Kent College Pembury
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, South East · TN2 4AX
A small Methodist girls' school set in Tunbridge Wells, Kent College Pembury educates around 314 pupils from age three through to nineteen, with boarding available alongside day places. Founded in 1939, it earned an "excellent" judgement from the Independent Schools Inspectorate for both its overall quality and the personal development of its pupils, with all compliance standards met. With a sixth form of roughly 50 students and an intentionally intimate scale, it offers a close community where individual pupils are easily known. The breadth of bursary provision, including means-tested and Methodist awards of up to 100 per cent, signals a genuine effort to widen access beyond those who can meet the full fees.
314
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£34,311
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Girls
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 3-19
- Pupils
- 314
- Location
- Tunbridge Wells, Kent, South East
- Website
- http://www.kent-college.co.uk/
- Telephone
- 01892 822006
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Headmistress Katrina Handford
Latest results
Attainment 8
46
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
0%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
49%
A-level A*-A
34%
A-level A*-B
67%
Teaching & academics
Academic results sit broadly in line with national norms, with an Attainment 8 score of 46 against a national average of 46.9 and almost half of GCSE grades reaching 9-7. At A-level, a third of entries achieve A*-A and two-thirds reach A*-B, across popular choices such as Psychology, Mathematics, English Literature and Biology. Alongside GCSEs and A-levels, the school offers BTEC and EPQ routes, and a notably high proportion of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting attention to a range of learning needs.
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 50
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 36.6%
- EHC plans
- 1.44%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Beyond the classroom
Scholarships span Music, Art, Sport, Drama, Dance and Academic ability, pointing to strength across the creative and physical arts as well as the classroom. Language learning is a feature, with French, Spanish and Chinese all taught, and the curriculum stretches into areas such as Classical Civilisation and a variety of art and design specialisms.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1939
- Religious character
- Methodist
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
Switched off at the start of the school day and handed in to form tutors for students up to and including year 10. Students in year 11 and in the sixth form have designated areas that they can use their phones in.
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £32,019 - £34,311
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £44,046 - £51,951
- Bursaries up to
- 100% of fees
Means-tested bursaries and Methodist bursaries, both up to 100 per cent
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 20 June 2023
The last word
A small, nurturing girls' school with strong personal development credentials and a serious commitment to bursaries. Best suited to families seeking an individualised, values-led education rather than a results-driven powerhouse.
The Passmate verdict
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Kent College Pembury 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Kent College Pembury located?
Kent College Pembury is located at Old Church Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4AX.
What type of school is Kent College Pembury?
Kent College Pembury is an independent (fee-paying) school in South East.
How many pupils attend Kent College Pembury?
Kent College Pembury has approximately 314 pupils on roll.
What is Kent College Pembury's inspection rating?
Kent College Pembury is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 20 June 2023.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.