Energy, Courage, Integrity
King’s Ely is a leading independent, co-educational day and boarding school in Cambridgeshire which serves the academic and pastoral needs of children aged 2 to 18, with boarders from 8 years old.
Nestled in the beautiful and tranquil cathedral city of Ely, King’s Ely is a vibrant, nurturing, inclusive and forward-looking community which has prepared children's futures for a millennium, making it one of the oldest schools in the world.
Ely is just 15 minutes from Cambridge and 1 hour from London, with direct rail links to both. The school is a 5 minute walk from Ely train station and King’s Ely’s privately-run school buses stop at key locations around Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.
King’s Ely is delighted to be a finalist in the recent Independent Schools of the Year Awards, and its latest Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection (November 2021) resulted in the school achieving the highest grading possible in every single category.
Inspectors said that “pupils throughout King’s Ely make excellent progress across all areas of learning and at all ages and ability ranges”, and that “pupils show a keen appreciation, respect and support for the diverse nature of their community”.
King’s Ely is a school where learning really is an adventure. Students are encouraged to take risks in their learning, pushing themselves beyond the boundaries of their expectations, discovering more about the world around them, and, in doing so, more about themselves. What makes King’s Ely special is its determination to instil in the young people in its care a real enthusiasm for learning and a belief that all students can achieve if the teaching is approached in a way that suits the learning style of each pupil. This is not easy necessarily; it is challenging, often uncomfortable, but King’s Ely students know that they are well supported, that their teachers believe in them, and so they are willing to step out of their ‘comfort zone’ and take the very risks that will bring about high-level learning.
Whether a student shines in a classroom, in a laboratory, on a stage, on a pitch or on a mountainside, King’s Ely promises an abundance of opportunity for personal development, both academically and socially.
Organisation. King’s Ely is fully co-educational from the ages of 2 to 18. The total roll is 1,050 and around a quarter of pupils over the age of 8 are boarders.
The school is divided into four parts: King’s Ely Acremont, the Nursery and Pre-Prep for children aged 2 to 7, which stands in its own grounds at Acremont House; King’s Ely Junior for children aged 7–13 (Years 3–8); King’s Ely Senior for students aged 13–16 (Years 9–11) and King’s Ely Sixth Form for students aged 16–18 (Years 12–13).
Buildings. The Old Palace on Palace Green, home for centuries to the Bishops of Ely, serves as the entrance to the school, housing the Sixth Form Centre, the Head’s Offices and Admissions, as well as the Development Office. The school still uses many of Ely’s medieval monastic buildings – as boarding houses, as classrooms and as the dining hall. The 14th century Porta, the great gateway to the monastery, has been converted into a magnificent Senior School Library. Other recent buildings show the continuing and substantial investment in modern facilities: the renovated Georgian villa that now houses the Nursery and Pre-Prep section of King’s Acremont; a new Art School and Performance Studies block, housing the new Dance Studio and ‘Black Box’ Drama Studio; a Technology Centre; a Senior Music School and Recital Hall and a self-contained, two-storey accommodation including seven classrooms and a science laboratory for Years 7 and 8.
King’s Ely Acremont. At King’s Ely Acremont, children thrive in a happy, safe environment where they feel secure and valued and quickly develop a sense of belonging. Children from the ages of 2 to 7 are encouraged to question, explore and have the confidence and security to take risks in their learning. A rich, creative curriculum sets the children on the road to becoming lifelong thinkers and learners. Courage and courtesy are valued, encouraged and celebrated publicly.
Children may start in King’s Ely Nursery in the term in which they turn 2. The Nursery is sessional and it is recommended children attend three sessions a week from the outset. However, flexibility to suit the needs of each individual child is important. As children progress through the Nursery, the number of sessions should increase to a minimum of five sessions per week. The children are very well prepared for a smooth transition into Reception through regular visits ensuring that they are very familiar with both staff and setting in the next stage of their journey through King’s Ely. Please contact Admissions to discuss suitable sessions for your child.
Children start Reception in the September following their 4th birthday. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are all taught in Acremont House. Small class sizes, with a Teacher and Teaching Assistant in each, allow children to flourish, preparing them well for the transition to King’s Ely Junior.
King’s Ely Acremont offers working parents the option of an 8am Breakfast Club, After School Care until 6pm and Holiday Club. Forest School, Science Club and Musical Sparklers are just some of the clubs on offer.
King’s Ely Junior. King’s Ely Junior celebrates the many ways that students learn and is keen to embrace different learning styles. Students are encouraged to develop their autonomy as they mature and there is an expectation of an ever-increasing use of information literacy, technology and study skills during the students’ time at King’s Ely Junior. Individual responses, such as films being made for homework, or a computer generated response to a task are equally as welcome as a formal written piece of work. Students can be characterised by their flexibility of approach and it is seen as an important life skill for the next generation.
