May 2026
A student from The Perse School qualified for the Cambridge Economics and Finance Global Finals by earning a Gold Award and placing in the top 15% globally.
All-through school
The Perse School
A co-educational day school for children aged 3-18.
Day fees
£22,335 – £28,446
Entry
School Exam + InterviewSelective
Next deadline
Mon 19 Oct 2026Registration closes
Updated 4 months ago
At a glance
Key facts
Head
Richard Girvan
Head, since 2020
Gender
Co-ed
Pupils
1,774
Location
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Urban setting
Day or boarding
Day
Age range
3 to 18
School type
Mainstream
Founded
1615
Sixth form
384 pupils
Entry points
3+, 7+, 9+, 11+, 16+
Nearest station
Epping
Show 5 more factsShow fewer facts
Wraparound care
Available
Bursaries
Up to 100% of fees
Scholarships
Sport, Design, Academic +4
A-level A*–A
94%
2025
GCSE 9–7
86%
2025
Overview
About The Perse School
The Perse School is a co-educational day school in Cambridge for children aged 3 to 18, comprising Pelican School (ages 3-7), Prep School (7-11), Upper School (11-16), and Sixth Form (16-18). The school offers a broad curriculum and extensive co-curricular activities, with a strong focus on academic excellence and engineering scholarships.
Houseroom EditorialOur take
Houseroom Editorial
Our take
Independent co-ed all-through school in Cambridgeshire for ages 3–18. Selective entry.
Best for
- Families wanting one school across the whole journey (ages 3–18) rather than separate prep + senior.
- Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
- Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
Watch-outs
- Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
AdmissionsApplication timeline
Admissions
Application timeline
- Jun1Open dayTo be confirmedPelican School Open Week
- Nov14AssessmentTo be confirmedReception Admission Sessions
Not yet published: registration opens, registration closes, bursary deadline, interview, offers, acceptance deadline.
UpcomingOpen events
Upcoming
Open events
Private tours by arrangement with admissions.
Fees & costFees
Fees & cost
Fees
£22,335 – £28,446per year · Day · 2026-27 · est. (3 x term)
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Questions about The Perse School?
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Quick answers about The Perse School
Answered only from The Perse School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.
Financial supportBursaries & Scholarships
Financial support
Bursaries & Scholarships
What sets it apartDistinctive features
What sets it apart
Distinctive features
all-through 3-18
strong university admissions record
specialist university application support
wide-ranging Sixth Form curriculum
music scholarships at Year 7 and 9
Beyond the classroomActivities & co-curricular
Beyond the classroom
Activities & co-curricular
sport
FootballFitnessGymnasticsDanceKung FuHockeyBadmintonShooting / Rifle ClubNetballCricket TeamRugbyTalented Athlete ProgrammeOrienteeringTaekwondo
Show 11 more
Table TennisMultisportCricketTennisSwimmingCross CountryGolfRowingShootingAthleticsBasketball
music
Music Ensembles / ChoirsMusic EnsemblesMusic ScholarshipsMusicInstrumental Lessons
drama
Junior and Senior Film ClubMiddle School Drama CompanyPerse Theatre CompanyStage CombatDrama WellbeingMusical TheatreJunior Drama ClubDance ClubImprovisationDrama / TheatreDrama productionsStreet DanceBallet
academic club
Homework ClubResearch ActivitiesCCC – Classics, Coffee and Croissants (breakfast seminar)DebatingEngineering ClubInvestment ClubTechnology ShowDebating SocietiesBritish Informatics OlympiadEssay competitionsLyceum (Classics Society)Senior Reading Competition (Classical Association)Chess ClubCoding Club
other
Classical trips (Athens, Rome, Bay of Naples)Perse RadioCookeryPhotographyClub Pelican (wraparound/activity club)Outdoor Pursuits
On campusFacilities
On campus
Facilities
sports
Sports StudioPlaying FieldsOutdoor Pursuits CentreNetball CourtsPerse Sports Centre
arts
Music Practice and Music Technology RoomsPeter Hall Performing Arts CentreMusic CentreArt StudiosDrama Studio
academic
