Ages 
Offers the best of both worlds: a safe and nurturing environment with super facilities and a global outlook. A good choice for the sporty and pupils who might get lost in a larger school, willing to embrace the ‘can-do’ attitude.
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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.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 522 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 105 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- Christian/Evangelical
- Fees
- Day £25,311 - £27,432; Boarding £42,492 - £51,534 pa
- Local authority
- Kent County Council
- Area guides
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Head
Barney Durrant
Since 2020, Barney Durrant, previously principal deputy head of Harrow International School in Hong Kong and before that, at Stowe for 14 years (head of geography then housemaster). Geography degree from UCL, PGCE from Cambridge and master’s in
Entrance
The majority move up from the junior school, making up about 75 per cent of year 7, the rest joining them from local state and independent schools. Broadly non-selective academically, with admissions tests in English and maths, interview with head
Exit
About 15 per cent depart post-GCSEs, some to local grammar schools, others to take BTECs elsewhere. A shame there isn’t a wider offering for those not wanting A levels, say parents. The vast majority of sixth formers to university to study a range of
Latest results
In 2024, 28 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 24 per cent A*/A at A level (55 per cent A*-B).
Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Decent results for a broad intake, with pupils reporting ‘just the right amount of pressure’. Parents praise the ‘good balance between academic and creative subjects’ – they feel there’s more drama, music and art embedded in the curriculum than at
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
Fourteen per cent of pupils are on the SEN register, mainly for dyslexia, ADHD, autism and SEMH (especially anxiety). Two EHCPs. No TAs but the new full-time SENCo is supported by three full-time AEN (additional educational needs) teachers who work
Arts & extracurricular
Art is taught in the stunning light, bright and stimulating Canon Perfect Building where we saw a range of projects from miniatures to lino printing, batik and photography (around five pupils take a GCSE in the latter). Breadth of themes too – from
Sport
Sport is a big draw. Mainly rugby, hockey and cricket, all three for both genders. Now a top 100 cricket school in the Cricketer Schools Guide. Football recently introduced, complete with a brand new strip (previously a ‘missed opportunity,
Boarders
Around 200 (mainly international) full boarders reside across four houses, each with its own identity. Accommodation ranges from spacious dorms to single rooms, and from modern to more traditional - all have a homely, lived-in feel appreciated by
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1879, this 45-acre walled community is based in the centre of Ramsgate and just a stone’s throw from the sea. The main building is an impressive Victorian red-brick complete with turrets and Virginia creeper, complemented with variously
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Well embedded pastoral system that’s ‘treated as seriously as everything else’, as one parent put it. Lots of tracking, intervention plans and monitoring progress to ensure nobody slips through the gaps. Parents and pupils report good relationships
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 We spend some considerable time educating the children about social media (and will continue to do so). We have decided pupils will not be permitted to have a mobile phone during the school day. If parents feel that it is important for their child to bring a mobile phone to school (so as to be able to contact them whilst they travel to and from school), then they will be able to bring one into school but will need to hand it in on arrival, and collect it prior to leaving at the end of the school day.
Pupils & parents
Pupils aren’t over-rehearsed or overly polished, just natural and easy to chat with. Humble and good-humoured too – we enjoyed their premier league football banter. Some hail from around the corner, others as far as Canterbury. Around 30 per cent are
Money matters
Means-tested bursaries, plus Forces bursaries. Scholarships worth up to 25 per cent off fees - academic, sporting and music at 13+ and 16+, plus all-rounder scholarship at 13+.
- Fee information
- Day £25,311 - £27,432; Boarding £42,492 - £51,534 pa
The last word
Offers the best of both worlds: a safe and nurturing environment with super facilities and a global outlook. A good choice for the sporty and pupils who might get lost in a larger school, willing to embrace the ‘can-do’ attitude.
