Perse

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What it's like

Founded in 1615, originally in Free School Lane, it moved to its present 30-acre green field site on the outskirts of Cambridge in 1960. It has striking and excellent modern facilities, most recently a sports hall, sixth-form centre and music school; a new teaching and library block is under construction. Its (co-educational) pre-prep and prep schools are nearby. The school is moving towards full co-education. While the sixth form has been mixed for over a decade, girls have been admitted at age 11 and 13 from 2010 so the school will be mixed at all levels from 2012. It is Christian but non-denominational. There are strong links with the university. There is an efficient pastoral care scheme. In keeping with its academic grammar school heritage, teaching is good, academic standards high and examination results excellent. Many pupils go on to Oxbridge. It is strong in music and drama and also in art. It has a notable record in sports and games (representatives at county and national level). There is a good range of extra-curricular activities, overseas trips, a large and energetic CCF and scout and venture scout troops.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18, 850 day pupils (750 boys, 150 girls - girls admitted throughout the school since 2010). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam at 11 and 13; for sixth form entry, 62+ GCSE points (grade A in most sixth form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. 40% of pupils live in Cambridge itself, the remainder are drawn from broadly from the whole of East Anglia - Huntingdon, Suffolk, Essex. State school entry approx 40% intake at 11. Own prep school, The Perse Preparatory School, provides 50%+ intake.

Scholarships & bursaries

Academic and scholarships awarded at age 11 and 13; academic, art, music and general scholarships in sixth form. Also bursaries for certain state-school entrants. Means-tested help (5%-100% of fees) for those in financial need.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Edward Elliott in post from 2008. Previously Deputy Headmaster of the school.

Exam results

GCSE/IGCSE: 95 pupils in fifth form, all gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 121 in upper sixth pasing an average 3.3 subjects.

Pupils' destinations

Typically, all sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (25% after a gap year), up to 25% to Oxbridge. 25% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 10% in law, 30% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 5% in other subjects, eg accountancy.

Curriculum

GCSE/IGCSE, AS and A-levels, Pre-U. 26 subjects at AS/A-level. Some take GCSE/IGSE maths or French in Year 10, additional maths in Year 11. PSHE programme throughout Year 7-11. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level. Also sixth-form enrichment programme. Vocational: Careers experience available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; also Russian, Italian, Japanese Latin and Greek on demand. French compulsory to GCSE. Regular exchanges (France and Germany). ICT: Taught across the curriculum (eg databases in geography, powerpoint presentations in most subjects). Many computers for pupil use, all networked and all with email and internet access. Pupils' laptops can be wirelessly linked to school network.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestras, wind band, brass group, choirs, chamber music groups. National chamber group brass award. Drama: Majority of pupils are involved in school productions, all in other productions. Very large number of plays, form drama evenings etc. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 12 A-level.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket compulsory to 14. Optional: tennis, squash, badminton, table tennis, basketball, athletics, rock climbing available; off site golf, cross-country. County and national champions at hockey and many other sports at numerous levels. Activities: Enrichment programme, CCF and community service optional. Young Enterprise scheme awards. National finalists Bank of England's 2.5 Interest Rate Competition (2001-03). Up to 30 clubs, eg astronomy, bridge, chess, Christian Union, drama, debating, electronics, fencing, judo, charity, computing, music, Scouts and Explorer Scouts. Union society arranges lectures from public figures.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn, dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses. Prefects. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational. Social: Music and drama (including master classes) plus debates, discos, plays with other schools. Organised trips abroad. Meals self-service. School tuckshop.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework may be given lunchtime work session. Detailed anti-drug, bullying and other policies.

Association of former pupils

is run by the Development Director, c/o the School.

Former pupils

Sir Peter Hall (theatre director); David Tang (Hong Kong businessman); 2 Nobel prizewinners; many notable university figures.