School libraryScience LabsICT SuiteLibraryBright and Spacious ClassroomsChromebook roomLaser cutterClassics library3D printerLecture TheatreScience laboratories (Upper School, used by Prep pupils)Computer suite
wellbeing
Sixth Form Café and Hersch RoomStrength and Conditioning SuitePelican Playground and Nursery Outdoor SpaceSixth Form Common Room
OutcomesLatest exam results
Outcomes
Latest exam results
Outcomes2025
74
of Sixth Form students gained places at their first-choice university94%
A-level A*–A
86%
GCSE 9–7
DestinationsWhere leavers go
Destinations
Where leavers go
12%
to Oxbridge (2025)
75%
to Russell Group
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 199 | 188 | 190 | 186 | 185 |
| Oxbridge | 23 | 37 | 44 | 30 | 42 |
| Russell Group | 150 | — | — | — | — |
| US Ivy | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Medicine | 23 | 34 | — | — | — |
Top universities (2025)
Durham23
University College London17
Warwick13
Cambridge12
Oxford11
Edinburgh10
Imperial College London10
York10
CurriculumQualifications offered
Curriculum
Qualifications offered
GCSEA LevelEPQ
In the newsRecent coverage
In the news
Recent coverage
May 2026
The Perse School’s Intermediate Schools’ Challenge team finished as runners-up in the national finals at Winchester College.
December 2025
The Perse School was named East Anglia Independent Secondary School of the Year 2026 and East Anglia Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2026 in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026.
In the press
- Tatler Schools Guide 2027
AlumniNotable alumni
Alumni
Notable alumni
Sir Martin Evans (geneticist, Nobel laureate)Tom Hollander (actor)Sir David Attenborough (broadcaster, natural historian)Sir Peter Bazalgette (media executive)Sir John Bradfield (biomedical scientist)Sir Richard Friend (physicist)Sir Michael Redgrave (actor)Sir John Gurdon (biologist, Nobel laureate)
Recommended next step
Registration closes 19 Oct 2026 (Reception)
Add it to your plan and book a visit before you apply.
Fit for your child
Is The Perse School right for your child?
Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.
Check fit for my childCommunityHouse system
Community
House system
Pupils belong to houses.
RegulationInspection
Regulation
Inspection
ISI inspection, 24 Feb 2026
2 reports on file.
met
- Isi · Regulatory Compliance1 Jan 2026met
CalendarTerm dates 2026/27
Calendar
Term dates 2026/27
Autumn3 Sept 2026 → 11 Dec 2026Half-term 23 Oct 2026–2 Nov 2026
Spring5 Jan 2027 → 25 Mar 2027Half-term 15 Feb 2027–19 Feb 2027
Summer12 Apr 2027 → 1 Jul 2027Half-term 31 May 2027–4 Jun 2027
Also considerSchools like The Perse School
Also consider
Schools like The Perse School
FAQQuestions parents ask
FAQ
Questions parents ask
What kind of child is The Perse School best for?+
The Perse School suits: Families wanting one school across the whole journey (ages 3–18) rather than separate prep + senior; Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex; Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
How much are the fees at The Perse School?+
Day fees at The Perse School are £7,445 to £9,482 a term in 2026-27 (£22,335 to £28,446 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.
When is the next open day at The Perse School?+
The next visit at The Perse School is on 7 November 2026. Booking is usually required.
How does admissions work?+
The Perse School is selective. Expect an entrance assessment at each entry point.
Does The Perse School support SEND?+
The Perse School offers some SEND support. Ask admissions which needs it can meet.
What ages does The Perse School take?+
The Perse School takes pupils from age 3 to 18.
Is The Perse School a day or boarding school?+
The Perse School is a day school.
Is The Perse School co-educational or single-sex?+
The Perse School is co-educational, taking both boys and girls.
Where is The Perse School?+
The Perse School is in Cambridgeshire, CB2 8QF.
How do I contact admissions at The Perse School?+
Contact The Perse School by email at admissions@perse.co.uk or phone on 01223403800.
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