When Ronald Searle attended the Perse School for Girls in the 1940s, he was so inspired by the spirited girls around him that he drew them as the irreverent St Trinian's characters in his celebrated books. That same creative spark, that questioning confidence and intellectual mischief, still animates these schools today. The Stephen Perse Foundation traces its roots to 1881, when the Perse School for Girls opened to champion women's education at a time when opportunity remained severely limited. Now fully coeducational across all phases, serving pupils from age 1 to 18 across Cambridge, Madingley, and Saffron Walden, the Foundation maintains that original vision: to educate young people to become independent thinkers, unafraid to challenge convention and equipped to make a genuine difference in the world.
Principal Richard Girvan, who took the helm in recent years, leads a school that has repeatedly been recognised for excellence. In September 2025, the ISI delivered a "Routine Inspection," confirming that the Foundation achieved the highest judgement of Excellent in both Educational Quality sections covering pupils' academic progress and personal development. The Foundation was named Independent School of the Decade for East Anglia by the Sunday Times in 2020 and Independent School of the Year in 2014, awards that speak to genuine transformation rather than resting on tradition.
Academic results are consistently strong. At GCSE, 54% of entries earn grades 9-8, placing the school in the top 4% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking). At A-level, 48% achieve A* or A grades. For families seeking a non-selective independent school that combines academic rigour with genuine creativity, pastoral warmth, and a thriving community, the Foundation deserves serious consideration.
The school campus occupies a central block in Cambridge, bounded by residential streets on three sides and the University of Cambridge Department of Chemistry on the fourth. There is no escape from the intellectual atmosphere of the city. The senior buildings retain their period character, solid Victorian red-brick mixed with thoughtful modern additions, while newer facilities like the award-winning five-storey building completed in recent years bring contemporary learning spaces into dialogue with heritage.
On entry to the school during the day, you notice purposefulness without stuffiness. Sixth formers move independently between teaching blocks; younger pupils transition between classes with calm organisation. The school operates under a "Diamond" model in Years 5-11, where classes are taught separately by gender for academic subjects, a structure intended to preserve the benefits of single-sex learning where research suggests it can enhance focus and confidence, particularly in subjects like mathematics and sciences, while mixing boys and girls for enrichment, pastoral care, and social events. This sits somewhere between pure coeducation and single-sex provision; the school describes it as marrying academic benefits with social advantages.
Beyond academic corridors, the atmosphere feels remarkably grounded. The ISI confirmed that pupils exhibit exemplary behaviour, are responsible and confident, and demonstrate mutual respect. Bullying is not tolerated; pupils report high levels of peer support. Staff remain accessible; small forms and low pupil-to-staff ratios mean every young person is genuinely known. Year 11 and sixth form cohorts speak freely of feeling supported through transition years and examination pressure.
The Foundation's commitment to widening opportunity is lived, not merely stated. Following expansion of bursary and scholarship support, as of November 2024, some 370 students across Years 7-13 (representing 38% of that cohort) receive financial assistance. This is not tokenism; it reflects a determined effort to tackle the inequality that persists in independent education. The school's partnership with North Cambridge Academy, a state-funded secondary, brings collaborative opportunities, shared resources, and genuine cross-sector engagement. Recent initiatives include fully funded sixth form places for certain sixth formers and a Conflict Bursaries Programme supporting students from war-torn regions including Ukraine.
In the most recent GCSE cycle reflected in Foundation data, 54% of all entries achieved grades 9-8 (the very top band), and 72% achieved grades 9-7 (top three grades). This performance places the school at rank 163 (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it in the top 4% in England and well above the England average where just 28% of entries reach grades 9-7. The school ranks 2nd among Cambridge schools for GCSE outcomes.
Students access a curriculum breadth unusual even among independent schools: alongside traditional subjects, pupils study Classical Greek and Latin, Mandarin Chinese, and Design Technology. The school actively guides subject choices through careful counselling, balancing pupil interest against realistic expectations. Progress is monitored continuously; intervention is swift when a student begins to struggle.
