Who We Are
We are Stephen Perse Cambridge a high-achieving school.
Founded in 1881 with support from the 17th century legacy of Dr Stephen Perse.
We offer a superb education in the heart of Cambridge, an historic seat of learning and modern hub of high-tech industry and bioscience.
Cambridge provides an enriching environment for academic and personal growth.
What We Do
Our mission is to deliver academic excellence, by nurturing every individual to realise their potential, and to encourage the Stephen Perse Cambridge community to make a positive difference.
Why Choose Stephen Perse Cambridge?
At Stephen Perse Cambridge, we are committed to delivering academic excellence, personal growth and social responsibility for all our students.
We bring out the best in every learner through a dynamic, diverse and exciting curriculum and co-curriculum.
Through our curriculum approach and values-driven ethos our students build the skills they need to thrive and to make a positive difference in the world.
We Offer
Outstanding Academic Results
Stephen Perse Cambridge is proud to achieve outstanding results in GCSEs and A levels, with students progressing to leading universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, Russell Group and Ivy League institutions. International destinations also include top universities such as Stanford, Toronto, Amsterdam, Sciences Po, Heidelberg, and Hong Kong.
2024 Results
71.5% 48% of GCSEs were graded 9-7 (A*-A). of A levels were graded A*-A.
Expert Teaching and Pastoral Care
Our inspirational and experienced teachers deliver exceptional and motivating lessons that provide stretch and challenge within a supportive environment. Our staff includes those with experience of setting and marking public examinations, including university admissions tests, and also authoring course textbooks. Dedicated tutors provide pastoral care tailored to each student’s needs.
Holistic Development Beyond the Academic
Beyond academics, our extensive co-curricular opportunities allow students to explore their talents, build confidence and connect with their peers. Through activities like Model United Nations and the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, from sports to the arts, we offer experiences that foster leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Students enjoy an extensive range of sports options, including netball, basketball, hockey, tennis, cricket, athletics, archery, paddlesports and sailing.
Cultural and Historic Enrichment
Our campus provides a safe and inspiring environment for students to live and learn, with special opportunities such as paddle boarding on the Cam from our private jetty and access to the University of Cambridge’s unique museums and the city’s wonderful selection of cultural venues and historic sites.
The atmosphere in Stephen Perse Cambridge is one of the best I have ever seen. The staff and students are not only academically excellent, but also friendly and helpful. The school encourages students to have different perspectives on questions and welcomes the exchange of ideas and communication, and everyone is able to grow in confidence in a warm and supportive environment.
The school’s encouragement of intellectual exchange has brought me a strong sense of achievement and motivation. For example, in Physics class, I have experienced not only textbook knowledge, but also its real-world connections.
What we learn is no longer isolated concepts, but interesting case studies and practical applications. The teacher explains each topic with clarity and passion.”
Michael Y Year 13 (boarder)
One-Year IGCSE Programme
For students aged 15-16,
this intensive programme prepares students for A Level studies and beyond.
Programme Highlights
• Six IGCSE Subjects: Fast-track learning on subjects including Mathematics, Science (Triple Award), English Language and a choice of Business, Geography or heritage language courses, providing choice, challenge, and relevance.
• Non-examined subjects: PSHE and RSE support students in developing skills for happy, healthy and successful personal and work lives as students and as adults.
• Expert Careers & Guidance programme.
• Integrated English Language Support: Focused on both general and academic proficiency.
• University Preparation: Early guidance on A Level subject selection and career pathways.
Entry Requirements
• Age: 15 to 16 years.
• English Proficiency: IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.
• Online Maths test.
• Online English test.
• Standardised online testing, e.g. verbal reasoning.
• Students achieving the required testing levels will then be invited to interview.
Further A Level Study
Our one-year IGCSE programme offers a rich and varied curriculum for students aged 15-16, with the aim of preparing students for A Level study at Stephen Perse Cambridge Sixth Form.
Progression to A Levels is dependent on students demonstrating strong academic performance, with applications for the A Level programme assessed in the second half of the Autumn term.
I chose to study at Stephen Perse Cambridge Sixth Form after hearing positive feedback from alumni and current students. The school’s convenient location, friendly teachers and staff, and small class sizes that ensure personalised support greatly influenced my decision.
I have found it relatively easy to make friends and appreciate the social opportunities available at SPC. I aim to study Law at university and eventually work as a solicitor. Attending the Law Society every week has been instrumental in my preparation for the LNAT exam.
My advice to future students is to take advantage of the numerous clubs and activities available, as there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
G
Kexin
Our Facilities and Legacy
Located in the heart of Cambridge, our campuses offer state-of-the-art facilities within a supportive community. Students thrive in small class sizes with access to inspiring resources, such as libraries and performing arts spaces.
Boarding at Stephen Perse Cambridge
Tailored Boarding Experience: our boarding house and staff provide a comfortable and supportive environment designed specifically for older students. This includes living in the heart of Cambridge, fostering independence whilst still providing guidance, as a steppingstone to university and beyond.
