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Exeter School is a
private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...
co-educational Mixed-sex education, also known as mixed-gender education, co-education, or coeducation (abbreviated to co-ed or coed), is a system of education where males and females are educated together. Whereas single-sex education was more common up to ...
day school A day school — as opposed to a boarding school — is an educational institution where children are given instruction during the day, after which the students return to their homes. A day school has full-day programs when compared to a regular s ...
for pupils between the ages of 3 and 18 in
Exeter Exeter ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and the county town of Devon in South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately northeast of Plymouth and southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter w ...
,
Devon Devon ( ; historically also known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel to the north, Somerset and Dorset to the east, the English Channel to the south, and Cornwall to the west ...
, England. The younger year groups are based at Exeter Pre-Prep School in Exminster, which was previously known as The New School. In 2019, there were around 200 pupils in the Junior School and 700 in the Senior School.


History

The School traces its origins from the opening of the Exeter Free Grammar School on 1 August 1633, attended mainly by the sons of the City freemen. Exeter's wealthy merchants, notably Thomas Walker, provided the finance, with sufficient bequests to pay the Headmaster £50 a year and to install the school in the medieval buildings of St John's Hospital, which had stood on the south side of the High Street since the 12th century. In 1878, the school opened as Exeter Grammar School at a new campus designed by noted architect
William Butterfield William Butterfield (7 September 1814 – 23 February 1900) was a British Gothic Revival architect and associated with the Oxford Movement (or Tractarian Movement). He is noted for his use of polychromy. Biography William Butterfield was bo ...
. The school occupies this site on Victoria Park Road to this day. The cost at the time was £7,600 with a further £16,750 spent on the erection of buildings. It was decided that St John's Hospital Trust had to pay to Exeter School the net annual income of all endowments for Exhibitions and Scholarships attached to the School, and it also had to pay a proportion of the residue of its income. In 1920, the Governors of Exeter School decided that it was no longer possible for the school to continue without considerable assistance. The Exeter Education Authority agreed to assist but only if the school came under its direct control so, in April 1921, control of the school was handed over to the city. It then became a "maintained" school until 1929 when it became an "aided" school, thus regaining charge of its own finances under a newly appointed Governing Body. In March 1945, the status of the school changed again, becoming a
direct grant grammar school A direct grant grammar school was a type of selective secondary school in the United Kingdom that existed between 1945 and 1976. One quarter of the places in these schools were directly funded by central government, while the remainder attracted ...
, and it remained as such until September 1975 when the scheme was abolished. In September 1976, the first "
private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...
" pupils were admitted to the school. From 1979, the School participated in the
Assisted Places Scheme The Assisted Places Scheme was established in the UK by the Conservative government in 1980. Children who were eligible were provided with free or subsidised places to fee-charging independent schools - based on the child's results in the schoo ...
, taking over 200 pupils at its peak, but the scheme was abolished by the government in 1997 and the last of those pupils left in the summer of 2004. In 1981, the
Sixth Form In the education systems of Barbados, England, Jamaica, Northern Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago, Wales, and some other Commonwealth countries, sixth form represents the final two years of secondary education, ages 16 to 18. Pupils typically prepa ...
became coeducational. Following the success of the move, girls were admitted to all years in 1997. In 2024 the school announced it would rename its ten houses after topographical features rather than benefactors and historical figures.


Academic standards

In March 2014, the
Independent Schools Inspectorate The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is approved by the Secretary of State for Education – under section 106 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 – to inspect private schools in England. These schools are members of associations, whi ...
reported upon eight areas: the quality of the pupils' achievements and learning; the contribution of curricular and extra-curricular provision; the contribution of teaching; the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils; the contribution of arrangements for pastoral care; the contribution of arrangements for welfare, health and safety; the quality of governance; and the quality of leadership and management, including links with parents, carers and guardians. The report concluded that the 7-18 co-educational day school was at the highest level, excellent, in each of the eight areas. The team of nine reported that "the quality of the pupils' achievements is excellent in their academic work and their activities." The ISI report continues: "Teaching is excellent and promotes high quality learning. The broad curriculum enables pupils to have a wide range of experiences and the extra -curricular provision is extensive. Pupils achieve individual and team successes in a wide range of activities and national competitions. Pupils have an excellent attitude to their work and this makes a significant contribution to their achievement and progress." The report also commented on the excellent relationships between staff and pupils where learning is seen as a co-operative venture. "Teachers have high expectations of their pupils and pupils feel well supported by staff who offer much help and encouragement beyond the classroom with drop in sessions, academic clubs, work on the intranet and individual support." In the summer of 2019, Exeter School celebrated another set of very good A Level results with a 100% pass rate. 21% of all grades were A*, four times the national average, and 54% of grades were either A* or A, more than double the national average of 25.2%. 81% of all grades were A*, A or B. Summer 2019's GCSE results were also excellent; 74% were 9-7 grades, over three times the national average. Of the 118 pupils in Year 11, 67 achieved 8 or more 9-7 grades with 37 pupils scoring ten or more 9-7 grades. In December 2017, ''
The Sunday Times ''The Sunday Times'' is a British Sunday newspaper whose circulation makes it the largest in Britain's quality press market category. It was founded in 1821 as ''The New Observer''. It is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of N ...
'' named Exeter School 'South-West Independent Secondary School of the Year 2018'. The 25th edition of its annual Schools Guide, Parent Power, awarded the top place to the co-educational independent school, based on its outstanding academic achievements and overall educational provision.