At A-level, the Foundation's sixth form cohort achieved 48% of grades at A* or A, with 74% at A*-B. The school ranks 251st (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% in England and well above the England average of 24% achieving A*-A. Thirty A-level subjects are offered, reflecting genuine breadth.
University progression reflects this academic foundation: in the 2023-24 leavers cohort, 69% progressed to university. Beyond headline figures, Oxbridge representation has grown notably; in recent measurement periods, the school secured single-digit but consistent Oxbridge acceptances. Perhaps more meaningfully, leavers regularly secure places at Russell Group institutions including Imperial College, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Warwick.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
74.13%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
72.2%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The ISI inspection confirmed that pupils make excellent progress, engage wholeheartedly in learning, and use initiative effectively. Teaching enables pupils to make good progress across all age groups. The inspection team particularly noted that specialist support is offered throughout the week, fostering pupil engagement and talents.
Curriculum philosophy emphasises depth over breadth. Rather than rushing through content, teachers encourage close reading, careful observation, and genuine understanding. In sciences, pupils work in well-equipped specialist laboratories, the new Senior School building includes dedicated science suites. In the humanities, the school makes deliberate use of Cambridge as a learning resource: geography field trips, history battlefields visits, and classics seminars situated within easy reach of the University all deepen learning.
Individual attention is a consistent strength. In the Junior Schools, class sizes range from 15 to 20; in Senior School they average 20-24; sixth form teaching groups often drop below 15 for less popular subjects. Staff know their pupils as individuals: academic progress is tracked not just through formal examinations but through continuous assessment and fortnightly progress reports to parents.
An "enrichment" culture runs throughout. Online platforms (the school operates as an Apple Distinguished School, using iPads as "virtual satchels") enable pupils to pursue extended projects beyond the core curriculum. Younger pupils might research a local heritage site; older pupils pursue extended essays or independent investigations in chosen subjects. The library, refurbished in 2013 and featured by The Guardian as an inspirational learning space, remains the intellectual heart of the school.
The School's strong academic pipeline leads reliably toward higher education. 70% of the 2023-24 sixth form cohort progressed to university, while 6% entered employment and 1% apprenticeships. The school's dedicated careers and university guidance team supports applications from Year 9 onwards, with particular intensity from Year 11 upwards.
Leavers secure places across the Russell Group and beyond. Popular destinations in recent years include Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Warwick, and Imperial College. The school maintains a robust admissions support programme: students receive guidance on personal statement writing, attend University Fair events, and hear from universities visiting the school. The school's location within Cambridge creates natural relationships with the University colleges; some sixth formers take advantage of summer schools and open lecture programmes.
Oxbridge applications receive particular attention. While single figures in absolute terms, the school typically secures several Oxbridge acceptances annually across both universities, a respectable outcome reflecting rigorous preparation and realistic assessment of candidate strength.
The school actively shapes how pupils think about their futures. Beyond university, careers education emphasises entrepreneurship, social impact, and independent thinking. The annual Careers and Guidance Fair brings over 40 employers and universities to campus; students engage with representatives from technology, medicine, finance, education, and social enterprise. Gap year is increasingly common; the school encourages purposeful breaks between sixth form and university, whether via volunteer work, travel, or internship placements.
Total Offers
7
Offer Success Rate: 28%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
6
Offers
The Foundation's co-curricular provision is expansive and genuine. Unlike schools that populate notices with dozens of token clubs, the Stephen Perse programmes are substantive: led by subject specialists and external coaches, driven by real pupil demand, and producing measurable outcomes in competitions and performances.
