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Admissions & Enrolment
At what age can children join the school?
Children can join Exeter Cathedral School at any age between 3 and 13 (Nursery to Year 8).
What are the ages of each of the year groups?
- Nursery: ages 3-4
- Reception: ages 4-5
- Year 1: ages 5-6
- Year 2: ages 6-7
- Year 3: ages 7-8
- Year 4: ages 8-9
- Year 5: ages 9-10
- Year 6: ages 10-11
- Year 7: ages 11-12
- Year 8: ages 12-13
What is the admissions process?
Our admissions process is as follows:
- Enquire
- Have a school tour
- Have a taster day (your child)
- Register your place
- School to obtain current school reference (if applicable)
- Receive offer letter
- Accept your place
Click here for more info.
How do I apply for a place at the school for my child?
To apply for a place for your child at Exeter Cathedral School, please enquire using this form or contact our friendly admissions team directly via:
What is your catchment area?
Our families are spread over a wide area, with many in Exeter’s city centre and others further afield.
Does Exeter Cathedral School offer scholarships?
Yes. Exeter Cathedral School’s scholarship programme, ECS Awards, is for pupils (internal and external) in Years 7 & 8. Pupils are assessed in the January before they enter Year 7.
Do you offer younger sibling discounts?
Yes, there is a 10% reduction on the termly tuition fee for younger siblings whilst two or more children are at Exeter Cathedral School. Please note that this discount only applies for younger siblings in Reception and above.
How do I arrange a tour of the school?
To arrange a school tour, please complete our enquiry form or contact our friendly admissions team directly via:
How do I arrange a taster day for my child?
To arrange a taster day, please complete our enquiry form or contact our friendly admissions team directly via:
How many pupils go on to get scholarships for senior schools after Year 8?
Since 2016, 75% of Year 8s have earned a Scholarship or Exhibition to their chosen senior school each year.
Do Choristers receive a discount off termly fees?
Yes, Choristers receive a 25% discount on tuition fees from the Dean and Chapter.
Does Exeter Cathedral School offer bursaries?
Yes, means tested bursaries are available at Exeter Cathedral School.
Bursaries at Exeter Cathedral School take the form of reduced tuition fees. Bursary provision is available for full-time pupils (e.g. from Reception to Year 8) and is means-tested. The school uses the reputable external organisation Bursary Administration Limited to assess the appropriate level of support. Bursaries are reviewed annually.
How do I apply for a bursary?
We recommend that you begin by contacting our admissions team, requesting information about our bursaries. You can do this through our enquiry form, or direct via:
Applications for bursaries are then made to the Director of Finance & Operations, with our team guiding you through the application process.
Do you offer Armed Forces discounts?
Yes, there is a 10% reduction on the tuition fee for children of serving regular personnel (serving members of the regular Armed Forces).
School Life & Values
What charitable work does Exeter Cathedral School do?
It is in our DNA to give back.
Charity of the Year: Our Charities Coordinator works with our pupils to choose the school’s Charity of the Year (previous charities include The Wave Project, Jay’s Aim, Balloons). Our annual Charity Concert raises a significant amount of money, with last year’s raising over £4,000 from the concert alone.
Defibrillator: In 2023, we worked with local charity Jay’s Aim and GM Insurance Brokers to install the Cathedral Green’s first ever outdoor, publicly-accessible defibrillator, which is situated on one of the school’s walls. Its central location makes it one of Exeter’s most valuable, life-saving defibrillators. Click here to read the story.
Beach clean: At least once a year we gather staff, pupils and parents in our school community to do a beach clean on Exmouth Beach, with litter-picking bags kindly provided by Surfers Against Sewage.
Food donations: Every week, we provide food for Exeter’s local homelessness charity, St Petrock’s, which usually equates to 1 large gastro – enough to feed approx. 30 adults. We have also run whole-school food collections during Harvest Festival for Foodbank.
Where is the school located?
Exeter Cathedral School is nestled safely in the lee of Exeter Cathedral:
Our Nursery and Pre-Prep School are in the Cathedral Close.
Our Prep School is on Palace Gate, and other specialist departments are clustered in the North-West corner of the Cathedral Green.
When was Exeter Cathedral School founded?
Exeter Cathedral School was founded in 1179 – the year of the school’s earliest written reference.
How do you prepare pupils for senior school?
