St Augustine’s foundation of a monastic school in Canterbury in 597 AD marks the origin of The King’s School: hence, its claim to be the oldest school in the country. It was re-founded by King Henry VIII in 1541. More recently, a Junior School has been established on the former estate of Lord Milner outside the city. The close relationship with the Cathedral Foundation has been there throughout.
King’s Scholars. Many schools cherish the notion that they are the oldest school in the country, but there is little doubt that there has been a school on the present World Heritage site of King’s School, Canterbury since the Augustinian mission to England in 597 AD. The name of the school and its intimate relationship with the Cathedral community of the mother church of the Anglican Communion date from the Henrician settlement, as do the King’s Scholars who, along with the Headmaster and the Senior Deputy Head, form part of the original Foundation of Christchurch, Canterbury. So much for the history, the King’s Scholars continue to occupy buildings and be taught in classrooms that predate the Reformation. Besides their function in the Cathedral, the King’s Scholars are at the heart of the vibrant and open-ended academic life of the school. Each year, some of the King’s Scholars are on full means-tested bursaries, keeping alive the original vision of the school. The modern King’s Scholar discovers a school which is fully co-educational, diverse in its catchment and intentions, as well as in tune with the wider life of the city of Canterbury and national/international context beyond its immediate compass.
Scholarships and bursaries. Up to 40 King’s Scholars and Exhibitioners are elected each year following competitive examinations and interviews in February. A further group of King’s Scholars are added at the Sixth Form entrance stage (competitive examination and interviews in the November preceding entry). These academic awards have a meritocratic value of 10% of the fees, but the crucial thing is that they can be augmented by means-tested bursaries up to 100%. The extremely strong tradition of music at King’s, both instrumental and choral, means that Music Scholarships (about 20 are awarded annually) are generously provided for. The school is particularly welcoming for those who have come on to King’s from the choir schools of Cathedrals and Colleges. There are further Music Scholarships made for Sixth Form entry.
There are further Scholarships and Exhibitions at 13+ for exceptional ability in Art and Sport – the Gower Sports Scholarships named after the former England cricket captain – and the school also grants awards for DT, Drama and Dance.
Academic life. The King’s curriculum is distinct for its combination of striving for the very highest standards in the most appropriate Public Examinations (IGCSEs at the end of Year 10 for a few subjects, but mainly at the end of Year 11; A levels and Pre-U courses in the Sixth Form) on the one hand, and the pursuit of learning and the development of the intellect for its own sake (self-standing courses, tutorials and lectures in the evenings and extended project qualifications, as well as independent research). The school puts particular emphasis on studying Mandarin, German and Russian, as well as ‘new’ subjects like Photography and Computer Science. A wide degree of choice of subject in the Sixth Form (Earth & Planetary Sciences and Philosophy, for example) is often an engine for academic success.
Some 20–25 offers of admission to Oxford and Cambridge are received each year.
All-round vision. Christopher Marlowe, William Harvey and Thomas Linacre number amongst King’s pupils and the pursuit of the Renaissance ideal still resonates in the contemporary school. The strongest encouragement is given to Music, Drama, Sport, CCF and the Visual Arts. This stems from belief in the value of these activities in themselves, but also since recreation and success in these fields leads to growth in self-confidence and better academic performance. Alongside these activities are opportunities to get involved in Partnership projects and pursue the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Numbers and organisation. There are currently 956 pupils on the school roll, 504 boys and 452 girls. There are 6 boys’ boarding houses, 7 girls’ boarding houses and 3 (mixed) day houses. To the east of the main school buildings in the Cathedral Precincts is St Augustine’s, home to 5 boarding houses, the original Medieval Hall and magnificent school library. There are 2 major sites for sport, Birley’s and Blore’s, each with extensive sports facilities. Junior King’s School, the prep school of King’s, occupies a site on the River Stour, in Sturry, three miles from Canterbury. There are currently 347 pupils at Junior King’s, 186 boys and 161 girls of whom 59 are boarders.
Admission. Application should be made to the Assistant Registrar. It is advisable to register pupils at an early age. Admission is normally through the Common Entrance Examination, the King’s School entrance examination (for non-CE candidates) or, if academically appropriate, through the King’s Scholarship Examination. The age of entry is about 13.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School: £15,720 for boarders and £9,830–£10,920 for day pupils. International College: £17,650. Junior School: £10,775 for boarders and £6,245–£7,600 for day pupils.
