Rediscovering Perse-ness – A Visit to Perse Cambridge
By Lynne Oldfield, Principal, The Perse School (Singapore)
Last week, I had the privilege of visiting The Perse School in Cambridge — not just as an educator, but as someone with long-standing personal and professional ties to this remarkable institution.
From growing up just down the road in Great Chesterford, to being a proud “Perse auntie” to nephews who studied at Perse Cambridge, to examining Perse pupils as part of my work with Cambridge Assessment — Perse has been part of my story in quiet, yet enduring ways. In fact, Ed Elliott, Head of The Perse School, actually taught my nephews.
This visit felt like a homecoming. I was warmly welcomed by staff and students at every stage —joyful early years phonics at the Pelicans, Design Tech projects and poetry recitals at the Prep, followed by Upper School literature debates, chemistry experiments, discussions about Quantum Physics, and ink printing in art. As a teacher of history myself, I particularly enjoyed the Year 7 history lesson on China in the 1300s which had followed from their studies of the same time period in England, Peru and Mali.
Over lunch with Jonathan Scott, Chair of Governors and Honorary Fellow of St Catharine’s College, I reflected on the deep sense of purpose that unites our schools. Perse isn’t defined by buildings — however impressive — but by a spirit of curiosity, care, and community that runs through every lesson, every smile, and every conversation.
As I prepare to lead The Perse School (Singapore), I do so with a renewed connection to this heritage and a strong sense of responsibility to help our pupils in Singapore discover their own “Perse-ness” — with confidence, compassion, and joy.