The last few months have seen political change in this country, with a new government taking office just a few weeks ago, and with manifestos and pledges covering the news and media. In the independent education sector, the arrival of a new government means that we face a new challenge, the imposition of VAT on school fees for the first time and here at Exeter School, as in all schools like ours, we are working hard on our plans to move the school forward once this new policy is in place. Our aim has been always to be clear and transparent with parents about what the impact of this additional cost will be, and also to look for ways that any additional costs can be mitigated, where possible. Finally, we want parents to be reassured that we understand the challenges of paying fees, and that we stand alongside them, doing all we can to help to soften the financial blow. We never take their commitment and loyalty for granted.
Whilst of course anything that increases the cost of education to parents might be seen as a barrier, we are very lucky to be starting from a very strong position with respect to the value that we deliver, particularly in comparison with other independent schools locally. The Times newspaper publishes its Parent Power league tables annually. For the 2024 year, based on public exam results from August 2023, there are 38 southwest schools in the league table. Only three of them charge fees lower than we do, and some are more than twice our fees. Two of these schools admit girls only, and none of them beats us on academic results – indeed, two of the three schools are in bottom five schools in the southwest by this academic measure, whilst we are seventh, and are the only one of these schools in the top 100 nationally. So, we offer brilliant value for money for our families and can offer an excellent education for their sons and their daughters.
We also offer so much more than just academic outcomes. Of course, we know that exam results are important for families when choosing a school for their children, in fact we recently asked our parents why they chose Exeter School and it won’t surprise you to know that the quality of our academic success is key. But they are also looking for so much more than that, small class sizes, expert, experienced teachers who are qualified in the subject that they are teaching and passionate about instilling this love of learning in this pupils, and exciting learning and teaching opportunities in well-resourced classrooms are a given. They appreciate the high-quality learning support offered for pupils with additional needs, and the exceptional pastoral care which means that their children are known, valued and celebrated as individuals within the community.
But actually, what adds the real Exonian value? What is it that builds the character of our pupils and sees them emerge so confidently and positively from their life at school with so many choices ahead of them? what parents and pupils really love is the enrichment and co-curricular activities that pupils pursue with such vim and vigour as Exonians. When I was appointed here my predecessor said to me, “remember Louise, we are not a boarding school, we are a day school, plus, plus, plus”. He was absolutely right and there cannot be many day schools who offer as much beyond the classroom as we do. There are sports, arts, adventurous activities, service opportunities, academic enrichment, and clubs and societies ranging from Warhammer to Star Wars, board games, chess and Carnegie Club. In the music department we have over 500 individual music lessons a week and ensembles for voice and instruments packed into a busy schedule. The art and DT studios are bursting with the pupils’ amazing creative productions, and in drama we have over 80 pupils doing LAMDA lessons (and scoring top grades in their exams) at any one time. Nine pupils were selected for the national youth theatre this year – from a total of 700 (that’s 1.3% of the whole national cohort are Exonians). Amazing. And the vast majority of this is delivered within the fees – not as a bolt on or extra that appears at the end of the end of term bill.
When I talk to former pupils the things that they loved at school are largely passions which developed beyond the curriculum – things which really did add value to their lives, and in many cases have shaped their adult lives and the direction of their careers. It is this which adds value to the whole life of an Exeter pupil, and the reason that our parents make such sacrifices and show such commitment to the school – they see their children developing and thriving in ways that they did not feel possible. And you cannot put a price on that.
