Exeter School Admissions Guide

EXETER SCHOOL ADMISSIONS GUIDE

A School of Great Character

WELCOME TO EXETER SCHOOL

Selecting a school is one of the most important decisions that you can make.

Undoubtedly you will have many questions and I hope that this guide goes some way to answering them. You will also find our website www.exeterschool.org.uk extremely useful for providing information about our school of great character, innovations in terms of learning and teaching, and our outstanding achievements in sports, music, and drama.

Exeter Pre-Prep School, based in Exminster, is a very popular preprep for girls and boys aged 3 to 7 years. Having joined the Exeter School family in March 2021, the well-established relationship has been further strengthened, and we are excited that children can experience and enjoy a full Exeter School education from the early years through to the sixth form.

Exeter School is one of the leading schools in the Southwest and the best independent school in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset ( The Sunday Times Parent Power table 2023). We are academically selective and all pupils joining the junior and senior school sit an entrance assessment. My admissions team will make the process of applying for a place as smooth as possible and we are here to answer any questions you may have.

“...a BRILLIANT school”

Above all else, I encourage you to come and visit us – nothing beats seeing and experiencing our wonderful school in action. Whether it is for a tour of the school with our pupils, at an open event, or for a more focused discussion with the Head, I would be delighted to welcome you to Exeter School.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I look forward to hearing from you.

Liz Williams Director of Admissions and Marketing

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 Pre-Prep, the first step is to complete a registration form.

You can complete the registration form online, and the registration fee is £150 for registering for entry to Exeter Junior School or Exeter School. The registration fee for Exeter Pre-Prep School is £100. This non-refundable 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 Admissions and Marketing 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 Admissions and Marketing 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.

KEY DATES

Taster days

We welcome and encourage children to spend a taster day or taster session with us. This will provide the opportunity for your child (or children) to experience a typical day with pupils in their current year group. If there is a particular lesson that you would like them to experience, the day can be arranged to coincide with this. Your child will be paired with a ‘buddy’ who will spend the day with them, sharing the experience and hopefully becoming firm friends.

How to apply

To apply for a place at Exeter School, please fill out the registration form which can be found at www.exeterschool.org.uk/admissions

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

You will need to complete the forms listed below to register for a place. For ease, we have identified the documents you will need prior to completing the forms.

REGISTRATION FORM

• N ame and address of your child’s current school.

• Name of the current Head.

• Current school report.

• Recent electronic photograph.

• How long your child has been at their school.

• Details of parent(s)/guardian(s).

• Your child’s hobbies.

• Details of any special needs or disabilities your child may have, and any educational support they receive.

• Details of any medication and/or medical conditions your child has.

• A payment of £150 for the registration fee to Exeter School and £100 for the registration fee to Exeter Pre-Prep School.

IN ADDITION FOR SIXTH FORM APPLICANTS

• Your child’s predicted GCSE grades. Please do not worry if you do not yet know these.

• Your child’s four preferred subjects they wish to study at A Level.

Accepting a place

To secure your child’s place an acceptance form must be completed on the Admissions Portal, together with the acceptance deposit of £400 for a school place or £200 for a nursery place.

If you have been awarded a bursary you will also need to pay this acceptance deposit.

We will also need a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport and copies of both parent’s passports. If you are joining the school at the start of the autumn term, you will be invited to a new parents’ afternoon in the summer term prior. Information will be sent to ease your child’s transition into school.

