eNewsletter – summer term

Alumni and Development office - July 2026

What a start to the new academic year it has been

 

Hello from new Head, Dr Adrian Rainbow

We’re delighted to share a video message from our new Head, Dr Adrian Rainbow, as he settles into his new role. In this message to our alumni community, Dr Rainbow shares a warm welcome and offers a glimpse into his thoughts and aspirations for the school’s future.

Graham’s message

OE Rugby Reunion

It was a pleasure to welcome former pupils and staff back to Exeter School on Saturday 3 October for our inaugural OE Rugby Reunion, bringing the school community together for an afternoon of rugby.

Alongside the senior rugby fixtures against Bryanston, the afternoon provided a great opportunity for alumni to catch up over drinks and nibbles in The Butterfield Hall. Former teachers Giles Trelawny (staff, 1993-2024), Andy Mason (staff, 2004-2023), Guy Willson (staff, 1990-2022), Mike Porter (staff, 1986-2020), and John Jago (staff, 1966-1996), particularly enjoyed meeting former pupils, hearing their news and swapping rugby stories.

Our new Head, Dr Adrian Rainbow, also enjoyed meeting alumni and getting to know more members of the Exeter School community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this first reunion and helped make it such an enjoyable occasion.

Look out for next year’s event! Following the success of our inaugural OE Rugby Reunion, we look forward to welcoming alumni back to Exeter School again next year. More details will be shared in due course.

Image below, from L – R – Peter German (1964-1972), Nigel Hook (1963-1971), John Jago (1949-1956) and Dr Adrian Rainbow.

your latest alumni magazine

Field Day

Earlier this term it was wonderful to watch the pupils embark on an array of activities and expeditions on a day familiar, I’m sure, to many OEs – Field Day. The Army, RAF and Navy CCF sections were all out of school on excursions; pupils involved in community service visited other schools; and the Third Form were treated to a creative writing tour of Exeter with a very special guide – John Davidson (staff, 1976-2018).

Click here to read more

George Ayres (1932-2026)

‘He was a respected, dedicated and inspiring teacher, a supportive colleague and a true friend’ – Dennis Dyson (staff, 1960–1994)

We remember George Ayres (staff, 1961–1993), much-loved and highly respected History teacher, who passed away in June. George made a lasting impression on generations of pupils and colleagues, and we are honoured to share the words of his colleague and lifelong friend, Dennis Dyson.

You can read Dennis’s tribute and find out more about George’s life and legacy here.

At Exeter School, we recognise the lasting impact that former staff and pupils have on our community.

Image below – George and Dennis on one of their many adventures abroad, this time to Bryce Canyon, Utah – kindly shared by Dennis.

Next year, it will be the turn of those who left in 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997, 2007 and 2017, so do keep an eye out for your invitation!

Exeter School Alumni – Obituaries

CCF Dinner

Junior school pupils in Upper Two have been delighting family members and friends with stellar performances in Sherlock and Cinders, a crime ridden take on the Cinderella story. Stretching across three days, each class in the year and an ensemble cast captivated audiences with a witty script, memorable songs and wonderfully engaging performances, bringing a host of colourful characters to life on stage. Well done Upper Two!

View photos here

We'd love to hear from you...

if you were awarded a direct grant, scholarship, assisted place, or bursary and would be willing to share how it impacted your life. We’re dedicated to capturing the stories of our past pupils and respecting your privacy – if you’d prefer, we can keep your details anonymous. Please get in touch with Alice Holohan, to share your story.
Call for testimonials

Changing futures

“I joined Exeter School in Lower Two, and looking back, my time here has been a period of real growth and change for me. My mum was over the moon when I was awarded a bursary; I’ve been able to spend nine years at the school, making the most of so many opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise have had access to.  My expectations have not just been matched, but exceeded. One of the biggest things for me has been discovering a love of Classics. It wasn’t something I had considered before, but the way it was taught here really inspired me, and it’s now something I hope to continue at Durham University.

“The bursary has made a huge difference to my life. My family made a lot of sacrifices to send me here, and having financial support made it possible for me to have these experiences. I really believe that any level of support can be life-changing and can open doors that might otherwise stay closed.” – Ella Fowler (2017-2026)

This reflection is a powerful reminder of how transformative a bursary can be – opening doors to opportunity, nurturing confidence and changing the direction of a young person’s life in ways that last far beyond their time at school.

If you can help change a child’s future by supporting the bursary fund, please get in touch with Alice Holohan, Director of Development and Alumni Relations – asah@exeterschool.org.uk.

