Age range. 4–13 Co-educational.
Number of pupils. Boarding Choristers circa 17, Day Boys circa 151, Day Girls circa 116, Pre-Prep circa 109.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Choristers: £3,618; Day pupils £5,982–£6,440 (including lunch).
At the heart of the City of London, right beside St Paul’s Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral school pupils enjoy a holistic education in a glorious setting. Our school philosophy is that lasting achievement is rooted in wellbeing. SPCS pupils are ambitious, curious, energetic, resilient and kind.
In addition to our exceptional music programme – one orchestra and 16 ensembles and choirs – art, drama, music and sport are popular and strong here. On any given day, pupils may be studying gecko life in the Science Lab, setting sail in their imaginations in our pirate playground, choosing an inspiring book in the library, getting involved in an environmental audit or taking up a Maths challenge. We are small enough to know and nurture each pupil as an individual.
We have a growth mindset: with the right support and encouragement, all learners make excellent progress here. Our curriculum is enriched by a high proportion of lessons taught by subject specialist teachers. With the Tower of London, Globe Theatre and Tate all in easy walking distance, we make the most of the rich ‘classroom’ London provides. On leaving us, our pupils take up places at a huge range of the most competitive and exciting schools in London and nationwide.
We encourage early registrations for places at both 4+ (play-based assessment in the November before starting Reception) and 7+ (a day visit including English and Maths testing in the January of the year of entry). Skills for learning, such as curiosity and focus, and the capacity to work in a team and meet community values are assessed. A waiting list is maintained, with occasional places available. Music scholarships are offered at 11+.
Full scholarships covering day fees and means-tested bursaries for boarding are available for Cathedral Choristers. Boy choristers board and the accommodation for girl choristers opens in September 2025. Choristers must obtain admission to both the school (by assessment) and the choir (by voice trial) from 6+ to 9+.
Admissions procedure. Prospective pupils of 7+ years in September are given academic tests in verbal and non-verbal reasoning, in January of the year of entry.
Pre-Prep children (4+) are assessed in an informal play situation in the November prior to entry.
11+ entry is becoming popular, and scholarships at 11+ offering 10% fee remission are available to exceptional candidates in music, art, sport and academic ability. Occasional places sometimes come up.
For prospective boy and girl choristers, voice trials and tests are held throughout the year for pupils in Years 3, 4 and occasionally 5.
The Head is always happy to invite prospective parents to see the school.