• Diverse and Inclusive Community: we welcome students from a variety of backgrounds, creating a vibrant and enriching environment.
• Support for Wellbeing: we prioritise mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, providing a safe and secure experience with trained staff available 24/7. Additional support includes supervised evening study sessions for a balanced academic and co-curricular experience.
• Modern and Comfortable Accommodation: our boarding house offers spacious twin rooms for IGCSE students, shared social and study areas, private gardens and well-equipped common rooms.
• Delicious and Nutritious Meals: a variety of tasty and freshly-prepared meals, cooked in our onsite kitchen, are served throughout the week to cater to all dietary needs.
Course Details
Our students on the one year IGCSE programme take six IGCSEs on a fast track learning timetable, forming an excellent basis on which to move forward to A Level studies and make university applications.
Everyone takes Mathematics, Science (Triple Award), English Language IGCSEs
Everyone adds
One more IGCSE from a choice of Business or Geography
Students may also add A heritage language course (see details overleaf)
In addition to the IGCSE subject teaching, our rounded programme includes everything needed to set students up for success:
• Our expert Careers & Guidance staff will guide students in making their A Level choices to follow on from the one year IGCSEs within the context of their career ambitions. Those staying on for A Levels at Stephen Perse Cambridge will benefit from our extensive university applications support in Years 12 and 13; A Level support and extension sessions; dedicated UCAS tutors; and special application streams for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Oxford, Cambridge and other highly competitive universities, and overseas universities including in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia.
• Integrated English Language support develops students’ general and academic proficiency.
• Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education helps students to develop the skills and knowledge for happy, healthy and successful personal and work lives as students and adults.
Teaching Time
One year IGCSE students enjoy a full weekday timetable during school hours and four evenings a week of dedicated evening study time in the boarding house, when experienced academic staff are on hand to answer questions about study and exam techniques and to develop students’ academic skills and understanding. Additional independent study and assignments are set for personal study over the weekend, which students complete according to their personal schedule.
Sample Timetable
08:30 - 08:55
09:00 - 10:15 75 minutes Mathematics
10:15 - 10:35 Break
10:35 - 11:50 75 minutes Biology Chemistry
11:55 - 13:10 75 minutes English Geography/ Business Mathematics Chemistry Physics
13:10 - 14:15 Lunch
14:15 - 15:30 75 minutes Geography/ Business Sport Biology Sport English
15:35 - 16:15 Clubs and Societies
19:00 - 21:00 Evening study (in boarding house)
IGCSE Course Content
English Language
CAIE 0990 (9-1)
You will read non-fiction texts in various genres, such as newspaper reports, websites, travel reports and biographies and look analytically at the language used by writers for their audience and compare different texts, assessing their effectiveness. You will develop your awareness of an audience and your own persuasive, creative and descriptive writing skills.
Assessment
Assessment takes place through two examinations. The first tests your responses to unseen nonfiction passages, while the second examination tests your own writing. Each examination is worth 50% of the total mark.
Mathematics
Edexcel 4MA1 (9-1)
You will learn topics relating to number, algebra, geometry and statistics. We will encourage you to think in a flexible way and to recognise relationships in Mathematics, for example, using ratio and proportion, as well as algebraic structures to solve problems. You will be introduced to numerical concepts ranging from exact expressions to approximations, and algebraic applications, such as common functions and their graphs, along with various types of sequence. You will also study geometrical reasoning, including trigonometry and circle theorems, as well as statistical observations and probability theory.
Assessment
You will take two exam papers at the end of Year 11. Each of the papers is worth 50% of the overall assessment. The use of a calculator is permitted in both exams and there is no coursework.
Biology
CAIE 0970 (9-1)
The Biology course looks at the various levels of organisation: molecules, the cell, the organs, the organism and ecology. You will be introduced to fundamental ideas from biochemistry, physiology, evolution and systems biology. The course will prepare you well for Sixth Form Biology courses, as well as Physical Education or Psychology.
Assessment
You will take three exam papers at the end of Year 11. Students will typically be entered for the Extended assessment unless teacher guidance suggests otherwise. You will sit three papers, Paper 2 is multiple choice and worth 30% of your final grade, Paper 4 is short-answer and structured questions and is worth 50% of your grade and a practical exam (Paper 5 or 6), which is worth 20% of your final grade.
Chemistry
CAIE 0971 (9-1)
The IGCSE Chemistry course deals with all fundamental aspects of chemistry, from the theoretical to the practical, covering the structure of the atom, structure and bonding, energetics, rates, acids and bases, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, chemical tests and calculations in chemistry. It provides all the required knowledge and understanding for further study in Biology, Chemistry and Geology.
Assessment
You will take three exam papers at the end of Year 11. Students will typically be entered for the Extended assessment unless teacher guidance suggests otherwise. You will sit three papers: Paper 2 is multiple choice and worth 30% of your final grade, Paper 4 is short-answer and structured questions and is worth 50% of your grade and a practical exam (Paper 5 or 6), which is worth 20% of your final grade.