OKS (Old King’s Scholars). Coordinator: Molly Burgess, OKS Association Office, Tel: 01227 595669; email: oks@kings-school.co.uk. The King’s Association has recently been launched, with the goal of more closely connecting everyone who is a part of King's. The King's Association website provides access to news, events and information about our community. For our pupils, it provides opportunities to benefit from the expertise and support of our wider network while for parents, staff and OKS, the King's Association exists to promote a supportive and thriving community which gives everyone the chance to connect with the school and others in the wider network, fostering lifelong relationships and connection with the school.
Charitable status. The King’s School of the Cathedral Church of Canterbury is a Registered Charity, number 307942. It exists to provide education for boys and girls.
Governors & Staff:
Visitor: The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury
Governors:
Interim Chairman: Count Benoit de Vitry D'Avaucourt
Dame F J Judd, KC [OKS] (Vice Chair)
The Venerable Dr Will Adam
M W S Bax, FRICS [OKS]
Mrs Clare Cowburn Baker
Mrs Angela Culley
Revd Canon Andrew Dodd
Dr Henrietta Hughes, OBE, FRCGP
Ms Fionnuala Kennedy
Mr Wol Kolade
The Very Reverend David Monteith
Mr Robert Moulsdale
Revd Canon Dr T Naish, MA, PhD
Revd Canon Dr Emma Pennington
Mr Andrew Stewart
Dr Michael Sutherland
Clerk to the Governors: M R Taylor, FRSA
Governors Emeriti:
The Very Revd J A Simpson, OBE, MA, DD
The Lady Kingsdown, OBE, DCL
[OKS] Old King’s Scholars
Head: Ms Jude Lowson
Head's PA: Mrs L Hutchinson
PA to Senior Deputy Head & Lattergate Office Administrator: Mrs A Goodier
Lattergate Receptionist: Miss A Comber
Senior Deputy Head: Mrs E A Worthington, MA
Deputy Head Academic: L G Bartlett, BA, MRSC
Deputy Head Pastoral: Miss T Lee, BA
Deputy Head Co-Curricular: G Hunter, BEng, Grad Dip Ed
PA to Deputy Head Pastoral/Deputy Head Co-Curricular: Mrs F Bird
PA to Deputy Head Academic & Academic Assistant: Mrs P Phillips
Academic Assistant: Mrs G V Hone, BSc Econ
Examinations Officer: Mrs S Reid
Head of Sixth Form: A J Holland, BSc
Heads of Middle School: D Galmes-Gazapo, BA; J M Maréchal, BA, MSc; M Mawby
Head of Lower School: M H Henderson
Head of Oxbridge: H L Warwicker MA
Head of Extended Projects: Dr L Hynes
Bursar: M R Taylor, FRSA
Director of Development and Alumni: Mrs J Grant
Deputy Development Director: Mrs S Tingle
Head of Marketing: K L Orwin, BA
Registrar: J W Outram, BA
Assistant Registrar: Mrs B Skilton
Senior Chaplain: The Revd L R F Collins, BD, AKC, MTh
Chaplain: The Revd T Pote
Graduate Assistant Chaplain: S Thorne
Librarian: Miss P K Rose, FDA, MA, PGCHE, ACLIP
Medical Officer: Dr D Gregory, MB BS, MRCGP, DRCOG
* Head of Department
† Housemaster/mistress
Art:
Mrs G C Burrows, BA
*Mrs I A Dutton, BA
M McArdle, BA
Mrs G Farrell, BA
D K Willis, BA
Mr J Dutton
Classics:
*M W Browning, BA
W Corbyn, BA
Miss H L Warwicker, BA
Design & Technology:
