Choosing the right school is a major decision, and we’re here to help make that journey as smooth and informative as possible. This guide offers an overview of life at Exeter School, and you’ll find even more on our website: www.exeterschool.org.uk.
Exeter School, including our popular Pre-Prep in Exminster for children aged 3–7, offers an exceptional education from early years through to sixth form. With a strong academic focus, we are proud to be ranked as one of the top independent schools in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.
Myself and the admissions team: Alex Irons, Emily Vantreen, Sarah Westcott, and Helen Didon are here to support you throughout the process, answer your questions, and guide you every step of the way.
We warmly invite you to visit us – whether for a tour, an open event, or a personal meeting with the Head. There’s no better way to experience the character and spirit of Exeter School.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Liz Williams Director of External Relations
Liz Williams Director of External Relations
Alex Irons Admissions Manager
Emily Vantreen Admissions Assistant
Sarah Westcott Receptionist/ Admissions Assistant
Helen Didon Receptionist/ Admissions Assistant
THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Applying for a place
Once you have decided that you would like your child to be considered for entry to Exeter School or Exeter Pre-Prep, the first step is to complete a registration form.
You can complete the registration form online, and the registration fee is £150 plus VAT for registering for entry to Exeter Junior School or Exeter School. The registration fee for Exeter Pre-Prep School is £100 plus VAT. This nonrefundable fee covers the administration of your child’s application.
Getting to know us
We encourage all prospective parents and pupils to come and visit the school as many times as you would like, in order that you feel confident about your decision.
We hold open events and taster days throughout the academic year, and these provide excellent opportunities to talk to pupils and staff, and to view our facilities.
You may also wish to visit us on an individual basis for a private tour of the school, followed by a meeting with the Head or Director of External Relations as appropriate. Meetings with other key members of staff, such as the Director of Sport or Director of Music, can also be arranged.
Arranging a visit
A visit to our school can take place either by making an appointment through the admissions team for a personal tour or by attending an open event. Appointments usually take place during the school day in term time, although an appointment can sometimes be arranged during the school holidays.
Visiting Exeter School and Junior School
During the appointment you can meet our Director of External Relations and tour the junior and/or senior schools. If you would also like to meet the Head or the Head of the junior school this can also be arranged, please let us know when booking your visit. Our junior school Inspiring Minds morning runs in the autumn term, you can book a place via the website.
Visiting Exeter Pre-Prep School
During your appointment you will be shown around the school by the pre-prep Head. You will learn about the admissions process, learning and teaching at the pre-prep, music lessons, sport, transition to Exeter School and much more.
Exeter Pre-Prep School is based in Exminster so please allow for travel time when planning your visit.
EXETER PRE-PREP SCHOOL
Entry into Exeter Pre-Prep School
There is no formal assessment for Exeter PrePrep School. Children can join the school the half term after they turn three, and no longer require nappies during the day. Before a place is offered children will be asked to attend a taster morning so that they can get a good feel for what the pre-prep is all about.
Funding
Parents may claim 15 hours of funded childcare (dependent on eligibility) from the term following their child’s third birthday. If they join prior to this nursery fees will be chargeable.
Nursery 3 to 4 years
The day is divided into two sessions, morning, and afternoon, with lunch included in the morning session.
Morning Session (including lunch) 8.30am-12.30pm
Afternoon Session 12.30pm-3.30pm
All Day (including lunch) 8.30am-3.30pm
An Early Birds session is available from 8am to 8.30am and the late room operates from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
Reception, Year 1 and 2
In the spring term of your child’s final year in Nursery, you will be required to increase your acceptance deposit by an additional £300, to a total of £500, to secure a place in Reception.
The school day begins at 8.30am but children can arrive and join the Early Birds club from 8am to 8.30am.
Lunch is at 12pm and hot meals are served in the hall. Hot meals are provided by Exeter School. These are healthy, balanced meals with a vegetarian option.
The school day ends at 3.30pm but your child may join the late room until 5.30pm if extended care is needed.
We also offer a bus service to and from Exeter School at the beginning and end of each day for children in Reception to Year 2.
