The Perse School
11+ Admissions Guide 2026
How to get into The Perse School
Gender
Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio
9:1
ExcellentAge Range
3–18 years
Day Fees (per year) Fees were correct at the time of recording. Please check the school's website for the latest information.
£21,372 – £27,222
About The Perse School
The Perse School is a co-educational independent day school located across three sites in the city of Cambridge. Founded in 1615, it became fully co-educational in 2012. The Nursery and Reception classes, which form the Early Years Foundation Stage, share a campus with the pre-preparatory school, while the preparatory school, upper school and sixth form each have their own separate sites. The school is a charitable company limited by guarantee, overseen by a single governing body.
The school aims to encourage all pupils to fulfil their academic potential, fostering intellectual curiosity, independence of mind and creativity, and a love of learning. It seeks to provide a rounded education rich in extracurricular opportunities that develop life skills, character and perspective, while also helping pupils to appreciate the spiritual dimension to life and to develop a social and moral framework.
Pupils come from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, with just under half from Cambridge itself and the remainder from surrounding towns and villages within a 30-mile radius of the school. The school supports pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the most able pupils are provided with a modified curriculum.
Frequently asked questions about The Perse School
How much are the fees at The Perse School?
Day fees at The Perse School are £21,372 to £27,222 per year.
Where is The Perse School located?
The Perse School is located in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom.
Fees Fees were correct at the time of recording. Please check the school's website for the latest information.
Day Fees (per year)
£21,372 – £27,222
Leadership
Head
Ed Elliott
Chair of Governors
Mr Jonathan Scott
Proprietor
The Perse School
Ages & Pupils
3–18
Age range (years)
1,738
Total pupils
384
Sixth form
Contact
Qualifications Offered
Admissions
Main Entry Points
Scholarships & Bursaries
Scholarship Types
Bursary Support
Recently spent over £1m on fees assistance. Determined to maintain direct grant tradition and increase means-tested financial support.
Exam Results
90%
GCSE Grades 9-7
80%
A-Level A*-A
94%
A-Level A*-B
Curriculum
Modern Foreign Languages
Popular A-Level Subjects
Popular GCSE Subjects
Mobile Phone Policy
Year 7-11: not allowed to use phones during school day around school site. Can contact family from school office if urgent need. After 4pm (end of school day) students can use phones. Sixth form can use phones in designated areas including sixth form common room.
ISI Inspection
Excellent
Academic achievement
Last inspected 24 February 2026
Routine Inspection
Personal Development
ExcellentCompliance
MetSchool Profile
Student Demographics
0%
EHCP
18.16%
SEN Support
Links
Financial Health
Grade A · 69 / 100
Composite financial health score
Updated 8 May 2026
24.8 months of free reserves, 3-year average operating surplus of 11.7%, debt-to-income of 0.28.
See breakdown
Sources: Companies House filed accounts (charity SORP).
Methodology: composite score weights free reserves (37.5%), 3-year operating surplus trend (31.25%), debt-to-income (18.75%), and cash liquidity (12.5%). Scores are percentile-relative within the top 100 UK independent schools cohort. Letter grade is the cohort quintile of the composite score (top 20% = A).
Past papers relevant to The Perse School
Curated papers that The Perse School pupils often practise with.
