WELCOME TO THE PELICAN

Welcome from The Head

We want our fledgling Pelicans to take off and fly as they grow, learn and discover the world around them.

Our School is full of inquisitive children eager to explore, ask questions and embrace new experiences. Every day brings opportunities to discover something new, develop new skills and, most importantly, build a genuine love of learning.

At The Perse Pelican, we believe childhood should be happy. We want every child to feel safe, valued and excited to come to School each morning. In our warm and nurturing environment, children develop confidence, independence and kindness through purposeful play, exploration and shared experiences.

These early years lay the foundations for everything that follows. As part of The Perse School, Cambridge, The Pelican is the beginning of an extraordinary educational journey, where curiosity first takes flight and a lifelong love of learning begins.

We look forward to welcoming your family.

Francesca Heftman
Head of The Perse Pelican

Be Curious

Our School is full of inquisitive children who are eager to discover more about the world around them.

Each day is full of wonder and excitement as children acquire knowledge, skills and a passion for learning.

We teach the importance of caring, sharing, taking turns and being kind. This all happens within a safe environment that feels like home, where children learn as they play with their friends.

Pelican pupils enjoy a rich and stimulating programme with a wide range of topic work, including projects on the rainforest, Roald Dahl, castles and the history of flight. Different cultures and languages are celebrated throughout the year and Pelicans begin learning to speak French. In science, children get hands-on with experiments and investigations.

Be Happy

Children learn best when they are happy.

We believe that learning should take place both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Our outside learning spaces, complete with state-of-the-art play equipment and artificial turf, provide the perfect landscape for learning and playing outside in all weathers.

Beyond the classroom, Pelicans look forward to educational visits that bring learning to life, from museums and historical sites to outdoor spaces and cultural landmarks, in Cambridge and beyond.

Be Valued

We want every Pelican to feel valued and recognised for their individual achievements, resilience and perseverance.

When a child learns to write their name for the first time, counts to 10 or even gets dressed on their own after playing sports, we think that is brilliant and worth acknowledging.

Our dedicated pastoral care staff ensure that every child is safe and well cared for during their time with us.

Our small class sizes also enable staff to really get to know our Pelican children, nurture their academic life and meet their individual needs. Pelicans are kind and enjoy helping each other and people in the wider Cambridge community and beyond.

Each year we hold fundraising events to raise money for a wide range of local and international charities, raising thousands of pounds.

The Pelican marathon is supported enthusiastically and sometimes Pudsey Bear visits us on Children in Need day.

Equipped for The Journey Ahead

As the first stage of a continuous Perse education, the values we instil help Pelican pupils move on to The Perse Prep School with confidence and positive expectations. 

Regular links between the schools help children enjoy a smooth transition while maintaining friendships and building new opportunities.

At The Perse Pelican School, our values shape confident, curious and compassionate young learners. By encouraging children to be curious, happy, inspired and valued, we create an environment where every child can flourish.

Ethos & Values Inclusion Our Spaces