Photo for illustrative purposes only

Please follow this link to find out more about donating to the bursary fund

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Let’s get quizzical

A wonderful evening was had testing people’s grey matter at the recent Exonian Quiz. Former Geography teacher, John Davidson (staff, 1976-2018) and fellow quiz writer, Steve Perring (1971-1981) came up with another great set of rounds for parents, staff, alumni and sixth formers taking part in this year’s quiz.

Quiz-goers were treated to some exceptional piano playing by John Tregellas (1974–1981), Director of the Prague Concert Company. His performance prompted plenty of lively discussion as teams tried to identify which musicals the pieces came from, with many enjoying the challenge of recognising familiar tunes.

Giles Trelawny (staff, 1993-2024) and Bethan Rose (Deputy Head – Enrichment, Character and Community) kept things running as quizmasters. We’re also extremely grateful to Peter (1964-1972) and Ann German for joining us once again and doing a brilliant job selling drinks.

Proceeds from the evening go to the bursary fund, which certainly make the efforts of everyone helping and those taking part, worthwhile.

Look out for next year’s quiz date and we hope to see you there!

View pictures from the evening here

OE Golf Day

Thank you to Harrison Thorne (2002-2010) for a splendid account of this year’s OE Golf Day…

“Late spring sunshine, little wind and a beautifully manicured course at Exeter Golf and Country Club were all on offer for the 20 OEs who gathered for the 2026 Golf Day, following a two-year break.

“Alongside competing for the coveted silverware, it was another chance to see who still had the biggest drive, who was struggling on those tricky three-foot putts and, most importantly, to catch up over a couple of drinks and dinner. The early leaders were Paul Scoble (1993-1997) with an excellent 38 points and Steve Dukes (1993-1997) on 36 points. As the groups filtered in, Harrison Thorne (2002-2010) matched Dukes’ score but lost out on the back-nine countback.

“In the Over-55s competition for the Jago Trophy, Mike Kay (1975-1982) edged out Rupert Pratt (1977-1984), both finishing on 32 points. The nearest-the-pin prizes went to Tom Sowman (1992-1996) on the 4th hole and Steve Dukes on the 11th.”

Keep an eye out for details of the 2027 OE Golf Day – we’d love to see even more OEs hitting the green next year!

Alumni events

Exeter School fair & Meet the Head | Saturday 19 September

The Exeter School fair returns later this year, bringing a fantastic day of stalls, delicious food, games and family fun for the Exeter School community to enjoy. Ahead of the fair, join us for our Meet the Head drinks reception, where you’ll have the opportunity to hear from our new Head, Dr Adrian Rainbow, as he shares his vision for Exeter School.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to both events. And while we’re hoping for sunshine, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll simply move the celebrations into the Butterfield Hall.

Work experience – can you help?

We have a number of pupils who are keen to secure work experience in the following areas:

  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Physics
  • Dermatology
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Research (biology or psychology) or neuroscience

If you might be able to help by sharing your own experience, providing some advice or guidance, or helping secure a work experience placement please contact alumni@exeterschool.org.uk – the pupils would be very grateful indeed!

Thank you to all those friends and OEs who have supported pupils as they explore different career options.

Life before Ten Tors

We were delighted to receive this wonderful reflection from Richard Jowett (1948-1959), inspired by the last alumni eNewsletter and the mention of Ten Tors.

“Back in 1958, before Ten Tors or DofE, we had to make our own ‘adventure’. So it was that 68 years ago I was sleeping in a field in Shropshire.
Six of us from School House decided that over the Whit Weekend we would attempt to hitchhike in pairs to the summit of Snowdon getting back before school resumed the following Tuesday. Armed with an army kitbag, a groundsheet, sleeping bag, small cooker and some provisions we set off after Saturday school. We also each had a letter from the Headmaster, Francis Kinnear “Fred” Paul (staff, 1960-1965), to the effect ‘to whom it may concern, please afford all help and assistance as is deemed necessary….’ And one other condition – we were to spend no more than 5 shillings (25p) in getting to the top.

“My partner, Eddie Hodge (1954-1959), and I made our way up the old A38 and by evening had reached Prees Heath, just beyond Shrewsbury where we camped in a field. Next morning we got lifts which took us through Chester and along the North Wales coast to Caernavon before cutting south to Llanberis and the start of the ascent. We reached the top about noon, completely knackered. We took the train down (allowed as we had completed the challenge) and made our way south via Capel Curig, Llangollen and on to Oswestry which is where we were in a field 68 years ago today. The final leg home on the Monday took us to Gloucester where we had a stroke of luck. We were fortuitously picked up by the parents of a good school friend of ours, Andy Edwards (1948-1959), who took us all the way back to the school.

“Incidentally Andy became the father of Jonathan Edwards, who in 1985 became World Champion (and Olympic, Commonwealth and European) triple jumper at 18.29 metres, a record which stands to today. What a trip, I cannot imagine many Headmasters these days encouraging such a venture!”

