The Leys School
School summary
Founded in 1875 as a Methodist foundation, The Leys is a co-educational boarding and day school set in the heart of Cambridge. With 564 pupils across the 11-19 age range and a notably generous pupil-to-teacher ratio of around ten to one, it offers a small-class environment that the Independent Schools Inspectorate rated excellent for both education and personal development. Roughly a third of pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a community used to looking after a range of learning needs. Bursaries are available and can be combined with scholarships to cover full fees, which opens the doors a little wider than the headline figures might imply.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
86%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
61%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
85%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 11 November 2025
Teaching & academics
Results are strong: 86 per cent of GCSE entries reach grades 9-7, well above the national average of 23 per cent, and at A-level 61 per cent of grades are A*-A against a national figure of 28 per cent. The sciences and mathematics feature prominently at both GCSE and A-level, alongside a healthy spread of humanities, languages and creative subjects. Pupils can also take the EPQ, and the breadth of options, from Latin and Classical Greek to Chinese and Economics, gives able students plenty of scope.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Head · Dr Clare Ives
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 206
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Scholarships in music, art and sport sit alongside academic awards, signalling that achievement here is recognised well beyond the classroom. Creative subjects such as Drama, Fine Art and Design feature strongly in the curriculum, hinting at an active cultural life.
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1875
- Religious character
- Methodist
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 31.56%
- EHC plans
- 0%
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.
Fees & bursaries
- 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.
Schools nearby
Heritage School
Cambridge, East of England
The Stephen Perse Foundation
East of England
St Mary's School
cambridge, East of England
Stephen Perse Cambridge Sixth Form
Cambridge, East of England
Cardiff Sixth Form College, Cambridge
Cambridge, East of England
Sancton Wood School
East of England
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A long-established Cambridge school combining high academic attainment with small classes and meaningful financial support for families who need it.
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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The Leys School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.