Fees

As of September 2019, the day fees are £4,175 per term for the Junior School (including lunch) and £4,675 per term for the senior school. In September 2016, Exeter School launched eight free places in the Senior School and Sixth Form, as a result of donations and legacies from former pupils, in addition to ongoing grants from a local charity.


Notable former pupils

*
Michael Aron Michael Douglas Aron (born 22 March 1959) is a British diplomat who has been Ambassador to Kuwait, Iraq, Libya and Sudan, and Yemen. Career Aron was educated at Exeter School, Leeds University and the Polytechnic of Central London. He taugh ...
, British Ambassador to Kuwait, Iraq, Libya and Sudan * Martin J. Ball, Honorary Professor of Linguistics,
Bangor University Bangor University () is a Public university, public Research university, research university in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. It was established by Royal charter, Royal Charter in 1885 as the University College of North Wales (UCNW; ), and in 1893 ...
, Wales * J. P. V. D. Balsdon, historian * David Bellotti, Liberal Democrat politician and CEO of
Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, commonly referred to as Brighton, is a professional football club based in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. Their home gr ...
* John Blackall, physician * Kevin Brooks, author of
young adult fiction Young adult literature (YA) is typically written for readers aged 12 to 18 and includes most of the themes found in adult fiction, such as family dysfunction, substance abuse, alcoholism, and sexuality. It is characterized by simpler world build ...
* William Edward Buckley, professor of Anglo-SaxonFrederic Boase, ''Modern English Biography'', vol. 4 (Netherton and Worth, 1906), p. 2,007 * Robin Bush, ''
Time Team ''Time Team'' is a British television programme that originally aired on Channel 4, Channel 4 from 16 January 1994 to 7 September 2014. It returned in 2022 on online platforms YouTube and Patreon. Created by television produce ...
'' historian * David Collins, inaugural Governor of the Colony of Van Diemens Land (later
Tasmania Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...
) * Paul Cosford, director for Health Protection and medical director for Public Health England *
Maurice O'Connor Drury Maurice O'Connor Drury (3 July 1907 – 25 December 1976) was an Irish psychiatrist, best known for his accounts of his conversations, and close friendship, with the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. Early life and education 'Con' Drury (as ...
, psychiatrist * Beattie Edmondson, actress and comedian *
Ella Edmondson Eleanor Rose "Ella" Edmondson (born 22 January 1986) is an English singer-songwriter. Her primary instrument is the guitar although she can also play the piano.Interview with Judi Spiers on BBC Devon, 16 February 2009. Early life Eleanor Rose Edm ...
, actress/folk singer/songwriter * General Sir Anthony Farrar-Hockley, soldier *Major General Charles Dair Farrar-Hockley, soldier * Ben Green (cricketer), first class cricketer * Elizabeth Godwin, first female officer of The Life Guards *
Matthew Goode Matthew William Goode (born 3 April 1978) is an English actor. He made his screen debut in 2002 with ABC's television film '' Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister''. His breakthrough role was in the romantic comedy '' Chasing Liberty'' (2004), f ...
, actor * Desmond Hamill, television journalist * Sir Ronald Hatton, pomologist *
Matt Hopper Matt Hopper (born 29 January 1985) is a rugby union player for Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership. He primarily plays as a Centre but can also cover Fullback. Hopper started playing mini rugby at age 10 and continued through school and in th ...
, professional
rugby union Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...
player * Fred T. Jane, founder of
Jane's Information Group Janes is a global open-source intelligence company specialising in military, national security, aerospace and transport topics, whose name derives from British author Fred T. Jane. History Jane's Information Group was founded in 1898 by Fred T. ...
* Tom Lammonby first class cricketer * Alex Leger, ''Blue Peter'' producer and director * Tim Lewens historian and philosopher of biology and bioethics * Jack MacBryan test cricketer and Olympic gold medallist (hockey) * Stevie Morrison, Olympic Dinghy sailor. Represented GB in Beijing and London Olympics sailing a 49er dinghy, with Ben Rhodes *
