Independent School | Girls and Boys, ages 2-18 | Day and Boarding
Year 7 Entry 2027 ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME
“We know that he will thrive at King’s Ely just as his brother has, will reach his full potential in whatever direction that may lie, and will squeeze every last ounce of enjoyment and fun out of childhood. We could not ask for more.” M R A N D M R S B A I L E Y, PA R E N T S O F A L E X A N D C O O P E R
Welcome to Year 7 by Issac, Year 7 joiner 2025 “Before joining King’s, there were many things I was worried about. Would the teachers be nice? Would I make friends quickly? Would I get lost? But I settled into life at King’s extremely quickly, making friends, enjoying lessons, and finding my way around. King’s now feels like home. King’s Ely has so much to offer. There is something for everyone, like the national awardwinning drama productions and sports facilities of every kind, such as an astro, heated outdoor pool, endless playing fields, sports hall, gym, and courts. We have Games every Wednesday and Friday, which also offers fixtures against other schools in rugby, hockey, football, tennis, cricket, rowing, netball, swimming, and cross country, to name but a few. Coming to King’s Ely, my favourite subjects were History and English - two great subjects that I still love and have delved into at a deeper level that I never thought possible. Having moved schools, I am now smothered with unique lessons, such as DT and Food Tech, both with incredible facilities, teaching me things I never would have learnt at my old school. The teachers are simply the best! Something I really love is the House System and the competition between them. There are four Houses in the Prep School - Saunders, Queen Emma, Goodwin, and Queen Philippa (the best!) Every term, there are inter-House competitions, from academics to sports. There is always something to spark competition, to inspire, and to drive everyone on. So far at King’s, I have been lucky enough to be in the school musical production, represented the school in sports many times over, and have found a good group of friends. I have found my place at King’s and hope you can too!” Thank you for the interest you have shown in King’s Ely. We hope that the information included in this introductory leaflet will prompt you to take that interest further. Come and visit us so you can meet the staff and students who combine to make the school a very special place in which to grow and learn. If you have any unanswered questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on admissions@kingsely.org or 01353 660707. We look forward to hearing from you. The King’s Ely Admissions Team
Scan here to meet Mr Kibler,
Head of King’s Ely Prep
Why choose King’s Ely Prep in Year 7? • Flourishing Prep School which offers a safe and secure environment for your child’s future education • A chance to develop leadership skills and to become positive role models for the younger pupils • The perfect pathway to King’s Ely Senior and all that it has to offer • Experienced and inspiring staff who love to teach • Access to a broad balanced curriculum which offers academic rigour alongside a strength and belief in creativity, technology and STEM • A wide-ranging co-curricular programme giving abundant opportunities to hone new skills and discover new passions • A compelling sense of community across all years
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94% secured places at first choice universities Inspectors award King’s Ely a ‘Significant Strength’ Following our ISI Inspection in March 2025, the school was pleased to have met or exceeded all of the regulatory Standards. Furthermore, we were judged to have a significant strength in the way in which the school interweaves high quality pastoral care and a dynamic enrichment programme so that “pupils of all ages develop their independence, intellectual curiosity, creativity and socialisation particularly well”. We are hugely proud of this judgement which speaks volumes to the strength of the King’s Ely community and its collective drive to do the very best for each and everyone of its pupils.
Why we chose King’s Ely Let’s hear from our new parents We have told you why we think you should consider King’s Ely as a good choice of Prep and Senior School. But we would say it makes sense wouldn’t we? Why not listen to the views of parents and families who have already chosen King’s Ely for their sons and daughters. They were in the same position as you less than a year ago.
“The amazing facilities encouraged us to attend an Open Day. We were so impressed the friendly atmosphere made us feel at home, as it has the same ethos as our son’s current school. When we left the Open Day, we asked Freddie if he liked the school and he said “No - I loved it!”, so he’s really looking forward to joining in September!”
“Choosing a school that is right for your child is a very personal choice, but the holistic approach at King’s is such that we would not hesitate to recommend the school to anyone.”
“The decision to enrol our children at King’s has been driven by the school’s thriving Music Department and the unique opportunity for a deep connection with Ely Cathedral life, making it a transformative experience for our family.”
“We have been impressed, and are looking forward to the support and high expectations in the classroom throughout the Prep School. This means that our daughter will thrive academically and be ready for her next step into King’s Ely Senior School.”
