The Maynard School: Explore Reviews, Rankings, Fees, And More
The Maynard School is an independent girls’ school in Exeter with a strong academic track record. In this guide, we’ll walk you through reviews, rankings, fees, and what life at the school is really like – to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your child.
Table of Contents
Key Features of The Maynard School
- Boarding: No
- Local authority: Devon
- Pupils: 411; sixth formers: 88
- Gender: Girls
- Age: 4-18
- Religion: Non-denominational
- Fees: £7,187 per term (inclusive of VAT)
The Maynard School Results
Latest Results:
- A level Results (2025): 37% A*, 60% A*/A, 86.1% A*-B
- GCSE Results (2025): 75.6% 9-7
Teaching and Learning at The Maynard School
The Maynard School in Exeter provides a vibrant learning environment for girls aged 4–18, focusing on academic excellence, personalized support, and fostering a love for learning.
Teaching Approach
At The Maynard, teachers ensure that every lesson is purposeful and engaging. They plan lessons with clear learning outcomes and tailor their teaching methods to meet the needs of each student. By using a range of strategies, they keep students actively involved in their learning. The curriculum remains flexible, allowing teachers to be creative while maintaining high academic standards.
Assessment and Feedback
Assessment plays a key role in the school’s approach. Teachers regularly assess students’ progress and provide constructive feedback to help them improve. Through the “What Went Well” (WWW) and “Even Better If” (EBI) system, students receive clear, actionable insights. This feedback is used to inform teaching, ensuring that lessons are adapted based on student needs.
Professional Development
Teachers at The Maynard engage in continuous professional development through the school’s ‘Maynard Way’ programme. This initiative ensures that staff stay updated with the latest teaching strategies, benefiting from research-backed methods to improve their practice.
Boarding in The Maynard School
There is no boarding in The Maynard School. Well, they used to, but not anymore.
Extracurricular Activities in The Maynard School
At The Maynard School, students are spoilt for choice when it comes to extracurricular activities, catering to a diverse range of interests and passions. Here’s a glimpse into the vibrant extracurricular scene:
Fashion and Textiles:
- Although not offered as a GCSE option, fashion and textiles are a popular A level choice, boasting stellar results and paving the way for many students to pursue top fashion courses.
- From creating jackets made of vegan leather to producing intricate block dyeing print work, students showcase their creativity and skills in this field.
Art:
- Art is a popular choice at GCSE, with a curriculum that encourages students to explore various mediums, from clay modelling to 3D design.
- In the junior school, art and design are integrated into the curriculum, providing ample opportunities for students to immerse themselves in creative expression.
Music:
- Music flourishes at The Maynard, with numerous orchestras, choirs, and ensembles offering students a platform to showcase their talents.
- Rehearsals for recitals demonstrate the dedication and high-quality performance of the music team, with peripatetic lessons available for students of all ages.
Productions:
- The school’s productions are renowned for their excellence, offering students the chance to shine on stage or contribute behind the scenes.
- Whether drama-based or musical, whole-school productions provide an inclusive environment where auditions are welcoming, and students relish the opportunity to participate.
Trips:
- From Spanish trips to Barcelona to history excursions in New York, students have the opportunity to broaden their horizons and immerse themselves in diverse cultures and environments.
Sports in The Maynard School
At The Maynard School, sports are not limited by the absence of onsite pitches; rather, they thrive through innovative approaches and partnerships with top local institutions. Despite the need for minibus rides to reach facilities, students embrace these journeys, finding joy in the experience while benefiting from state-of-the-art amenities.
The school has forged partnerships with esteemed local organisations such as Exeter City FC for football, Exeter Chiefs for rugby, and Exeter University for a range of sports including hockey, cricket, and athletics. These collaborations have yielded impressive results, with numerous teams and individuals excelling at regional and national levels of competition. While A-teams enjoy success and competitiveness, there’s a call from students for increased match opportunities for those in the B teams or below.
The sporting ethos at The Maynard extends beyond traditional female sports, with rugby holding equal importance to netball and a diverse range of options available, from dance to martial arts, and table tennis to outdoor education. In the junior school, pupils engage in ballet, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, and team sports, fostering a holistic approach to physical activity. The department is committed to promoting enjoyment in physical activity for all students, with even sixth formers benefiting from timetabled PE sessions, which may include activities such as yoga, providing a valuable pause from academic pursuits while prioritising health and wellbeing.
Admissions Process: Entering The Maynard School
The admissions process at The Maynard School reflects its commitment to academic excellence and ensuring each girl can thrive throughout their education journey. Here’s how it works:
Pre-Prep and Junior School Entry:
- Entry to the pre-prep is based on behavioural assessment during a taster day.
- For junior school entry (Years 3, 4, or 5), girls undergo a 7+ entrance assessment.
- All junior school pupils sit the 11+ entrance exam for senior school admission.
Senior School Entry:
- Prospective students experience a taster day and interview with the head before sitting either the 11+ or 13+ exam.
- These exams, held in January prior to the autumn term, or individually throughout the year, include reasoning, English (comprehension and composition), and maths. The 13+ exam includes a science paper.
- Pupils join from various feeder schools and local state primaries, ensuring a diverse student body.
Sixth Form Entry:
- Admission to the sixth form requires interviews with the head, director of sixth form, and relevant department heads.
- Additionally, candidates must have at least six Grade 7 GCSEs, with a minimum of Grade 7 in English and maths, and Grade 7 or 8 in all A level subject choices.
- Typically, the sixth form welcomes 15-20 new students, enhancing its dynamic environment.
Through this comprehensive process, The Maynard School selects students who not only demonstrate academic potential but also exhibit the qualities necessary for success within its supportive community.
SEN Support in The Maynard School
The academic team at Maynard is well able to cater to students with the following special educational needs:
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Hearing Impairment
- Mental health
- Physical Disability
- Visual Impairment
The Maynard School Testimonials and Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions about The Maynard School
It was founded by Sir John Maynard, a trustee of Elize Hele’s charity, in 1658. Initially named the Blue maid’s Hospital, the school received extensive funding (alongside fellow beneficiary Hele’s School) under the express condition that it be spent for “some godly purposes and charitable uses”.
471 (110 Sixth Formers).
The Maynard School used to be a boarding school.
In 2023, 51% attained A*/A grades, with 73% achieving A*-B.
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