Physics
CAIE 0972 (9-1)
Physics explains how the world around us works and will help you to understand natural phenomena and technological advances, as well as developing your problemsolving skills. It will better equip you to make your own decisions about important issues such as sustainability and to explain how and why things all around us work. The course will prepare you well for Sixth Form Physics courses, as well as Mathematics, Engineering or other technical subjects.
Assessment
You will take three exam papers at the end of Year 11. Students will typically be entered for the Extended assessment unless teacher guidance suggests otherwise. You will sit three papers, Paper 2 is multiple choice and worth 30% of your final grade, Paper 4 is short-answer and structured questions and is worth 50% of your grade and a practical exam (Paper 5 or 6), which is worth 20% of your final grade.
Geography
IGCSE Pearson 4GE1
Studying Geography will enhance your global outlook by focussing on the major issues affecting the UK and the world today, whether physical geography such as natural hazards, or human geography, such as urban growth.
This course encourages you to be an inspired and motivated learner with an emphasis on developing the essential skills that will enable you to become a reflective, analytical thinker with an enquiring mind. These qualities are highly regarded by both universities and employers because they enable you to be an independent thinker who has skills that transfer across the arts and the sciences.
There are three key components which focus on a wide range of examples from around the world and the United Kingdom. You will develop your understanding and knowledge of these areas through discussion, enquiry, research, analysis and fieldwork. This includes a trip to North Norfolk to study coastal management.
Assessment
You will take two exam papers at the end of the year: Paper 1 is the Physical Geography paper and is worth 40% of your total mark; Paper 2 is the Human Geography paper and is worth 60% of your total mark. The questions are a mixture of multiple-choice, short-answer, data-response and open-ended questions.
Business
CAIE 0774 (9-1)
Business IGCSE will develop your understanding of business activity in the public and private sectors, and the importance of innovation and change. You will find out how the major types of business organisations are established, financed and run, and how their activities are regulated. Factors influencing business decisionmaking are also considered, as are the essential values of cooperation and interdependence. You will learn topics about different types of business, and the management of people and resources in business. This will lead to work on developing a financial understanding of how businesses operate, and an introduction to national and international economic issues that businesses need to contend with. It is an excellent preparation for the study of either Business or Economics at A Level.
Assessment
You will take two exam papers at the end of the year. Each of the papers is worth 50% of the overall assessment.
Modern Languages
A range of languages are available at IGCSE (or occasionally GCSE depending on the language). These include:
• Mandarin, as a first or second language, or HSK;
• French, Spanish, German as a first language;
• Italian and Russian may be available as a foreign language for those with prior experience.
Please talk to us if you are interested in languages that are not listed here, we will do our best to accommodate these, subject to student demand and staff availability. For all our language IGCSEs you will need to undertake independent study outside the timetabled school day and to attend specific after-school clubs.
I looked at many different schools but Stephen Perse Cambridge appealed to me most because we have a lot more freedom. The boarding staff respect our maturity. For instance we are allowed to go to town every day.
“It’s really close to central Cambridge, so during my free periods I can go to a café or the botanical gardens to study. My favourite place in school is the garden behind the café when it’s warm, because it’s sunny and a nice place to go for lunch or to finish homework.”
I have been involved in Young Enterprise, which allows a group of students to run their own business. With a couple of others, we designed our brand name, logo, and made a few products to sell. It mimicked how a real business might run, which was useful for me as I don’t do any subjects related to business.”
Natalie T
Studying Biology, French, Maths, EPQ at A Level
Alumni Achievements
The Stephen Perse Guild Annual Reunion
Our alumni association is the Stephen Perse Guild and all former students become members. The Guild offers an invaluable network of contacts and members also return to school to support our Careers & Guidance programme.
Guild members contribute to society in many ways, as creative and performing artists, journalists, medical and health professionals, teachers, engineers, campaigners and more. Whether performing at the Royal Albert Hall, winning a Grammy, working as President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine during a global pandemic, protecting national security at the head of GCHQ, or teaching the next generation, Guild members make meaningful contributions across society.
How to Apply
Join us at Stephen Perse Cambridge, where students live, learn and thrive in an environment that inspires them to achieve their best and make a difference.
This
is my first year studying abroad and sometimes it could be tough for me to get used to all the educational and cultural differences. I think the school is very friendly and supportive so it really helps a lot when I was in the period of adapting to the new environment.
I am actively involved in several music groups at school, including the symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra etc. There are quite regularly held concerts, providing us opportunities to experience the career of musicians.
Also, I have joined the basketball training as my enrichment option, the coach is nice and I have also got chances to play matches against other schools. It makes my school life enjoyable.”
Ruby C
Year 12 (boarder)
Studying Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Music at A Level
Final Thoughts
At Stephen Perse Cambridge, we believe in educating the whole child. Our students live, learn, and thrive in an environment that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility.
Join us and be part of a community that inspires every student to achieve their best and make a positive difference in the world.