“The move to King’s is a big decision for us as a family and it is one that we are confident is the right one. King’s is a real learning community where everyone is encouraged and supported to make the best of their strengths.”
“We live between Cambridge and Ely and have looked at all of the independent schools in the area, along with King’s. We concluded that King’s was the best for us. We loved the holistic approach that the school takes, with opportunities to excel in all areas. In particular, Music, Sport, Art and Drama are available in abundance which will appeal to our two very different children.”
“We are confident that our daughter will discover a passion for subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and IT. The engaging teaching style and the school’s commitment to small class sizes allow for personalised attention, nurturing a love for learning. The interactive nature of the classes make complex concepts more accessible, fostering a curiosity that extends beyond the curriculum. She is excited to join King’s Ely Prep.”
“We feel the move to King’s is right for our son as the focus on high academic standards, as well as pastoral care that supports pupils but encourages independence and resiliency, is absolutely right for him at this time.”
“The breath-taking Cathedral and the School’s picturesque surroundings create an inspiring environment for our boys to learn and grow. The sense of tradition spanning hundreds of years has left a lasting impact on our family. Our children will not be just students; they will be part of a rich legacy, gaining a profound understanding of the value of hard work, self-discipline, and their role within a historic tradition.”
“We hope our decision to choose King’s for Henry will prove to be transformative, providing a holistic education that extends far beyond the classroom. We are confident that the outstanding academic and pastoral support, will exceed our expectations and set a strong foundation for our boy’s future endeavours.”
Let the train take the strain “Our daughter travels from Cambridge to school on the train. This has been easy and a great opportunity over the years to become more independent and confident with travel. Other students travelling from Cambridge make it a more sociable, safe, and easier option for her daily travel to Ely”.
N. OP E W NO ION ’S ELY. T A ST NG DGE T TO KI I R B CAM DIREC H T D SOU ASY AN E
Our Year 7 Entry and Assessment Programme • Whole School Open Mornings Register to attend www.kingsely.org • Final date for Registration for 2026 entry: Friday 30th October 2026 • Year 7 Taster Day experience: Friday 27th November 2026 • Year 7 Entry Assessment Morning: Saturday 23rd January 2027
For more information on all of the above, please visit the school’s website www.kingsely.org or email admissions@kingsely.org
Year 7 Entry Assessments Entry assessments are carried out via the QUEST online platform. They cover verbal and non-verbal reasoning alongside Maths and English. Candidates will also be asked to complete a short written task. Laptops can be used for this if candidates have a prior arrangement. The morning will also include an interview with a member of the Prep School Leadership Team.
“King’s Ely’s Year 7; We could not ask for more” Mr and Mrs Bailey’s son Alex joined King’s Ely in Year 7. This is some of what they had to say. “Alex joined King’s Ely Prep at the start of Year 7 having previously attended our local state school. A naturally curious, academically inclined child, he had been coasting in his final years at primary school and had grown frustrated as a result. We wanted a school that would really push him to achieve his full potential, but not a “hothouse” where exam results were pursued at the expense of all else. It was important to us that Alex be encouraged to develop as a rounded individual and, most importantly, to be happy. As we were shown around the school, we were immediately struck by how the pupils interacted - with each other, with us when we asked a question, and with the Head. They all spoke confidently and respectfully and several shared a joke with their leader - not a given in every school we felt! We knew right away that this was the school for Alex. With nobody else from his school moving to King’s, we did worry about how he would settle in, but these fears soon proved to be groundless. The first few days were packed with activities, and he had soon made friends and settled right in. We noticed the difference immediately, as he started coming home from school excitedly telling us about what he had been learning that day, rather than feeling deflated and as if he had wasted his day. The academic provision has continued to shine during his time at King’s. No matter how much he learns, there are always new challenges presented to him. What has most impressed us is that he has learned to really work hard and take pride in pushing himself to new heights. This is never beyond what he is capable of or comfortable with but rather has shown him how much he can achieve with hard work - in short, he is achieving his potential.”
The full testimonial can be read by scanning the QR code or by following this link www.kingsely.org/testimonial-bykings-ely-parents-mr-and-mrs-bailey
Scan here
Our children will not be just students; they will be part of a rich legacy, gaining a profound understanding of the value of hard work, self discipline, and their role within a historic tradition.
Mr and Mrs Niezgoda, parents of Lukasz and Jan
The Old Palace Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4EW www.kingsely.org