Admissions Information 2021 Entry
Welcome
Thank you for considering Exeter School for your child. Exeter School is one of the leading schools in the South West and top performing independent secondary school in Devon (The Sunday Times Parent Power table 2020). We are academically selective and all pupils joining the Junior and Senior School sit an entrance assessment. My admissions team aim to make the process of applying for a place as smooth as possible and we are here to answer any questions you may have. Exeter School welcomes boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 18. Our Junior School educates children from Year 3 (7+) until the end of Year 6 (10+), after which they move across into the Senior School. You are welcome to visit the school, either on an open event or by coming for an individual visit, or both. We know that choosing a school for your child is a big decision and we want you to be happy with whichever choice you make. This booklet contains information about the admissions process, entrance assessments, fees, bursaries and key dates. If you have any other questions, or just want to talk through the next steps please contact us. You are always welcome to book a tour, attend one of our drama productions and concerts or chat to us about the next steps. We look forward to seeing you at Exeter School in the near future.
Liz Williams Director of Admissions and Marketing
The Admissions Process
techniques are required. Calculators are not allowed.
At 16+ (Sixth Form) the admissions process involves the following:
Computer Based Assessment: There will also be an element of testing using computers. The test asks questions based on English and mathematics and nonverbal reasoning, which includes multiple choice, drag and drop and complete the word answers. The content is the same as required for the written English and mathematics papers. This innovative test provides a reliable, fair and comprehensive assessment for children whatever their educational background. The test is deliberately designed to be taken without any prior practice.
• An interview with the Head.
At 13+ the following papers will be set: English: This paper will contain a reading exercise designed to assess candidates’ comprehension skills and will also assess candidates’ writing skills by requiring them to construct a written piece of an argumentative, informative or imaginative nature.
Junior School
Senior School
Entry to the Junior School usually takes place at 7+ and 9+, but children may also enter at other ages where places are available. Selection is by assessment and a report/reference from the child’s current school once they have been confirmed as a candidate.
Entry to the Senior School can take place at 11+, 13+ or at 16+ for the Sixth Form, but applicants may also enter at other ages where places are available. Entry is by assessment and at 16+ by interview. In each case a report/reference will be requested from the applicant’s current school once they have been confirmed as a candidate.
During the assessment pupils will be given an opportunity to demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills as appropriate for their age. Where possible applicants are encouraged to attend a taster day in the Junior School prior to assessment as this provides an opportunity to meet the Headmistress, staff and current pupils. Assessments for entry in September 2021 will be held on Saturday 30 January 2021.
Entrance assessments for entry to the Senior School in September 2021 will take place on Wednesday 6 and/or Saturday 9 January 2021 (tbc). Sample papers are available upon request. Sixth Form interview days are held between November 2020 and April 2021. At 11+ the following papers will be set: English: This paper will contain a reading exercise designed to assess candidates’ comprehension skills. Candidates will also be asked to write a whole text such as a descriptive piece or story. Mathematics: This paper will test competence in basic arithmetic and fractions (not including multiplication or division of decimals). Other questions will be designed to test the ability to solve problems using numerical skills for which no special
Computer Based Assessment: There will also be an element of testing using computers. The test asks questions based on English and mathematics and nonverbal reasoning, which includes multiple choice, drag and drop and complete the word answers. The content is the same as required for the written English and mathematics papers. This innovative test provides a reliable, fair and comprehensive assessment for children whatever their educational background. The test is deliberately designed to be taken without any prior practice. Mathematics: Questions are similar in style and content to those at 11+ but include some additional age-appropriate material including basic algebra, angle facts, harder fraction operations and measurement of area and volume, amongst others. Calculators are not allowed. Science: Short questions based on the content expected to have been covered by the time of the 13+ examinations in biology, chemistry and physics in the style of typical Key Stage 3 assessments. Calculators are allowed.
• Interviews with the Heads of Departments of the 4 subjects the applicant wishes to study at A Level. These are designed to discover a candidate’s motivation, future potential and existing subject knowledge. • An interview with the Head of Sixth Form. • Evaluation of a reference provided by the candidate’s present school. • An assessment of extra-curricular commitments and skills already possessed by the candidate in such areas as the arts, music, outdoor activities and sport. • A computer-based cognitive abilities (CAT4) test. Interviews are held on specified days between November and April or by arrangement. The offer of a place is conditional on a minimum GCSE grade requirement of three subjects at grade 7 and 3 subjects at grade 6, to include English and mathematics. A registration form is provided with the prospectus or can be downloaded from our website at www.exeterschool.org. uk/admissions/registration-form. The appropriate registration fee is payable with each completed registration form. Completed registration forms applying for September 2021 entry must be received by 1 December 2020; applications for September 2021 entry made after this closing date will incur an additional charge of £50.
Fees, Bursaries and Scholarships Director of Admissions and Marketing once they have confirmed their child is a candidate for the coming year, the child has been registered, and the registration fee paid. All applications for support for the year 2021/22 must be received by 5 January 2021. The assessment process will include a home visit by an agent employed by the school. As a general guide, gross parental income will need to be below £60,000 per annum to be considered for a bursary.
