Is your child at Exmouth's best school?

Exmouth has nine state primary schools and one secondary school, Exmouth Community College, though some opt to go on to local independent and grammar schools outside Exmouth. 

Is it a good thing for the town that we only have one secondary school – the largest in Europe, with just over 2,500 students? What do you think?

Chloe, 18, says she left the school with a full range of GCSEs and a lot more confidence. 'At times it was hard to deal with the large number of people but I can't deny that it's a great school."

When it comes to the local primary schools, the Exmouth School Performance Tables on ExmouthPeople show how the primaries rank in both English and Maths, and Science, but there is a whole lot more to determining the best school for your child.  

What you want your child to get out of their Primary education?

A lively, enquiring mind?

Mastering basic mathematical and linguistic skills?

Touch-typing skills?

An understanding the world we live in?

The opportunity to develop individual talents?

Perhaps the most important thing for your family is that they pass the entrance exam to Colyton Grammar School, Exeter School or other independent secondary or grammar schools?

Whatever your priorities are, look at the school’s aims and ethos to gain some understanding of what type of experience your child and family can expect as the school will expect you to share some common values and aims and reinforce them at home.

If you’re a local parent, teacher, caretaker, administrator, headteacher, lunchtime supervisor or someone who has given talks or worked with local schools, what impressions do you have?

The local state primaries are: Bassetts Farm, Brixington, Exeter Road, Littleham C of E, Lympstone C of E, Marpool, St Joseph’s Catholic, The Beacon C of E and Withycombe Raleigh C of E?

But Exmouth also has two independent schools, St Peter’s School in Lympstone (ages 3 to 13) and The Dolphin School in Raddenstile Lane, (3 to 11).

St Peter’s School, 125 years old, has a Christian ethos and regards learning as an adventure. It offers boarding accommodation with boarding house parents. In the summer, the doors are open to all local children, with a varied programme of activities to sign up for. Did your child go to any of these this year?

The Dolphin School, for boys and girls aged 3 to 11, prides itself on having been referred to as having ‘many outstanding features’ by Ofsted, and it specialises in preparation for Grammar School and Independent School entrance tests (11+). The headmaster, Bill Gott, is proud of the school’s strong family atmosphere and challenging academic expectations.

Both schools have open days for new parents. Check their websites for details.

Perhaps you’ve moved your child from one school to another because of not being satisfied or can you say why your child’s school is helping them to develop in the way you had hoped?

Do you think the system for applying to schools is fair?

Share your experiences of local Exmouth schools and maybe your vision of how things could be improved.