We are a consortium of concerned parents who want to see if there is a way of keeping the whole school (nursery to Yr 8) open and together, including the choristers. 

We make no promises, but we want to explore every possible option and leave no stone unturned. 

We want to examine the school’s recent financial statements and balance sheet and also explore new opportunities (e.g. fundraising, pupil recruitment, business opportunities, alumni networking) to see if we can come up with a viable business model. 

We are not looking for a sticking plaster that lasts one or two years. We only want to move forward if we can put in place a sustainable model for the next ten years and beyond.

We are moving quickly to get a viable alternative offer in place as quickly as possible.

We want to keep the school together, and we are planning with this as our primary goal.  We want to keep the Nursery, Pre-Prep, and Prep schools together at Exeter Cathedral School, and we want to keep the choristers at Exeter Cathedral School.

First, we need to raise emergency funds to keep the school open while we can begin implementing the changes that will preserve ECS for centuries to come.

Second, we will develop a business plan that lays out a sustainable financial model for the school. We will turn that business plan into a business proposition which we will put to all current and prospective parents. You will be able to see our plans and we will consult widely with you and others about this proposition.

Third, we move on to our long-term fundraising strategy, focusing on goals such as developing bursary funds aimed at widening access. One reason we are so committed to the school is that ECS welcomes all pupils and part of our long-term strategy is to make it possible for more pupils to experience an ECS education.

Our aim is to include the choristers in our plan, but we are building a model that works with or without, given that the Cathedral has entered negotiations with Exeter School. If the choristers do leave at this stage, the doors will be open for possible reintegration in the future.

The choristers are a treasured part of our community, and we will miss them, but ECS was never only about choristers. Our focus is building a thriving, sustainable school that preserves ECS's unique strengths as a hub for providing a nurturing education, academic excellence, and a beacon for involving children in the performing arts. We're building a resilient school model that stands on its own merits

Phase 1 - fundraising to cover current operational losses and ensure we stay open for the next two years while we explore longer term options for the school. If we can exceed our fundraising target in this phase, it will massively increase our chances of success. A link to the crowdfunder can be found at the top of the page.

Phase 2 - a much bigger fundraising campaign to secure the future of the school. We will also look to establish a formal alumni association, and an endowment fund. Targets will be announced along with the business plan.

This is the easiest way you can get involved and make a real difference

• We are all fundraisers now - each and every one of us needs to raise money.

• Make a list of all family, friends, colleagues and pledge to contact them all and ask for money.

• Use your socials to promote the campaign, especially the Crowdfunder.

• Make another list of contacts beyond your family and friends whom you are going to call.

• Bring ideas and develop them into fundraisers (one school looking to remain open raised £200,000 with just one charity auction)

• Remember the contacts who might not have money but can point us to people who do, offer skills and advice we might need, etc.

• Point people towards the Crowdfunder and also our campaign team, if they want more info.