Ages 
With gifted leadership, Stephen Perse stands out, even in the crowded field of Cambridge, in offering an education of real intellectual rigour as well as adapting and responding to changing needs. Good and creative relationships with the parent body – surely among the most intelligent around – are a hallmark to be treasured, as is the happy atmosphere of purposeful learning.
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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.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 692 ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- £26,085 pa
- Local authority
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Head of senior school and principal
Stephen Ward
Since 2020, Richard Girvan, previously surmaster (head of senior school) at St Paul’s School in London for eight years. Raised in Belfast, he read engineering at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge, completed his PGCE and got a rugby blue before
Entrance
Majority join in year 7, two-thirds transferring from Stephen Perse junior schools, the other third from local state primaries. In year 9 another cohort of around 40 arrives, largely from local preps. Fully co-ed with gender balance nudging close to
- Open days
- Please see school website for open day dates and personal visits
Exit
Previously, about half left after GCSE, usually for the local high-achieving state sixth form, but fewer are leaving since the school has become co-ed all through and the benefits of continuing into a fully integrated sixth form are being recognised.
Latest results
In 2025, 74 per cent 9-7 at GCSE.
A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)
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
‘This is a school on a journey,’ says the principal, citing the school becoming fully co-ed, the phasing out of the diamond model of learning and the full integration of the sixth form within the last four years. Advances in IT have been absorbed as
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
There is an inclusive approach and a general acceptance that pupils are individuals. Provision for those pupils on the neurodiverse spectrum ‘can sometimes simply be having a quiet place to withdraw to’. Regular subject clinics for those who need a
Arts & extracurricular
The Bedson Music Wing (opened by Sir David Willcocks in 1980) houses several dedicated music classrooms, individual practice rooms and the Octagon rehearsal space – your guide can testify to its use by rock bands, as well as other music ensembles.
Sport
Opened in 2018, the massive sports hall, large enough for whole-school assemblies, is four storeys high and has a galleried viewing area. The rooftop Astro pitch, with its great views of Cambridge, is very popular (even at lunchtime on a scorching
Ethos & heritage
The Stephen Perse Foundation, now a collective of seven schools, is a ‘cousin’ of the Perse School that was begun in the 17th century, originally for boys but now co-ed, with a bequest from Dr Stephen Perse, a fellow of Gonville and Caius College.
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
High regard from parents for pastoral strengths: ‘I truly believe the school lets everyone shine’; ‘They are treated as individuals, the staff genuinely know them.’ Pupils move through their busy days in the care of tutors and subject staff who know
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 It is recognised that personal electronic devices are necessary in certain circumstances, eg for pupils with long or awkward journeys who may need to contact parents en-route. However, they must not be seen during the school day and must be kept in airplane mode or equivalent, and in years 1-6 they must be handed to the school reception at the start of the day. In years 7-11, students are permitted to use mobile devices briefly during late stay to make travel arrangements or in exceptional circumstances with permission from a member of staff.
Pupils & parents
The pupils and their parents reflect the nature of Cambridge – international and highly intelligent. Great majority of parents are professionals and academics working at the university, the hospitals or in science and technical research. The city
Money matters
Full range of scholarships covering academic, creative subjects and sport offered in year 7 and year 9. Certain scholarships reserved for pupils entering the school from outside rather than transferring within the Stephen Perse Foundation.
- Fee information
- £26,085 pa
The last word
With gifted leadership, Stephen Perse stands out, even in the crowded field of Cambridge, in offering an education of real intellectual rigour as well as adapting and responding to changing needs. Good and creative relationships with the parent body
