King's School Ely

School Profile

'We believe we are a leading school because at King's School Ely, young people are empowered to achieve beyond expectation in an environment that is challenging yet nurturing, where each individual's talents are developed and valued, and from where young people emerge knowing who it is they want to be and having the courage to achieve it.'

Encourage and excite
Each of our pupils is an individual to be respected and cherished. This is not a school that turns fine raw silk into finer silk gowns: we seek to help our pupils develop; to become true to the integrity of self, courageous and self-disciplined, and equipped with a schooling that will launch them into the next phase of their education and allow them to live the rest of their lives to the full.

Values and spirituality
When King Henry V111 gave The King's School Ely both its name and its royal charter in 1541, he was merely confirming a scholastic tradition dating back to the first beginnings of the abbey and, later, monastery in Ely in 970 AD. Edward the Confessor, King and Saint, (1003 - 1066) received his education in the monastery - making him one of the oldest old boys, as well as one of the most eminent in the land. We have not forgotten our roots and we are proud of our Anglican tradition. Christian values still drive our daily lives and all of our pupils, whatever their faith, are welcomed warmly into our midst. The choristers of Ely Cathedral are all boarding members of the school: boys from the Junior School and girls from the Senior School: they have a unique role in the contribution they make to cathedral worship.
Everyone enjoys the privilege of meeting as a school community in a 'school chapel' that has stood for nearly a thousand years and we occupy some of the magnificent former monastery buildings which are thought to be the largest range of medieval monastic buildings still in daily use anywhere in Europe. The monks' barn has been converted into a superb beamed dining hall and kitchens where, each day, nine chefs prepare 1,400 meals for pupils and staff.

Other new buildings in the past decade include the Technology block, Art studio, all-weather sports facilities, the Gibson Music School and Recital Hall and a teaching block for Junior School pupils in Years 7 and 8 with seven classrooms, a computer suite and a science laboratory.

Challenge and inspire
Our curriculum offers over 25 subjects at both GCSE and A level. Beyond the curriculum we offer all kinds of extra-curricular opportunities in art, drama and sport.
The Ely Scheme has developed into an outdoor activities programme that is key to our culture in Senior School. All our Year 9 pupils may encounter their first taste of heights on the school climbing wall; face the trials of our assault course; experience weekends under canvas and have the opportunity to extend themselves in demanding environments on land and water. Many continue to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and most years senior climbers will have the chance to tackle one of the world's most challenging mountain ranges.
Music is central to life at King's and our performance opportunities and facilities are exceptional. In addition to timetabled lessons, 30 visiting music teachers give over 500 lessons each week and the majority of our pupils sing or play in choirs, orchestras, wind, jazz or rock bands and ensembles of all kinds flourish. There is an extensive and enriching concert schedule including annual overseas tours most recently to Thailand and Paris.
Our drama department stages six productions each year along with dynamic workshops and several after-school groups. The rich diversity of talent among our pupils enables us to present a balanced repertoire of Shakespeare, classical and contemporary works and musicals, and pupils may choose to be involved as performers, technicians or designers. We offer frequent trips to London's West End, Stratford-upon-Avon and Cambridge Arts Theatre.
The art department's specialists in textiles, fine art, 3D and photography offer everyone the opportunity to achieve the best possible results. Public exhibitions of pupils' work are held regularly and there are regular visits to local galleries and to London and abroad; the most recent to New York and Barcelona.
We play all the major team sports including rugby and football and the school is proud of the many Eleans who play at county, regional and even national level in their chosen sports. Our rowers are fortunate to train on one of the best straight sections of water in the country and our boathouse beside the Great Ouse is less than a five-minute walk from the campus.

School Criteria

Independent private co-educational day school in Cambridgeshire, England. 3 to 8, 200+ pupils, C of E.

ISN Rankings

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Address

King's School Ely

Acremont House School,
Ely,
Cambridgeshire,
CB6 1AE
England

Tel: 01353 662978

E-mail: E-mail King's School Ely | Request Prospectus

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