Cambridge independent schools

[Zaazaa2021]

Hi there, we are moving to Cambridgeshire and wondered if anyone could recommended a good independent secondary school which isn’t particularly academic but is a lovely school with happy children?

In Cambridge itself, Sancton Wood (up to age 16). Well known for its pastoral care and not academically selective as far as I'm aware.

The Leys has a broad focus and isn't overly academic.

Or Kimbolton if you aren't in the city itself, it's sporty whilst results are still decent.

St Mary’s is supposed to be very good for girls. Kings Ely.

St Faith’s is a good option.
Perse schools are academic.
Train ride north to Kings Ely for an allcomers education also an option.

St Mary’s for girls.
Kings Ely
St Faiths

Avoid Perse if not academic.

St Faith is only up to end of year 8 though

@1busybee

St Faith is only up to end of year 8 though

Quite right! I meant to write The Leys instead of St Faith’s. Whoops 🙈

Thank you! I assumed the Leys was academic...

@Zaazaa2021

Thank you! I assumed the Leys was academic...

No nothing like Perse. Very old and traditional from what I hear . Hugely boarding focused. Even day pupils are there long hours

@Zaazaa2021

Thank you! I assumed the Leys was academic...

I'd say it was considered the least academic of the 3 main co-ed day schools. Hours are v long though, 8-8.30pm with day boarding. I've heard some quite negative things are Kings recently, and met several families who have pulled their multiple children out. I've not seen this happen at other schools but it could just be a coincidence of who I'm meeting perhaps.

What have you heard on Kings?

And is it The Kings School or Kings Ely please?

@KleineDracheKokosnuss

And is it The Kings School or Kings Ely please?

So sorry, I meant Kings Ely.

I've not heard anything bad about Kings beyond the parking/traffic in the morning which applies to all of them.

It depends on the age of the child. No need to "avoid The perse" if not academic as you won't pass the entrance tests if you are not academic as there are not enough places for all the applicants anyway.

I would think broader than the 'academic' aspect, especially your child's personality/interests. Most independent schools here have selective entry, except maybe Sancton Wood, Heritage, CIS and the Landmark.

What year entry are you looking for? Do you want all the way through to sixth form? The Leys, Perse, Stephen Perse and St Mary's go all the way through. St Faith's and The Leys are part of the same foundation, but St Faith's pupils still have to sit entrance exams in year 6 or year 8 for The Leys.

To add to previous posters' comments, just under half of The Leys are day/ home boarding pupils. Day pupils can leave around 4:30pm, home boarders around 8:30pm.

Interested to know more about the concerns at Kings Ely. We’re thinking about it for our children when they finish state primary (a good few years away yet) - we’ve recently inherited some money that has been invested to potentially provide for school fees and Kings Ely is only 20 mins from where we live.

I have o it heard good things about Lings Ely recently. I have three families I know who have got children there. One family has had three children (all very different) but she felt kings Ely brought out e best in all the three. She raves about the school. Another moved there from a state school and they are very happy. Another moved from a big name boarding school and are happy there.
It’s all anecdotal and you really need to visit to get your own feel for what it is like.

Thanks for that @leftandaright, we’re new to the whole process and are considering various options around the Cambridge area, though with Kings Ely being the geographically closest it would be high up the list.

We’re still a way off decision making - eldest is in Yr2 and youngest starts Primary this September - though it will come round before we know it!

St Faiths is a funny one - I know a few families who have really struggled with bullying there and removed their child/ren - certainly enough to make me think it wasn’t an isolated incident. Others are happy there. Feels like if your face doesn’t fit it won’t work out for you.

We are Kings Ely. We’ve been very happy and are leaving only due to moving away

just wonder why not many here mentioned Stephen perse foundation (senior form). I am considering apply for the school and St Mary's.
If my girl is more academic (not good at sports or music), which school you would recommend?

the thread was initially about less academic schools, so that's probably why Stephen Perse wasn't mentioned - it's probably one of the most academic ones around. The do have music there as well, and sports, but I get the feeling that there is somewhat less devotion to sports than some other schools.

Thanks SCMocha for your info

The Perse School's top rankings in GCSE and A-level results might suggest it's the best in Cambridge, but a closer look at other secondary schools reveals they're not far behind.

One factor to consider is that Perse, like other top schools, attracts students from a wide catchment area. This raises questions about whether these schools are drawing talent from far and wide to maintain their rankings, potentially to prevent students from transferring to schools like Hills Road Sixth Form College. Just a thought!