Senior Reflections Week 30 May 2025

Week 30 - 16 May 2025

Dear parents,

Devon County Show

This weekend we are at the Devon County Show, where we would love to see you! It is always a pleasure to be able to share what is great about Exeter School with the wider Devon community and also to meet members of the school and alumni community and prospective parents. Do come along and see us over the weekend if you can – we are in Avenue A, stand 29.

Exams

GCSE and A level exams are fully underway now, and the internal exams for Third Form to Middle Fifth start on Monday. I am sure that your sons and daughters are revising hard and I hope that they feel well prepared and supported by their teachers. I wish them every success in the assessments.

View our video on how to do your best and not get stressed

Academic enrichment

We have welcomed two visiting speakers this week to expand and extend the pupils’ academic interests beyond the classroom. On Tuesday we had a fascinating discussion about the formation of stars from Matthew Bate at the University of Exeter. The images that were shared were stunning and it was an inspirational talk for our budding astrophysicists. Later in the day, Professor Roy, also from Exeter University, spoke to the Lower Sixth in their futures slot about economics. This is a popular area of the curriculum and one which many of our leavers explore as a possible degree course option and so I hope that they found the talk stimulating and useful as they begin to plan their next steps beyond school. Our leavers are lucky that they have so many choices ahead of them, and of course, making decisions about next steps is not easy, and is very complex. The Futures Programme in the sixth form offers pupils as chance to hear about different areas of work and study as they start to navigate through the university application process. In the weeks ahead the Lower Sixth will have dedicated time to start shaping their personal statements for their university application, and also a chance to consider other options – looking at the ever more popular (and often highly competitive) degree apprenticeships for example, or gap year opportunities, or indeed, routes to go straight into work as they plan their next steps beyond school.

Summer Fete

Exeter School Family Society Summer Fete – a reminder that the summer fete is on the afternoon of Saturday 7 June from 1-4pm. We are very grateful to the family society for all the work that they are putting into this and we are confident it will be as successful as our inaugural event last year. We hope to see you here.

Find out more about the event and what’s in store here

This weekend we have cricket fixtures against both Blundell’s and West Buckland for the U12, U13 and U14 teams. I wish them all the best for some great cricket in the sunshine.

Have a lovely weekend.

Homestay support

We work with Gabbitas Homestay to provide accommodation for international pupils in our sixth form. If you are interested in finding out more about being a host family, please Gabbitas here.

 

Jazz Supper

On Thursday 3 July at 6.30pm, the main hall will be transformed into an atmospheric jazz club where the audience can enjoy a light meal with wine and the relaxed atmosphere of the end of the school year. The concert will feature Swunk, Jazz Bank 1, Jazz Band 2, Swunkette, and more……

Ticket Prices Adult £12 / Child £8

This price includes a light supper and two drinks – please pre-book your place by Thursday 19 June.

Click here to book your ticket

Exeter Music Holiday School

Exeter Music Holiday School will be open over May half term and running workshops for pupils age 5-16, at Countess Wear Community School, with classes in music, drama, musical theatre, song and lyric writing, arts & crafts and forest school among others.

For more information and to book, please click here.

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
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

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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 

@talkeducation @goodschoolsguide @muddystilettosschools

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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

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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

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1st XI and 15A vs Blundell's - 10 May 2025

Ten Tors Challenge 2025

U6 graduation - 8 May 2025

Cricket vs Wellington - 3 May 2025

Open mic night - May 2025

4F residential, Brenscombe - May 2025

U6 leavers' fun

CCF Adventure Training, Snowdonia - April 2025

Senior co-curricular update

Following an action-packed summer term of trips and activities, we would like to give you an overview of what pupils can look forward to over the coming few weeks. This is by no means an exhaustive list but highlights the key events that are planned for the first half term. More information will be communicated in due course by the teachers responsible for each activity.

Whole school

Monday 2 June: INSET day

Saturday 7 June: school fete, 1–4pm

Thursday 12 June: Charity Committee meeting, 1.20pm

Friday 13 June: EDI committee meeting with guest speaker, 1.20pm

Wednesday 18 June: BBQ lunch day on the field

Friday 20 June: field day

Wednesday 25 June: whole school council, 12.50pm

Friday 27 June: Speech day

Tuesday 1 July: Chamber Concert, 7.30pm at St Margaret’s Topsham

Thursday 3 July: Jazz Supper, 6.30pm in the Main Hall

Friday 4 July: LAMDA showcase, 4–6pm

Tuesday 8 July: House day

Lower School

Monday 19 – Friday 23 May: internal exams for Third Form and Fourth Form

Thursday 22 May: 3C parent drop in to the archives, 4–6pm

Monday 16 – Thursday 19 June: lower school play rehearsals during school day

Thursday 19 June: 3D parent drop in to the archives, 4–6pm

Monday 23 & Tuesday 24 June: lower school play, 7.30pm in the Main Hall

Thursday 3 July: 3W parent drop in to the archives, 4–6pm

Middle School

Monday 19 – Friday 23 May: internal exams for Lower Fifth

Friday 6 – Sunday 8 June: L5/M5 canoeing trip on the Wye, departing 3.00pm

Friday 20 – Sunday 22: M5 silver DofE expedition, Quantock

Friday 20 – Saturday 21: L5 bronze DofE expedition, Widdecombe

Wednesday 25 June: Sixth Form induction evening for current U5 pupils, 5.30pm in the Music Hall

Sunday 6 – Friday 11 July: M5– U6 CCF army camp

Thursday 10 – Sunday 27 July: U5/L6 Kenya expedition

Sixth Form

Wednesday 21 May: Lower Sixth exams begin

Monday 9 – Friday 13 June: Lower Sixth futures week (off timetable)

Thursday 19 – Sunday 22: L6 DofE gold practice expedition, Dartmoor

Tuesday 24 June: L6 geography trip to Lyme Regis

Wednesday 25 June: L6 art trip to Plymouth College of Art

Thursday 26 June: U6 leavers’ dinner at the RAMM, 6.30pm

Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 July: U6 DofE gold expedition

Sunday 6 – Friday 11 July: M5–U6 CCF army camp

Thursday 10 – Sunday 27 July: U5/L6 Kenya expedition

Follow Us

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 

@talkeducation @goodschoolsguide @muddystilettosschools
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