Look closely at the photo and you’ll spot Richard, and behind him a young Andy Edwards.

Wye… Why not!

Twenty Lower Fifth pupils recently enjoyed a three-day canoeing expedition along the River Wye, paddling more than 75km through the beautiful Wye Valley. Camping along the route, pupils developed their canoeing skills, teamwork and resilience while navigating rapids, spotting wildlife and embracing life outdoors.

Memories are often made far beyond the classroom… please get in touch with Ali – amcg@exeterschool.org.uk to share stories from the school trips you remember.

Read more here

 

The Wind in the Willows

We were recently treated to the Lower School putting on their production of The Wind in the Willows. As always with Exeter School productions, a great deal of work went into the staging and costumes, helping to bring this much-loved tale to life. To see some fantastic photos from the production, please click on the link below.

View photos here

 

Aquila Youth Theatre Returns to the Edinburgh Fringe

Aquila Youth Theatre is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe this August with its tenth Fringe production, ‘Night of the Fox’, performed by 19 Exeter School pupils. This new play tells the story of Attie a boy who can’t stop dreaming of a fox-masked truth-teller who lives deep in the woods, a mysterious figure said to reveal who you really are. When Attie dares to summon him, he is pulled into the Fox’s secret realm. As his friends struggle with a sudden social media ban, they must venture into the forest if they are to bring him home safely. In a place where every truth must be spoken aloud, saving Attie may come at a cost. Compelling theatre performed by this talented young company.

The show runs at theSpace @ Niddry Street from 10–15 August at 2.05pm. If you’re in Edinburgh during the Festival, we’d love to welcome alumni to the audience.

A pre-Fringe performance will take place at The Front Room Theatre, Weston-super-Mare, on Friday 7 August at 7.30pm.

Book tickets:

Follow Aquila Youth Theatre on Instagram (@aquilayouththeatre) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/aquilayoungtheatre) for updates.

A day in the life of

We’d love to collate videos of our alumni at all stages in their careers, giving pupils an insight into what they do each day!

Can you help by creating some short videos on your phone?

  • Introduce yourself – your name and your job title, where you work and it would be helpful if you could explain your role with an audience of 11-18 year olds in mind, who may not have a frame of reference for your profession!
  • This could include a short tour of your workplace and any interesting facilities
  • Some short clips of you explaining the context behind some of your tasks, projects or meetings…
  • Be creative and anonymise if you need to, and of course gain consent from your employer and anyone else appearing in your video
  • Feel free to have a little bit of fun and make this light-hearted and relatable

Once you’ve created, please contact careers@exeterschool.org.uk to transfer this to us!

We are also in the process of launching a careers podcast within school, to raise awareness of the many roles and how they are evolving. If you’d be happy to be interviewed for this internal podcast, please email us.

Click here to email

Keeping in touch

We love keeping in touch with our alumni community, but also like to be sure that you’re only receiving what you wish to receive from us.

Should you wish to change your contact preferences or update them please visit the link below.

Update your contact preferences

Identifying alumni

Do you know anyone in this early 2000s netball team? We’re hoping to put names to faces… please get in touch if you recognise yourself or perhaps a contemporary of yours.

I know who that is

Sharing your stories and tracking down alumni

In the past, the Old Exonian magazine featured short updates from alumni about where life had taken them since their school days. We would love to continue this format in The 1633, but we need your help! So whether it’s a big achievement or a small milestone, please share your news with us. Send your updates to Communications and Alumni Officer, Ali McGeown.

The Alumni and Development office helps OEs stay connected, and we’re often happy to assist in tracking down members of our alumni community. If there’s a former classmate or teacher you’d like to contact, please use the button below.

Get in touch with Ali

Stay in the loop!

Follow Exeter School’s alumni Instagram to catch all the latest updates, stories and celebrations from the alumni community.

Click to follow @exeterschool_alumni

From the archive

Sports Day is a long-standing summer term tradition, giving children the opportunity to showcase their sporting prowess and their families the chance to enjoy tea, cake and plenty of cheering!

Do you have a story or pupil achievement to share with our community?

If you have a couple of lines of information and a photograph that you and your child are happy to be shared we will try to post these at relevant times through the year.
Email our communications team

Exonian Quiz - 3 Oct 2025

Class of '23 '24 and '25 leavers celebration - Sept 2025

Alumni anniversary dinner - 7 June 2025

1st XI vs Exonians XI football match - 31 Mar 2025

Upcoming alumni events

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We’re delighted to see former teacher Lawrence Sail (1982-1991) featured at this year’s Two Moors Festival, taking place on Friday 2 October at The Hall in Exeter, where he will give a poetry reading alongside fellow poet Julia Copus.

