23 best private schools in Cambridge 2027

One of the most notable advantages of school education in Cambridge is that children study a national curriculum with a broad range of subjects. Children learn modern foreign languages and Latin, politics, psychology, history, art, and photography.

Independent educational institutions achieve excellent exam results, sending their students to leading universities.

Academic rigor yields outstanding results. Teachers conduct comprehensive assessments of students from day one and implement individualized strategies to help children fully realize their potential.

Studying in Cambridge schools for international students is not limited to the national curriculum - children are given additional opportunities in all directions:

• Sport
• Music
• Drama.

Extra-curricular activities are varied!
These opportunities help to develop children's resilience, leadership skills and personal self-esteem, with over 100 clubs and activities covering a multitude of sports, music and creative clubs. Independent schools find something that a child can excel in.

Top private schools in Cambridge provide an optimal student to teacher ratio, often with only 12 to 15 students in a class.

The key to the success of private schools and are these small classes that naturally create a supportive environment. Teachers devote more time to each child, teaching can be tailored to specific needs, which greatly reduces the achievement gap in the classroom and helps children remain confident in their abilities among their peers and engaged in their learning.

Learning does not have to stop when a child is away from the classroom. Routine, steady study and staying in touch with friends and teachers all matter for a child's well-being, and private schools in Cambridge are introducing the necessary tools into everyday education. Students are given the equipment they need, including a personal laptop for schoolwork, so lessons and assignments continue smoothly whether they are at home or on campus. Virtual classrooms, shared course materials and online contact with teachers keep every student connected to the school community wherever they happen to be.

An important objective of the best private schools in Cambridge is to instill abilities such as confidence, perseverance, independence, resilience and the ability to interact with others. These are all fundamental principles of success.

Tuition at Cambridge private schools varies by institution and academic year. At The Perse School, term charges for 2026/27 reach £9,482, with a one-off registration payment of £240 and a securing and induction charge of £840 once an offer is accepted. At The Leys, day places for Year 9 to Sixth Form cost £11,835 per term (£35,505 a year), while boarding runs to £18,276 per term (£54,828 a year) and reaches £19,007 per term for foreign students. All figures include VAT where it applies, and schools usually confirm the following year's rates at the end of March.

Annual fees in Cambridge depend mainly on whether a child attends as a day pupil or a boarder, and the gap is wide. The figures below come from published 2026/27 fee tables and include VAT.

The Perse School is a mixed day school for ages 3-18 with no boarding, so families pay day rates only: £9,482 per term for the 2026/27 year.

The Leys sets out separate rates for day pupils and boarders. From 9th to Sixth Form, the annual cost is:

• Day pupils — £11,835 per term, £35,505 for one year,
• Home Boarders — £13,570 per term, £40,710 for one year,
• Full boarders — £18,276 per term, £54,828 for one year,
• Foreign boarders — £19,007 per term, £57,021 for one year.

Younger pupils in Year 7 and 8 at The Leys pay less across the board:

• Day pupils — £8,547 per term, £25,641 for one year,
• Boarders — £13,337 per term, £40,011 for one year,
• Overseas boarders — £13,860 per term, £41,580 for one year.

The advantage for foreign families is that the boarding fee is approximately 20,000 pounds per year compared to a similar day stay in high schools, and foreign boarders are at the very top of the scale. Schools review these rates annually, so they provide for a small budget increase each year. Smapse specialists will guide you through each stage of admission.

Independent schools in Cambridge are subject to national oversight bodies that check the quality of teaching and the safety of children. Two of them are most important for families comparing schools.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is approved by the Secretary of State for Education to inspect association independent schools in England. That authority rests on section 87A of the Children Act 1989 and section 106 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. ISI publishes its findings every year, including the Annual review of inspections 2024–25 and the Annual Report 2023-24, so parents can read how the sector is performing.

Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, is a non-ministerial department led by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. It inspects services that provide education and skills for learners of all ages, and it also inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.

When assessing a Cambridge school, the ISI or Ofsted report is a reliable starting point because it provides an independent view of academic standards, social security, and safeguards. Smapse specialists will guide you through every stage of enrollment.