Teacher sits on the carpet with a group of uniformed primary school children, listening as he speaks, with a box of supplies and snacks on the floor.

Junior Reflections 1 May 2026

1 May 2026

Dear parents,

What an amazing week it has been, one that I won’t forget in a hurry. I made it to the gate for 8am on Monday morning, not wearing my usual heels and feeling a little bit sore, but my word I am so glad I did. The support that I have had during the run up to the London Marathon and after has been so incredible and I am looking at reaching nearly £6000 in sponsorship for the NSPCC, which is incredible. I am never doing it again, and I promise this will be the last time you will hear that I have done the London Marathon!!

Upper One pupils enjoyed their first session with Lauren from the Exe Estuary Partnership as part of their geography learning this term. The children learned about the wide range of animals that live in the estuary and explored why estuaries are so important for habitats and ecosystems. Lauren will return in a couple of weeks to build on this learning ahead of our visit to the estuary on 12 June. Planet Protector Gardening Club and Drama Club enjoyed the summer sunshine on Monday. The young gardeners planted onion seeds and picked flowers which are now being enjoyed in the junior school staff room. In Drama Club the children invented a ball game to help them learn their lines for the U2 play.

We are delighted to congratulate Ruby (U2) and SheShe (L2) on qualifying for the IAPS National Swimming Finals, following their regional qualifying round at Millfield earlier this year. The finals will take place this June at the London Aquatics Centre. This is an incredible achievement, with only the top 20 swimmers nationally securing a place at the finals. We wish them both the very best of luck as they prepare to compete on the national stage.

On Thursday I travelled to Oxford, for the Choir Schools Association conference. The conference took place in the grounds of Christ Church and what a beautiful setting it was. This conference is a first for Exeter School and both Ms Rose and I were welcomed into the new world of chorister school. The day was extremely informative, and I am excited to welcome our new chorister pupils and families to our school community in September.

It was lovely to see so many of the Lower School parents this morning at our summer coffee morning; any excuse for a coffee, cookies and a chat is always welcome and I am looking forward to welcoming the Upper School parents in a couple of weeks.

Mrs Conway-Clifton has started her maternity leave and we are all eagerly awaiting baby news. Mr Chris Johnson has already stepped in to the role of Form Tutor for L2C and will continue in this role until the end of term. I will of course share the news of baby Conway-Clifton once we hear.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Mrs Saskia van Schalkwyk

Playground person of the week

Jessica L U1W

Amelie P U2C

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

Family Society summer ball

The Family Society will be hosting a summer ball on Friday 5 June at Sandy Park.

Hope to see you there!

The Family Society

Book now

Schoolblazer

Summer uniform is now available to purchase from Schoolblazer. Please note, there will also be a free delivery period from 29 June – 12 July. More information on the shopping and ordering process is available via here.

Visit the Schoolblazer website

We are hiring! 🧪✨

Exeter School is looking for an inspirational Teacher of Chemistry to join our thriving department on a part-time, fixed-term basis (Monday, Thursday and Friday until 31 December 2026).

Teaching spans Year 6 at Exeter Junior School through to A Level, where chemistry is a very popular choice, with around 50 pupils across the Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth.

Newly qualified or experienced, we’d love to hear from you! 

📅 Closing date: 9am, Monday 19 October 2026 (we may close early if an appointment is made, so don’t wait!)

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #Devon #JobAlert #ChemistryTeacher #Science #Education #Career

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We are delighted to congratulate William W, Tom S and Stefan A on their selection to the prestigious @royalyachtingassociation Youth Transition Squads. ⛵

William and Tom have secured places in the 29er Squad, while Stefan has earned his spot in the @ilca_uk Squad. This is a significant achievement. Their selection recognises the dedication, commitment and outstanding performance all three boys have shown in competitive sailing.

This milestone marks an exciting step in each of their sailing journeys. It also reflects the high level at which William, Tom and Stefan are already competing.

Congratulations! We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to following your progress on the water. 🌊

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #Pupils #SeniorSchool #Yatching  #CompetitiveSailing #Achievemnt

55 0
Dr Adrian Rainbow was delighted to meet with Liz Gregory, Head of The Maynard School, and to visit the school today. 🤝

Exeter is fortunate to have a strong community of independent schools, and it is great to share a sense of purpose around providing an outstanding education for young people in Exeter.

