King's Ely

King’s Ely is located in the beautiful cathedral city of Ely, which is just 15 minutes north of Cambridge and one hour from London, with direct rail links to both. As one of the oldest schools in the country, we were founded in 970AD, King’s Ely has been serving the academic and pastoral needs of boys and girls, aged 2-18 years, for over a thousand years. Boys and girls from all over the world, come to King’s Ely to enjoy a well-rounded education in a city of unparalleled beauty and history. Whether a student shines in a classroom or laboratory, on a stage, on a pitch or on a mountainside, our curriculum, and the opportunities that it offers, is as broad as it is balanced.

We empower our young people to challenge themselves, to push beyond the boundaries of their own expectations and to achieve more than they ever believed possible. King’s Ely students achieve excellent GCSE and A-level results. In 2023, we were delighted that a quarter of all A level students received A*-A grades with 48% of all grades awarded being A*-A. This resulted in 98% of students gaining a place at their first-choice university.

However, our school is about much more than exam results and league tables. Innovative approaches to teaching and learning allow our pupils develop the self-knowledge and inner resilience that will enable them to face the challenges of an ever-changing world. Our students are encouraged to develop their creativity and critical thinking through independent learning. They are guided and supported by a team of experienced staff who are committed to bringing out the best in everyone. King’s Ely was rated as ‘Excellent’ in all aspects of its most recent Inspection (November 2021).

King’s Ely is best known for its music, art (including textiles), drama and STEM. Pupils can access up to twenty different sports, at elite and participatory level, including rowing on a near perfect stretch of the River Ouse. Our inventive and extensive co-curricular programme is enjoyed by the majority of students on a daily basis.

We are proud to be custodians of some of the region’s most historic buildings within the school estate. Yet our teaching facilities are modern and purpose-built, with an annual programme of investment and enhancement. Boarders, including the boy and girl choristers of Ely Cathedral, live in one of seven picturesque boarding houses. The Cathedral – one of the finest in the world – makes the perfect setting for concerts, performances and weekly assemblies.

King’s Ely is a family. Staff and pupils alike are part of a community that is vibrant, nurturing and inclusive. Staff have access to a wide range of benefits which include nutritious lunches served in the Monastic Barn Dining Hall, complimentary tickets to a programme of amazing school concerts and productions and investment in a programme of continued professional development.

No other school’s pupils or staff are the same and no two King’s Ely students or staff members are alike. We are, as a result, Uniquely King’s.