In year school admissions in Exeter

[confusedmomof2]

Hi everyone. We are shifting to Exeter for work reasons. I will need to apply for in year admissions for both my girls - Year 4 & Year 10 in September. Are schools over-subscribed? I am worried more about my older daughter. I understand probably getting admission itself is a tough process but still could you please let me know good secondary schools. We are looking to rent out home around the Monkerton area, Pinhoe. Thanks in advance everyone.

Lots of new homes being built in that area so it could be a bit hit and miss. However, as long as you stay clear of Cranbrook and the schools there then most of the local schools are good. Primary wise both Broad Clyst and Pinhoe have great reputations. St James and Clyst Vale are the better secondary options at the moment, but St Luke's (which you will probably get) is coming out of a bad time and the new head seems to be doing a good job of improvements. It was never bad, but just the weaker of the three schools.

I would reiterate, stay away from Cranbrook though, known locally as Crimebrook. Lots of people love it, it's a new town, but there have been lots of 'problem' families moved out there in one go and it hasn't settled yet.

Thank you @BlackboardMonitorVimes for your prompt response and thanks for updating about Cranbrook. Certain homes we were planning to view are in Cranbrook but we were giving preference to Pinhoe. Homes seem to be flying as well, as soon as we register an interest to view we get an update that someone has registered an offer. So we seem to be going the non-traditional route of finding a home and then a school. Thank you for the reviews about schools too. I could not find any grammar schools in Exeter, but are pretty far away. Is that right?

I live in Exeter, there are lots of good primary schools. Pinhoe, Broadclyst, Monkerton, Westclyst, Clyst heath, heavitree and Stoke hill. Don't know so much about the west side of the river. Exeter doesn't have grammar schools, or sixth form unless you go private. St Peter's, St James, Clyst Vale and St Luke's are all meant to be good, you will hear positives and negatives about all the schools though

Yes grammar schools are in Colyton or Torquay, both quite a distance. There are buses from Exeter taking kids there but to be honest the kids I know that go seem to spend half their day on the bus. There are great private options in Exeter, but most of the state schools are really good.

Thank you @pinkpanther84 @BlackboardMonitorVimes . I don't want them to be travelling that far to school and don't want to spend on private schooling as well. So I guess I will try my luck by checking with the Devon council for places in these schools. Fingers crossed! And yes, I have been reading earlier posts and can see a lot of mixed opinions about the secondary schools but at this stage we can't be selective I guess. Hope the girls get allocated good schools.

It would be helpful to hear more reviews if anyone is willing to share, please. I am confused about how to list the secondary school preferences in the application form. Am I correct to say most secondary schools within the Exeter region seem to be of the same standard?

St Peter’s is probably the best. I would avoid Isca.
Exeter college (there are no state schools with a sixth form in Exeter) has an excellent reputation.

Most of the Exeter schools are under the same academy trust so similar in terms of their programmes and offers but there are variations. From the Pinhoe area St James or St Lukes would be most easily accessible and do have good reputations. There is not much between the schools, unless you have particular additional needs to be concerned with then you’ll probably be OK.

Lots of my children's friends have been educated at Torquay Grammar (boys and girls) or Colyton (a super-selective), but you have to do admission tests for them, they do sometimes take children out of the usual cycle though.

Otherwise, I agree with the advice you have been given. Pinhoe is a newly expanded area but nicer than Cranbrook and you can get into the city easily from there, or the university and the Met Office.

Thank you @ShanghaiDiva @bluestarthread . Sounds good. So from all the reviews I am rounding off the list with St Luke's, St James, Clyst Vale and St Peter's.
Another question, with no state schools offering sixth form, do all students rely on Exeter College for their 16-19 education?

For sixth form, you can go to the grammars, they have extensive sixth form options but again, it's travelling, but the quality of education for the more academic students is very good.

Exeter College mops up most post-16 education.

There is also a Maths school for post-16 which is specialist for very maths/science oriented academic children and a couple of my friends' children have attended there and done very well.

https://exetermathematicsschool.ac.uk/

The grammars take new entrants at sixth form as well, you don't have to have attended there to go. That said, Exeter College is pretty good.

My other tip is if you find a particular school you'd like your child to go to, go on the waiting list there even if you need to start somewhere else. There's a lot of movement in Exeter due to older students with children coming in and out of the area and so places do come up even if the wait list seems long.

Thank you @Decaffeinatedplease . With the admission tests that Grammar schools require the child to appear, it must be too late for us to apply now for the September 2024 intake even though I am interested. I could probably still drop an enquiry asking whether they have vacancy but again the concern I still have is the travel.
Also, very reassuring to hear about Pinhoe being nicer.

My child just awaiting their A level results from Exeter College. It has an excellent choice of courses, and has provided good support. It’s huge so is good at helping a young person learn independence prior to university!
I know grammar and private school students who have opted for this at sixth form as the course choices offered are much better than a small sixth form can provide.

Just to say, you can get the travel from Exeter st David's to Torre for the grammar schools in Torquay - 50 minutes

I know some students at the maths school. You can combine your subjects there with an a level at the college eg chemistry or biology at the college and then maths, further maths, physics or computer science at the maths school.
The Maynard school - independent girls’ school in Exeter offers two fully funded places in the sixth form and Exeter school may offer something similar.
Most students do go to the college and it offers a wide range of courses: A levels, IB, btech, T levels..because of the size and multiple sites it’s an excellent preparation for university imo.

Wow! Very reassuring messages and I feel all the more welcome to Exeter. Thank you everyone for your views and suggestions.