Exeter School Alumni

The summer term has now drawn to a close, and what a year it has been at Exeter School 💜

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of the school. Your stories, memories and experiences help preserve our rich history and inspire future Exonians as they look ahead to life beyond our school gates.

With a smaller team in the office over the summer, we'll be taking a short break before picking things up again in September. We look forward to sharing more news with you then and, we hope, perhaps see you in person at one of our alumni events.

Wishing all our alumni a wonderful summer ☀

📷: Taken by Ali, Communications & Alumni Officer

In the midst of World Cup fever, we were delighted to hear from alumnus Andrew Kewell (1966-1973), who shared a wonderful story behind this photograph from the Exeter School archives, showing a Teachers vs Boys football match from 1972. Remarkably, three of the boys in the photo – Andrew, Brian and Peter – still meet regularly to play walking football with the Exeter Strollers Walking Football Club more than five decades later ⚽

Brian McClintock (1966-1973) is on the back row, far right, as the team's goalkeeper. Andrew is also on the back row, two places to Brian's left, wearing a white shirt and, in his own words, sporting some rather "strange, fuzzy hair"! Peter Hancox (1966-1973) is also on the back row, fourth from the left, again in a white shirt.

It's always a pleasure to hear stories of friendships and shared passions that have stood the test of time 🥲

Do you recognise anyone else in the photograph, or remember playing in Teachers vs Boys matches? Please do comment below.

📷: Exeter School archive

Many of you will remember former geography teacher John Jago (staff, 1967-1996), who also attended Exeter School as a pupil in the 1950s.

John still lives close by, so we're delighted when he drops into the Exonian Centre or joins us at an alumni event. Last week's visit was particularly special, as he arrived bearing two fascinating additions to the Exeter School archive.

The first was a tie from the school's South African rugby tour in 2010, while the second was a much older treasure - a tie commemorating a reunion of 1930s leavers, held in 1988 🥹

If you have any Exeter School memorabilia tucked away at home that you'd be willing to donate to the archive, we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Ali at [email protected].

📷: Exeter School archive - John sitting relaxed, taken just after final assembly in July 1996, and retiring at the age of 58 and as a pupil in 1953 playing rugby for the 1st XV. John with Matthew Goode (1985–1996), enjoying a happy reunion during Matthew's visit to Exeter School earlier this year. Photo credit: Emma Solley.

This wonderful story was shared by alumnus Richard Jowett (1948-1959), recalling a Whit Weekend adventure in 1958, when six boys from School House challenged themselves to hitchhike to the summit of Snowdon on a budget of just five shillings.

“Back in 1958, before Ten Tors or DofE, we had to make our own 'adventure'. So it was that 68 years ago I was sleeping in a field in Shropshire. Six of us from School House decided that over the Whit Weekend we would attempt to hitchhike in pairs to the summit of Snowdon getting back before school resumed the following Tuesday. Armed with an army kitbag, a groundsheet, sleeping bag, small cooker and some provisions we set off after Saturday school 🥾

“We also each had a letter from the Headmaster, Francis Kinnear (Fred) Paul (staff, 1960-1965), to the effect 'to whom it may concern, please afford all help and assistance as is deemed necessary....' And one other condition - we were to spend no more than 5 shillings (25p) in getting to the top. My partner, Eddie Hodge (1954-1959), and I made our way up the old A38 and by evening had reached Prees Heath, just beyond Shrewsbury where we camped in a field. Next morning we got lifts which took us through Chester and along the North Wales coast to Caernarfon before cutting south to Llanberis and the start of the ascent. We reached the top about noon, completely knackered 😓

“We took the train down (allowed as we had completed the challenge) and made our way south via Capel Curig, Llangollen and on to Oswestry which is where we were in a field 68 years ago today. The final leg home on the Monday took us to Gloucester where we had a stroke of luck. We were fortuitously picked up by the parents of a good school friend of ours, Andy Edwards (1949-1959), who took us all the way back to the school.

“Incidentally Andy became the father of Jonathan Edwards who, in 1985, became the World Champion (and Olympic, Commonwealth and European) Triple jumper at 18.29 metres, a record which stands to this day.” 🥇

📷: Kindly shared by Richard and kept in the Exeter School archive

Last week we were treated to the Lower School putting on their production of The Wind in the Willows. As always with Exeter School productions, a great deal of work went into the staging and costumes, helping to bring this much-loved tale to life.

