King’s Ely School: Exploring Reviews, Rankings, Fees, And More
Let’s take a closer look at King’s Ely. The school is about more than just rankings and exam results. It is about how students grow, both academically and personally. Through its teaching approach, pastoral care, and wide range of opportunities, King’s Ely aims to give every student a strong foundation and the confidence to thrive.
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Key Features of King's Ely
- Local authority: Cambridgeshire
- Pupils: 1,125; sixth formers: 193
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £10,971 per term; Boarding £16,639 per term (inclusive of VAT)
King's Ely School Results
Latest Results:
- GCSE Results (2025): Up to 50% 9-7
- A Level Results (2025): Up to 50% A*-A
Teaching and Learning at King's Ely
Academic Structure
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Pre-Prep and Prep School: Young learners are introduced to core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities. The curriculum is enriched with Art, Music, Drama, Computing, and Physical Education, aiming to build a strong educational foundation.
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Senior School: Students engage in a broad range of subjects leading to GCSEs. The programme emphasises critical thinking and independent learning, preparing students for advanced studies.
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Sixth Form: A diverse selection of A-Level courses is available, including sciences, humanities, languages, and arts. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is also offered, encouraging in-depth research and academic inquiry.
Teaching Approach
King’s Ely emphasises small class sizes to provide personalised attention. The teaching methodology focuses on interactive and student-centred learning, promoting engagement and intellectual curiosity. Regular assessments and feedback help track progress and support continuous improvement.
Boarding Experience in King's Ely
The boarding process at King’s Ely School begins at the age of 7, with junior boarders accommodated in two medieval houses located within the cathedral grounds. In addition, girl choristers have their own separate residence. A dedicated matron oversees the care of boy choristers, ensuring their every need is met while fostering a sense of importance and grounding among them, as attested by parents. Flexi-boarding options have been introduced, allowing local choristers to return home overnight when their evensong duties permit.
As students progress through the school, they transition to senior houses for years 9-11 and then move to separate sixth form houses. The boarding houses are maintained to high standards of cleanliness and tidiness, with older pupils encouraged to develop independence. Despite the communal living arrangement, most rooms are shared, even in the sixth form. The proximity to the train station makes it convenient for students to travel to nearby cities like Cambridge or London.
Boarding facilities include well-equipped kitchens, inviting outdoor spaces, and ample communal areas with comfortable seating. The boarding community expands further as students advance through the school, with a growing international cohort representing 42 nationalities, showcasing the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
Extracurricular Activities in King's Ely
At King’s Ely School, music holds a special place at the heart of the school, with a renowned cathedral music programme featuring traditional choristers and a vibrant girls’ choir alongside a boys’ choir. Students have the chance to participate in various bands, ensembles, and chamber music groups, with notable mentions including the award-winning King’s Barbers, an a cappella ensemble formed by former choristers.
The arts education at King’s Ely is equally impressive, attracting many parents seeking a well-rounded education for their children. The art department showcases skilled artwork in fine art, sculpture, photography, DT, textiles, and cookery. Drama productions receive awe-inspiring reviews, providing non-sporty students with opportunities to shine outside the playing field.
While not traditionally renowned for sports, King’s Ely is making strides in the sporting arena, with achievements such as an unbeaten First XV rugby season. The new principal’s investment in improved facilities, including AstroTurf and covered tennis courts, reflects the school’s commitment to sporting excellence. The outdoor heated swimming pool, climbing walls, and vast pitches cater to a range of sporting interests as well.
The Ely Scheme, supported by the school, offers leadership opportunities for year 9 students, encompassing outdoor activities, team building, and challenges. This scheme seamlessly transitions into the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, further enriching students’ personal and leadership development.
Admissions Process: Entering King's Ely
The admissions process at King’s Ely School offers a seamless journey for children, beginning as early as age 2 in the nursery and extending through to age 18. A significant number of students start their educational journey at the nursery level and progress through the school’s various stages. While most students transition smoothly from Acremont to the junior school, occasional adjustments may be made if deemed necessary, with parents kept well informed throughout the process.
Although King’s Ely is not considered an academic pressure cooker, the school values potential and expects all students to be capable and aiming for university education. Informal testing helps identify each student’s strengths and areas for development, ensuring a supportive environment tailored to individual needs.
Significant intakes occur at key transition points, namely ages 7, 11, 13, and 16, aligning with natural progression stages within the school. Students progressing from the junior to the senior school do so seamlessly, with automatic entry provided. Additionally, scholarship exams are available for internal candidates, while external students undergo entrance exams to assess suitability for admission.
The sixth form welcomes a substantial number of new students, with entry requirements including a minimum grade of 6 in A-level subjects studied. These students come from various educational backgrounds, including local state schools, single-sex independents, and a notable overseas cohort.
SEN Support in King's Ely
Here at King’s Ely, the team is well prepared to cater to pupils that have the following special educational needs:
- Dyscalculia
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Hearing Impairment
- Mental health
School Gallery: Take a look inside King's Ely
King's Ely Testimonials and Reviews
I enjoyed my time attending Kings. I loved the traditional aspect such as the Cathedral services and the understanding of the history of the school and The City of Ely. They make you strive to your best. The teachers work hard to ensure you understand topics and also ensure you enjoy every day there. Plus, there were endless sporting opportunities, playing Golf and Clay Shooting were top parts of my week at the Senior School; those were both 2 of many sports available.
Not only that but many trips to remember such as going to Italy and the USA. I would highly recommend sending your children there. I thoroughly enjoyed my journey through school, from a 2yr old at Nursery all the way up to when I left at 16 after my GCSEs. Most who attend will go far in life, as they are given the confidence to achieve their best and aspire to success.
Both of our children attend Kings Ely. We have one child in the senior school and the other still in Junior. Across the board, the teachers are simply amazing. The focus of the school is really about the all round character, as well as the academic, and there is a strong emphasis on pastoral care as well. The opportunities are endless.
Whether your child is creative, academic or sporty, there is something for everyone. We especially love the discussion element in lessons, which allows the children to really develop their understanding of the wider world and explore the topic to its full. An incredible school with supportive and hugely enthusiastic staff. The historical setting is an added bonus!
King’s Ely is an amazing school for any child willing to discover themselves. Art, music, academic perspective – they are all fully explored at the King’s, in order to help students find their path in life. Pastoral care is a very important aspect of the school philosophy. It offers a real comfort to any parents, especially to those whose children are full boarders. Excellent meals, field trips, extracurricular activities – they all contribute to an unforgettable experience that any student could wish for.
King’s Ely inspires each child to be the best version of themselves. Pupils are polite, confident, good company and most importantly, happy! My children love going to school and their achievements since being at King’s reflect this. The staff (from leadership team through to catering) are caring, kind, inspiring and nuturing. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this school?!?
Frequently Asked Questions
This school was first established to educate the boy choristers of the worshipping community of Ely over 1,000 years ago. In the 11th century, King Edward the Confessor was educated here and throughout our history we have maintained strong links with Ely Cathedral.
The School now known as King’s Ely is the result of over a millennia of history which originally began with the education of child oblates on the site now occupied by Ely Cathedral in 673 AD at the abbey founded by St Etheldreda. In 840 the site was burned down by the Danes.
“We serve the academic and pastoral needs of around 1,000 boys and girls from the age of 2 through to 18, with boarders from 7 years old.”
“We are a day and boarding school, with international families relocating to the UK and seeking day spaces for children of all ages from 2 to 18, as well as those who are sending their child to board with us from the age of 11. We are academically selective, but not elitist.”
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