The King's School Canterbury
Canterbury, Kent · CT1 2ES
AAB+ A-level
37.2%
9–7 GCSE
72.4%
Day fees
£48k
Inspection
Not yet inspected
The King's School Canterbury is a historic independent coeducational day and boarding school in the cathedral city of Canterbury, serving 911 pupils from age 11 upwards. It comprises Junior King's, Senior School, and an International College, offering both classical and contemporary education with strong emphasis on boarding provision. The school balances academic rigour with pastoral care and co-curricular breadth, positioning itself as a leading Kent independent school with significant international dimension.
- →Established co-educational boarding option in South East with flexible flexi-boarding available
- →Integrated pathway from Junior King's through Senior School and Sixth Form
- →Cathedral city location with historical prestige and strong Kent academic reputation
- →International College providing alternative pathway and ESL support
- →Broad co-curricular offer across music, drama, sport and outdoor education
Who thrives here
Pupils seeking traditional co-ed boarding education with strong academics, those with international family backgrounds, and students who thrive in a structured pastoral environment within a historic institution. Particularly suits families valuing day-boarding flexibility and integrated junior-to-senior progression.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
25 The Precincts
Canterbury, Kent
CT1 2ES
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Peter Saunders
Theatre producer and impresario, founder of Vaudeville Theatre productions
Christopher Strachey
Pioneer computer scientist, developer of programming language concepts
James Callaghan
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1976–1979)
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at The King's School Canterbury?
Day fees at The King's School Canterbury are approximately £47,880 per year (2025/26). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into The King's School Canterbury?
The King's School Canterbury admits pupils at 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are The King's School Canterbury's exam results?
At The King's School Canterbury, 37.2% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 72.4% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is The King's School Canterbury a boarding school?
The King's School Canterbury offers boarding as well as day places.
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Strong boarding care and pastoral oversight; pupils feel secure and supported
✓Rigorous academics with clear expectations and good examination outcomes
✓Vibrant co-curricular programme (music, drama, outdoor) with genuine participation
✓Excellent facilities for sport and music; well-resourced learning environment
✓Integrated Junior-to-Senior progression reduces disruption; community feel
✓International dimension broadens pupils' worldview; IC enriches cultural experience
Common concerns
!Not yet Ofsted-inspected; lack of recent formal regulatory feedback is a concern for some families
!Boarding fees and overall cost remain significant barrier to accessibility
!Day-only option may feel secondary to boarding-centric culture and facilities allocation
!Limited public transparency on SEND provision and inclusive education strategy