Best secondary schools in Exeter (2026)
Exeter has 6 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is St Peter's Church of England Aided School, in the top 20% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 45.5, against 46.1 for England. 0 are in England's top 10%, and 0 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Exeter has no grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 20% in England |
St Peter's Church of England Aided School Exeter · Church of England |
52.3 | 53.0 | 61% | Not judged | |
2 Top 34% in England |
West Exe School Exeter |
48.2 | 47.0 | 51% | Report card | |
3 Top 38% in England |
St James School Exeter |
47.5 | 46.9 | 53% | No rating | |
4 Top 45% in England |
St Luke's Church of England School Exeter · Church of England |
46.2 | 45.3 | 51% | Good | |
5 Top 45% in England |
Isca Academy Exeter |
46.4 | 46.4 | 47% | No rating | |
6 Bottom 3% in England |
Thomas Hall School Exeter |
33.2 | 34.6 | 25% | Requires improvement |
Other towns in Devon
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Exeter?
On exam results over the last three years, St Peter's Church of England Aided School is the top-ranked secondary school in Exeter, in the top 20% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.