Advertisement
Select search type
No locations matching your search. Try schools.
Showing results for

No articles matching your search.
Photo of Kimbolton School
Reviewed

Kimbolton School

Independent school · Huntingdon, PE28 0EA
  • All through
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 3-18
  • From £15,705 pa
  • 1,020 pupils
  • Boarding
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

This small school, housed in beautiful surroundings, appears to be a well-kept secret, much to some parents’ bemusement. ‘Why is it not more well known?’ said by many. We get the impression that there's no need; the school is virtually full, has an excellent reputation locally and is providing a good all-round education for local families wanting to use the private sector. Pupils can spend their whole education at Kimbolton enjoying the benefits of a happy environment, small class sizes and excellent pastoral care. Not flashy but classy. Those parents in the know appreciate that a Kimbolton education is money well spent. Shhhh.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

Unlock to access

Overview & data

Pupil numbers
1,020 ·
Sixth form numbers
191 ·
Offers boarding
Yes ·
Religion
None
Fees
Day £15,705 - £24,969; Boarding £40,467 - £43,221 pa
Local authority
Cambridgeshire County Council

Headteacher

Head

Mr Will Chuter

Since September 2023, Will Chuter, previously head of Cranbrook School and before that, deputy head and head of classics at Gresham’s School and a housemaster at Uppingham. Degree in ancient history from Durham. He joined the school with his wife,


Entrance

New pre-school opened in January 2026 for children age 3+. Pupils for reception assessed in small groups and teachers visit them at local nurseries to see that they are ready to learn. School happy to say no at this stage. Older children assessed and

Open days
October

Exit

Around 10 per cent leave after GCSE, mostly to local, excellent sixth form colleges rather than rival independents. The odd one doesn’t come up to scratch with GCSEs, but this is unusual. Most leave after A level for top-drawer universities such as


Latest results

In 2025, 61 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 36 per cent A*/A at A level (73 per cent A*-B).

A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)

School
42.71
LA avg.
36.69
Eng. avg.
34.45
Data highlight

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.


Teaching & learning

Spanish and French available at GCSE and A level, taught from reception. Not many take two languages at GCSE, nine or 10 a year. Half the year group take all three sciences. Pupils taught in mixed-ability groups apart from maths and languages. Maths

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
18
Average class sizes

Learning support & SEN

Some 40 pupils receive extra support throughout both schools, but only two are statemented. A handful of pupils bilingual, 18 on the EAL register. One-to-one available for learning and language support if necessary.

0.19 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
20.45 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

Music and drama popular and well represented. Lots of individual lessons, including over half of pupils in upper prep. Parents spoke of sensible way these lessons are timetabled, particularly in the senior school, so less academic do not miss


Sport

As you would expect with two heads who are ex-sports teachers, games plays an important part at Kimbolton. ‘We aim to get everyone out at least once a year representing the school,’ said the prep head. Lots of silverware in the cabinets and lots of


Boarders

Boarding available from year 7. It’s not a major part of the school, which is predominantly a day school, with boarders making up about seven per cent of pupils. Boarders housed in two houses at each end of Kimbolton’s High Street (it’s not very

45
Total boarders
32
Full time boarders
2
Weekly boarders
11
Flexi boarders

Ethos & heritage

Located in the small pretty village of Kimbolton, the Castle, originally an ancient castle and now a magnificent Georgian mansion, dominates the village sitting at the end of the High Street. Very little teaching actually takes place in the Castle,


Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

Every parent praised pastoral care. ‘I don’t know how they manage it,’ said one parent who went on to praise the ‘kind, patient, supportive, caring teachers’ and believed this atmosphere is absorbed by the children, who behave in the same way. ‘They


Mobile phone policy

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

All staff (including teachers, support staff, and supply staff) may wish to have their personal mobile phones at work for use in case of emergencies. However, there is a clear expectation that all personal use is limited to areas and times when there are no children present or likely to be present.