EXETER SCHOOL
Entry into Exeter School
Entry to the senior school usually takes place at 11+ or 13+ (Years 7 or 9), but applicants may also enter other year groups where places are available. All pupils are required to sit the Exeter School entrance assessments and in addition, pupils entering Years 9 and 10 will be required to have an interview with the Head or a member of the senior leadership team.
Exeter School is not just about excelling academically—the curriculum includes sport, music, art and drama, as well as clubs, activities and societies offered to all pupils to build friendships, enrich their lives and promote mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. These opportunities are designed to nurture the Exeter School virtues of integrity, kindness, independence and curiosity. Attending a taster day, assessment and interview is a great way for your child to begin to experience this, and to ask us all the questions that they might have about starting a new school.
Entrance assessments for entry to the senior school in September 2026 will take place on Saturday 10 January 2026. Sample papers are available upon request
The following papers will be set:
11+ Year 7, 12+ Year 8
ENGLISH (1 HOUR)
This paper will contain a reading exercise designed to assess candidates’ comprehension skills. Candidates will also be asked to write a whole text such as a descriptive piece or story.
MATHEMATICS (1 HOUR)
This paper will test competence in basic arithmetic and fractions (not including multiplication or division of decimals). Other questions will be designed to test the ability to solve problems using numerical skills for which no special techniques are required. Calculators are not allowed.
COGNITIVE ABILITIES TEST (CAT 4) (2 HOURS)
There will also be an element of testing using a computer. The test asks questions based on verbal, non-verbal and quantitative reasoning, which includes multiple choice, drag and drop and complete the word answers. This innovative test provides a reliable, fair and comprehensive assessment for children, whatever their educational background. The test is deliberately designed to be taken without any prior practice.
Pupils who are assessed remotely may have an online interview with the Head or a member of the senior leadership team. Where assessment has been completed remotely, we reserve the right to withdraw the place if a pupil’s academic performance is less than expected upon entry to the school.
13+ Year 9
ENGLISH (1 HOUR)
This paper will contain a reading exercise designed to assess candidates’ comprehension skills and will also assess candidates’ writing skills by requiring them to construct a written piece of an argumentative, informative, or imaginative nature.
MATHEMATICS (1 HOUR 15 MINUTES)
Questions are similar in style and content to those at 11+ but include some additional ageappropriate material including basic algebra, angle facts, harder fraction operations and measurement of area and volume, amongst others. Calculators are not allowed.
SCIENCE (1 HOUR)
Short questions based on the content expected to have been covered by the time of the 13+ examinations in biology, chemistry, and physics These are in the style of typical Key Stage 3 assessments. Calculators are allowed.
COGNITIVE ABILITIES TEST (CAT 4) (2 HOURS)
There will also be an element of testing using a computer. The test asks questions based on verbal, non-verbal, spatial, and quantitative reasoning, which includes multiple choice, drag and drop and complete the word answers. This innovative test provides a reliable, fair and comprehensive assessment for children whatever their educational background. The test is deliberately designed to be taken without any prior practice.
There will also be a fifteen-minute interview with the Head or member of the senior leadership team, usually conducted online.
Where assessment has been completed remotely, we reserve the right to withdraw the place if a pupil’s academic performance is less than expected upon entry to the school.
14+ Year 10
ENGLISH (1 HOUR)
This paper will contain a reading exercise designed to assess candidates’ comprehension skills and will also assess candidates’ writing skills by requiring them to construct a written piece of an argumentative, informative, or imaginative nature.
MATHEMATICS (1 HOUR 15 MINUTES)
Questions are similar in style and content to those at 11+ but include some additional ageappropriate material including basic algebra, angle facts, harder fraction operations and measurement of area and volume, amongst others. Calculators are not allowed.
SCIENCE (1 HOUR 30 MINUTES)
Short questions based on the content expected to have been covered by the time of the 14+ examinations in biology, chemistry, and physics. These are in the style of typical Key Stage 3 assessments. Calculators are allowed.
COGNITIVE ABILITIES TEST (CAT 4) (2 HOURS)
There will also be an element of testing using a computer. The test asks questions based on verbal, non-verbal, spatial, and quantitative reasoning, which includes multiple choice, drag and drop and complete the word answers. This innovative test provides a reliable, fair and comprehensive assessment for children whatever their educational background. The test is deliberately designed to be taken without any prior practice.
