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 admissions@kings-school.co.uk
- 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: 883; sixth formers: 409
- Religion: Church of England/Christian
- Fees: Day £32,742 - £36,360; Boarding £52,344 pa (last updated on 21/01/2025)
- 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..
The cathedral, visible from every point of the campus, has a profound impact on the school and provides one of the most inspiring settings for a school. ‘It’s grounding to be living and learning in this historical setting,’ said a pupil. ‘A special aura,’ reckoned a parent. The school is promoted as being ‘beyond compare’, which pupils say ‘feels about right as there is nowhere else like it’. Summer term assemblies in the cathedral ‘never lose their magic’, they told us. A place for difference, they add, with ‘unique, quirky traditions separating us from other schools’ – eg the instantly recognisable uniform of winged collars and...
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, the school’s first female head. Previously at KCS Wimbledon as pastoral deputy, senior deputy, then acting head. Grew up in London, attending state primary school until age 10, then an international school, followed by Sevenoaks (boarding) when her family moved to Brussels. After reading history at Cambridge, spent a year doing management studies and four years as a strategist at advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Her wife taught at Whitgift, so she joined the adventure to teach history. Was ‘immediately energised by the unmistakable crackle’ of the classroom, becoming head of sixth form (‘best job!’) at Whitgift, then deputy head at Putney High School before moving to KCS Wimbledon.
Ears pricked up at King’s Canterbury job ad — ‘What a canvas to paint on!’ The cathedral connection was...
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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
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder |
Y |
| HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment |
|
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty |
|
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing |
|
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes |
|
| PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability |
|
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty |
|
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma |
|
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication |
|
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP) |
|
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) |
Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment |
Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldro | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Elstree School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Hill House | 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 Catherine's Preparatory School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| St John's College School | 2024 | 1 | 1 | Scholarships: 1 Music |
| The Academy School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| 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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