Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS and CSVPA)
Same Cambridgeshire area with a comparable local commute
School profile
Verified 18 August 2026
King's Ely is a private secondary-stage school in Ely, Cambridgeshire, with a published age range of 2-19.
Private school Co-ed Ages 2-19 Sixth form Boarding school
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-19
- ISI ?
- Standards met
- Boarding ?
- Boarding school
King's Ely
1
On this page
At a glance
Key facts
- Sector
- Private school
- Gender
- Mixed
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-19
- Boarding ?
- Boarding school
- Route check
- Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
- ISI ?
- Standards met
Overview
Overview
More than 1,000 years of history begin with the education of Ely Cathedral choristers, and that cathedral connection still gives King's Ely its particular character. The co-educational day-and-boarding community runs from Nursery and Pre-Prep through Prep, Senior School and Sixth Form. The upper age is variously given as 18 and 19, so that boundary deserves checking when planning the final stage.
Year 9 opens with mathematics, English, sciences, humanities, computing, drama, music, art, design technology and food technology, alongside Latin or Classical Civilisation and modern languages. GCSE choices include classics, computer science, design engineering, drama, music and physical education; Sixth Form follows A levels.
The Ely Scheme brings climbing, kayaking, mountaineering and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award into the outdoor programme. Rowing has its own Boat Club on the River Ouse, with games-period sessions and dedicated fitness facilities. Avicenna, the Da Vinci Club, History Cafe, Model United Nations, KESTrel and Language Leader add academic extension. Entry is direct, subject to availability and assessment, with Nursery, Reception, Years 3, 7, 9 and Sixth Form the main entry points; day and boarding routes are available.
Key points
Key points
- Assessment route
- Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
- Places and demand
- Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
- Catchment
- Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
- Results
- 75.9% grade 5+ in English and maths and 47.4 Attainment 8
- Sixth form
- Sixth form available with 32.7% AAB or better.
GCSE benchmark
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Cambridgeshire and England.
School Local authority England
- Attainment 8
- 47.4
- Grade 5+ English and maths
- 75.9%
- EBacc APS
- 4
- EBacc entry
- 0%
Attainment 8 trend
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Cambridgeshire and England.
School Local authority England
School details
School details
- Sector
- Private school
- School type
- Other independent school
- Funding
- Independent fee-paying
- Application
- Apply direct to school
- Gender
- Mixed
- Age range
- 2-19
- Headteacher
- Mr John Attwater
- Pupil roll
- 1,126 pupils
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Boarding
- Boarding school
Location and contact
Location and contact
Address
- Address
- Barton Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire
- Postcode
- CB7 4DB
- Area
- Cambridgeshire
School leadership
- Headteacher
- Mr John Attwater
School contact
- School phone
- 01353660700
Admissions contact
- Admissions team
- Admissions
- Admissions phone
- 01353660707
Admissions
Admissions
- Application route
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Boarding
- Boarding school
- Day fees
- Check school fees page
- Boarding fees
- Check school fees page
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Entrance details
- Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Admissions note
- GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
Oversubscription and eligibility
Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.
Exam and test format
Exam and test format
Entrance route and assessment
Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Assessment route
- Apply direct to school
Application
Application
Key dates
Get date reminders-
Sixth Form (16+) initial application deadline for September 2027 entry
30 October 2026
Route: Sixth Form (16+); entry year: 2027.
-
Sixth Form (16+) art scholarship assessment for September 2027 entry
10 November 2026
Route: Sixth Form (16+) art scholarship; entry year: 2027.
-
Sixth Form (16+) STEM scholarship assessment for September 2027 entry
12 November 2026
Route: Sixth Form (16+) STEM scholarship; entry year: 2027.
-
Sixth Form (16+) sport, music, drama and dance scholarship assessments for September 2027 entry
13 November 2026
Route: Sixth Form (16+) scholarship; entry year: 2027.
-
Sixth Form (16+) academic scholarship assessment for September 2027 entry
14 November 2026
Route: Sixth Form (16+) academic scholarship; entry year: 2027.
How to apply
- 1
Apply direct to the school
Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
Check school admissions
Results
Results
Attainment snapshot
- Attainment 8 ?
- 47.4 Attainment 8
- GCSE results
- 77.4% grade 4+ in English and maths
- Grade 5+ English and maths ?
- 75.9% grade 5+ in English and maths
- EBacc average point score ?
- 4 EBacc APS
- A-level results
- 32.7% AAB or better
- A-level average points
- 42.75 A-level points per entry
Inspection
Inspection
Standards met
Latest inspection: 18 March 2025
- Leadership, management and governance
- Standards met
- Quality of education, training and recreation
- Standards met
- Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Standards met
- Social and economic education and contribution to society
- Standards met
- Safeguarding
- Standards met
Quick summary
- Latest ISI report: Routine Inspections 2025 records an inspection beginning 18 March 2025. The report says the relevant standards were met.
Similar schools and comparisons
Similar schools and comparisons
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Shortlist comparisons
Explore this school in context
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Independent secondary-stage school profiles with direct-application, age range and boarding context.
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Related pages and guides
Related pages and guides
Area and ranking pages
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Best Grammar Schools by A-level Results
Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.
Guides and related reading
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does King's Ely handle admissions?
King's Ely handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
How do I apply to King's Ely?
1. Apply direct to the school: Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
When are the key dates for King's Ely?
Sixth Form (16+) initial application deadline for September 2027 entry: 30 October 2026. Sixth Form (16+) art scholarship assessment for September 2027 entry: 10 November 2026. Sixth Form (16+) STEM scholarship assessment for September 2027 entry: 12 November 2026. Sixth Form (16+) sport, music, drama and dance scholarship assessments for September 2027 entry: 13 November 2026. Sixth Form (16+) academic scholarship assessment for September 2027 entry: 14 November 2026
What does the latest inspection picture look like for King's Ely?
King's Ely is currently rated Standards met following the latest published inspection dated 18 March 2025.