King's College School
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire · CB3 9DN
King's College School Cambridge is the prep school of King's College, one of the world's most celebrated academic institutions, offering an education steeped in over 500 years of history alongside a genuinely forward-looking ethos. Renowned above all for its choristers — the boys who sing in the world-famous King's College Chapel choir — the school serves a broader community of girls and boys from Reception through Year 8, blending musical excellence with a warm, creative and intellectually ambitious culture. The school's four pillars of Kindness, Creativity, Strength and Community are not merely slogans but shape pastoral care, curriculum design and daily life. With boarding available and strong links to the University of Cambridge, the environment is distinctly academic yet remarkably nurturing.
- →Unique association with King's College Chapel and its world-class choral tradition, giving musical children an extraordinary platform
- →Strong senior school destinations including top independent secondary schools and Cambridge-area grammar schools, underpinned by rigorous academic preparation
- →Small school size (414 pupils) ensures every child is known individually, with a genuine community feel unusual for a school of such historic prestige
- →Exceptional location in central Cambridge, surrounded by university buildings and cultural institutions that permeate the educational experience
Who thrives here
Curious, creative children — particularly those with a love of music — who thrive in an intellectually stimulating environment where arts and academics are given equal weight. Choristers and non-choristers alike benefit from an atmosphere where achievement is celebrated without excessive pressure.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
West Road
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
CB3 9DN
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Andrew Wiles
Mathematician who proved Fermat's Last Theorem
Orlando Gough
Composer and choral director
Nico Muhly
Contemporary composer (chorister connection via King's tradition)
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at King's College School?
Day fees at King's College School are approximately £25,398 per year (2026/27). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into King's College School?
King's College School admits pupils at 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
Is King's College School a boarding school?
King's College School offers boarding as well as day places.
What is King's College School's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated King's College School “Excellent” (2018).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Exceptional music provision and the unique privilege of the choral tradition permeating school life
✓Warm, genuinely kind community where children feel individually known and valued
✓High academic standards delivered without the pressurised hothousing associated with some London preps
✓Inspirational Cambridge setting and strong senior school destinations
Common concerns
!Urban site means limited on-site outdoor and sports space compared to many rural or suburban preps
!The school's identity is strongly shaped by the choristers, which can feel dominant to non-chorister families
!Fee information is not prominently published, making early cost planning less straightforward