33] Sixth Form requires minimum GCSE outcomes of three grade 7s and three grade 6s (including English and mathematics), subject-specific grade 7s, departmental interviews on 29 November 2025, CAT4, references, and coursework review post-results in August.[33] Overall selection weighs academic potential, test performance, interpersonal qualities via interview, and extracurricular contributions, with taster days and pre-term visits for new entrants.[33][32]Fee Structure and Bursaries
Exeter School operates as a fee-paying independent day school, with termly tuition fees varying by year group and academic term. Fees for the 2025/26 academic year, effective from Autumn 2025, reflect an increase from prior terms, with Senior School fees set at £6,998 per term. Registration requires a non-refundable fee of £150 per pupil (plus 20% VAT applicable from January 2025), and an acceptance deposit of £500 is payable upon offer acceptance for most year groups. Sibling discounts apply, offering 5% reduction for the second child and 10% for the third or subsequent children enrolled concurrently. Additional compulsory costs include lunches for Pre-Prep and Junior School pupils, while optional extras such as music tuition or learning support assessments incur separate charges, with VAT added from January 2025 where applicable.[36] The following table outlines the termly tuition fees across school sections for the specified periods:| School Section | Autumn 2024 | Spring/Summer 2025 | Autumn 2025 – Spring/Summer 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Prep (Reception) | £3,120 | £2,860 | £3,599 |
| Pre-Prep (Years 1-2) | £3,225 | £2,956.25 | £3,725 |
| Junior (Years 3-4) | £4,575 | £4,193.75 | £5,299 |
| Junior (Years 5-6) | £4,825 | £4,422.92 | £5,699 |
| Senior School | £5,845 | £5,357.92 | £6,998 |