MixedIndependentBoarding

The King's School Canterbury

Canterbury, Kent, South East · CT1 2ES

Set in the cathedral city of Canterbury, The King's School is a mixed Church of England boarding and day school for ages 13 to 18, with a substantial sixth form of more than 400 pupils. Its pupil-to-teacher ratio of around eight is notably generous, allowing close attention in a school of just over 900. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent for both education and personal development, with compliance requirements met. An ambitious bursary programme, aiming for 50 fully funded places by 2041, signals a serious commitment to widening access.

911

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£37,854

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Mixed
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 13-18
Pupils: 911
Pupil:teacher ratio: 8
Location: Canterbury, Kent, South East
Website: https://www.kings-school.co.uk/
Telephone: 01227 595501

Headteacher

Head Ms Jude Lowson

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Latest results

GCSE grade 9-7

71%

A-level A*-A

52%

A-level A*-B

81%

Teaching & academics

Results are strong, with 71 per cent of GCSE grades at 9-7 and 81 per cent of A-levels at A*-B, just over half reaching A*-A. The curriculum spans GCSE, A-level, BTEC and the EPQ, with sciences, mathematics, economics and humanities prominent at sixth form. Languages are a clear strength: French, Spanish, German, Russian and Chinese are all taught, and Chinese, Russian and Spanish feature among popular GCSE choices. Around 22 per cent of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting structured help is well embedded.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 408

Popular A-level subjects

MathematicsEconomicsPhysicsChemistryEnglish LiteratureHistoryGovernment and Politics

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelBTECEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 21.92%
EHC plans: 0%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

AcademicDramaMusicSportsArtDesign & TechnologyDance

Languages

FrenchSpanishGermanRussianChinese

Popular GCSE subjects

ChineseSpanishFrenchDesign & TechnologyArt & DesignMusicRussian

Sport

Main sports

HockeyCricket

Beyond the classroom

Hockey and cricket lead the sporting programme, and scholarships extend well beyond academics into drama, music, sport, art, design and technology, and dance. This breadth points to a culture where the arts and performance sit alongside the classroom.

Ethos & heritage

Religious character: C of E
Boarding: Yes

Mobile phone policy

For shell, removes, and fifths, smartphones must be handed in daily and collected after 4.50pm, with exceptions for trips, fixtures and certain weekends. Sixth form pupils carry smartphones but will have phones confiscated if seen using them for no good reason outside of houses. Boarders hand in phones during prep and overnight. School encourages but does not require non-smartphones. Incoming shells will receive school-owned laptops.

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £34,056 - £37,854
Boarding fees (per year): £54,702
Bursaries up to: 100% of fees

Means-tested bursaries available up to 100 per cent. Fundraising campaign contributes to bursaries. Target of 50 fully funded pupils set for 2041.

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 20 June 2025

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A historic Canterbury institution combining academic depth with a genuine bursary mission. Best suited to families seeking a broad, well-resourced education with the option of boarding.

The Passmate verdict