Independent SeniorCo-educationalBoardingISI · Excellent
Kent College (Canterbury) logo

Kent College (Canterbury)

Canterbury, Kent · CT2 9DT

AAB+ A-level

10%

9–7 GCSE

41.6%

Day fees

£26k

Inspection

Excellent

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School website

Kent College Canterbury is a well-established independent co-educational day and boarding school serving ages 0–18, with a notable Methodist heritage and strong pastoral emphasis. The school operates across nursery, junior, senior, and sixth-form phases, offering both academic breadth and practical experiential learning through its distinctive farm and riding programme. It combines traditional boarding-school values with modern co-education, positioning itself as a family-friendly independent alternative within Kent's competitive senior school landscape.

  • All-through education from nursery through sixth form with integrated day and boarding options
  • Distinctive rural campus with working farm and horse-riding programme offering experiential learning
  • Strong Methodist values and pastoral care emphasis with transparent house-based pastoral system
  • IB and A-level pathways in sixth form with emphasis on international study centre

Who thrives here

Pupils who benefit from a nurturing, values-driven environment and appreciate outdoor/practical learning; families seeking long-term pastoral continuity; boarders and day pupils who thrive in a mixed community; those with international aspirations (KC has sister schools in Dubai and Cairo).

Strengths at a glance

Exam results50th pctSports50th pctCo-curricular50th pctValue vs peers50th pctPastoral & wellbeing100th pct

Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.

At a glance

School typeIndependent Senior · Boarding
Founded1885
Number of pupils545
Day pupils413
Boarders190
Sixth form153
Pupils with SEND159
Age range11–18
GenderCo-educational
Day fees£25.8k/yr
AssociationsISC
Settingsuburban
LocationGood rail access from London (60–90 minutes to London Victoria/Charing Cross); school operates coach services; located on edge of Canterbury with suburban/rural setting.
EthosMethodist

Contact & visit

Whitstable Road

Canterbury, Kent

CT2 9DT

www.kentcollege.com
01227763231
Mr Mark Turnbull, Headteacher

Nearest stations

Canterbury West15 min
Canterbury East12 min

Frequently asked questions

What are the fees at Kent College (Canterbury)?

Day fees at Kent College (Canterbury) are approximately £25,827 per year (2026/27).

How do you get into Kent College (Canterbury)?

Kent College (Canterbury) admits pupils at 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.

What are Kent College (Canterbury)'s exam results?

At Kent College (Canterbury), 10% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 41.6% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.

Is Kent College (Canterbury) a boarding school?

Kent College (Canterbury) offers boarding as well as day places.

What is Kent College (Canterbury)'s latest inspection rating?

ISI rated Kent College (Canterbury) “Excellent” (2022).

What parents say

Frequently praised

Genuinely caring pastoral culture with continuous house-based support from entry through sixth form

Distinctive farm and riding programme offering practical, confidence-building experiences not available in typical day schools

Strong boarding community with well-integrated day pupils; appeals to families valuing traditional values without excessive academic pressure

Good music and drama provision; reasonable co-curricular breadth

Common concerns

!Not yet Ofsted inspected; independent evaluation of academic rigour and safeguarding arrangements limited compared to peer schools

!Fees not transparently published on website; perception of moderate transparency vs. peers

!Smaller cohort (545 pupils) means fewer sixth-form subject options and university destinations data less visible than larger independents