Lawrence taught Modern Languages at Exeter School while also developing his career as a highly respected poet, writer and editor. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the author of numerous poetry collections, most recently Double Takes, published this year 📖

Julia Copus is an award-winning poet, biographer and children’s writer. She has published four collections of poetry and has also written the acclaimed biography This Rare Spirit: A Life of Charlotte Mew. She teaches poetry for the Faber Academy and is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

To book tickets, please go to - https://tickets.twomoorsfestival.co.uk/.../poetry-reading...

📷: Exeter School archive - Lawrence with former junior school teacher Julie Jago (1968-1996), the late wife of John Jago (1967-1996), teaching a lesson together in 1994.

#ExeterSchoolAlumni
The Alumni and Development office thoroughly enjoy producing The 1633 - we love listening to your memories of school and where life has taken you 🥰

Soon our Communications and Alumni officer, Ali, will be gathering stories and sitting down for interviews. Our alumni are the backbone of this magazine, and whether your story involves climbing mountains, landing your dream job or just the fact that you've discovered a new local walk you love, we would be thrilled to hear from you. 

If you have a story to share please email Ali - amcg@exeterschool.org.uk. Parents and friends of alumni do get in touch too... we all like to shout about those we know and love! ☺️

📷: https://www.exeterschool.org.uk/.../exeter-alumni/the-1633/ - this year's copy of The 1633, featuring cover star Matthew Goode (1985-1996)

#ExeterSchoolAlumni
As the summer term draws to a close, we contemplate what a year it has been at Exeter School 💜

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of the school. Your stories, memories and experiences help preserve our rich history and inspire future Exonians as they look ahead to life beyond our school gates.

With a smaller team in the office over the summer, we'll be taking a short break before picking things up again in September.

We look forward to sharing more news with you then and, we hope, perhaps see you in person at one of our alumni events.

Wishing all our alumni a wonderful summer 🌞

📷: Taken by Ali, Communications & Alumni Officer

#ExeterSchoolAlumni #ExeterSchool #schoolsoutforthesummer
We hope to see our alumni at the Devon County Show this year! 😄👩‍🌾🥕🚜🐮🐴🌦️🥂💚
We were touched to learn that alumna Ellie Dawson (2005-2013) will be running the London Marathon in memory of her dad, Richard Dawson (staff, 1991-2014).

Many of you may remember Mr Dawson from your time at the school, when he was our Head of Modern Languages, described by his colleagues as “one of the nicest, calmest and wisest men you could possibly meet”.

Ellie will be raising money for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, who looked after him in his final weeks. You can find out more about Ellie’s fundraising efforts via the link in our bio.

We wish Ellie the best of luck and would love to hear from other alumni who are taking part in this year’s London Marathon. Please do comment or send us a message so that we can celebrate your journey.

📷: Kindly provided by Ellie

#ExeterSchoolAlumni #LondonMarathon

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Huge congratulations to Isobel, who has been appointed as an HM Lord Lieutenant Cadet for Devon for 2026–27! 🎉

Dr Adrian Rainbow and Dr Smale were delighted to attend the awards ceremony to see Isobel receive this amazing honour.

Over the coming year, she will attend official ceremonies and accompany the Lord Lieutenant to events around the county.

Isobel was nominated for her outstanding work and mature approach within our Combined Cadet Force (CCF), and she will be an excellent representative for the CCF across Devon. 🎖️

Achievements like this never go unnoticed at Exeter School. They reflect real hard work and dedication, and we are so proud to celebrate our pupils. 👏

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #Devon #CCF #Cadet #Achievement #HMLordLieutenantCadet #Success #Achievement #InspireAndChallenege
Congratulations to Alex F (Upper Sixth), who has been awarded a Commendation in the @johnlockeinstitute Global Essay Prize in Economics, one of the world's most prestigious academic essay competitions.

The prize attracts more than 7,000 entries from over 100 countries, with submissions judged by a distinguished panel of senior academics led by the Institute's Chairman of Examiners. A Commendation places Alex's work within approximately the top 10% of entries worldwide.

Alex's essay explored the question: "Should we fear a cashless society?" She undertook extensive independent research, engaging with cutting-edge economic studies on declining cash usage and the growth of digital payment systems. Her essay demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of economic concepts and an impressive ability to evaluate contemporary research and apply it to a highly relevant policy debate.

This international recognition reflects Alex's intellectual curiosity, academic rigour and commitment to learning beyond the classroom. An outstanding accomplishment. Congratulations, Alex!

#ExeterSchool #JohnLockeInstitute #EssayPrize #Economics #SixthForm #AcademicExcellence #Devon #SupportForLifeBeyondSchool #RealWorldReady 

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