The Perse School is Cambridge’s oldest secondary school, founded in 1615 by Dr Stephen Perse, a Fellow of Gonville and Caius College. The School still maintains close links with both Gonville and Caius and with Cambridge University.
The Perse Upper School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11–18.
Ethos. The Perse is a very special school which is both traditional and innovative, academic and caring, understanding and structured, industrious and fun. While our excellent academic results are well-known, prospective pupils and their parents can be surprised to discover the exciting extra-curricular opportunities also on offer. Beyond the classroom there is a wealth of opportunity in music, drama, sport and outdoor pursuits, along with a vibrant programme of over 100 clubs and societies. The Perse is a supportive community characterised by mutual respect, encouragement and care. Our diverse pupil body sets us apart from the stereotypical image of independent schools. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds thanks to our significant bursary programme and a commitment to delivering an outstanding education whilst keeping a downward pressure on fee increases. The School’s vision is: ‘To love learning and strive for the greater good’.
History. The School remains true to its historic roots, with close links to the University of Cambridge and a £1 million a year means-tested bursary programme that supports more than 90 pupils.
Admission. There are approximately 1,250 students in the Upper, including 370 in the Sixth Form. The main entry points are Year 7, Year 9 and the Lower Sixth. Our entrance assessments involve a combination of tests, group activity and a short informal interview. All candidates sit papers in English, maths and verbal reasoning. Year 9 candidates sit an additional humanities paper. Sixth Form applicants sit entrance tests and offers are conditional on GCSE results.
Facilities. The Perse has invested more than £40 million in new facilities over the last decade. In 2021, a new Sixth Form Centre opened, together with a refurbished lecture theatre and dining facilities. The Upper occupies an attractive 27-acre greenfield site with extensive on-site playing fields and recreational areas. In addition, the School has recently acquired and developed a 45-acre site at Abington, 6 miles from the School, for additional sports and outdoor pursuits activities. Pupils enjoy high specification science labs and classrooms; a purpose built sports centre, fitness suite and studio, extensive netball and tennis courts and 3 all-weather Astroturf surfaces; a recently extended music centre including a rehearsal hall; art studios and a gallery; a lecture theatre; and an outdoor pursuits centre, climbing wall and shooting range. In the heart of the School, the Rouse Library and the award-winning Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre overlooks Ellison Court. During 2023–24, further major projects include a new swimming pool, sports centre and climbing wall. We will also be increasing the number of science labs we have at the Upper School and will be adding an additional floor onto our Design and Technology building.
Academic excellence. Perse pupils learn in a purposeful and supportive environment where they are taught to think independently and to make sense of a diverse and complex world. The School achieves some of the best A Level and Pre-U results of any co-educational school in the country, regularly appearing in the top 10 schools nationally. Pupils regularly excel in science and maths Olympiads, economics and business challenges, drama and poetry contests and essay and fiction writing competitions.
Rounded education. There is a buzz about daily life at The Perse. There are more than 100 clubs and societies on offer. Nearly 450 pupils, several of whom are involved in national ensembles, take part in 70 school ensembles, with 60 concerts, masterclasses and competitions organised throughout the year, including recent high-profile performances at Saffron Hall, Ely Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. There are at least 10 drama productions each year led by a Theatre Practitioner in Residence and based in a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre. A wide range of other performance, literary and debating opportunities are also available. The main sports are cricket, hockey, netball, rugby and tennis. There is an extensive fixtures list; the School fields more than 160 teams in 30 different sports and regularly enjoys regional and national success. More than 600 pupils are involved in the Outdoor Pursuits programme, developing personal confidence, team working and leadership skills. There are a wide range of trips on offer from weekend outings in the UK’s national parks to adventurous international expeditions. Popular groups include the Perse Exploration Society, Paddle-sport Club and Climbing Club.
Pastoral care. We know that happiness is a prerequisite to academic and extracurricular success, and to personal development. Each student has a tutor who provides pastoral and academic care. The tutor is at the heart of our approach to pastoral care. Through daily contact, tutors and their tutees develop a strong bond, setting targets and celebrating success or helping pupils overcome challenges. Tutors are someone the students can trust and talk to. There are also peer listeners, form prefects and a system of heads of year, heads of section, senior tutors and school counsellors.
Supportive community. The Upper is a happy school where pupils feel safe, secure and supported. The School works hard to strike the right balance of work and play, comfort and challenge, instruction and discovery, rules and common sense, and guidance and independence. The Perse has a very active programme of charitable fundraising and outreach, and pupils have the chance to become involved in the wider community. Perse pupils work with children from over 20 local primary schools and support charitable fundraising projects, such as Christel House and East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.
Global perspective. The Perse has strong international links including foreign language and cultural exchanges, a partnership with Christel House (a charity that educates some of the world’s poorest children) and membership of the SAGE global alliance of leading schools. Pupils regularly travel overseas and increasingly collaborate remotely through the latest technology.
Fees per term (2024-2025) School fees per term: £8,642, including VAT.
Bursaries and scholarships. Means-tested bursaries are available, ranging from 5% to 100% of annual tuition fees. For Year 7 and 9 entry there are no scholarship awards on entry as emphasis is placed on ensuring as many means-tested (bursary) awards are made. Pupils have the opportunity to apply for a music scholarship at the end of Year 7 or 9. Scholarships are available on entry to 6th form for Music, Drama, Art and Sport, as well as Academic Scholarships and Dr Perse Awards. All scholarships are currently one-off payments of £500.
Alumni & development. The Perse develops relationships with Old Perseans and Friends around the world. Tel: 01223 403808; email: perseado@perse.co.uk. 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.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
A Au, MA, FCA
C Bota, LLB
S Boyle, MA
M Collier, MA
K Davies, MA, FCA
W Dawkins, BA
D Ferguson, MA
N Finlayson-Brown, BA
S Freestone, OBE, DL, MEd, GRSM, LRAM, ARCM
C Hancock, KC, MA, LLM [OP]
J Hawkes, PHD, FSA, FRAS
S Lebus, MA
A Oliver MA, MPHIL, PHD, LITTD
G Proudfoot, MA
S Roberts, MA
J W Scott, MA (Chair)
D Williams, MB, BCh, FRCP, FRCPH
Clerk to the Governors: Maggie Hastings
Head: Ed Elliott
Bursar: Alison Shakespeare
Senior Deputy Head: Dan Cross
Deputy Head (Pupil Development and Welfare): Ed Wiseman
Deputy Head (Operations and Outreach): Gavin Richards
Deputy Head (International and Educational Opportunities): Simon Armitage
Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning): Tanya Khimyak
Director of Communications: Claire Ziwa
Deputy Bursar and Chief Financial Officer: Ginni Carroll
Director of HR: Cheryl Few
Business Development Director: Kathy Sawtell
Director of ICT: Fraser Robertson