The Leys School

Since September 2025, Dr Clare Ives, previously senior deputy head at Sevenoaks School. Before that she was a boarding housemistress, equity, diversity and inclusion lead and head of history at Canford School. She studied at the University of St

All pupils are interviewed and tested prior to entry. Roughly 30 are admitted to year 7, mostly from local primaries, and another 70 in year 9. St Faith’s is part of the foundation and a key feeder school but pupils come from all the other Cambridge

Up to a quarter 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 levels for top-drawer universities – Durham,

In 2025, 86 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 61 per cent A*/A at A level (85 per cent A*-B).

The excellent results, showing year on year improvement, are gained through the pupils’ own motivation and ‘the quality of the teaching’, say parents who are full of praise for the unpressured atmosphere of the school. No one is mealy-mouthed about

The learning support department provides pupils with help where needed and about 50 pupils at a time are receiving assistance with various aspects of learning. The department works closely with subject teachers to ensure the same approach is being

The performing arts building is made full use of, with a theatre of professional standard complete with its backstage world and studios, rehearsal space, class and dressing rooms. Drama is extremely popular, timetabled for all in year 9 and offered

This is a sporty school, with outstanding facilities. ‘The opportunities are amazing, I couldn’t believe all there was to do when I came,’ said a sixth former. As a small boarding school there is plenty of chance for match play, a plethora of teams

Pupils are divided among 11 houses, with years 7 and 8 kept together in Moulton House, moving up to a boarding house (single sex) or a day boarders’ house. The houses for day pupils are the same as boarding houses, minus the beds. All houses have a

The house staff are on the lookout for any problems and ’nip them in the bud before they develop,’ say parents – and there is praise on all sides for the way staff get to know the pupils. ‘It is one of the school’s great strengths and a reason that

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

This is Cambridge and parents reflect it. Academics, entrepreneurs, scientists and medics predominate but there are farming families from nearby and a number of pupils are the second or third generation at the school. Boarders mostly from a small

Academic scholarships offered for year 7 entry with same again at year 9 plus usual music, art and sports awards. Bursaries also available and can be used to top up scholarships to cover full fees. Awards also available in the sixth form.

With an idyllic setting in central Cambridge, this is a popular school with bright, hardworking pupils. There is a breadth of vision and a great belief in the individual. Pupils feel able to speak up and ‘sing their own song’. This is a happy school