Music education permeates all phases. In the Junior Schools, choral singing develops from Reception onwards; specialist staff guide vocal technique and musicianship. By the time pupils reach the Senior School, established ensembles include the Senior Chapel Choir, Chamber Choir, Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Concert Band. Each prepares for performance: chamber groups perform in intimate settings; the full orchestra delivers annual concerts in major Cambridge venues. In the sixth form, students join these ensembles or form smaller groups, chamber quartets, jazz trios, folk bands, reflecting contemporary musical tastes.
Individual tuition in all orchestral instruments, piano, voice, guitar, and percussion is available with specialist peripatetic teachers; the school estimates over 40% of pupils receive instrumental lessons. Music scholarships offer fee remission for students with notable talent. Regular "music in the moment" events, lunchtime performances, informal recitals, mean music feels part of daily life, not cordoned off as an elite pursuit.
Drama teaching spans multiple venues and skill levels. The main school theatre seats approximately 400; Rosedale House has a black box studio; a new performance space (part of the five-storey building) adds a third venue. Senior School drama lessons follow the GCSE and A-level curriculum; students explore classical and contemporary texts, practise stagecraft and technical skills, and rehearse extracts for school performances.
Annual whole-school productions showcase major works: recent years have seen ambitious stagings of major musicals, contemporary plays, and classical dramas. Cast sizes range from 80-120 performers, meaning ensemble and smaller roles engage students without dramatic ambition at the highest level. Technical teams, lighting, sound, set design, involve pupils working behind the scenes. Lower school drama clubs, open to all Year 7-9 pupils, introduce younger students to improvisation, movement, and playmaking in a low-pressure environment.
Shakespeare is woven throughout: A-level students attend performances at the Royal Shakespeare Company; Key Stage 4 pupils visit local productions. The school's own productions, whilst not professional quality, demonstrate genuine commitment to storytelling and performance.
Science teaching is built around practical investigation. The Senior School refurbishment included new science laboratories where pupils work with contemporary equipment: students conducting experiments in physics (circuits, optics, mechanics), biology (microscopy, genetics), and chemistry (titrations, reactions) move beyond textbook knowledge toward authentic scientific enquiry.
Computer Science and Design Technology earn particular attention. A dedicated computing suite with up-to-date workstations supports coding clubs and formal GCSE/A-level study. Design Technology incorporates both digital design (CAD software) and traditional making (workbench, tools), with pupils designing and building solutions to real problems.
Academic competitions in STEM are taken seriously. Students regularly enter the UK Physics Olympiad, Mathematics Olympiad, and Biology Olympiad; recent cohorts have produced medallists at both national and international levels. In 2025, the school recorded ten gold awards across five academic olympiads (including physics and mathematics), selected from thousands of national entrants. Year 12 student Kseniia S earned silver medals at the Western European Olympiad in Informatics and the European Girls' Olympiad in Informatics, and an honourable mention at the International Olympiad in Informatics, marking her as the first female UK representative at the IOI. Year 13 student George D secured a silver medal at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, contributing to the UK team's joint second-place finish.
STEM enrichment clubs, coding, robotics, maker clubs, meet regularly; sixth formers might mentor younger pupils through programming challenges or design competitions.
Sport occupies a central place in Foundation life. The school's newest building features Cambridge's only rooftop sports pitch (five-a-side grass), a Sport England-standard four-court sports hall, and viewing areas with tiered seating. Off-campus, the school manages five acres of all-weather sports grounds on Latham Road; partnerships with Gonville & Caius College provide access to cricket fields and football pitches within the University precincts. The nearby Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre offers free gym access to all sixth formers.
"Elite" pathways exist for exceptional athletes: the school identifies high performers and structures their timetables to allow dedicated training. An MCC University cricket coach, an England Touch Rugby player, and county-level coaches staff the programme. Recent successes include county representation in netball, cricket, and athletics; individual students compete at national level in their chosen sports.
