The King's School, Canterbury
The King's School, Canterbury is a historic independent boys' school offering day and boarding education from Nursery to Sixth Form.
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Our take
Independent co-ed all-through school in Kent for ages 2–18, day or boarding. Selective entry.
- Families wanting one school across the whole journey (ages 2–18) rather than separate prep + senior.
- Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
- Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered.
- Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
- Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
- SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has an EHCP or specific learning needs, ask admissions about case-by-case capacity before applying.
About the head
Distinctive features
historic association with Canterbury Cathedral
all-through school aged 3 to 18
Boarding and day options across all age groups
Strong international outlook with International College
Extensive co-curricular opportunities
Multiple entry points including 11+, 13+, and Sixth Form
Scholarships in academic, arts, music, sport and more
Activities & co-curricular
sport
music
drama
academic club
service
other
Facilities
sports
arts
boarding
academic
wellbeing
Latest exam results
In 2024, at A Level, and with an overall . The Pre-U had . Consistent strong performance across a wide range of subjects
Where leavers go
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxbridge | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 |
| Russell Group | — | — | 100 | — |
| US Ivy | 2 | — | — | — |
Recent coverage
In 2026, The King's School, Canterbury marked several significant events including Linacre House raising over £21,000 for Porchlight and Marlowe House celebrating its 90th anniversary with a special reunion. The school also announced a new partnership with Spring Grove and plans to name a new Day House in honor of Michael Morpurgo. Additionally, the school hosted various open mornings for different age groups, reflecting ongoing engagement with prospective students and families.
Notable alumni
Open-day dates not yet published
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How well does The King's School, match?
Tell us your child's age, location, needs and entry point. We'll score commute, academics, support, budget and culture against schools in Canterbury.
Check fit for my childApplication timeline
No admissions stage dates confirmed yet. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.
Open events
Private tours and additional visits available by arrangement — contact admissions to arrange.
Fees
Bursaries & Scholarships
House system
Pupils are organised into houses for pastoral and competitive life.
Wellbeing
King's School has a comprehensive pastoral care system including a house system, safeguarding, and counselling services. Mental health and pupil welfare are supported across Junior King's, Senior School, and the International College.
Inspection
Isi — 1 Feb 2024
One inspection report on file. Worth reading before booking a visit — covers safeguarding, leadership and overall standard.
Term dates 2025-26
Schools like The King's School, Canterbury
Ranked by semantic similarity across curriculum, ethos, intake and admissions style. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.
Questions parents ask
Common questions about The King's School, Canterbury, answered from this school’s structured profile data. Always confirm specifics with admissions before applying.
What kind of child is The King's School, Canterbury best for?+
Independent co-ed all-through school in Kent for ages 2–18, day or boarding. Selective entry.
How does admissions work?+
Admissions are selective — expect an entrance assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early. See the admissions timeline above for confirmed dates.
Are fees published?+
Yes — see the Fees table further down the page. Add extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition, registration fees) on top of the base figure before budgeting.
Does the school support SEND?+
Some SEND provision is documented in our profile, but specific conditions supported aren't itemised. Contact admissions for details before applying.
Are there open days?+
7 upcoming open days or tours — see the admissions timeline. Booking is usually required.
How do I contact admissions?+
phone on +44 (0)1227 595727 or the registrars listed in the contact card. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.
What similar schools should I compare?+
We've ranked 6 schools by semantic similarity to The King's School, Canterbury — see the "Schools like The King's School, Canterbury" grid below. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.
Reviews
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