Our History

The Evolution of Excellence:
From The Perse School for Girls to Stephen Perse Cambridge

Our story is one of radical vision and a constant drive to redefine what education can be. Founded in an era when academic opportunities for women were scarce, it has evolved into a co-educational, world-class institution.

1881: A vision for equality

The story began in 1881 when the board of the Perse School for Boys established The Perse School for Girls in Cambridge from the bequest of Dr Stephen Perse – a physician, philanthropist and fellow of Gonville & Cauis. This was a progressive move, driven by the belief that girls deserved the same rigorous intellectual challenges as their male counterparts.

Under the leadership of its first headmistress, Miss Kate Street, the school quickly gained a reputation for academic excellence, proving that women could excel in the classics, sciences, and mathematics - subjects often denied to them at the time.

Pictured: Miss Street and staff in the 1890s.

1940s: Inspiration for St Trinians

In the mid-twentieth century, the school found an unexpected place in popular culture when artist Ronald Searle, inspired by his observations while living in Cambridge, modelled his St Trinian’s cartoons on the school. Our school received a letter from Mr Searle in 1993, confirming that we were the inspiration for his cartoons, and hoped that we wouldn't hold that against him!

The cartoon series later adapted into much-loved films where some of our students at the time appeared as extras in the 2007 remake!

Pictured: Our students on set for the 2007 St Trinians film where they appeared as extras.

What it meant to be a "Perse Girl"

Many of our alumni identify themselves as "Perse Girls", from when the school was called the Perse School for Girls.

To be a "Perse Girl" meant being part of a pioneering tradition of educational excellence characterised by a unique blend of intellectual ambition and a spirited, individualised personality. This was deeply rooted in a tradition of friendliness and a very special relationship between pupils and staff, where a shared excitement for ideas and educational discovery fostered both support and independence.

Furthermore, their identity was defined by an international-mindedness, and commitment to the "spirit of the age" (L’esprit de son âge), often expressed through a mastery of modern languages and global awareness. Creative and critical thinking were at the heart of endeavours, whether in the classroom, on the stage, or the sports field. Ultimately, being a Perse Girl involved being ambitious, versatile, and in constant pursuit of excellence.

Stephen Perse Cambridge is proud to continue the best of this tradition today: intellectual ambition, individualised personality, friendliness among peers, and strong relationships between students and teachers.

2008: Evolution into the Stephen Perse Foundation

In the late 20th century, the school began to expand its footprint, acquiring new sites and broadening its reach to include younger age groups. The most significant shift occurred in 2008. To reflect its growing family of schools and a more modern, holistic approach to education, the institution was renamed the Stephen Perse Foundation.

This transformation was more than just a name change; it marked a shift toward a globalised, forward-thinking curriculum. Key milestones included:

Going co-educational: Recognising that the modern world requires collaboration across all genders, we began our transition into a fully co-educational environment.
The 1-18 Journey: The Foundation created a seamless educational pathway from nursery through to Sixth Form.

Despite these significant changes, our recognition for excellence remained when, in 2013, the Sunday Times named us the IB School of the Year for the second time.

Digital pioneers

In the early 2010s we redefined the educational landscape by being one of the first schools to adopt a 1:1 iPad programme, moving beyond digitising textbooks to fostering a culture of guided discovery. This forward-thinking infrastructure allowed us to set the gold standard for remote learning during the COVID pandemic, and continued into the mid-2020s with early adoption of AI technologies. However, innovation has never come at the expense of safety, and we are responsible users of technology, underpinned by robust security, safeguarding, and comprehensive digital citizenship programmes.

2021: The Times Independent School of the Decade

In 2021, we were honoured to be named The Times Independent School of the Decade for East Anglia. They acknowledged our leadership and vision in adopting digital technology so early, stating, "The brilliance of that initiative bore spectacular fruit in March [2020] when schools closed down practically overnight and learning shifted online", where our students benefited from our decision to "embrace digital learning and place the school at the cutting edge", just as they had from the "more general quest for both a rounded education, excellent pastoral care and consistently high standards."

Today: We are Stephen Perse Cambridge

Today, we are Stephen Perse Cambridge, a name which acknowledges our history, and the fact we are based in the pioneering academic city of Cambridge.

We have retained the best parts of our history, and stand as a testament to the idea that tradition and innovation are not mutually exclusive. We remain rooted in our 1881 mission of academic rigour, while constantly pushing the boundaries of how technology can enhance the human experience of learning.

While we are now co-educational, in keeping with our roots as a girls' school, we still champion girls' education and true equality. Our schools are vibrant, where kindness and respect are the norm. Our students are intellectually curious and ambitious, with a genuine love of learning which is shared and reflected in their relationships with their teachers.

Most importantly, in keeping with Dr Stephen Perse's conviction that education should be a right not a privilege, we have a bursary programme which is driving social mobility, supported by our wonderful partners.

Our history has shaped us as an independent school for the modern world.