Free Places As part of its bursary programme, Exeter School is able to offer up to eight free places in the Senior School and Sixth Form as a result of donations and legacies from former pupils, and grants from a local charity: •T he Foundation Bursaries, funded from alumni legacies and gifts, will offer free places for up to three pupils entering the school at 11+ (Year 7). • T he St John’s Hospital Educational Foundation grant will offer up to three full bursaries for Sixth Form entry.
Fees and Charges
Bursaries and Scholarships
Registration Fee: £100 (£150 after 1 December 2020 for 2021 entry)
Exeter School aims to be as accessible as possible to boys and girls who would benefit from its academic, cultural, sporting and wide extra-curricular provision. The Governors of the school recognise that many of its parents have to make personal sacrifices to secure their children’s education and fees are set at levels which represent excellent value for money, particularly in light of the opportunities offered by the school. Awards fall into two categories:
Acceptance Deposit: £400 Junior School Tuition Fee: £4,175 per term (inclusive of lunches) Senior School Tuition Fee: £4,675 per term Senior School lunches are charged termly in advance. Fees for the spring term 2021 will be published later in the year. Senior School Lunches Autumn term 2020 Spring term 2021 Summer term 2021
£277.20 £222.60 £210.00
Termly instalment scheme – a monthly direct debit payment scheme is available to all parents to spread the cost of each term’s fees over four monthly payments. For further information about fees and charges please see the current parent contract (terms and conditions) available on our website.
Bursaries Bursaries are means-tested awards based on parental circumstances and are awarded on an annual basis. They are available to external candidates who meet the school’s academic entry requirement and whose parents could not afford to send their child to Exeter School without financial assistance. The financial support available through the school’s bursary programme is very limited and applications must be supported by a full, written, verified statement of financial circumstances. Parents who wish their children to be considered for a bursary should make an application by completing the application form available from the
• T he George Williams Bursaries will offer up to two free places to study the sciences at Sixth Form. These bursaries have been made possible by a generous bequest and continuing donations from the estate of a prominent deceased former pupil. The generosity of our alumni and others with connections to the school is central to our being able to provide the large amount of support we can give to bright children from families in modest circumstances; families who would otherwise be unable to take advantage of our splendid facilities and firstclass education.
Entrance Scholarships and Exhibitions These awards take the form of a prize to top performers in the entrance assessments and examinations taken in January. These prizes are presented to the pupils at Speech Day in the September of entry. They are awarded at 7+ (year 3), 11+ (year 7) and 13+ (year 9).
Music Scholarships and Exhibitions These awards recognise musical talent and achievement and are available to both internal and external candidates who have satisfied the school’s academic requirements for entry. Parents who wish their child to be considered for a music award must complete a music awards application form available from the Director of Admissions and Marketing. Awards are made as follows: 13+ (Year 9) •O ne scholarship offering a 10% remission against school fees. • Exhibitions which assist with the cost of music lessons. 16+ (Year 12) • Up to three scholarships offering a 10% remission against school fees. • Exhibitions which assist with the cost of music lessons. 13+ (Year 9) or 16+ (Year 12) • The Sammy Sargent Music Scholarship. This top music scholarship offers a remission of 25% against school fees.
Important Dates
2021 Wednesday 23 September
Virtual Autumn Open Evening: 5 .30-6.30pm Junior School 7-8pm Senior School
Tuesday 3 November
Sixth Form/Whole School Open Evening: 5.30-8pm*
Tuesday 24 November
Sixth Form Interview Day
Saturday 28 November
Inspiring Minds@Exeter School 7+ and 8+*
Tuesday 1 December
Closing date for 2021 Senior School entry registrations
Friday 11 December
Junior and Senior School Open Morning: 9.30am-12.30pm*
2021 Tuesday 5 January Closing date for 2021 entry bursary applications Saturday 9 January
Senior School Entrance Examinations: 11+, 12+, 13+ and 14+
Thursday 7 January
Sixth Form Interview Day
Friday 8 January
Closing date for 2021 Junior School entry registrations
Friday 8 January
Closing date for Music Award applications
Wednesday 20 January
‘Into the Sixth Form’ Open Evening: 5.30-8pm*
Thursday 21 January
Sixth Form Interview Day
Friday 22 January
Music Scholarship Auditions
Saturday 30 January
Junior School Entrance Assessments: 7+, 8+, 9+ and 10+
Tuesday 9 February
Sixth Form Interview Day
Monday 8 March
Sixth Form Interview Day
Friday 12 March
Junior and Senior School Open Morning: 9.30am-12.30pm*
Saturday 20 March
Inspiring Minds@Exeter School 9+ and 10+
Monday 26 April
Sixth Form Interview Day
Tuesday 8 June
Junior and Senior School Open Morning: 9.30am-12.30pm*
* Date and format of the event to be confirmed. For more information about admission to Exeter School please contact: Admissions Office, Exeter School, Victoria Park Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 4NS Telephone: 01392 273679 Email: admissions@exeterschool.org.uk
Victoria Park Road Exeter, Devon EX2 4NS 01392 273679 www.exeterschool.org.uk @ExeterSchoolUK