The King's School Canterbury
School summary
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.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
71%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
52%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
81%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 20 June 2025
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.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Head · Ms Jude Lowson
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 408
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
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.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 21.92%
- EHC plans
- 0%
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.
Fees & bursaries
- 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.
Schools nearby
Haven Nook
Canterbury, South East
Newingate School
Canterbury, South East
The Worthgate School
Canterbury, South East
St Edmund's School Canterbury
Canterbury, South East
Kent College (Canterbury)
Canterbury, South East
Kent College International Study Centre
Canterbury, South East
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
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.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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The King's School Canterbury 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.