Simultaneously, "sport for everyone" is genuinely embedded. All pupils participate in physical education lessons; upper school pupils select from traditional team sports (football, hockey, netball, cricket, rugby, tennis) and diverse individual activities (archery, badminton, basketball, yoga, zumba, fencing). Junior school sports days, held annually with houses competing, involve every pupil in team and individual events. The tone is competitive but inclusive: winning is celebrated; effort and participation are equally valued.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme operates at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, integrated throughout the curriculum. Sixth formers pursuing Gold are required to undertake an expedition; recent awards have featured hiking in Wales, Peak District treks, and international expeditions to developing countries. The school mentors younger pupils through the scheme; senior students act as expedition leaders and assessors.
Service is part of school culture. Younger pupils participate in age-appropriate charity fundraising; older students volunteer with local organisations. The school's partnership with North Cambridge Academy, the state-funded secondary, includes volunteer support, mentoring schemes, and collaborative enrichment projects. Year 9 annual battlefields trips, visiting World War One sites in France and Belgium, combine history learning with reflection on sacrifice and global citizenship.
Named clubs active throughout the school include Chess Club, Judo Club, Fencing Club, Running Club, and Scottish Country Dancing. Drama clubs, debate teams, and the Cambridge Model United Nations (hosted annually by the school) engage students in public speaking and critical thinking. Film club, art society, philosophy discussion groups, and literary clubs provide space for intellectual exploration beyond the classroom.
Specific orchestral and choral ensembles include the Senior Chapel Choir, Chamber Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and Jazz Band. Smaller groups, chamber quartets, folk bands, improvisation ensembles, form organically based on student interest. Leadership development through student councils and pastoral committees develops next-generation decision-makers; sixth form students sit on school committees and advise leadership.
Day fees for 2025-26 range from £5,885 per term (Reception and Year 1) through £7,515 (Years 3-6) to £8,695 per term (Years 7-11 and Sixth Form day pupils). Boarding fees are £18,900 per term, inclusive of tuition and board. These fees position the school in the mid-to-upper range of independent schools in England, though not at premium boarding school levels.
Termly fees can be paid termly, via monthly instalments, or annually in advance (with a small 1% discount incentive). The school accepts various currencies via its payment portal and offers flexibility for families paying fees in advance.
Additional costs are transparent: lunch charges (£295-£340 per term depending on phase), peripatetic music lessons (charged by individual teachers), transport (optional minibus service around Cambridge and Saffron Walden), and examination fees (charged separately by awarding bodies). The school explicitly states it avoids hidden fees.
One-time admissions costs include a £200 registration fee (VAT exempt, non-refundable), acceptance fee (£300-£500 depending on phase, VAT applicable), and deposit (£500-£2,500 depending on entry point, fully refundable on departure).
For families seeking fee assistance, the Bursary and Financial Assistance Policy is clearly detailed on the school website. Applications are handled confidentially; the school aims to prevent financial barriers from excluding talented pupils.
Fees data coming soon.
The Foundation operates across five main sites (nurseries, junior schools, senior school, sixth form) with staggered entry points: Nursery (age 1), Reception, Year 3, Year 5, Year 7, Year 9, and Sixth Form (age 16-18).
Admission is by assessment and interview. Tests are designed to evaluate current skills and do not require preparation; the school explicitly states that tutoring is unnecessary. Younger entrants (Reception through Year 6) sit simple reasoning and comprehension tasks; senior school candidates complete papers in English, Mathematics, and Reasoning appropriate to their age; sixth form entrants are interviewed and assessed in their chosen subjects.
The school accepts applications throughout the year, subject to place availability, making it relatively flexible for families relocating mid-year. This is notably more accommodating than schools with strict annual entry windows.
The school offers both scholarships (merit-based) and bursaries (means-tested). Scholarship categories include Academic, Music, Drama, Art, Sport, and Sixth Form achievement awards, typically offering 10-25% fee remission. Bursaries are allocated based on demonstrated financial need, assessed by external provider; some families receive full fee coverage, transforming the school's accessibility.