Ensuring that every student is challenged to fulfil their potential and encouraged along the way, requires that the progress of each student is measured and supported well at all times. Form Tutors shoulder this role on a day to day basis. However, each student has a Head of Year who monitors their work and considers how well they are progressing against the school’s predictions. Weekly meetings ensure that speedy intervention is offered to support or extend students appropriately.
From Year 5 onwards, students are set for Maths and English. At this point the students are split between four sets of about 14. These groups are reviewed frequently by the subject teachers and the Head of Year and any adjustments to the sets are made by the Director of Studies, following discussion with parents. As students progress through the school more subjects are set, such as Languages and Science. In Years 7 and 8, subjects are linked according to the English, Maths and Science or Language sets. Students are taught in four or five groups, depending on subject.
Every term is punctuated by a host of academic challenges that serve to inspire the pupils and encourage them to push the parameters of their learning. Examination results are high and the school prides itself on being at the forefront of developments in the educational world.
During the school day all children are divided among four co-educational Houses for pastoral and competitive purposes; each of these Houses is staffed by male and female members of the teaching staff. King’s Ely Junior has one co-educational boarding house and one for the boy choristers of Ely Cathedral who are all pupils of King’s Ely Junior. There is a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities both at lunch times and after school – Archery, Pottery, Golf, Engineering Club – the choices are endless!
King’s Ely Senior. The amount of academic choice that pupils can exercise grows as they move through the Senior School. Options in the Sixth Form are very flexible and the sets are often small. Up to GCSE (Year 11) there is a compulsory core of English, Mathematics, Religious Studies and Sciences. In addition, every pupil chooses up to four option subjects from: Art, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Design and Technology, Food and Nutrition, Drama, English as a Foreign Language, French, Geography, German, History, Latin, Music, Physical Education, Spanish. Inter-House competitions in disciplines such as singing, Ely Scheme and debating are keenly participated in.
King’s Ely International. At King’s Ely International, students are welcomed from all over the world to engage with the unique community that is King’s Ely. The aim is to ensure a smooth and successful transition into the vibrant environment of a UK boarding school, steeped in history but offering an innovative educational experience.
Although fully integrated with the main school, King’s Ely International offers effective support academically for international students between the ages of 14 and 16 who may be studying for the first time in the UK. The one-year intensive GCSE course suits students who wish to complete their GCSEs in a year. The Pre-GCSE programme is for students between the ages of 14 and 15 who need support in their English. It is also a “stand-alone” course and may be seen as a sabbatical year, especially for European students who wish to return to their home countries after a year abroad improving their English.
Extra-Curricular Activities. King's Ely has a holistic approach to education and this is reflected in the school’s thriving co-curricular scene, for which it is renowned. Music, Art, Drama, Ely Scheme (outdoor education), Sports, practical hobbies and interests – all are catered for in a large range of lunchtime and after-hours activities.
Ely Scheme. All pupils in Year 9 are introduced to the school’s distinctive outdoor pursuits programme, Ely Scheme, which provides a training in practical and personal skills and in teamwork, initiative and leadership. For some pupils it leads on to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme or to specialised activities such as climbing, kayaking or pioneering.
Art, Drama and Music. Music is strong, as one would expect in a school that is so closely linked to the cathedral. There is a full programme of performances for school and public audiences, and regular tours overseas. Nearly half of all pupils have personal tuition in a musical instrument; many learn two or even three. An outstanding Art School, opened in March 2010, inspires Fine Art, Sculpture, Photography and Textiles. All parts of the school present plays every year in addition to productions by year or ad hoc groups.
Games. The school’s main sports are Rowing, Rugby, Football, Netball, Hockey and Cricket. Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Tennis, Sailing, Squash, Swimming, Golf, Clay Pigeon Shooting and Horse Riding are also available. All pupils are encouraged to take part in team games, and there is a full programme of fixtures against other schools.
Religious Worship. The Junior and Senior Schools worship regularly in Ely Cathedral. Other services weekly are also in accordance with the principles of the Church of England. The Bishop conducts a confirmation service for pupils in the Lent Term. However, all denominations (or none) are warmly welcome.
Exeats. Boarders are granted weekend exeats on the written request of a parent or guardian. Weekly and flexi boarding are increasingly popular.
Admission. Registration forms can be obtained from the Admissions Department and a £100 (£150 for non-EU) fee is payable at first registration.
Admission to King’s Ely Acremont is by interview.
