Suffolk &amp; Cambs


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Clare-1000x667.jpg" alt="Dr Clare Ives" class="wp-image-47213" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Clare-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Clare-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Clare-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Clare-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Clare-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>In 2025, <a href="https://www.theleys.net/admissions/visit-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Leys</a> in Cambridge marked a major milestone — celebrating its 150th anniversary and appointing its first-ever female head. Dr Ives took the helm last September, arriving from Sevenoaks School where she was formerly senior deputy head. A keen sportswoman and musician, her approach is rooted in the belief that education should be a truly holistic experience for every pupil. Here, she shares what parents really need to know about life at The Leys.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-describe-the-leys-to-a-parent-who-doesn-t-know-it">Describe The Leys to a parent who doesn’t know it</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-10-1000x667.png" alt="The Leys in Cambridge" class="wp-image-47214" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-10-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-10-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-10-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-10.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Leys is a warm, vibrant and inclusive community where every pupil is known, valued and supported in their goals. Each child is at the centre of their own educational journey and the school blends academic ambition, pastoral care and wider-curricular opportunities with the cultural richness of Cambridge and a small-school feel.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-keeps-you-excited-about-your-job">What keeps you excited about your job?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-11-1000x667.png" alt="Pupils at The Leys school" class="wp-image-47215" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-11-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-11-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-11-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-11.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Leys places pastoral care before everything else. I felt that fitted well with my own beliefs about education, namely that pupils can only learn when they feel safe and a sense of belonging. Since joining, the school community has exceeded my expectations and working with pupils and staff here is a genuine pleasure. It&#8217;s exciting to build on the strong foundations and ensure we enable pupils to make a real difference in whatever they go on to do.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-best-part-of-you-day">What’s the best part of you day?</h3>



<p>When I&#8217;m talking with the pupils. They are delightfully open, curious and genuinely interested in the people around them and the issues of the day.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-you-hope-pupils-feel">What do you hope pupils feel?</h3>



<p>Excitement: to learn, to join in, and to spend time with friends.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-would-current-pupils-describe-the-leys">How would current pupils describe The Leys?</h3>



<p>Kind, enabling, positive.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-surprises-parents-most">What surprises parents most?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-12-1000x667.png" alt="Studying at The Leys" class="wp-image-47216" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-12-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-12-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-12-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-12.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>How great our academic results are. We spend a lot of time talking about school culture –  and rightly so. We are known for our exceptional pastoral care. Parents don’t always know, before they come here, that we are also a top performing school in the area. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-ensure-children-are-seen-in-a-school-this-size">How do you ensure children are seen in a school this size?</h3>



<p>Our House-based pastoral system means that every child has a tutor and Housemaster or Housemistress, as well as a range of House staff they can talk to. These people will notice and find out what their goals are; how they feel about school, and therefore what we can do to empower them to achieve their ambitions.</p>



<p>Our staff will always go the extra mile to help a pupil, both in lessons and outside. In the wider curriculum, the number of activities means that pupils form strong relationships with staff outside of the classroom, which helps them feel understood as people, not just as learners. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-you-help-pupils-discover-what-they-re-good-at">How do you help pupils discover what they’re good at?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-15-1000x667.png" alt="Sports at The Leys" class="wp-image-47219" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-15-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-15-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-15-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-15.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We offer a wide range of opportunities and encourage pupils to challenge themselves to try them – and they do. Tutors also spend time getting to know their tutees strengths, and we encourage pupils to reflect on their experience in a way which offers them an insight into their strengths. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-being-in-cambridge-shape-life-at-the-leys">How does being in Cambridge shape life at The Leys? </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="488" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/12/fitzwilliam.jpg" alt="outside of a museum" class="wp-image-14372" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/12/fitzwilliam.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/12/fitzwilliam-150x73.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/12/fitzwilliam-300x146.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/12/fitzwilliam-720x351.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Fitzwilliam Museum </figcaption></figure>



<p>We are able to access amazing academic facilities, like the Cavendish, or University lecture series, cultural events, and museums like the Fitzwilliam. Those interactions with the cultural richness that Cambridge offers sparks aspiration in a natural way. It’s also a great place for pupils to grab a hot chocolate at the weekend!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-school-event-of-the-year">Best school event of the year?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-14.png" alt="Les Mis at The Leys" class="wp-image-47218" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-14.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-14-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-14-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-14-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>I have been to so many fabulous events since joining the school, whether it’s an epic battle on the sports field, a wonderful production such as Les Miserables, a concert, or a school debate. I love watching pupils collaborating and turning up for each other: they take such pride in each other’s accomplishments and don’t just think about what they are gaining individually.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-spot-on-campus">Favourite spot on campus?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-13.png" alt="Boarding at The Leys" class="wp-image-47217" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-13.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-13-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-13-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/02/Feb-Guide-Suffolk-13-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A boarding house, in the evening. When we go to a boarding house we’re in the pupils’ space and that changes their interactions. They are honest and funny and real – I learn so much about the school and their experience of it from those interactions and it’s always fun to be in such a relaxed, happy environment.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-thing-about-the-leys-that-makes-you-proud">One thing about The Leys that makes you proud?</h3>



<p>How open, curious and friendly the pupils are. People who visit always remark on it (and it was the highlight of our latest inspection report). In many schools pupils are more cynical, and can be more diffident about interactions with adults. But here pupils and staff converse with ease and sense of mutual respect.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-one-piece-of-advice-about-choosing-a-school">Your one piece of advice about choosing a school</h3>



<p>Talk and listen to the pupils in the school and take note of the interactions between the pupils in a school. If you would be proud for your child to sound like they do in a few years, then it should be a great fit for your child and you as a family. That is so important.</p>



<p>To book a tour, visit The Leys website <a href="https://www.theleys.net/admissions/visit-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>


Muddy meets headteacher Dr Clare Ives

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