The King's School Canterbury A GSG School
- The King's School Canterbury
25 The Precincts
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2ES - Head: Ms Jude Lowson
- T 01227 595579
- E [email protected]
- W www.kings-school.co.uk
- The King’s School Canterbury is an English independent day and boarding school that educates over 800 boys and girls aged 13 to 18. Located in the city of Canterbury, Kent, it was founded in 597 AD and it is claimed to be the oldest continuously operating school in the world. A mainstream independent school with a linked junior school.
- Read about the best schools in Kent
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Kent
- Pupils: 833; sixth formers: 369
- Religion: Church of England/Christian
- Fees: Day £29,490 - £32,760; Boarding £47,160 pa
- Open days: See website
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- Linked schools: The Junior King's School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
‘You have to want to learn’, we were told by multiple parents and there’s no doubt the pursuit of academic excellence is at the heart of everything here, although co-curricular activities are given equal weight and as such pupils have an astonishingly busy day – one of the first lessons they learn is how to plan their time to include both. ‘You never stop,’ said one, while another added, ‘Everyone finds a passion here’ – and in the true King’s way, that could just as easily be kite surfing, chess or accordion playing as rugby or dance (or perhaps all five). Stunning William Butterfield designed library (1848) is centre of academic life with ...
What the school says...
At the heart of a Kings education is the dual pursuit of academic and extra-curricular excellence. The self-discipline, intellect and wide-ranging interests that such a pursuit engenders are highly prized in our modern global society. The quality of the teaching and the breadth of the activities outside the classroom mean that the lessons learnt and the skills acquired stay with the pupil for life.
I would identify as an essential feature of this process, the way that it does not matter if your passion is sport, music, acting or chess (to make a random selection of the plethora of opportunities for young people at Kings). All pupils also share the importance of working hard towards academic excellence.
That all this takes place in such a beautiful and historic context with the support and guidance of a talented and dedicated staff explains why I am so proud and enthusiastic about leading this fine school. ...Read more
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Rowing
Fencing
Shooting
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since 2023, Jude Lowson, formerly acting head at King’s College, Wimbledon. She is the school’s first female head. Previously deputy head academic at Putney High School.
She grew up in Belgium and was educated at Sevenoaks School and the University of Cambridge, where she gained a master’s in history and a diploma in management studies. She worked as a strategist in a UK advertising agencies before beginning her teaching career at Whitgift School in Croydon.
She is married, with a daughter who attends Junior King’s School, Canterbury. In her spare time she’s a novice saxophonist, and enjoys cycling and running in the Kent countryside.
Entrance
Prep school candidates for year 9 entry sit the ISEB Pre-Test at their current school in the autumn of year 6 and on the...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
The school caters very well for those with mild levels of learning difficulty but it is not in a position to provide continuous extra teaching for those with significant difficulties. Specialist teachers work with individuals on a one to one basis.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | Y |
| Aspergers | Y |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | Y |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
| Dyscalculia | |
| Dysgraphia | |
| Dyslexia | |
| Dyspraxia | |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elstree School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Holmewood House School | 2024 | 2 | 1 | Scholarships: 1 Music |
| Northbourne Park School | 2024 | 1 | 1 | 1 DT Scholarship |
| Saint Ronan's School | 2024 | 7 | 6 | Art Scholarships (2); Drama Scholarships (2); Sports Scholarships (2) |
| St John's College School | 2024 | 1 | 1 | Scholarships: 1 Music |
| The Junior King's School | 2024 | 69 | 13 | Academic Scholarships (2); Music Scholarships (3); Art Scholarships (2); DT Scholarships (2); Sports Scholarships (2); Dance Scholarships (2) |
| Thomas's Battersea | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Vinehall School | 2024 | 3 | 2 | |
| Westminster Cathedral Choir School | 2024 | 2 | 2 | Music Scholarship |
| Windlesham House School | 2024 | 1 |
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