Admission to King’s Ely Junior is by interview and INCAs in English and Maths. There is also Lucid screening for dyslexia. King’s Ely Junior entrance assessments are held in January prior to the following Michaelmas Term. Small groups of children are invited to attend assessments throughout January. Offers are made for the beginning of February.
Admission to King’s Ely Senior at 13+ entrance is by the school’s entrance examination consisting of English, Maths, Science and Lucid in late January.
Admission to Year 12 at 16+ is by interview with the Principal and predicted GCSE grades. The entry qualification for the Sixth Form is not less than six C grades with B grades in subjects selected for A Level. Twenty-seven AS/A2 Level subjects are offered in Years 12 and 13. Taster Days are held throughout November and December.
Pupils may enter the school at any time, depending on availability of space and assessment.
Scholarships and Exhibitions. Entrance Scholarships and Exhibitions up to a cumulative total of 10% of tuition fees are awarded for achievement and potential in academic work, music and sport, and 5% in art, design technology, drama.
A competitive examination is held in January each year and successful candidates enter Year 9 the following Michaelmas Term. These Scholarships will be continued until the end of Year 11, subject to satisfactory progress, after which an application for a Sixth Form Scholarship may be made.
King’s Ely Senior:
Academic Scholarships are for the three years from Year 9 leading to the GCSE examinations and are made on the basis of a competitive examination set by the school in January. Successful candidates are also interviewed.
Music Scholarships are available for choral and/or instrumental excellence, including organ-playing, and may include free weekly tuition on two musical instruments. Candidates for entry into Year 9 are invited to the school for auditions in January.
All boy Choristers of Ely Cathedral are full boarders of King’s Ely Junior and receive a choristership worth 50% of fees while they remain in the choir and a bursary worth 33% of fees on transfer to King’s Ely Senior. Members of the Cathedral Girls’ Choir are all boarders in King’s Ely Senior and receive a bursary worth 33% of boarding fees. Additional means-tested funding may be available. Chorister auditions are held in February for boys who will be aged 8 and for girls who will be 13 by the following September.
Sports Awards, for entry into Year 9, are open to boys and girls with potential for major county, regional or national representation or with all-round sporting excellence. Reports will be sought from the candidates’ coach(es) and practical tests, if required, will be held at the school in January.
Art, Drama and Design Technology Exhibitions are available for entry into Year 9 and assessments are held in January.
Sixth Form:
Academic Scholarships are for the two years of the A Level course and are made following an examination in November and an interview with the Vice Principal (Academic) and Head of Sixth Form (Academic). Candidates should be on course for at least six A* or A passes at GCSE.
Music Scholarships are available for choral and/or instrumental excellence, including organ-playing, and may include free weekly tuition on two musical instruments. Candidates for entry into Year 12 are invited to the school for auditions in November.
Sports Awards, for entry into Year 12, are open to boys and girls with potential for major county, regional or national representation or with all-round sporting excellence. Reports will be sought from the candidates’ coach(es) and practical tests, if required, will be held at the school in November.
Art, Drama and Design Technology Exhibitions are available for entry into Year 12 and assessments are held in November.
Full particulars of all awards are available on the King’s Ely website.
Bursaries. Awards may be supplemented by a means-tested Bursary if there is genuine financial need. Bursary support may be available to new pupils over the age of 7 whose parents are unable to pay the full tuition fee.
Fees per term (2024-2025). King’s Ely Acremont Nursery and Pre-Prep: Nursery places are booked by the session; Daily rates range from £35.50 (mornings), £80 (extended day). The fee for Pre-Prep Reception to Year 2 is £4,924.85 per term (no boarding). Pre- and after-school care and holiday club are available at extra charge.
King’s Ely Junior per term: Years 3 and 4: £6,907.87 (day); £10,992.36 (boarding); Years 5 to 8: £7,487.66-£7,701.98 (day); £11,601.48-£11,771.81 (boarding).
King’s Ely Senior per term: Years 9 to 13: £10,132.82-£10,349.40 (day); £15,260.71-£15,697.25 (boarding).
Flexi boarding: It may be possible to offer overnight accommodation for day pupils on an occasional basis at a cost of £72.47–£86.72 per night. The cost of extended flexi boarding will be quoted in advance upon application to Admissions.
Concessions: A generous discount in fees is available from age 4 for children of clergy serving the Christian faith and boarders who are children of Services personnel in receipt of CEA and also for children of FCO employees. Sibling discount on the third child is available. Bursaries are available to those entering Year 7 or beyond.
Fees include VAT.
Old Eleans. Former pupils receive news of the school and of their contemporaries and are invited annually to events.
Charitable status. The King’s School, Ely is a Registered Charity, number 802427. Its aims and objectives are to offer excellence in education to day and boarding pupils.