The Perse School is a co-educational independent day school in Cambridge, with entry at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Here is how admissions work and how to prepare.
Cambridge's leading independent school — academically excellent with a warm, inclusive culture. Their entrance papers are stretching, and the interview is searching. They want well-read, articulate students.
The Perse School sets its own entrance assessments rather than using a shared national test. Depending on the entry point, these can include written papers in English and maths, reasoning tests, an interview or a group activity. Because the papers are the school’s own, practice should be matched to the style of questions it sets rather than to a generic test.
For 13+ entry (joining in Year 9), many schools assess children in Year 6 or Year 7, well before they start, so the timetable is worth checking early.
At 16+ (Sixth Form entry), students are usually assessed in the autumn of Year 11 with a mix of reasoning tests, subject papers and interviews, and offers are normally conditional on GCSE results. There is more on this on my 16+ entry page.
Dates and requirements change from year to year, so always check the latest details on the school’s website.
My The Perse School guide sets out the full process, the key dates, and a preparation plan, and my mock papers let children practise under real timings.
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The Perse School has entry points at 11+, 13+ and 16+. 13+ entry means joining in Year 9. 16+ is Sixth Form entry, into Year 12.
The school’s own entrance assessments. The exact mix depends on the entry point, so check the school’s admissions page for your child’s year of entry.
The Perse School is a day school.