The Leys School
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, East of England · CB2 7AD
Founded in 1875 as a Methodist foundation, The Leys is Cambridge's only boarding and day school of its kind, drawing pupils from age 11 through to the sixth form. With 564 pupils and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 10 to one, classes stay small and individual attention is built into the structure. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education and personal development, with all compliance standards met. A genuinely mixed community of day pupils and boarders sits at its heart, led by Head Dr Clare Ives.
564
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£34,470
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 11-19
- Pupils
- 564
- Pupil:teacher ratio
- 10
- Location
- Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, East of England
- Website
- www.theleys.net
- Telephone
- 01223 508900
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Head Dr Clare Ives
Latest results
Attainment 8
45.1
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
0%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
86%
A-level A*-A
61%
A-level A*-B
85%
Teaching & academics
Results at A-level are strong, with 61% of grades at A*-A and 85% at A*-B, and the breadth of sixth-form subjects, from Further Mathematics and the sciences to Chinese and Government and Politics, points to ambitious academic intentions. At GCSE, 86% of grades fall in the 9-7 band, though the headline Attainment 8 figure of 45.1 sits just below the national average of 46.9. The curriculum runs from GCSE through A-level and includes the EPQ for independent research. Notably, almost a third of pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a school willing to work with a wide range of learning needs.
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 206
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 31.56%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Beyond the classroom
Scholarships span academic, music, art and sports awards, signalling where the school invests its co-curricular energy. Languages extend to French, Spanish and Chinese, and creative subjects such as Drama, Fine Art and Design feature prominently at GCSE.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1875
- Religious character
- Methodist
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
All pupils in years 7-10 should hand in their phones at the start of the school day. For boarders in years 7-9, phones will be returned after prep time (at 8.15pm). Year 10 day pupils are permitted to collect their phones after house time (Tuesdays) or tutorial time (Thursdays) but the phones should be locked away until after games. For pupils in year 11 and the sixth form, no mobile phones should be used during the working day.
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £24,894 - £34,470
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £38,106 - £54,306
Available and can be used to top up scholarships to cover full fees.
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 11 November 2025
The last word
A historic Cambridge school combining boarding tradition with small classes and a notably broad sixth form. Bursaries that can top scholarships up to full fees mean the door is open wider than the headline fees suggest.
The Passmate verdict
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The Leys School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is The Leys School located?
The Leys School is located at Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 7AD.
What type of school is The Leys School?
The Leys School is an independent (fee-paying) school in East of England.
How many pupils attend The Leys School?
The Leys School has approximately 564 pupils on roll.
What is The Leys School's inspection rating?
The Leys School is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 11 November 2025.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.