As noted earlier, 38% of Years 7-13 pupils (370 students as of late 2024) receive some form of financial assistance, reflecting genuine commitment to socioeconomic diversity. The school's stated aim is to ensure talent and commitment, not financial means, determine access.
The ISI inspection confirmed the school meets all statutory welfare requirements and noted that support for pupils falling behind contributes to overall success. Wellbeing is not an afterthought; it is deliberately structured.
Form tutors maintain small groups, approximately 12-15 pupils in the sixth form, staying with the same cohort for both Year 12 and Year 13, creating sustained pastoral relationships. Weekly tutor sessions address study skills, university applications, managing finances, personal health and social education, and emotional wellbeing. Tutors know their pupils deeply and refer students to specialist support when needed.
Each phase employs a School Counsellor and SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). Pupils experiencing anxiety, family difficulties, bereavement, or friendship challenges can access confidential support. The school holds the Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, reflecting investment in staff training and whole-school mental health literacy.
Behaviour expectations are clear and consistently applied; the school emphasises restorative approaches, helping pupils understand the impact of their choices rather than purely punitive measures. Bullying is taken extremely seriously; pupils report feeling safe to report concerns and experience swift intervention.
For pupils with identified additional learning needs, the SENCo works closely with families and external professionals (educational psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language specialists) to ensure reasonable adjustments and targeted support are in place. The school can accommodate a range of needs, though it advises families with severe or highly complex needs to discuss feasibility before applying.
Senior School: 8:30am-3:30pm (with some pupils staying until 4:30pm for clubs). Junior Schools: 8:30am-3:15pm. Sixth Form: flexible, dependent on timetable (typically 8:30am-3:30pm with some afternoon/evening study sessions).
Early stay and late stay options operate at Junior Schools (Cambridge Junior and Dame Bradbury's). Breakfast club is available; late stay charges apply from 16:30-18:00 at specified rates. The school closes at 18:00 daily; charges of £15 per 10 minutes apply for late collection thereafter.
Foundation transport services operate minibuses from various locations around Cambridge and Saffron Walden on a termly fee basis. Public transport links are good; Cambridge is an integral part of the school's geography, with many pupils walking or cycling.
The main campus occupies a city block bounded by residential streets and the University Chemistry Department. Specialist facilities include science laboratories (refurbished 2023), IT suites, design technology workshops, drama studios and theatre, music practice rooms and ensemble rehearsal spaces, and a new sports building with rooftop pitch and four-court hall. Remote learning platforms (based on iPad technology) enable online lessons when required.
Independent School Fees: At £8,695 per term day fees (£26,085 annually) for seniors, or £18,900 per term for boarding, the Foundation requires substantial financial commitment. Whilst bursaries and scholarships exist and are generously awarded, they cannot accommodate all families. Parents should verify affordable, long-term fee management before accepting a place.
Selectivity and Pressure: Although non-selective in formal admissions (no rigid pass mark), the assessment process filters for certain academic and cognitive profiles. Strong independent thinkers thrive; pupils struggling with independent learning or self-motivation may find the pace and expectations challenging. The school culture celebrates intellectual curiosity; families seeking a more structured, directive approach should consider whether the Foundation's philosophy aligns with their needs.
Diamond Model in Years 5-11: The separation of boys and girls for academic subjects is deliberate pedagogical choice, not outdated tradition. Proponents cite research on single-sex learning benefits; critics raise concerns about social integration and gender diversity. Families with strong views on mixed-sex education should understand this structure is fundamental, not optional, before committing.
Geographic Spread: The Foundation operates across three sites (Cambridge, Madingley, Saffron Walden). Rosedale House (ages 3-11) sits near the Senior School; the Pre-Prep is in Madingley; Dame Bradbury's is in Saffron Walden (15 miles away). Families with siblings across different sites face logistical complexity and potential dual travel costs, particularly if school transport does not serve both locations.
