Boarding schools in the Cambridge area
Variety and quality in Cambridgeshire
Education and knowledge have a long history in Cambridge; the famous university is only a part of a much bigger picture, which includes a wide selection of boarding schools.
Here you can find some examples of the boarding schools to be found in Cambridge and the surrounding area:
Top school in Norfolk
Gresham's School
Gresham´s School dates back to 1555 and is one of the traditional public schools founded to replace those which had closed as part of Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. This boarding school is located on a historic campus on the outskirts of the small market town of Holt in Norfolk. It has an excellent reputation and is frequently listed as one of the best IB providers in the country. It also offers A-level teaching and examinations. Gresham´s is academically challenging and offers its students an outstanding education alongside a multitude of extracurricular activities, from a Debating Society to Student Robotics. Rugby, cricket and hockey are the main sports options, but tennis and swimming are also taught to a high standard. The school’s Auden Theatre boasts both a modern stage and sound technology and is an important venue in the region.
|
Boarding school type |
Coeducational boarding school |
|
School-leaving certificate |
A-Levels and International Baccalaureate |
|
Minimum stay |
One school year for A-level path, two years for IB path |
|
Number of students |
Around 820, including approx. 130 international students |
| Location |
Holt, Norfolk, England. The town has a population of 3,800 |
|
Closest airports |
Norwich Airport (34 km), London Stansted (163 km) |
Boarding school to the north of Cambridge
King's Ely
King´s Ely has a proud history as one of the oldest schools in the world. It was founded in 940 to educate the choirboys of the Ely Cathedral was given a Royal Charter by King Henry VIII in 1541, making it a King’s School. The school still has very strong links with the cathedral, where it holds services and which it provides with both boy and girl choristers. It also uses many of the cathedral buildings, such as the Old Palace, which houses the Sixth Form.
Today, the boarding school offers a modern learning and living environment. It has exceptionally well equipped music facilities: the Gibson Music School was opened in 2001 and houses not only practice rooms, but also the most up-to-date recording equipment. Sports play an important role in school life too. The school has its own boathouse located on the River Ouse, close to the University of Cambridge. It also runs the Ely Scheme, which is a unique outdoor adventure programme.
King’s Ely also operates a Summer School, which allows students to gain a unique insight into boarding school life while also developing their English language skills.
|
Boarding school type |
Coeducational boarding school |
|
School-leaving certificate |
A-Levels |
|
Minimum stay |
One school year (three terms) |
|
Number of students |
Around 990, including approx. 140 international students |
|
Location |
Ely, Cambridgeshire, England. The cathedral city has a population of 20,000 |
|
Closest airports |
London Stansted (73 km), London Heathrow (168 km) |
Boarding school for girls with a view of Cambridge University
St Mary's School
St Mary´s School was founded in the 19th century and is located in central Cambridge. It is a Catholic all-girls boarding school with a friendly and supportive atmosphere and an excellent reputation. It is particularly well-regarded for maths and science and it offers an equally high standard of teaching in other subjects. The pupils are also able to take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities. Dance, theatre and design all play an important role at the school. Pupils also benefit from excellent sports provision: as well as the school’s own tennis courts and fitness centre, they are able to use the many facilities of the University of Cambridge.
|
Boarding school type |
All-girls boarding school |
|
School-leaving certificate |
A-Levels |
|
Minimum stay |
One school year (three terms) |
|
Number of students |
Around 410, including approx. 50 international students |
|
Location |
Central Cambridge |
|
Closest airports |
London Stansted (50 km), London Heathrow (118 km) |
School in Suffolk near to the coast
Woodbridge School
Woodbridge School is located a few kilometres from the coast, in a town of the same name. It was founded in the 17th century and has stood on a large and leafy campus on the outskirts of Woodbridge since 1864. Woodbridge has a strong academic focus, combined with exceptionally good provision for music and drama. It has both a modern and extremely well-equipped Music School and the Seckford Theatre, which seats 350. The sports provision is also particularly good as the school offers top-class facilities for pupils to take part in a wide range of sports.
|
Boarding school type |
Coeducational boarding school |
|
School-leaving certificate |
A-Levels |
|
Minimum stay |
Two terms |
|
Number of students |
Around 800, including approx. 60 international students |
|
Location |
Woodbridge, Suffolk, England. The town has a population of 11,000 |
|
Closest airports |
London Stansted (95 km), London Heathrow (194 km) |