A School of Great Character
At Exeter School, character education shapes everything we do. It sits at the heart of school life, right alongside strong academic outcomes. Because we draw on the ideas of Aristotle, our school ethos is rooted in virtue ethics. As a result, we believe every pupil deserves the chance to flourish.
Character education isn’t a bolt-on here. Instead, it runs through lessons, sport, music, drama and outdoor education. It shapes pastoral care too, from Pre-Prep right through to Sixth Form. Therefore, pupils meet it daily, not just in assemblies or Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lessons.
We want pupils to develop practical wisdom, because the world moves fast and changes constantly. For example, pupils need real judgement, not just knowledge, to navigate it well. Character education gives them that grounding. Consequently, it helps them make good decisions under pressure. It also helps them treat others with respect and kindness, both in school and beyond it.
We also celebrate individuality at Exeter School, since every pupil brings something different to our community. However, character education doesn’t flatten talent — it nurtures it. Pupils explore music, sport, art and leadership. Many, for instance, join our Combined Cadet Forces (CCF), Duke of Edinburgh, or the Ten Tors expedition. Each activity builds resilience in its own way, and each one teaches a different virtue too.
Our approach
Our approach centres on the school virtues, so we expect every pupil to embody them throughout their time here. These virtues guide behaviour in the classroom, on the sports field, in the corridors, and on trips. Furthermore, teachers model these virtues themselves, because character education works best when adults live it too, not just when they teach it.
Pastoral care backs this up at every stage. Our house system supports pupils personally, giving them a sense of belonging early on. Meanwhile, our evolving pastoral model, which we call ‘tartan’, adapts to each pupil’s changing needs. Each half term sees a focus on a different school virtue, with assemblies, form time and house meetings considering this theme with pupils. As a result, PSHE lessons build on these foundations year by year.
Ultimately, character education prepares pupils for life beyond Exeter School. It supports their university choices and their future careers. Similarly, our Futures Programme builds on these same foundations, helping pupils apply their values through mock interviews and hands-on experience. At Exeter School, therefore, aspiration and flourishing go hand in hand — for every pupil, every day.
