Exeter School
Secular
Updated July 2026
National Curriculum (England)
Exeter School is a vibrant, forward-thinking, co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Exeter, Devon. It provides a nurturing environment that balances academic excellence with personal growth and character development.
Curriculum
Term structure
Teaching approach
Exeter School is a community rooted in kindness, character, and ambition, with a history spanning nearly four centuries. It aims to challenge pupils to excel beyond expectations, fostering a supportive culture of academic challenge, pastoral care, and character development to prepare them for life beyond school. The school emphasizes knowing, valuing, and understanding every child to help them thrive and make a positive contribution to the lives of others.
Programmes
The school provides a continuous educational journey from Nursery through to the Sixth Form. The curriculum is broad and academic, with the Sixth Form offering A Level and BTEC subjects. The school also provides academic enrichment and a dedicated 'Futures Programme' for older students. Specialized programmes include the Exeter Cathedral Chorister Programme, which integrates musical training with the school's academic and pastoral provision.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides learning support for pupils, with dedicated coordinators and small-group or one-to-one sessions available. Comprehensive learning support assessments are offered for a fee, which may include evaluations for public exam access arrangements and the development of individual learning support strategies.
Frequently asked questions(4)
- What curriculum does Exeter School offer?
- Exeter School offers National Curriculum (England).
- How much is tuition at Exeter School?
- Annual tuition at Exeter School is £11K–£22.1K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- Is Exeter School co-educational?
- Exeter School is a co-ed school.
- Where is Exeter School located?
- Exeter School is an international school in Exeter, United Kingdom.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026-2027| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery rate above 15 hours (£9.95 per hour) | 3–4 | — |
| Reception under 5’s above 15 hours (£11.95 per hour) | 4–5 | — |
| Reception over 5’s (no longer eligible for Early Years entitlement) | 5–5 | £11K |
| Year 1/Year 2 | 5–7 | £11.4K |
| Junior school – Form 1 & Upper 1 (Years 3 & 4) | 7–9 | £16.2K |
| Junior school – Lower 2 & Upper 2 (Years 5 & 6) | 9–11 | £18K |
| Senior school & sixth form | 11–18 | £22.1K |
Other fees(7)
| Registration fee· Exeter Pre-Prep School registration fee (non-refundable) | £100 |
|---|---|
| Registration fee· Exeter School registration fee (non-refundable) | £150 |
| Deposit· Acceptance deposit for Nursery | £200 |
| Deposit· Acceptance deposit for Reception to Lower Sixth (Nursery parents top up to £500 when moving to Reception) | £500 |
| Meals· Compulsory lunches for Junior school (Autumn £324, Spring £277, Summer £271) | £872 |
| Meals· Optional lunches for Senior school (Autumn £370, Spring £317, Summer £312) | £999 |
| Placement test· Comprehensive learning support assessment | £200 |
Discounts
- Sibling discount: 5% for second child, 10% for third or subsequent child
Admissions
Exeter School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 18. Prospective families can arrange visits, book tours, or attend open events, with specific admissions processes for the Pre-Prep, Junior, Senior, and Sixth Form stages. The school offers bursaries and scholarships, and entrance assessments are part of the admissions procedure.
Calendar
The school operates on a termly basis, with term dates available on the website. The calendar includes various school events, such as the Ten Tors Challenge, and fixtures for sports teams.
Facilities
About the campus
The school is situated on a 25-acre site in Exeter, with a separate Pre-Prep site in Exminster housed in a restored chapel. Facilities include state-of-the-art classrooms, ICT suites, science laboratories, art studios, music rooms, drama studios, and well-stocked libraries. Sports facilities comprise a 3G astroturf, sports hall, fitness suite, climbing wall, indoor shooting range, squash courts, all-weather courts, and a 25m indoor swimming pool. The Junior School has its own secure play space, assembly hall, and dedicated art and science facilities.
Co-curriculars
The school offers a broad range of co-curricular activities, including the Ten Tors Challenge, trips and expeditions, and a comprehensive sports programme featuring rugby, hockey, football, cricket, tennis, athletics, squash, basketball, and swimming. The arts are well-represented through music, drama, and art, with dedicated facilities and opportunities for performance and creation. Additionally, the school hosts the Exeter Cathedral Chorister Programme, providing unique musical training for pupils.
- Graham BoneActing Head
Graham studied at the University of Exeter, graduating with a BSc(Ed) in Physics with Education and QTS in 2000. He began his teaching career at Colyton Grammar School, where he also served as a head of house.
- Ali DunningDeputy Head (Pupil development, welfare and wellbeing)
Ali read Modern Languages and European Studies at the University of Bath and worked as a translator in Germany before completing her PGCE. She began her teaching career at St. Edmund’s College, Ware.
- Paul FennemoreActing Deputy Head (Academic)
Paul joined Exeter School in September 2024 as Director of Learning and Teaching. Prior to this, he was an associate senior leader at Dunraven School in south London.
- Bethan RoseDeputy Head (Enrichment, character and community)
Bethan joined Exeter School in September 2022. She completed her PGCE in Religious Studies, began teaching at Hinchley Wood School, and holds an MA in Advanced Educational Practice from UCL.
- Saskia Van SchalkwykHead of Exeter Junior School
Saskia has been the Head of Exeter Junior School since 2019 and is an ISI inspector. She joined from Granville School in Kent, where she served as Deputy Head.
- Dan AylingHead, Exeter Pre-Prep School
Dan joined Exeter Pre-Prep School in September 2021. He previously served as Deputy Headteacher at ACE Tiverton School and Head of Pre-Prep & Nursery at Manor House School in Surrey, having studied at Cambridge University.
- Miles MacEacharnBursar
Miles was educated at Radley College and Bristol University and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte Haskins and Sells in London in 1991. He has worked in a variety of small and medium businesses.