MixedIndependent

King Edward VI School

Southampton, Southampton, South East · SO15 5UQ

Founded in 1553, King Edward VI School is among the oldest in Southampton and remains an academically focused independent day school for boys and girls aged 11 to 18. Its most recent ISI inspection judged the school excellent for both education quality and pupil personal development, with compliance requirements met. A favourable pupil-to-teacher ratio of around ten supports the close attention that runs through the school's nearly thousand pupils, while a sixth form of 242 gives it a substantial senior presence. The school offers means-tested bursaries at several entry points, which may widen access for families who would otherwise find the day fees of up to £24,030 a year out of reach.

992

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£24,030

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Mixed
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 11-18
Pupils: 992
Pupil:teacher ratio: 10
Location: Southampton, Southampton, South East
Website: http://www.kes.hants.sch.uk
Telephone: 02380 704561

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Head Neal Parker

Latest results

Attainment 8

15.9

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

73%

A-level A*-A

51%

A-level A*-B

85%

Teaching & academics

Results sit at the stronger end: 73% of GCSE entries reach grades 9 to 7, and at A-level just over half are graded A* or A, rising to 85% at A* to B. The sciences, mathematics and economics feature prominently among popular sixth-form choices, alongside humanities and creative subjects such as drama and design and technology. An EPQ is offered for students wanting to pursue independent research beyond the standard curriculum.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 242

Popular A-level subjects

MathematicsBiologyChemistryPhysicsEconomicsHistoryGeographyGovernment and PoliticsPsychologyBusiness StudiesDrama and Theatre StudiesDesign and TechnologyArt and DesignFrenchPhysical EducationSports Science

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 21.47%
EHC plans: 0.1%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

AcademicMusicDramaArtSport

Languages

FrenchItalian

Popular GCSE subjects

English LanguageMathematicsSciencesModern Foreign LanguagesDesign and TechnologyArt and DesignDrama and Theatre StudiesPhysical EducationMusicLatinReligious StudiesClassical Civilisation

Sport

Main sports

RugbyHockeyNetballCricket

Beyond the classroom

Sport is a visible part of school life, with rugby, hockey, netball and cricket among the main games. Scholarships in music, drama, art and sport, in addition to academic awards, point to genuine breadth beyond the classroom.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1553
Boarding: No

Mobile phone policy

Children allowed to bring phones to school as majority travel by school bus. Younger children (years 7-9) not allowed phones out during school day.

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £24,030
Bursaries up to: 100% of fees

Means-tested bursaries available for entry to year 7, year 9 and sixth form

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 29 April 2025

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A long-established academic school that pairs strong examination outcomes with a wide co-curricular offer, and uses bursaries to keep its doors open beyond the obvious.

The Passmate verdict