Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS)
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, East of England · CB4 1NQ
Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS) is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school in Cambridge, taking pupils from 13 right through to age 24. With 534 on roll and 245 in the sixth form, it is a medium-sized school heavily weighted towards older students preparing for university and beyond. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated both its education and its pupils' personal development as excellent. One important caveat: the school did not meet ISI compliance standards at inspection, and prospective families should ask the school directly how this has been addressed.
534
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£18,990
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 13-24
- Pupils
- 534
- Location
- Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, East of England
- Website
- https://www.catscambridge.com/
- Telephone
- 01223 314431
Headteacher
Head Dr Hugh McCormick
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Teaching & academics
The school offers GCSEs and A-levels under the leadership of Head Dr Hugh McCormick. A-level choices lean strongly towards the sciences and quantitative subjects, with Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics, Chemistry, Biology and Physics all popular, alongside Sociology. This makes CATS a natural fit for academically ambitious students aiming at competitive STEM and economics-related degree courses. Around 8.4 per cent of pupils receive SEN support.
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 245
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 8.43%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Arts & extracurricular
Popular GCSE subjects
Ethos & heritage
- Boarding
- Yes
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £13,990 - £18,990
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £14,595 - £21,465
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 23 January 2026
The last word
A Cambridge-based school built around serious academic preparation for university, with a marked science and maths focus. The excellent ISI judgements are encouraging, though the unmet compliance finding is worth raising before committing.
The Passmate verdict
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Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS) 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS) located?
Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS) is located at 1 High Street, Chesterton, Cambridge, Cambridge, CB4 1NQ.
What type of school is Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS)?
Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS) is an independent (fee-paying) school in East of England.
How many pupils attend Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS)?
Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS) has approximately 534 pupils on roll.
What is Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS)'s inspection rating?
Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS) is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 23 January 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.