Through teaching that is tailored to the individual, remarkable Common Entrance preparation, our Senior Enrichment Programme, our ECS Futures programme and utilising our fantastic relationships with the South West’s top senior schools to find the right school for each child.
How do you accommodate different religious beliefs?
We welcome children of all faiths and none: whatever one’s religious leanings, there is a spirituality to be found in collective stillness; in gathering together in quiet; in being mindful together.
Click here to find out more about spiritual life at Exeter Cathedral School.
How do you deal with bullying?
Please see our Anti-Bullying Policy, which can be found here on our Policies page.
What is the percentage split of girls and boys?
Our current gender split is 43% girls, 57% boys.
Do you offer learning support?
Yes.
Click here to find out more about learning support at Exeter Cathedral School.
What pastoral care do you offer?
Exeter Cathedral School is known throughout Exeter for its high-quality pastoral care. Our carefully structured pastoral care system, and the dedicated and highly skilled staff with key pastoral responsibilities, mean that pupil wellbeing and welfare is always top of our priority list.
Click here to find out more.
What are the school hours?
We open at 07h30 for Early Club, and close at 18h30 once After-School Care has finished for the day.
Is Exeter Cathedral School the oldest school in Exeter?
Yes. Exeter Cathedral School is the oldest school in Exeter, with the earliest written reference dating back to 1179.
Is Exeter Cathedral School part of Exeter Cathedral?
In 2014, Exeter Cathedral School became legally and financially separate from our friends and neighbours at Exeter Cathedral.
Academics & Opportunities
What sports do you offer?
Our major team sports are hockey, cross-country, rugby, netball, cricket (for all) and athletics, and we offer a great range of sporting clubs and activities (both recreational and competitive) after school.
What sports facilities do you have?
We train and play at the world-class Exeter University Sports Hub, including the AstroTurf pitches, Indoor Cricket Nets, Covered Tennis Courts and the Indoor Sports Hall. Exeter Cricket Club and County Ground; Exeter Athletics Arena; and Victoria Park Tennis Club.
All of these first-rate venues are a few moments away in one of our minibuses, allowing our pupils and staff to make the most of the best sporting facilities in the city.
What musical opportunities do you offer?
Pupils have the privilege of regularly performing inside the magnificent venue of Exeter Cathedral, and can play as part of the following ensembles:
- 3 School choirs (Years 3 & 4 Choir, Years 5 & 6 Choir, Years 7 & 8 Choir)
- Orchestra I & II
- Flutopia
- Bash Street Kids
- Recorders
- Years 4 & 5 Drummers and Singers
- School of Rock
- The Red Hot Chili Preppers
- Jazz Band
- Rhythm Stix
- Arco Ensemble
- Big Band
What instruments can my child learn at Exeter Cathedral School?
We have several Visiting Music Teachers who teach the following instruments: Drums, Voice, Piano, Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, French Horn, Bassoon, Oboe, Violin, Viola, Cello, Recorder, Cornet, Trumpet, Guitar, Bass Guitar
What residential trips do you offer?
We offer a range of residential trips throughout the school. Past residential trips include PGL, Skern Lodge (North Devon), Year 8 Camp on Dartmoor and Modern Foreign Language trips to France.
What does the school offer in terms of Wrap-Around Care?
Early Club is offered from 07h30 each day, and After-School-Care is available until 18h30.
Click here for more information.
Does the school offer boarding?
Exeter Cathedral School is no longer offering boarding from September 2024.
Logistics & Practicalities
What transport options are available?
We are pleased to offer our Shuttle Bus service to pupils of Exeter Cathedral School via the following pick-up locations:
- Darts Farm
- Aldi (Topsham Road)
Please click here to find out more.
Where can I buy school uniform and sports kit?
New
Exeter Cathedral School’s uniform and sports kit can be purchased online via Stevensons.
Second-hand
The School also offers an ‘As-New Uniform’ shop. Good quality ‘as new’ ECS-specific items are often available. Items are stored on site, and can be requested (subject to availability) by contacting the volunteer-run shop via: [email protected]
Is there parking at the school?
Yes. We have pre-allocated parking bays for staff and a visitor car park on Palace Gate.
My child has food allergies. Can these be accommodated?
Yes. We pass on any allergies/intolerances to our dedicated Food Allergy Champion as part of our catering team, Thomas Franks Ltd.
Do you have a vegetarian or vegan lunch option?
We serve hot and cold vegetarian options every day, and vegan options on request, including a jacket potato or pasta and sauce.