George Ferris Whidborne Mortimer George Ferris Whidborne Mortimer (22 July 1805 – 7 September 1871) was an English schoolmaster and divine. Biography Mortimer was born on 22 July 1805 at Bishopsteignton in Devonshire. He was the eldest son of William Mortimer, a country gentl ...
, English schoolmaster and divine *
Robert Newton Robert Guy Newton (1 June 1905 – 25 March 1956) was an English actor. Along with Errol Flynn, Newton was one of the more popular actors among the male juvenile audience of the 1940s and early 1950s, especially with British boys. Known for hi ...
, actor *
Charles Arthur Turner Sir Charles Arthur Turner (6 March 1833 – 20 October 1907) was a British jurist mainly operational in India, Chief Justice of Madras High Court. He was the first barrister judge appointed directly to the Allahabad High Court from England. Ear ...
, British jurist, Chief Justice of
Madras High Court The High Court of Judicature at Madras is a High Courts of India, High Court located in Chennai, India. It has appellate jurisdiction over the state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry. It is one of ...
*Professor Ian Norman, King's College, London. * Richard Parker, mutineer *
Harry Pennell Commander Harry Lewin Lee Pennell (1882 – 31 May 1916) was a Royal Navy officer who served on the Terra Nova Expedition. He was responsible for the first sighting of Oates Coast on 22 February 1911, and named it after Captain Lawrence Oates. He ...
, commander of the
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and of HMS Queen Mary *Major
Henry Rew Henry Rew (11 November 1906 – ) was an English rugby union player. He won 10 caps for England between 1929 and 1934, and four for the British Lions on their 1930 tour. He was killed at Nibeiwa Fort while serving with the Royal Tank Regiment ...
, played rugby ten times for England. * Ben Rhodes, Olympic Dinghy sailor. Represented GB in Beijing and London Olympics sailing a 49er dinghy, with Stevie Morrison *
John Graves Simcoe Lieutenant-General (United Kingdom), Lieutenant-General John Graves Simcoe (25 February 1752 – 26 October 1806) was a British army officer, politician and colonial administrator who served as the lieutenant governor of Upper Canada from 1791 u ...
, first Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario and founder of Toronto * F. Gordon A. Stone, Chemistry Professor at the
University of Bristol The University of Bristol is a public university, public research university in Bristol, England. It received its royal charter in 1909, although it can trace its roots to a Merchant Venturers' school founded in 1595 and University College, Br ...
and at
Baylor University Baylor University is a Private university, private Baptist research university in Waco, Texas, United States. It was chartered in 1845 by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas. Baylor is the oldest continuously operating university in Te ...
*
Harry Tincknell Harry William Tincknell (born 29 October 1991 in Exeter, Devon) is a British professional racing driver currently racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Aston Martin THOR Team. He won the LMP2 class on his Le Mans 24 Hour race debu ...
,
Formula Three Formula Three (F3) is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers. History Formula Three (adop ...
racing driver * Sir Harry Veitch, horticulturalist, instrumental in establishing the Chelsea Flower Show * Henry Vodden, Bishop of Hull *
Harry Weslake Weslake & Co also known as Weslake Research and Development was founded by Harry Weslake, described as England's greatest expert on cylinder head design, with premises in Rye, East Sussex, England. Weslake is most famous for its work with Bentley ...
, automotive engineer *
Bob Wigley Robert (Bob) Wigley, OStJ, BSc, HonDBA, FCA, CCMI, is Chairman of UK Finance, a Non Executive Director of R3 LLC and Lightico Ltd, an Executive Member of Seraphim Space Enterprise LLP and is an investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is a ...
, Chairman Merrill Lynch, Europe, Middle East and Africa''The Guardian''
Bob Wigley: A dream come true for the boy inspired by business
17 November 2006
* Ian Williams, Racing yacht helmsman/skipper. Four times winner of World Match Racing Tour. * George Woodbridge, actor, stage, screen and television


References


External links


Official site

Old Exonian Club

Profile
on the ISC website {{Authority control Educational institutions established in the 1630s Private schools in Devon 1633 establishments in England Member schools of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference Schools in Exeter William Butterfield buildings