EXETER CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
Now for boys and girls aged 0 to 13
Known for Nurturing
Visit us in person and experience how our nurturing approach shapes confident, happy learners through a personal tour with the Headmaster. (For a unique tour with Cathedral Evensong experience, book the 4.30pm slot!)
Our School in Numbers
The percentage of pupils gaining a scholarship at the Senior School of their choice
The percentage of pupils gaining A* – B grades in their end of year assessments
The number of respected Senior Schools we collaborate with, to guarantee Year 9 places for our Year 6 pupils.
The number of Exeter Cathedral School character quality habits that we instil in our pupils
The number of extra-curricular clubs and activities, providing a diverse range of opportunities beyond the classroom
Welcome from
James Featherstone,
Headmaster
At Exeter Cathedral School, your child will be known, valued and inspired every single day. We combine exceptional teaching, excellent academic outcomes and small class sizes to create a learning environment where every pupil is nurtured.
As we look ahead to our 850th anniversary in 2029, we’re proud of our heritage and excited about the future, with ambitious plans to develop our site and enrich the experience we offer.
I would be delighted to welcome you and your family to discover what makes Exeter Cathedral School so special.
What others say about us…
FAQs
Admissions & Joining
We encourage prospective families to make initial contact using our enquiry form, or by contacting us directly via: [email protected] | 01392 255 298.
Our Admissions Manager will then be in touch to discuss next steps, arrange a personal tour and answer any questions you may have.
Please do let us know at this stage if you have any specific questions or requirements such as Learning Support Needs. You can find out more about SEND here.
We understand that sometimes, for a variety of reasons, a child’s current school may not feel like the right fit. Alternatively, you might not be happy with the place your child has been offered. It’s completely OK to explore other options, and we’re here to support families who are looking for a change.
We welcome pupils at different points throughout the year, and our Admissions Team will guide you through every step of the transition. We’ll also work closely with your child’s current school to ensure the move is as smooth and positive as possible. Taster days are available too, so your child can experience life at Exeter Cathedral School before making the leap.
Please do get in touch, we’d be delighted to talk things through with you.
We know that joining a new school is a big step, and we do everything we can to make it a smooth and positive experience. Every child is welcomed into a kind and inclusive community, with pupil buddies and staff support to help them feel at home from day one.
We offer taster days so your child can get to know us before joining, and we work closely with parents to understand each child’s needs and interests, helping them settle quickly and confidently into school life.
Yes. Exeter Cathedral School welcomes pupils at different points throughout the year, provided there is space in the appropriate year group and the child meets the age and maturity requirements.
Exeter Cathedral School provides a comprehensive and balanced curriculum that covers all aspects of learning, including linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human, social, physical, aesthetic, and creative education. The school employs a robust tracking system to inform teachers’ understanding of pupils’ progress, allowing them to adapt their provision in response to the needs identified by assessment data.
Academic & Learning Support
Exeter Cathedral School is committed to nurturing the potential of its most able pupils through a rich and challenging curriculum. Teachers provide tailored academic programmes that extend beyond the standard curriculum, encouraging pupils to engage in higher-order thinking and problem-solving. For instance, in mathematics, the school offers scholarship support that includes advanced algebra and complex problem-solving tasks, preparing students for rigorous entrance and scholarship examinations.
Beyond the classroom, pupils are encouraged to develop their talents through specialist opportunities in music, sport, drama and the arts. Many take part in scholarship preparation, which includes advanced academic tasks, performance coaching, and portfolio work.
Academic leaders at the school employ a robust tracking system that informs teachers’ understanding of pupils’ progress. Teachers adapt their provision based on assessment data, contributing to pupils’ good progress.
Pastoral Care & Wellbeing
Exeter Cathedral School is committed to creating a nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued and supported. The school uses the Thrive Approach to help pupils develop emotional resilience, manage feelings and build positive relationships. Staff are trained to recognise when a child may need extra support and respond with care. Every pupil is known as an individual, and strong pastoral care is at the heart of school life.
The school pays special attention to ensure that new pupils are supported in the early days after joining. This support comes largely through the form teacher and the modeling and promoting of standards of behaviour from all staff and pupils.
Exeter Cathedral School has a clear anti-bullying policy stating that bullying is wrong and not accepted. Pupils are advised to tell someone if they feel they are being bullied, such as a friend, parent, prefect, teacher, or form tutor.
Proud to partner with leading local Senior Schools
We are thrilled to launch our new guaranteed places scheme: ECS Pathway Places. Launching in September 2025, ECS Pathway Places is an innovative collaboration with four of the region’s finest Senior Schools – and our four biggest destination schools – to guarantee a Year 9 place for your child when s/he is in Year 6 at ECS.
Book a visit…
Exeter Cathedral School
The Chantry, Palace Gate,
Exeter, Devon EX1 1HX
Tel: 01392 255 298
Email: [email protected]
