The Perse School
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

The Perse School is a co-educational independent day school located across three sites in the city of Cambridge. Founded in 1615, it became fully co-educational in 2012. The Nursery and Reception classes, which form the Early Years Foundation Stage, share a campus with the pre-preparatory school, while the preparatory school, upper school and sixth form each have their own separate sites. The school is a charitable company limited by guarantee, overseen by a single governing body. The school aims to encourage all pupils to fulfil their academic potential, fostering intellectual curiosity, independence of mind and creativity, and a love of learning. It seeks to provide a rounded education rich in extracurricular opportunities that develop life skills, character and perspective, while also helping pupils to appreciate the spiritual dimension to life and to develop a social and moral framework. Pupils come from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, with just under half from Cambridge itself and the remainder from surrounding towns and villages within a 30-mile radius of the school. The school supports pupils with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the most able pupils are provided with a modified curriculum.

Year 7-11: not allowed to use phones during school day around school site. Can contact family from school office if urgent need. After 4pm (end of school day) students can use phones. Sixth form can use phones in designated areas including sixth form common room.