Exeter School is a privateco-educationalday school for pupils between the ages of 3 and 18 in Exeter, Devon, 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
St John's Hospital site of the school from 1633 to 1878
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.[citation needed]
In 1878, the school opened as Exeter Grammar School at a new campus designed by noted architect William Butterfield. The school occupies this 25-acre (10ha) 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, and it remained as such until September 1975 when the scheme was abolished. In September 1976, the first "private" pupils were admitted to the school.
From 1979, the School participated in the Assisted Places Scheme, 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 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.
A new Head joined the school in September 2026 - Dr Adrian Rainbow came to the school from a previous headship at London Park School Mayfair, formerly known as Eaton Square Senior School.
Academic standards
In November 2024, the Independent Schools Inspectorate reported upon four areas: the leadership and management, and governance; the quality of education, training and recreation; pupils' physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing; pupils' social and economic education and contribution to society.
The report concluded that the 3–18 co-educational day school met all the relevant standards.
The team of eight reported that "the school's commitment to safeguarding ensures that every pupil can thrive academically and emotionally in a secure environment, with a dedicated and responsive system in place to protect their wellbeing."
The report also commented on the excellent relationships between staff and pupils, where learning is seen as a co-operative venture. "Warm relationships between staff and pupils create a safe and supportive environment."
The report continues that 'pupils are well-prepared for the next steps in their education journey', which was recognised in 2026 by the school winning the TalkEducation Awards for Innovation in Education's category for Support for life beyond school.
In 2026, Exeter School achieved a set of very good A Level results with a 100% pass rate. 23% of all grades were A*, ten times the national total, and 56% of grades were either A* or A. 80% of all grades were A*, A or B.
Summer 2026's GCSE results were also excellent; 70% were 9-7 grades. Of the 122 pupils in Year 11, 63 achieved 8 or more 9-7 grades, with 33 pupils scoring ten or more 9-7 grades.
In December 2024, The Sunday Times named Exeter School 'South-West Independent Secondary School of the Year 2024'. 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 2026, the day fees are £5,729 per term for the junior school (including lunch) and £7,740 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.
↑Parry, H. Lloyd. The Founding of Exeter School: A History of the Struggle for freedom of Education within the City of Exeter, Exeter and London, (1913)
