Exeter's wealthy merchants, notably Thomas Walker, provided the finance, with sufficient bequests to pay the Headmaster £50 a year and to install the school in the medieval buildings of St John's Hospital, which had stood on the south side of the High Street since the 12th century.

In 2024 the school announced it would rename its ten houses after topographical features rather than benefactors and historical figures.

The report concluded that the 7-18 co-educational day school was at the highest level, excellent, in each of the eight areas.

The ISI report continues: "Teaching is excellent and promotes high quality learning.

The broad curriculum enables pupils to have a wide range of experiences and the extra -curricular provision is extensive.

Pupils achieve individual and team successes in a wide range of activities and national competitions.

"[9] In the summer of 2019, Exeter School celebrated another set of very good A Level results with a 100% pass rate.