Founded in 970 and re-founded in 1541 by Henry VIII, it has a superb position on the edge of one of the most beautiful cathedral cities in Europe. Much of the school is housed in the buildings of the old Benedictine monastery, which include the 14th-century Monastic Barn (now the school dining hall) and the Porta (gateway of the monastery) now a superb library. In the last ten years there has been extensive development and modernisation including a sports hall, all-weather pitch, DT centre, art department and library. There is also a new music school and recital hall and extensions to the junior school. The school provides continuous education for boys and girls from 2½-18. Ely cathedral serves as the school chapel and its choristers are boarders in the junior school. A friendly school, which accepts and develops children with a wide range of abilities and talents, aiming to produce confident, thoughtful and sociable young people with enthusiasm for life. A high standard of teaching prevails and examination results are good. High fliers achieve their potential, others are encouraged to exceed expectations. Very strong indeed in music and drama. A wide range of sports and games (standards are high). A lot of emphasis on outdoor pursuits and adventure training (expeditions to eg Corsica and Himalayas). Full use is made of the city's facilities, those of Cambridge (15 miles away) and London (an hour by train).
Pupils: Total age range 2½-18; 920 pupils. Senior department 13-18, 440 pupil; 280 day (173 boys, 107 girls), 160 boarding (90 boys, 70 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 2½, 4, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used, Common Entrance occasionally. For sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least 2 grade B and 3 grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills required. C of E orientated school and pupils are expected to attend school services. 25% intake at 11 from state schools (plus a few at other ages); more than 75% from own junior (enquiries to the Head's Secretary, King's Junior School; address as above, Tel 01353 660732).
Some scholarships, up to 50% fees: academic awards, others for sport, art, drama, music, design technology, boarding. Bursaries for choristers, service families, clergy families and siblings. Few extras but parents pay for sixth-form textbooks, expeditions and music lessons.
70+% live within 30 miles; some 15% live overseas.
Head: Mrs Sue Freestone, appointed 2004. Educated at Clifton High, Royal Academy of Music and Bristol University. Previously Head of Sibford School, Director of Music at Colston's Girls School, Director of Instrumental Studies at Clayesmore and Head of Music at North Foreland Lodge. Teaching staff: 98 full time, 20+ visiting music teachers. Annual turnover about 5%. Average age 38.
GCSE: 90 pupils in Year 11: 97% gained grade C or above in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 63 in Year 13 passing on average 3.0 subjects.
93% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (14+% after a gap year). 21% take courses in science (including medicine), 7% in engineering and technology, 22% in humanities and social sciences, 25% in art, drama and music. A few go on to non-degree courses eg music or drama schools, or straight into employment.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 27 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: All sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (usually a wide range), 3 at A-level; general studies not examined. Vocational: Extensive careers guidance. Special provision: Some support for mildly dyslexic pupils and for those with mild learning problems. Languages: French (from age 7), German and Spanish to GCSE, AS and A-level. Relevant exchanges (many prefer to make their own arrangements) and group visits. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg spreadsheets, databases, video-conferencing. 80+ computers for pupil use (including in evenings), all wirelss-networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument with 500 individual music lessons given each week; instrumental exams can be taken. Many musical groups including orchestras, ensembles, jazz band, concert band, steel band and various choirs. Concert band and choir tours overseas; pupils include the Ely Cathedral choristers. Drama: Drama offered to GCSE; drama and theatre studies at A-level. All pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Successful entrants to established drama schools. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 10 AS-level, 4 A-level. Textiles, photography and fine art are offered. Pupils to art colleges, running own design studios etc. Frequent visits to London for opera, concerts, theatre and exhibitions.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, football, cricket, athletics, rowing, tennis, netball, rounders, sailing, swimming, adventure training, badminton, basketball, riding and golf available. A-level sport and PE. County, national and international representation at various sports. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Wide range of activities (over 50 last year) reflecting the enthusiasms of staff and pupils.
Uniform: School uniform worn; business dress in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Houses predominantly pastoral. Prefects, head of school and deputies, head of house and house prefects - undergo selection process and professional leadership training away from school. Sixth-form committee. Religion: Church of England. 2 morning services per week. Occasional Sunday service for boarders. Social: Trips overseas include language exchanges, music tours (concert band to eg Austria, South Africa and America; annual choir tours to eg Paris, Malta, Thailand); expeditions to eg Corsica and Himalayas.
Pupils failing to produce homework will have to complete it in detention; work-force for minor offences of behaviour; suspension for 1 week or longer if more serious; expulsion if very serious.
Most sixth form in single study bedrooms, others share with 2 or 3. Single-sex houses of 50-60. Sanatorium; qualified nurse; doctor local. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own snacks. Exeats each weekend (weekly boarding increasingly popular). Visits to local town allowed out of school time and weekend activities arranged eg cinema, sports fixtures, bowling.
is run by Hon Sec, Old Eleans' Club, c/o the school.
Alan Yentob (BBC); Lord Browne of Madingley (BP Amoco); James Bowman (counter tenor); Matthew Amroliwala (journalist); Nigel Colborn (broadcaster, gardening expert); Goldie Sayers (Olympic athlete).
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