KEY DATES

Please book a place online at www.exeterschool.org.uk

2024 autumn term

Thursday 19 September Exeter Pre-Prep open morning

Saturday 5 October Whole school open morning

Thursday 7 November Sixth form open evening

Saturday 16 November Inspiring Minds – junior school

TBC Closing date for scholarship applications

Tuesday 19 November Sixth form taster day

Thursday 28 November Whole school open morning

Monday 2 December Junior school taster day

TBC Scholarship assessment day – 13+ sport

TBC Scholarship assessment day – 16+ sport

TBC Scholarship assessment day – 11+ sport

TBC Scholarship assessment day – music – jazz and pop

TBC Scholarship assessment day – music – orchestral

Thursday 5 December 13+ taster day

Saturday 7 December 11+ Assessment preparation morning

Saturday 7 December Sixth form interview day

TBC Scholarship assessment day – music – vocal

TBC Scholarship assessment day – Art

TBC Scholarship assessment day – Drama

2025 spring term

Friday 10 January Closing date for bursary applications

Saturday 11 January Senior school assessment day

Friday 24 January Whole school open morning

Tuesday 28 January Exeter Pre-Prep ‘In Action’ morning

Saturday 1 February Junior school assessment day

Friday 7 February Offer holders’ tea

Friday 14 February Sixth form interview day

2025

summer term

Tuesday 1 April Sixth form interview day

Thursday 8 May Summer open evening

Tuesday 13 May Junior school taster day

Monday 19 May Exeter Pre-Prep open morning

Tuesday 17 June Whole school open morning

Please note, dates are subject to change. Please check the website or email admissions@exterschool.org.uk for up-to-date information.

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 Exeter Pre-Prep School 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 £200, to a total of £400, 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 JUNIOR SCHOOL

Entry into Exeter Junior School

Entry to the junior school usually takes place at 7+ and 9+ (Years 3 and 5), but children may also enter into other years where places are available. Selection is by assessment together with a report and reference from the child’s current school once they have been confirmed as a candidate for entry. Applicants are encouraged to attend a taster day in the junior school as this provides an opportunity to meet the Junior School Head, staff, and current pupils.

Children in Year 2 at Exeter Pre-Prep School will attend a taster day and be assessed for entry to Exeter Junior School on Friday 31 January. Parents do not need to complete another registration, nor attend the assessment day on Saturday 1 February 2025.

During the assessment pupils will be given the opportunity to demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills as appropriate for their age.

ENGLISH

The English tests will assess the child’s skills in all the key aspects of literacy: reading, comprehension, writing, grammar, punctuation, spelling and handwriting. The writing test comprises a planning/introductory session with the teacher before writing. The introduction may take the form of verbal, visual or concrete stimulus which is fully discussed with the pupils before they start. A good standard of presentation, punctuation and content of writing, is encouraged rather than the quantity.

Pupils will sit an online English reading test (NGRT) which will comprise a range of ageappropriate English exercises and reading skills. There will also be a short spelling test.

For Year 3 and Year 4 entry, the pupil will also read a passage from an age-appropriate text to the teacher.

MATHEMATICS

The maths assessment takes the form of two papers. A general maths paper covering a range of topics where pupils are encouraged to show their working. There is also a timed mental maths paper, assessing accuracy and

speed across a variety of mathematical concepts including number work. The questions are read out and repeated by the assessor. Children sitting the 7+ and 8+ (Years 3 and 4 entry) have the maths paper read aloud by the assessor.

Children sitting the 10+ (Year 6 entry) are allowed to use a calculator for the first part of the maths test so it would be useful to familiarise children with calculators beforehand.

Depending on progress, children joining Years 5 and 6 may also need to sit the 11+ entry assessment for progression to Exeter School. Pupils who are assessed remotely will have an online interview with the Headmistress or Deputy Head. 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.

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. 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 2025 will take place on Saturday 11 January 2025. 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 will 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 15 MINUTES)

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.

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 30 MINUTES)

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 14+ examinations in biology, chemistry, and physics. These are in the style of typical Key Stage 3 assessments. Calculators are allowed.

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE (30 MINUTES

)

This will consist of a short, written test which candidates will complete in a foreign language which they intend to take at GCSE. A choice of papers in French, German or Spanish are offered.

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.

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.

EXETER SCHOOL SIXTH FORM

Entry into Exeter School Sixth Form

All candidates seeking entry to the sixth form will be required to achieve a minimum of three GCSE passes at grade 7 and three GCSE passes at grade 6, to include English and maths (or equivalent qualifications from the pupil’s own country) and provide a satisfactory report and reference from their present school.

To study certain subjects, candidates will need to have achieved a grade 7 in that subject (or related discipline) at GCSE. Please see the A Level brochure or course information on the website for details of the individual subject requirements.

Admissions process

The first sixth form interview day will be held on Saturday 7 December 2024. Further dates will be released throughout the year. The sixth form assessment process consists of:

• Interviews with the heads of departments of the four subjects the candidate wishes to study at A Level. These are designed to discover a candidate’s motivation, future potential, and existing subject knowledge.

