FROM THEN TILL NOW

Perse School Timeline

Take a look at the timeline below for the key moments in our 400 year history.

1615

Dr Perse leaves £10,000 in his will for the formation of a ‘Grammar Free Schoole’ among other good causes. His vision is for children of all backgrounds to benefit from education.

1618

The Perse School opens on Free School Lane (originally called Lorteburn Lane) with two teachers.

1620

Around 100 free scholars are on the roll. The school day starts at 6am and pupils focus on Latin, Greek and good manners.

1636

By this point, 100 Perse pupils have been admitted to the University of Cambridge

1687

Master George Griffith dies leaving a generous bequest. Many Perseans in his 34 year mastership went on to achieve great things, including Robert Tabor, an apothecary who was knighted for saving the life of Charles II

1731

After a period of decline, The Perse has only 10 pupils. Buildings are out of use and masters absent.

1785

For a brief period there are no pupils at The Perse. In 1787 pressure from townspeople forces the School to reopen – albeit with limited free places.

1816

The Perse is used to house the newly-created Fitzwilliam Collection until a museum can be built.

1837

A court case puts the School back on a firmer footing. The 100 free places are restored, hours of attendance are increased and pupil prizes introduced.

1890

The Perse moves to Gonville Place. Under headmaster Herbert Barnes-Lawrence, the School begins to re-establish a strong academic presence.

1904

Headmaster WHD Rouse and Israel Hersch set up a Jewish boarding house – Hillel House. Over the next 40 years it will be home to more than 400 boys; among them many fleeing oppression in Europe.

1910

Previously the Preparatory Form, the Perse Prep acquires its own site on Bateman Street.

1912

The Perse Players hold their first performance. Two years later the Mummery is established. Pupils learn English through drama and are encouraged to write their own plays.

1954

The Prep School moves to its Trumpington Road site.

1960

Under the leadership of Stanley Stubbs, the Upper School moves to its current site on Hills Road.

1976

The government abolishes the Direct Grant System after three decades. The Perse becomes independent.

1993

Boarding ends. Two years later Saturday School is abolished and girls enter the Sixth Form.

1997

The government abolishes the Assisted Places Scheme. The School no longer receives any state funding and develops a bursary scheme so that children can continue to benefit from a Perse education.

The Perse Pelican Nursery and Pre-Prep opens in what was once Hillel House.

2007

Girls enter the Prep and the move to full co-education in all years begins.

2018

In addition to continued academic success, extra-curricular activity is thriving.

The Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre opens and is named after the late Sir Peter Hall, who is an Old Persean.

2020

For the first time in its history, lessons across The Perse move online for most children, due to the national Covid-19 lockdown.

2024

The Perse Sports Centre, featuring a 25-metre swimming pool, 10.5m climbing wall and sports hall, opens on the Upper School site for use by students and the local community.