The Good Schools’ Guide Review School Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory School For boys and girls aged 3-13 years Day school and boarding

www.exetercs.org

Welcome from the Chair of Governors of

I am delighted to invite you to read this report which features in the 2012 Good Schools’ Guide. As you will see in this independent `fly-on-the wall’ review, Exeter Cathedral School is a very special place and I was personally, extremely proud, to read this assessment which I believe is a testament to the hard work, creativity and enthusiasm of every member of this exceptional school community. If you are considering finding a new school for your son or daughter, I’d like to encourage you to arrange a visit to see some of our inspirational children, and teachers, in action. During your tour you will be able to witness first-hand, some of the many, varied and exciting activities which go on every day here - from our two and three year olds taking their first school steps in our Nursery, through to the dizzy heights of our highly accomplished Year 8 pupils, now preparing for senior school entry, many with an array of academic, music, drama and sports scholarships to their names. I know, from personal experience, as well as reports from others, that the Headmaster, Stephen Yeo and his dedicated team will make you most welcome.

The Very Reverend Jonathan Draper Dean of Exeter and Chair of the Governors, Exeter Cathedral School Our View WW2 Baedeker raid on Exeter scored a direct hit on school’s previous buildings, killing the then Head’s daughter and forcing a temporary evacuation to Axminster. Still the huggermugger of a place it was when we last visited. ECS has since been cobbled together out of former archdeaconries and canonries plus a post-war carbuncle of an auditorium whose days could soon be numbered. Lots of to-ing and fro-ing through security keypads for older pupils and staff alike. One of 44 choral schools in the UK, and of only three surviving 8-13 preps in . Also, only independent school left in Exeter to retain boarding.

Royal blue tartans and sunny sweatshirts complement the happy atmosphere of the Early Years section in Hall House. Safest of outside spaces includes all-weather, rubber-based and grassed play areas as well as a hideaway section where children can at least feel unobserved. Echoes of Frances Hodgson Burnett in this lovely ‘secret garden’.

Well-worn flagstones lead down to nursery and Echoes of Frances Reception classes, where we watched children in small Hodgson Burnett groups enjoying varied literacy and numeracy activities. “ in this lovely ‘secret Atmosphere in this area ‘mirrors the home,’ Pre-Prep garden’.” Head (Queensland-trained) Katie Fisher told us. She prefers to ‘pick and choose’ best elements of learning schemes available. Careful planning by staff, small groups and top-rate liaison with parents (no escaping pre-reading duties here) get these little ones off to a flying start. We liked the whole feel of the place: obviously warm relationships and free flow between the Early Years classrooms. Ground floor classrooms (Years 1 to 3) have more of a sit up and take notice feel about We liked the whole them. We particularly liked the inviting Pre-Prep feel of the place: library and the music room. French club, music “ activities, swimming and PE all get under way from obviously warm Reception upwards. Class and individual music lessons relationships and begin from seven years old, and there is a junior free flow between choir for Pre-Prep pupils. One Year 3 boy talked to the Early Years us about his recent mechanical invention (as part of a classrooms. cross-curricular challenge) with the confidence of an 11-year-old. Learning support kicks in from Reception ” if appropriate, and we saw one boy in Year 1 receiving one-to-one help. By the time pupils reach Year 3 there are two classes, and these pupils spend mornings in their Hall House classroom and afternoons in The Chantry or other areas in the prep itself, which helps make the transfer at Year 4 pretty seamless. ‘Not a nerdy school,’ affirmed the Head over breakfast in the efficiently-managed if unexciting dining area. Girls and boys seemed relaxed and talked unpretentiously about everything and anything: reassuringly bling and mobile phone free whenever we saw them. Parents we met soon afterwards at a FECS (F stands for ‘Friends of’) coffee morning in the Head’s lounge purred about their offspring being ‘able to take steps here they might not take elsewhere’. FECS does a lot to help the school and staff/parent relationships are genuinely warm. A la Clockwise, we had a splendid view from the Head’s study of Lowryesque figures playing all manner of games in the seemingly Victorian playground (soon to be revamped as part of a pupil initiative). Adjacent Eyre House dates back to Georgian times and accommodates some 20 or so chorister and flexi-boarders. Likeable, energetic houseparents are backed up by a live-in tutor and gappers from Pembroke College, Adelaide. Boarding house provides better than basic accommodation with good recreational facilities which include a ‘bistro’ and games room. Pianos in the dormitories and some practice rooms allow boarders to squeeze in an after- breakfast run-through on their instruments.

School begins with daily Morning Worship (whole Able to take steps school on Mondays) in vast Cathedral Chapter House here they might not led by Lay Chaplain or by clergy (we met an “ take elsewhere. enthusiastic ‘missioner canon’ cum mum preparing an assembly). Mix of teaching styles mirrors the ‘lovely ” assortment’ of characters in the staff room. Children here seem to adapt themselves to very different learning environments. Food tech, DT, music and the science classes we observed were all very hands-on, whilst an impressively academic Year 8 English class was stuck into the poetry of Ted Hughes. French also appears popular, and before they leave ECS pupils get to stay at Château Baudonnière for a week’s activity in a French-speaking environment. Parents we consulted are in no doubt about the high levels of pastoral and academic support children receive. ‘My son enjoys doing proper homework set by teachers who actually mark it,’ commented one parental escapee from a state primary. There is a reading culture at ECS, and closure of the SPCK bookshop across the Close resulted in an unexpected upgrade for the well-stocked and properly-supervised library.