Updated Sep 2025

Pupils & parents

Most families rural dwellers from surrounding villages and small towns. Traditionally a farming and Forces school, this is now changing with many families moving from London whilst parents still work there. More families now coming from Cambridge’s

1,020
Number of pupils

Money matters

Scholarships available in senior school only, up to 20 per cent of fees, the vast majority academic, but the odd sports, leadership and arts available at 13+. The equivalent of six full means-tested awards at senior school per year group, usually

Fee information
Day £15,705 - £24,969; Boarding £40,467 - £43,221 pa

The last word

This small school, housed in beautiful surroundings, appears to be a well-kept secret, much to some parents’ bemusement. ‘Why is it not more well known?’ said by many. We get the impression that there's no need; the school is virtually full, has an

What the school says

If you’re looking for outstanding value, all-round education - day or boarding - we’re well worth a visit. Academic excellence is at the heart of everything we do, but it is our kind and caring ethos that sets us apart.

Visitors comment on the quiet confidence of our pupils; boys and girls who aim high and are motivated to achieve their very best in all aspects of school life. With a historic castle setting and facilities for the digital age, Kimbolton is an inspiring place to learn – come and see for yourself!

Contact the school

Address

Kimbolton
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE28 0EA
Get directions

Have you considered?

Reviewed

King's Ely

Independent school · Ely, CB7 4EW ( miles)
  • All through
  • Co-ed
  • 2-18
  • From £21,969 pa
  • 1,125 pupils
  • Boarding
  • Choir school
Reviewed

Oundle School

Independent school · Peterborough, PE8 4GH ( miles)
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • 11-19
  • From £28,980 pa
  • 1,140 pupils
  • Boarding
Photo of Oundle School
School data & information Kimbolton School Kimbolton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 0EA
1,020 Pupil numbers
510/510 Pupil numbers boy/girls split
191 Sixth form numbers
45 Total boarders
32 Full time boarders
2 Weekly boarders
11 Flexi boarders
18 Average class sizes

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

All staff (including teachers, support staff, and supply staff) may wish to have their personal mobile phones at work for use in case of emergencies. However, there is a clear expectation that all personal use is limited to areas and times when there are no children present or likely to be present.

Updated Sep 2025
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Kimbolton School and is updated annually. See the review

This is an independent school and therefore does not have Key Stage 2 SATs results. While some independent schools choose to sit SATs, they are not required to do so and the UK government does not collect or publish their results. Find out more.

GCSE-level results data is not reliably reported on for independent schools. We have chosen to show only the results achieved in individual subjects. Find out more

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 64 6
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 35 7
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 16 6
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 8 9
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 52 7
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 46 7
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 9 7
D&T Food Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 32 8
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 17 7
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 47 8
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 47 8
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 29 7

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
27.5%
LA avg.
22.3%
Eng. avg.
17.1%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
42.71
LA avg.
36.69
Eng. avg.
34.45

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Religious Studies GCE A level 12 A
Physics GCE A level 13 A
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 13 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 17 A
Mathematics GCE A level 34 A
History GCE A level 33 A
Government and Politics GCE A level 15 A*
Geography GCE A level 22 B
English Literature GCE A level 12 A
Economics GCE A level 19 A
Drama and Theatre Studies GCE A level 10 B
Design and Technology (Product Design) GCE A level 13 A
Chemistry GCE A level 20 A
Business Studies:Single GCE A level 11 B
Biology GCE A level 18 B
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 11 A

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Recent feeder schools

SEN overview

Kimbolton School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

We aim to equip all of our pupils with the skills to achieve their full potential across the curriculum, becoming independent and confident learners. Thus advice and support is offered to all pupils within the school, not just those identified as having specific difficulties.

Our teachers are adept at recognising pupils who cause concern and our academic support staff work closely with colleagues to ensure they target the specific areas children are struggling with. Support may be provided in a group, paired or one-to-one format either in or out of the classroom. It may be offered for a single term through to the duration of a pupil’s time at Kimbolton. Parents are fully involved in the initial implementation of support and ongoing reviews of progress.

Any parent may contact Academic Support for advice or to discuss an assessment or referral. For further information see: http://www.kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk/AS

Updated Jan 2018
0.19 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
20.45 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment Yes
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes Yes
PD - Physical Disability Yes
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health Yes
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism Yes
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired
Advertisement