King's College School, Cambridge
School summary
Tracing its origins to 1440, King's College School in Cambridge is a small, mixed independent prep school for pupils aged 4 to 13, with around 385 children on roll. Its historic link to the choral tradition endures through chorister scholarships, and boarding is available alongside day places. With a favourable pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 13 to 1, classes stay manageable, and the school was judged excellent across the board by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, including for pupils' personal development. Notably, almost a quarter of pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a setting attentive to a range of learning needs.
Where every mark matters.
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Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 13 January 2026
Teaching & academics
The ISI awarded its highest rating of excellent for the quality of pupils' academic and other achievements, a strong signal of the standard maintained here. A pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly 13 to 1 allows for close attention, and the school prepares children for entry at 11+ as well as onward transfer at 13. The substantial proportion of pupils receiving SEN support indicates teaching geared to individual progress rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Head · Yvette Day
Beyond the classroom
The school's foundation in the choral tradition lives on through chorister scholarships, offering musically able children a distinctive route into school life. Boarding provision extends the day for those who want fuller involvement in the wider community.
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1440
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 23.59%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £19,242 - £24,408
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £37,818
- Bursaries up to
- 100% of fees
Means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent
Schools nearby
St John's College School
Cambridge, East of England
Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts (CSVPA)
Cambridge, East of England
Net School
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, East of England
The Leys School
Cambridge, East of England
Heritage School
Cambridge, East of England
Cardiff Sixth Form College, Cambridge
Cambridge, East of England
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A small, historic Cambridge prep with an excellent ISI verdict and a genuine choral heritage. Means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent mean the substantial fees need not rule out talented children from less affluent homes.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
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King's College School, Cambridge 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.