• A n interview with the Head and Assistant Head (Sixth Form).

• Evaluation of a reference provided by the candidate’s present school.

• A computer-based cognitive abilities (CAT4) test.

Please bring examples of your coursework to the interview where you have studied the subject at GCSE.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND EXHIBITIONS

Scholarships are awards based on merit and excellence. They are awarded for current and new pupils entering Years 7, 9 and 12, with outstanding talent in the fields of sport, music, art and drama. Like many schools, scholarships do not have an accompanying fee remission, but means-tested bursaries can be applied for to supplement these awards.

ART

Candidates for art scholarships are required to attend a practical test and interview with the head of art.

Candidates will be asked to:

• Sit a practical test which will be held by the head of art under supervised conditions.

• Provide a portfolio of work to display evidence of their skill and interest in the subject.

• Attend a short interview where they will be asked to demonstrate their interest and experience in the subject.

Candidates will also have a short interview with the Head or a member of the senior leadership team.

Art scholars are expected to attend all the lessons provided and to participate in the exhibitions and trips to art galleries that the art department arranges.

DRAMA

Candidates for drama scholarships are required to attend a practical test and interview with the head of drama.

Acting candidates will be asked to:

• Prepare a short monologue (approximately two minutes) from a play of their choosing, to be learnt by heart.

Design candidates will be asked to:

• Produce a logbook including sketches of set, costumes, or lighting from a play of their own choice.

All candidates will be asked to:

• Discuss a theatrical production seen in the last twelve months.

Candidates will also have a short interview with the Head or a member of the senior leadership team.

MUSIC

Candidates for music scholarships are required to attend an audition and interview with the Director of Music.

Candidates will be asked to:

• Play or sing two pieces of their own choice on their principal instrument or voice.

• Play and/or sing at sight.

• Aural tests at a standard to match the pupil’s experience.

Candidates will also have a short interview with the Head or a member of the senior leadership team.

Music scholars are expected to attend all the lessons provided and to participate in the ensembles and engagements that the music department arranges. These may involve weekends and after school events.

SPORT

Sporting scholarships will be awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of ability across a range of different sporting activities, show an outstanding attitude and commitment to the school and their own development.

Candidates will be assessed on their current level of competency and future potential.

As part of the process there will also be an interview with the Director of Sport and the Head, or a member of the senior leadership team. Candidates will be asked to bring along a record of achievement including a reference. Full details of the sports kit candidates require will be given prior to the day.

Sports scholars are expected to attend all the lessons provided and to participate in the activities and fixtures the sports department arranges. These may involve weekends and after school events.

Please see the website for scholarship closing and assessment dates.

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 their children to be considered for a bursary should make an application by completing the form

available from the Director of Admissions and Marketing once they have confirmed their child is a candidate for the coming year, the child has been registered, and the registration fee paid.

All applications for support for the year 2025/26 must be received by Friday 10 January 2025 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

As part of its bursary programme, Exeter School can offer up to nine free places in the senior school and sixth form as a result of donations and legacies from former pupils, and grants from a local charity:

• The Foundation Bursaries, funded from alumni legacies and gifts, will offer free places for up to three pupils entering the school at 11+ (Year 7).

• The St John’s Hospital Educational Foundation grant will offer up to three full bursaries for sixth form entry.

• The George Williams Bursaries will offer up to two free places to study the sciences at sixth form. These bursaries have been made possible by a generous bequest and continuing donations from the estate of a prominent deceased former pupil.

• The Bob Griffin Bursary will provide financial support for pupils entering the sixth form to study modern foreign languages.

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.

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.

TERMLY INSTALMENT SCHEME

A monthly direct debit payment scheme is available to all parents to spread each term’s fees over four monthly payments. The first instalment for the autumn term is taken at the end of July. 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 Bursar.

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 slip at the bottom of the School Fees Refund Scheme information sheet or notify the Finance Bursar in writing. 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 stresses the need to ensure that the pupil’s personal clothing and property (which should also be clearly marked with the pupil’s name) are covered by family insurance. The school’s own policy protects parents only where negligence can be claimed (e.g. watch lost having been handed to a member of staff for safe custody). It is particularly important to cover for lost/stolen bicycles, musical instruments, mobile phones and the like.

www.exeterschool.org.uk

@ExeterSchoolUK