*M J Rolison, BEd
V Caspary, MFA
Drama:
*Mrs R J Beattie, BA, FRSA
Ms R Frances, BA
Economics:
*J Pope
Mrs L A Horn, BSc
J Hounsell, BA
A Rodriguez, MSc
M D Bell, BCOM, CIMA
English:
Dr H Barton, MA, PhD
Mrs L Carlyle, BA, DPhil
†Mrs J M Cook, BA
*Dr L Grindlay, MA, PhD
A J W Lyons, BA, MA, FRSA
Dr J P Wilper, BA, MLitt, PhD
†Mrs A L Young, MA
L J Benson, BA, MA
Geography:
A J Holland, BSc
†M E Lister, BSc, MSc
J A Lloyd, BSc
†R P Sanderson, BA
Mrs S J Sensecall, BSc
*Ms Freyja Dolan, BA
History:
*Miss C E Anderson, BA, MA
†G W H Harrison, MA
Dr D J C Perkins, BA, MA, Dip Law, PhD
Mrs E A Worthington, MA
I Bannerman, BA
History of Art:
*Dr H Barton, MA, PhD
ICT and Computing:
A J Holland, BSc
*C P Wooldridge, BSc
Mathematics:
†Mrs E R Bell, MSci
M O Cox, MA, MEng, Dip ITEC
Dr R A B Johnson, MSc, PhD
Mrs J Gorman, BSc
A McFall, BSc
*S P Ocock, BA
Dr K J Palmer, BSc, PhD
M Henderson, BA
Ms E Berry, BA
Ms F Walton, BA
E Triffault, BA
Learning Support:
Mrs D J Ardley, BA
Mrs S Burke, MA
Ms G R Moorcroft, BEd, MA
Mrs M L Orders, BA
*Mrs C R Titterton, BA
Mrs B Raffety, BA
Mrs K Rothwell, BA
Modern Languages:
Mrs Z T Allen, MA
Miss L N Bernardo Otamendi, Lda, MPhil, MA
*Miss H C Davies, MA
Mrs M B Garcés-Ramón, Lda
Mrs N Geoffroy, L-ès-ScEd
R T M Harrison, BA
†Mrs R E Heskins, BA
Dr J R Karolyi, BA, PhD
*Mrs L Liu, BA, MPhil
Miss J M Maréchal, BA, MSc
Miss F Zanardi, MA
D Galmes-Gazapo
E McCaffery, BA
A A T Blum
N Madeley
J Bao, BA, MA
Music:
K Abbott, Dip RCM
*W Bersey, BMus
Mrs A Caldon, BA, PDM
G R Swinford, BA
N G Todd, MA
Politics:
E N Nilsson, BA, MA
Physical Education:
*C Lewis-Gardiner
†M E Lister, BSc, MSc
†R A L Singfield, BEd (*Sport)
Religious Studies and Philosophy:
*Dr D Cardinal, MA, PhD
The Revd L R F Collins, BD, AKC, MTh
Mrs C A Cox, BA, MPhil
Miss A K Fraser, MA, MPhil
Mrs C A Hayes, BA
*Miss T Lee, BA
J W Outram, BA
Science:
Biology:
Ms K Budden, BSc
J M Hutchings, BA
*Mrs E H Lockwood, MA, BSc
Dr M A McVeigh, MSc, PhD
†M J W Smiley, MA
M J Thornby, BSc
B A Landymore
E Rooms, BA
Chemistry:
L G Bartlett, BA, MRSC
R P Cook, BSc
*Dr S T Hayes, MSci, PhD, MRSC
Dr L W Hynes, BSc, PhD
Dr L E J Jones, MChem, PhD
D A Scott, BSc, MSc, MA Ed, MRSC (*Science)
†A S D Stennett, BSc
Mrs H Hunter
Physics:
*Miss L M Comber BSc (*Science)
F Elias, Ldo, PhD
Miss L M Kendrick, BSc
†Mrs E S Ladd, BEng
†M C Orders, BSc
Earth & Planetary Sciences:
*M R Mawby, BSc
Psychology:
*J M Hutchings, BA
I Williamson, BSc, MA, MSc
Houses and Housemasters/mistresses:
School House: A Vintner
The Grange: M Orders
Walpole: Mrs N Ridley
Meister Omers: R A L Singfield
Marlowe (day): G W H Harrison
Luxmoore: J P Wilper
Galpin’s: R P Sanderson
Linacre: M Lister
Tradescant: R T M Harrison
Broughton: Dr D McVeigh
Mitchinson’s (day): Mrs E S Ladd
Jervis: Mrs R E Heskins
Harvey: Mrs J M Cook
Bailey (Sixth Form): Mrs E Bell
Carlyon (day): M J W Smiley
Kingsdown: Mrs C A Hayes
The Junior King’s School
Milner Court, Sturry, Nr Canterbury, CT2 0AY
Tel 01227 714000
Headmistress: Mrs E J Károlyi, MA