Music certainly counts for a lot, but pupils and parents insist that non-musicians are not in any way marginalised. Choir school status is icing on a rich musical cake: full orchestra, big band, choirs and ensembles with lots of concerts and performances. ‘Children enjoy their music here and no-one is forced to do extra,’ said one parent whose daughter had been turned off elsewhere by too much pressure. Watching the choristers practise in the cathedral before evensong was an uplifting experience: to be ‘so accomplished so young’ is a rarity these days. Deputy director of music leads Devon County Junior Choir, and when we visited was away doing outreach work in North Devon primary schools. Art is also strong here, with a recent auction (including pupils’ work) helping to raise £14K towards the building of Langalanga School in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Well resourced IT room is sensibly managed as a tool rather than a master. Hooray.

Music certainly counts for a lot, but pupils and parents insist that “ non-musicians are not in any way marginalised. Choir school status is icing on a rich musical cake.” Gifted pupils are stretched, and recent top scholarships at 13+ prove the point; about 10 per cent of ECS pupils receive learning support at various levels. Two children on LS register recently obtained places at . Range of SpLD includes dyscalculia. One boy currently receives financial help from local Recent top authority. Extraction from classes but children scholarships don’t miss academic lessons. Well-qualified, “ experienced LS staff get praise from parents. LSCo at 13+ prove also teaches mainstream English. Curriculum and the point. pastoral matters seem to be in capable hands. Welfare of choristers (whose working hours would be deemed” anti-social in other places) receives special consideration. Small termly stipend paid directly to warblers goes down well.

Sport is surprisingly strong; pupils get to play plenty of other SW independents and aim is to get everyone involved somewhere. Lack of immediate playing fields has led school to use some top facilities in a traditionally sporty city. All-weather surfaces at the main university campus, other facilities at St Luke’s and outside the city at Pinhoe complete the mix. Cricket is played at the county ground whilst judo, squash, swimming are all catered for. Climbing, kayaking, cross- Dartmoor walk and annual expedition add to the excitement. Teams generally punch above their weight and some pupils make representative teams. Drama is a popular activity: recent production of Treasure Island involved large numbers and scored a hit with parents. Food not an issue, though we would have liked to see rather more imagination and variety. Hospitable houseparents invite boarders to their flat for Saturday supper. Small payment only for reliable after- school arrangements (including ‘little tea’) for day pupils of all ages.

Big on encouragement: willing hands will thrive here. Tradition of choral singing goes back into mists of time. ECS is much more than a choir school these days. Combination of down-to-earth parents, busy children and sometimes quirky teachers has created something distinctive and endearing. Headmaster Since Easter 2011, Mr Stephen Yeo BMus LTCL NPQH (early fifties). A chorister at The Cathedral School, Llandaff prior to music scholarship at King’s College, Taunton. Studied music at Sheffield then at Trinity College, London. Unusual career path took him first to top-notch senior schools in Ireland. Later, became Head of Music and Creative Arts at selective King Edward VI, Handsworth followed by three years at Bedales as Director of Studies. Came to Exeter Cathedral School after five years as Head of Lyndhurst School in Camberley, Surrey. ‘School fits him like a glove,’ chorus parents, who find him ’warm, approachable and down to earth.’ Certainly has right credentials for this job. Mother we spoke to commented that he had been able to ‘restore kudos to the choristers’ whilst taking care not to create an élite. Understands what it ‘feels like’ to be at a prep school like this. One father praised Head for ‘being at every event come rain or shine.’ Has brought a welcome air of calm authority – ‘school has knack of getting the right man for the job,’ remarked another parent. Married to Catherine (modern languages graduate, SRN and midwife) with four sons – three of whom have already entered the family business, youngest completing his degree at Cardiff looks set to follow. Even father-in-law was a housemaster at Ackworth.

Lives above the shop in Hall House (a former archdeaconry) and throws open his capacious lounge whenever appropriate for entertaining parents and/or pupils. Puts emphasis on nurturing rather than pressurising pupils. A former lay-vicar choral in cathedral choirs at St Patrick’s, Dublin and Lichfield, Stephen Yeo oozes choral music but (he confesses) ‘probably over- compensates for a lack of sportiness by supporting games to the hilt’. Very much his own man; loves campanology, cycling, walking in Ireland and along the mid-Wales coastline. Seems to know how to build a successful school, so watch this space. Entrance

Nursery voucher scheme recently reintroduced. Entry to prep by interview plus taster day. Voice trials for choristers. Help available for those in genuine need. Range of top-up bursaries. Choristerships worth 25 per cent (boys) or 20 per cent (girls) off tuition fee. Full academic range includes mild to moderate SENs.

Exit

Most stay to 13 to maximise on prep as opposed to junior school experience. Good cluster of music and academic scholarships, mainly to all stations south-west of Bath. Head wants to ‘cast net further afield’ where appropriate. We found one leaver weighing up offers from Eton and Canford. Interesting. Former pupils include 14th century theologian Boniface; more recently, bass player Orlando le Fleming; Chris Martin – lead singer of Coldplay; Good cluster of Hampshire CCC manager, Giles White. More play and “ music and academic less pray these days. scholarships.”

Exeter Cathedral School The Chantry, Palace Gate, Exeter, Devon EX1 1HX Tel: 01392 255298 Designed AB • www.ab-uk.com by

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