Ages 
In the rolling Cotswold countryside, you’d be hard pushed to find a school in a more beautiful, tranquil setting. Kingham Hill School is distinctive in its proud Christian heritage, traditional but caring education and strong international networks. Friendly staff go the extra mile (and then some) to make sure students with wide-ranging abilities and backgrounds fulfil academic and personal potential. A quirky, happy school that’s both rural and global, fostering both individuality and community. Its unique essence lies in the contradiction.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to access
Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 332 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 98 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- Protestant/Evangelical
- Fees
- Day £25,005 - £28,365; Boarding £35,265 – £48,030 pa
- Local authority
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headmaster
Pete Last
Since April 2023, Pete Last BA MEd, previously head of Kingsley School, Bideford. Educated at Alleyn’s then read geography at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. After university his intention was to take a gap year and travel but mission experienc
Entrance
Genuinely mixed ability and non-selective with no formal entrance exams although prospective pupils sit the short CAT4 test for indication of ability. Head meets with pupils and their families before joining and taster days can be offered. KHS has
- Open days
- October, March and May
Exit
Nearly 35 per cent of pupils depart after GCSE to pursue vocational courses or because parents have been redeployed. Three-quarters of sixth formers go on to Russell Group universities and over 90 per cent get their preferred option. Popular choi
Latest results
In 2024, 36 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 40 per cent A*/A at A level (62 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
Small class sizes of about 15 with an emphasis on relaxed, trusting and respectful relationships between teachers and children resulting in a camaraderie praised by parents and pupils alike. Technology in place but not constantly in use or relied
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
The CReSTeD registered, dedicated learning support department is called Greens and offers a range of group and one-to-one support at additional cost. Six have EHCPs and 14 per cent of the pupils are on the SEN register. Provision is reviewed and e
Arts & extracurricular
Professional wood and metal workshops with the full range of machinery, tool and ample workstations. A student-built go-kart hangs from the ceiling as both dramatic art installation and motivational tool (go-karting is a thing here – more later).
Sport
Plenty of sport daily for every year group on school’s glorious playing fields and sport facilities. On offer are rugby, football, cricket, hockey and tennis, as well as athletics, netball and rounders, badminton and cross-country on the scenic ci
Boarders
Seven dedicated single-sex boys’ and girls’ houses. About half of KHS pupils board, majority full time with 30 per cent weekly boarders but flexi/ad hoc are possible. Kingham USP is there’s no Saturday school which, one member of staff tells us, ‘
Ethos & heritage
Kingham Hill has 100 acres of Cotswolds countryside with spectacular panoramic views beyond. One parent said, ‘The setting, access to nature and opportunities for sport and fresh air are the reasons we picked Kingham.’ Though in the sticks, surpri
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Students are from a range of social backgrounds and 19.5 per cent of pupils are non-Caucasian. Parents report the international contingent generally mix well with the rest of the school, in particular the German group who come for a term. In 2021,
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Pupil use of mobile phones is not permitted during the working day (0830 to 1700) and devices must be stored in the storage/charging units provided in the boarding/day houses. In certain circumstances, such as an international boarder needing to contact family in their home country, a pupil may be given permission to use their own mobile device during the school day but permission to do so must be sought from their house parent. We recommend that parents purchase basic and inexpensive devices which allow communication when required about pick-up times etc. Possession of mobile phones is permitted on school trips.
Pupils & parents
Diverse parent body, with those in farming, trade and finance as well as military and diplomatic services. The uniting wish is for a traditional but holistic education without the snobbery prevalent at some of the bigger-brand school. Parents, con
Money matters
Fees considered mid-range and 15 per cent of revenue is allocated to means-tested bursaries (up to 50 per cent). School offers a range of scholarships in years 7, 9 and sixth form with remissions between 10 and 25 per cent. There’s also one except
- Fee information
- Day £25,005 - £28,365; Boarding £35,265 – £48,030 pa
The last word
In the rolling Cotswold countryside, you’d be hard pushed to find a school in a more beautiful, tranquil setting. Kingham Hill School is distinctive in its proud Christian heritage, traditional but caring education and strong international network
