The King's School, Ely, has more than 1000 years of history. The most famous former pupil is perhaps King Edward the Confessor. The school still uses many of the medieval monastic buildings - for the dining hall, the library and for boarding houses - and the whole school worships regularly in the great Cathedral. The school has been co-educational for over 25 years, long enough for this to become a fact of life, and it is unusual in that both day and boarding pupils have their own study spaces. In brief, every type of pupil is treated equally.
Entry is normally at age 13 or 16. Core subjects in years 9 and 10 include Religious Studies and Physical and General Education as well as English, Maths, Science and a modern language. In the sixth form a general education course leads to a diploma of achievement, and the wide range of options means pupils in some subjects receive almost individual tuition.
The King's School seeks to develop the talents of every pupil, whether these are academic, sporting or creative. The cadet force was replaced in the 1970s by the outdoor pursuits programme (the Ely Scheme), which can lead on to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Art, drama and especially music are strong. Pupils in all areas benefit from visits, expeditions and tours in this country and abroad to widen their experience. The pastoral system is designed to give every child personal attention - from house staff, tutors, subject teachers and the senior staff of the school.
What makes the difference between this and other schools? Parents point to the confidence of the children, which comes from the individual encouragement they receive to try, and to succeed at, new activities. Self-discipline is evident throughout the school, but it is born out of respect for the staff, not in response to a rigid system of rules. Every visitor comments on the friendly atmosphere of the school. Taken together, all these characteristics add up to pupils who are self-reliant and mature beyond their years. They deal confidently but respectfully with adults and adapt easily to the challenges of the world beyond the school.
