Age range. 7–11.
Number of pupils. 283.
Ethos. At the Prep we are committed to helping your child develop as a confident, smiling, interesting and interested individual. Our School has a strong academic edge, attracting an outstanding group of specialist staff who encourage in the children academic curiosity and a love of learning. Prep children thrive on challenges outside the classroom, with great emphasis placed on developing breadth and balance through first-rate sport, clubs, music, art, drama and outdoor pursuits. Excellent pastoral care is at the heart of our work and ensures that our children feel completely at ease and secure in their surroundings.
Admissions. The main entry point to the Prep is Year 3 (7+) and Year 6 (10+) with about 24 places available in each year group. Admissions to Years 4 and 5 are dependent on availability of places with about 3 places available in each year. Entrance tests assess the applicant’s abilities in English, Maths and reasoning, and a reference from the child’s current school is also sought. Selection for all year groups takes place in mid-January of the year of intended entry.
Facilities. The Prep is set in spacious mature parkland on Trumpington Road. Traditional and modern buildings are successfully combined on site, from the Victorian Leighton House to the ‘New School’ classroom block. First-rate sports fields, an Astroturf, and extensive play areas enhance the offering. All Prep pupils use the Perse Sports Centre (25-metre swimming pool, sports hall and climbing wall) on the nearside of the Upper site.
Educational success. The Prep is an academically selective school with pupils of above average ability who relish challenge. Most pupils progress to the Upper School in Year 7. Pupils follow a broad curriculum which promotes intellectual curiosity and a love of learning, and we nurture creativity through a vibrant programme of drama, music and art.
The depth of academic ability throughout the School allows intellectual curiosity to flourish, and pupils thrive on challenges both inside and outside the classroom. Enjoyment of learning, mutual respect and the celebration of achievement characterise life at the Prep and as a result, children become independent, confident and responsible.
A supportive environment. Pastoral care is first class: Form Teachers, Heads of Year and the Assistant Head (Pastoral) all support pupils, who have access to a medical room, with a qualified nurse, and to our counselling service. Self-confidence and happiness are prerequisites to academic and extracurricular success which is why we focus so much on a supportive community for children, parents and staff; this is characterised by mutual respect, reassurance and encouragement.
A rounded education. We make good use of technology, based on our philosophy that it should be effective, meaningful and engaging. Resources include two dedicated computer rooms and bookable laptops and iPads. All classrooms are equipped with Interactive Whiteboards. We use Teams and SharePoint as our Virtual Learning Environments.
We encourage every pupil to make the most of our extracurricular provision. There is a wide range of lunchtime and after-school clubs – more than 90 currently. The majority of pupils learn a musical instrument and there are over 30 different ensembles (including numerous choirs and an orchestra comprising a quarter of the School). Further opportunities to perform publicly come with Drama productions which involve every child in the year, from Year 3 to Year 6. Sport is a major part of a Prep education, and all children compete against other schools. The games programme (football, rugby, netball, hockey, cricket, athletics and tennis) is designed to encourage all pupils to enjoy games and physical exercise.
Moving on. The School plans carefully for a smooth transition to the Upper School. Years 5 and 6 pupils spend days on the Upper site as part of their subject learning, helping to prepare them for the move up.
Fees per term (2025-2026). £8,269.
Charitable status. The Perse School is a charitable company limited by guarantee (company number 5977683, registered charity number 1120654) registered in England and Wales whose registered office is situated at The Perse School, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8QF.