About Us

Inspection Reports

Exeter School was inspected in December 2021 and in the educational quality inspection has been awarded the highest possible grade in both categories. The school was awarded excellent in terms of the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements and excellent in terms of the quality of the pupils’ personal development.

“The pupils’ attitude to learning throughout the school is outstanding, whether they are working individually, in pairs or groups.”
ISI report 2021
“Relationships across the school are excellent. Pupils form positive relationships with one another, demonstrating strong levels of maturity when working collaboratively or supporting their peers.”
ISI report 2021
“Pupils show excellent levels of resilience and self-knowledge in academic and extra-curricular programmes.”
ISI report 2021
“Pupils make decisions with high levels of confidence.”
ISI report 2021
“Pupils in the junior school have a highly developed sense of gratitude for all that they have and have an appreciation of the non-material aspects of life,”
ISI report 2021

The inspectors recognised how expert teachers challenge pupils to think for themselves and to work independently, feeding them with knowledge and inspiration. The report also noted the outstanding provision for enrichment activities – mentioning music, drama, arts, sport, performing arts, CCF and Duke of Edinburgh and recognising the impressive talent of the school’s musical pupils.

Exeter Pre-Prep School Inspection Reports

The New School (Exeter Pre-Prep) was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2017, 2011 and 2007.
Ofsted

Ofsted report 2017

The school’s Ofsted report 2017 had this to say in its overall evaluation of the school:

The school is exceptionally well led and managed by the headteacher. There is a warm and convivial atmosphere which ensures that pupils feel happy and secure in the school and are inspired to learn. They have vision, ambition and enthusiasm and provide exemplary role models for the children in the school.
Ofsted
Senior leaders’ consistent drive to provide a rich and stimulating curriculum and to sustain high-quality teaching enables pupils to thrive and make great strides in their learning, particularly in literacy and numeracy.
Ofsted
Children in the early years make excellent progress in their learning and personal development. They are safe, extremely well looked after and nurtured by highly committed staff.
Ofsted
The behaviour of pupils is exemplary. There is no disruption or lack of focus in lessons. Pupils enjoy school and are eager to learn. They are inquisitive and share their curiosity and eagerness to learn with staff who fully support them in their learning at all times.
Ofsted
Regular personal, social and health education lessons contribute well to pupils’ increasing spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. They celebrate special cultural days. This helps them understand and accept others. Pupils feel that they would benefit from even greater exposure to different views and opinions.
Ofsted
Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school. They appreciate the hard work and commitment of the headteacher and her staff to their children’s well-being and next steps.
Ofsted
The headteacher has ensured that all of the independent school standards are met, including the statutory requirements for the early years foundation stage.
Ofsted

In 2019, The New School became a member of the Independent Schools’ Association (ISA) and underwent its first ISI regulatory compliance inspection in January 2020, meeting all of the requirements successfully. In 2021, The New School became a member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) as part of Exeter School family, and will continue to be inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in future.