Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire · PE28 0EA
Kimbolton School is a well-established co-educational independent school set within the grounds of Kimbolton Castle, a Grade I listed building that lends the school a distinctly dramatic backdrop. Founded in 1600, it offers education from age 4 through to 18 across its Prep and Senior schools on a single, cohesive campus in rural Cambridgeshire. The school balances academic rigour with a strong tradition of co-curricular activity, and its boarding provision gives it a broader community feel than many comparable day schools in the region. It occupies a distinctive niche as a genuinely all-through school with a heritage setting, drawing families from across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Northamptonshire.
Who thrives here
Pupils who are broadly capable, enjoy a range of activities, and thrive in a friendly, community-oriented environment rather than a highly pressurised academic hothouse. It suits independent-minded students who want genuine opportunities in sport, arts, and leadership alongside a solid university preparation.
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
Kimbolton
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
PE28 0EA
Nearest stations
Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent and former England cricketer
Mark Bonnar
Scottish actor known for Catastrophe and Guilt
Day fees at Kimbolton School are approximately £18,600 per year (2024/25). Boarding fees are higher.
Kimbolton School admits pupils at 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
At Kimbolton School, 21.5% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 52.9% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Kimbolton School offers boarding as well as day places.
ISI rated Kimbolton School “Good” (2017).
Frequently praised
✓Exceptional setting and sense of place — the castle campus is genuinely special and children love it
✓Warm, caring community where staff know pupils individually and pastoral care is attentive
✓Wide range of sports and activities giving all children a chance to represent the school
✓Smooth all-through journey from prep to sixth form with strong relationships across age groups
Common concerns
!Less well-known nationally than comparable fee-paying schools, which some families feel affects university admissions perceptions
!Transport logistics can be challenging for families not served by the school bus network given the rural location
!Academic stretch at the top end may not match the most selective London or Cambridge day schools