Exeter Junior

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What it's like

Founded 1633 as a boys school, it has been co-educational since 1997. It is close to the city centre and the school has a distinct building and play area on the 25-acre site which it shares with the senior school. The school's aim is to encourage pupils to delight in the natural world and to prepare them both to explore and contribute to the challenges of society. It benefits from the sports facilities, shared with the senior school, and is successful in sport, particularly hockey. Transfer to the senior school is automatic and the vast majority of pupils go on to Exeter School.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 7–11, 161 day pupils (99 boys, 62 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 8. Entrance is academically selective: own informal assessments and report from previous school. 2 classes (Years 3-4), increasing to 3 (Years 5-6); classes usually of 16–20 (never more than 24). No special skills or religious requirements but school has Christian affiliation.

Scholarships & bursaries

2 academic scholarship prizes at age 7; up to 6 means-tested Governors' Awards at age 7 and 8.

Parents

15+% of parents are doctors, lawyers etc; 15+% in industry and commerce. Over 60% live within 30 miles.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Mrs Alison J Turner, in post since 2006. Educated at Surrey University. Teaching staff: 10 full-time, 3 part-time. Average age 41.

Exam results

Pupils took Key Stage 2 assessments until 2009; all achieved Level 4 standard, 87% Level 5. Some 15% of pupils gain entrance scholarships to the senior school.

Pupils' destinations

90+% go on to Exeter School; entrance from the junior school is automatic, subject to satisfactory continual assessment.

Curriculum

All National Curriculum subjects taught. Senior school staff teach eg music, Year 6 science, French and DT. Specialist subject teachers introduced from age 7. Timetabled PSHE lessons, to reinforce pastoral element of school life. Special provision: dyslexia screening for all pupils on entry and specialist learning support available from subject specialists. Also caters for gifted and talented pupils. Languages: French taught and Italian club from age 7. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. All pupils have access to computers from age 7.

The arts

Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. 5 musical groups, including orchestra, string group. Annual concert. All pupils involved in school drama productions (The Wind in the Willows recently). Music, drama and art all offered as extra-curricular activities.

Sports & activities

Compulsory sports: football, rugby, hockey, netball, athletics, rounders, swimming. On-site sports facilities shared with senior school: sports field, astroturf and all-weather courts, sports hall, fitness suite, dance studio, squash courts, outdoor heated swimming pool. Fixtures against many independent West Country schools. U11 national hardball cricket champions, boys hockey national runners up and girls hockey county champions (2010). Activities: Up to 30 clubs and activities including Italian, Club Creative, chess, handwriting, swimming, drama, Christian Union and various sports eg squash, table tennis, football, rugby, cricket, netball, rounders.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses: Competitive houses. House captains and form captains. Religion: Christian. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Trips abroad include occasional ski trip to the Alps. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals cafeteria-style and compulsory; breaktime snacks only may be brought to school. School shop sells essentials. Most pupils travel to school by school bus or car. Some supervision available before and after school (8.20am to 5pm by arrangement).

Discipline

A system of Pluses and Minuses for behaviour, linked to the house system. Pupils rarely need severe discipline; on the whole, they are thoughtful, considerate and fair minded. Any pupil failing to produce homework on time would be given a verbal reprimand and a note for their parents in the homework diary. Any case of stealing would result in the removal of privileges/free time, a phone call to parents and a letter of apology to pupil stolen from.