Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom Day only · Co-ed Age range 3–18 1,735 pupils Founded 1615The Perse School, Cambridge
Situated in the heart of Cambridge, The Perse School offers a rich educational experience that combines academic excellence with a vibrant co-curricular pr...
About The Perse School, Cambridge
The Perse School was founded in 1615 by Stephen Perse, a Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, on its original Free School Lane site (where the former buildings now house the Whipple Museum of the History of Science). It moved to Hills Road in 1960 and today operates as a three-school foundation in Cambridge: The Pelican (nursery and pre-prep, ages 3-7), The Perse Prep (ages 7-11) and the Upper School (11-18). The school is a member of the HMC and has been fully co-educational since 2012, having admitted girls to sixth form in 1994 and to year groups 7 and 9 from 2010.
The Perse's academic profile is unusually science-heavy for an English independent school: three Nobel laureates in science count among its alumni — Sir George Paget Thomson (Physics, 1937), Ronald G. W. Norrish (Chemistry, 1967) and John Clarke (Physics, 2025). The school's proximity to the University of Cambridge has long produced a strong feeder relationship: Perse pupils account for a disproportionate share of Cambridge offers among UK independent schools each year. The Upper School cohort sits GCSEs and then A-Levels, with sixth-form A-Level performance consistently placing the Perse in the top tier of English co-educational day schools.
Beyond the sciences, the school has produced national figures across the arts, public life and sport. Sir Peter Hall, the founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company, was a pupil. So was David Gilmour, the guitarist and co-lead vocalist of Pink Floyd. The literary critic F. R. Leavis, who reshaped twentieth-century English studies at Cambridge, also attended. In law, Sir Mark Potter served as President of the Family Division and a Court of Appeal judge. In sport, England field-hockey international Tess Howard is among recent old Perseans.
The school's motto is Qui facit per alium facit per se — "He who does things for others does them for himself." The headmaster, Edward Elliott, joined the school in 1997 and has held the post since 2008. The chairman of the governing body is Jonathan W. Scott.
Programmes & strengths
University destinations
Memberships & accreditations
Pupil breakdown
- Boys
- 915 (53%)
- Girls
- 820 (47%)
- SEN support
- 315 (18.2%)
Notable alumni
Contact
Frequently asked questions
What type of school is The Perse School, Cambridge?
The Perse School, Cambridge is a co-educational independent mainstream school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Cambridgeshire. The school offers education from Nursery through to Sixth Form, with pathways leading to GCSEs and A Levels.
How do I apply to The Perse School, Cambridge?
Most families apply to The Perse School, Cambridge 1–2 years before entry, with a process that can include tests, interviews and school reports. See the private school admissions timeline for when to apply and what to expect. https://schoolscout.uk/posts/uk-private-school-admissions-timeline
What are the fees at The Perse School, Cambridge?
Fees at The Perse School, Cambridge are approximately £7,124–£9,074 per term, depending on the year group and whether pupils board. Families can learn more about UK private school fees and what is typically included. https://schoolscout.uk/posts/how-much-do-uk-private-schools-cost
Is The Perse School, Cambridge a day or boarding school?
The Perse School, Cambridge offers day options. Where boarding is available, this may include full, weekly or flexi arrangements.
Is The Perse School, Cambridge selective?
Admissions to The Perse School, Cambridge may include assessments and interviews where applicable.