It’s not the first time this play has been brought to the stage here… some of you may have even performed in the 2010 production or remember friends being involved. Can you spot someone you know as a woodland creature? 🐸 Please do comment below!

📷: Exeter School archive

Many of you will hopefully have received an email with a link to The 1633 or perhaps found a copy waiting on your doorstep. We hope you enjoy reading updates from the school today, stories from fellow alumni and, of course, tributes to those members of our community who are sadly no longer with us.

Our cover star for this edition is actor Matthew Goode (1985–1996), whom we welcomed back to the school earlier this year. It was a pleasure sitting down with Matthew and hearing about his career, as well as the many fond memories he has of his time at Exeter School.

We hope you enjoy reading the magazine as much as we have enjoyed hearing so many inspiring stories from OEs. You can view the latest issue here – https://issuu.com/exeterschooluk/docs/exeter_school_s_the_1633_alumni_magazine_issue_18_.

If you have not received The 1633 or would like to update your contact details for future editions, please get in touch with our Communications & Alumni Officer, Ali, at [email protected]. And if you have a story to share, Ali would be delighted to hear from you!

📷: Cover photo credit - Emma Solley - https://www.emmasolley.com/

Exeter School's The 1633 Alumni Magazine Issue 18 Summer 2026 Exeter School's annual alumni magazine

Sports Day is a firm fixture of the summer term, and a chance for pupils to compete in events that are new to them or perhaps where they already hold some sporting prowess. Either way, it’s a great excuse to get out the classroom and for families to come along, watch some sport and of course cheer their children on 👏☀

We’ve delved into our archive and found photos from sports days throughout the years… do comment below if you recognise yourself or perhaps your fellow competitors! 🤔

📷: Exeter School archive

We had a momentous day last week, with the arrival of the doors and, a few weeks ago, the relocation of the stone Blue Boy from beside the tower to The Exonian Centre. We are very grateful to John Pitts (1969-1980) and his family, who gifted the doors to this school and contributed to the information displayed alongside the doors and Blue Boy. A plaque is now in place... photo will follow 🙂

It is believed that the doors were part of the medieval buildings at St John’s Hospital, which once stood on Exeter High Street and first housed Exeter School. For a bit of background, this excerpt from The Exonian, dating from 1947, explains the origins of the buildings and how we came to be on Victoria Park Road, becoming the school we know and cherish today.

📷: Kindly taken by Richard Fryer (1974-2024) who after many years of teaching, continues to make an invaluable contribution to the archive.

"The bursary programme at Exeter School has enabled me to flourish not only as a pupil, but also as a person. It has given me the opportunity to explore the subjects I am passionate about, while developing the values and skills that will guide me in the future. Without the support of the bursary programme, none of this would have been possible."

Bursary award holder – Middle Fifth pupil

This reflection is a powerful reminder of how transformative a bursary can be - opening doors to opportunity, nurturing confidence and changing the direction of a young person’s life in ways that last far beyond their time at school.

If you can help change a child’s future by supporting the bursary fund, please get in touch with Alice Holohan, Director of Development and Alumni Relations – [email protected] or find out more here, https://www.exeterschool.org.uk/support-us/.

📷: Exeter School - photo for illustrative purposes only

Thank you to Harrison Thorne (2002-2010) for a splendid account of this year's OE Golf Day…

“Late spring sunshine, little wind and a beautifully manicured course at Exeter Golf and Country Club were all on offer for the 20 OEs who gathered for the 2026 Golf Day, following a two-year break.

“Alongside competing for the coveted silverware, it was another chance to see who still had the biggest drive, who was struggling on those tricky three-foot putts and, most importantly, to catch up over a couple of drinks and dinner.

“The early leaders were Paul Scoble (1993-1997) with an excellent 38 points and Steve Dukes (1993-1997) on 36 points. As the groups filtered in, Harrison Thorne (2002-2010) matched Dukes' score but lost out on the back-nine countback.

“In the Over-55s competition for the Jago Trophy, Mike Kay (1975-1982) edged out Rupert Pratt (1977-1984), both finishing on 32 points. The nearest-the-pin prizes went to Tom Sowman (1992-1996) on the 4th hole and Steve Dukes on the 11th.”

Keep an eye out for details of the 2027 OE Golf Day - we'd love to see even more OEs hitting the green next year!

📷: Kindly taken by Alice, Head of Alumni and Development Relations and golfers on the day