Thank you to Liz and The Maynard School for such a warm welcome. 😊

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #HeadsOfSchool #DevonSchools #SchoolOfExcellence #Connections #Community #Education

108 0
A fascinating set of MedEXE lunchtime talks today from some of our aspiring medics and vets in the Upper Sixth! 🩺🐾

Well done to Beth, Finlay, Marcus and Darina for speaking so well on their chosen topics 👏

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #UpperSixth #AspireAndAchieve #MedEXE #Career #Inspiring #Pathway #Talk

81 0
Cycling to school is a great way to start the day, and one of our pupils arrived with a very special companion! 🐶🚲

Helmet on and backpack packed, she rode in with a four-legged passenger tucked safely on her back, which brought a smile to everyone's face. Maybe this time the dog really did eat the homework! 😄📚

#ExeterSchool #CycleToSchool #FurryFriend #SmilesAllAround #IndependentSchool #DevonSchools

95 3
Gold for Samantha! 🥇

Huge congratulations to Exeter School gymnast Samantha, who competed at the Southwest Championships on Sunday, held at the Wiltshire School of Gymnastics!

Representing Exeter in the U12 Bronze Classic Challenge Floor event, Samantha went up against 19 gymnasts from across the region, including Bristol, Camborne, Peterborough, Barnstaple, Truro, Wiltshire, Swindon, Axminster and Paignton, and came away with 1st place on Floor! 🎉

A fantastic result reflecting all her hard work and dedication. 👏

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchools #Gymnast #FirstPlace #SouthWestChampionships #HardWork #Dedication #Congratulations

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L5 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition - 25-26 Apr 26

Morocco trip - Apr 26

U6 Inflatables - 29 Apr 26

Chamber Concert at Sidbury - 24 Apr 26

Exeter School U12 Boys vs Plymouth College - 25 Apr 26

Exeter School 1st XI vs Blundell's School - 24 Apr 26

Exeter School 1st XI vs Plymouth College - 25 Apr 26

U2 Eden Project Trip - 22 Apr 2026

Follow Us

We are hiring! 🧪✨

Exeter School is looking for an inspirational Teacher of Chemistry to join our thriving department on a part-time, fixed-term basis (Monday, Thursday and Friday until 31 December 2026).

Teaching spans Year 6 at Exeter Junior School through to A Level, where chemistry is a very popular choice, with around 50 pupils across the Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth.

Newly qualified or experienced, we’d love to hear from you! 

📅 Closing date: 9am, Monday 19 October 2026 (we may close early if an appointment is made, so don’t wait!)

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #Devon #JobAlert #ChemistryTeacher #Science #Education #Career
We are delighted to congratulate William W, Tom S and Stefan A on their selection to the prestigious @royalyachtingassociation Youth Transition Squads. ⛵

William and Tom have secured places in the 29er Squad, while Stefan has earned his spot in the @ilca_uk Squad. This is a significant achievement. Their selection recognises the dedication, commitment and outstanding performance all three boys have shown in competitive sailing.

This milestone marks an exciting step in each of their sailing journeys. It also reflects the high level at which William, Tom and Stefan are already competing.

Congratulations! We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to following your progress on the water. 🌊

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #Pupils #SeniorSchool #Yatching  #CompetitiveSailing #Achievemnt
Dr Adrian Rainbow was delighted to meet with Liz Gregory, Head of The Maynard School, and to visit the school today. 🤝

Exeter is fortunate to have a strong community of independent schools, and it is great to share a sense of purpose around providing an outstanding education for young people in Exeter.

Thank you to Liz and The Maynard School for such a warm welcome. 😊

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #HeadsOfSchool #DevonSchools #SchoolOfExcellence #Connections #Community #Education
A fascinating set of MedEXE lunchtime talks today from some of our aspiring medics and vets in the Upper Sixth! 🩺🐾

Well done to Beth, Finlay, Marcus and Darina for speaking so well on their chosen topics 👏

#ExeterSchool #IndependentSchool #UpperSixth #AspireAndAchieve #MedEXE #Career #Inspiring #Pathway #Talk
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING 5 NOVEMBER