There will also be a fifteen minute-interview with the Head or a member of the senior leadership team, usually conducted online.
Where assessment has been completed remotely, we reserve the right to withdraw the place if a pupil’s academic performance is less than expected upon entry to the school.
BURSARIES
Exeter School aims to be as accessible as possible to girls and boys who would benefit from its academic, cultural, sporting and wide extra-curricular provision. We encourage all families to consider Exeter School, regardless of whether they think they can afford the full tuition fees. We do our best to admit and support a wide variety of pupils from many diverse backgrounds. The governors of the school recognise that many of its parents must make personal sacrifices to secure their children’s education and fees are set at levels which represent value for money, particularly in light of the opportunities offered by the school. Awards fall into two categories:
Bursaries
Bursaries are means-tested awards based on parental circumstances and are awarded on an annual basis. They are available to external candidates who meet the school’s academic entry requirement and whose parents could not afford to send their child to Exeter School without financial assistance. The financial support available through the school’s bursary programme is limited and applications must be supported by a full, written, verified statement
of financial circumstances. Parents who wish for their children to be considered for a bursary should ensure they check the relevant box on the online registration form.
All applications for support for the year 2026/27 must be received by Friday 9 January 2026 The assessment process will include a home visit by an agent employed by the school. As a general guide, gross parental income will need to be below £60,000 per annum to be considered for a bursary.
Free Places
The generosity of our alumni and others with connections to the school is central to our being able to provide the large amount of support we can give to bright children from families in modest circumstances; families who would otherwise be unable to take advantage of our splendid facilities and first-class education.
EXETER SCHOOL FEES TERMS AND CONDITIONS
FEES
Current fees are available on the website at www.exterschool.org.uk
DUE DATE
It is a condition of your contract with the school that all fees invoices must be paid by the first day of each term. In the event of late payment, the rate of interest charged will be at 1.5% per month accruing on a daily basis. This late payment charge will be added to subsequent invoices.
PAYMENT
Fees may be paid by direct transfer into the school’s NatWest bank account. The account number is 00719722 and the sort code 56-00-49. The parent code, shown on the bill as a number, must be quoted as the reference for this payment.
Exeter School no longer accepts credit cards for the payment of school fees. No charge will apply if payment is made by debit card.
EXAM FEES
Tuition fees do not include the charges for external examinations, whether modular or linear. These are paid in advance by the school on behalf of the pupil and shown separately on fees invoices. Please see the website for current exam charges.
NOTICE
As set out in the school’s terms and conditions, one full term’s notice in writing is required before the withdrawal of a pupil from the school, otherwise a full term’s fees in lieu of notice will be due. The exception to this is for pupils in Year 11 when notice must be given by the end of the first half term in the spring term, otherwise a full term’s fees in lieu of notice will be due.
TERMLY INSTALMENT SCHEME
A monthly direct debit payment scheme is available to all parents. The first instalment for the autumn term is taken at the end of August. No charge is made for this convenient method of payment. Parents are strongly encouraged to make use of this facility, the details of which are available from the finance department on fees@ exeterschool.org.uk.
PERSONAL ACCIDENT AND DENTAL INSURANCE
This covers serious injury of a lasting nature occurring during term time or holidays as well as dental treatment arising as a result of a dental accident or emergency. This is included in the termly fees.
SCHOOL FEES REFUND SCHEME
This scheme provides for a proportion of fees to be refunded if five consecutive tuition days or more of schooling are lost because of illness. If you wish to opt out please complete the form on MySchoolPortal. It should be noted, however, that a decision to opt out is now final: parents cannot opt back in at a later date.
PERSONAL EFFECTS
The school strongly recommends that all pupil’s personal clothing and property is covered under a family insurance scheme, in particular high value items such as bicycles, musical instruments and electronic devices. All personal possessions brought into school should be clearly labelled/ marked with the pupil’s name. Claims against the school’s own insurance policy will only be entertained when the school is found to be liable.
LEARNING SUPPORT
Please see the website for current learning support charges.