The Stephen Perse Foundation delivers what independent education, at its best, achieves: rigorous academics rooted in genuine intellectual engagement, pastoral care that knows pupils as individuals, and breadth of opportunity spanning sport, music, drama, and service. The recent ISI confirmation of "Excellent" across educational quality, consistent GCSE and A-level results in the top tiers in England, and substantial financial assistance extending opportunity beyond wealthy families sets the Foundation apart.
The Foundation is well-suited to curious, academically able pupils who thrive in a stimulating, creative environment. Families valuing intellectual independence, expecting genuine pastoral attention, and willing to invest in private education will find much to appreciate. The school's serious commitment to widening access through bursaries and its cross-sector partnership with a state school suggest leadership genuinely interested in education as a force for social mobility, not merely an elite preserve.
The main considerations are financial (fees are substantial), and pedagogical (the diamond model structure and emphasis on independence suit some families more than others). For those whose values align and budgets allow, the Foundation offers a genuinely progressive independent education rooted in nearly 150 years of Oxford tradition.
Yes. In September 2025, the ISI awarded the Foundation the highest judgement of Excellent across both educational quality inspections. GCSE results place the school in the top 4% in England (54% grades 9-8); A-level results place it in the top 10% (48% A* or A). The school was named Independent School of the Decade for East Anglia in 2020 and Independent School of the Year in 2014. Pupils consistently progress to Russell Group universities and secure Oxbridge places annually.
Day fees for 2025-26 are £5,885-£7,515 per term for junior pupils and £8,695 per term for Year 7-11 and Sixth Form day pupils. Boarding fees are £18,900 per term (inclusive of board and tuition). Lunch charges, music lessons, and examination fees are additional. Registration fee is £200; acceptance fees range £300-£500; deposits range £500-£2,500 depending on entry point. All fees include VAT where applicable from 1 January 2025.
Yes. Scholarships (merit-based) offer 10-25% fee remission in Academic, Music, Drama, Art, Sport, and Sixth Form categories. Bursaries are means-tested; families with demonstrated financial need receive support ranging from partial assistance to full fee coverage. As of November 2024, 370 students (38% of Years 7-13) receive some form of financial assistance, indicating substantial commitment to access.
Entry is by assessment and interview; there is no fixed pass mark. The school assesses current skills and explicitly states tutoring is unnecessary. Entry is relatively flexible; the school considers applications year-round subject to place availability, making it accessible for mid-year relocations. Selectivity is lower than grammar schools or elite independent schools, though assessment does filter for certain academic and cognitive profiles.
The Foundation combines rigorous academics with a non-selective admissions approach and substantial financial aid, creating genuine diversity. The "diamond model" (mixed-gender pastoral groups with gender-separated academics in Years 5-11) balances single-sex learning with social integration. Strong enrichment in music, drama, sport, and STEM, alongside leadership development and service opportunities, reflects genuine belief in educating "whole persons." The school's cross-sector partnership with North Cambridge Academy and explicit commitment to widening opportunity via bursaries distinguish it from purely elite independent provision.
The main Senior School campus occupies a city block in central Cambridge. Specialist facilities include newly refurbished science laboratories, computing suites with industry-standard software, design technology workshops, music practice rooms and ensemble rehearsal spaces, drama theatre and black box studio, and a five-storey sports building featuring Cambridge's only rooftop sports pitch, a Sport England-standard four-court sports hall, and viewing areas. Off-campus, the school manages five acres of all-weather sports grounds and partners with Gonville & Caius College for cricket and football facilities. Sixth formers access free gym membership at Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre.
Senior music ensembles include Chapel Choir, Chamber Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and Jazz Band; smaller groups form organically based on student interest. Over 40% of pupils receive individual instrumental tuition; scholarships support musicians. Drama teaching spans three performance venues; annual whole-school productions involve 80-120 performers; lower school drama clubs offer inclusive introduction. Shakespeare is integrated throughout the curriculum; A-level students attend professional productions.
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