St Edmund’s is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, encompassing Pre-Prep, Junior, and Senior Schools. With excellent facilities, the school offers a broad range of academic, sporting, artistic, musical, and dramatic opportunities alongside vibrant extracurricular activities.
Founded in 1749 as the Clergy Orphan School, St Edmund’s moved to Canterbury in 1855. While rooted in its Christian ethos, the school welcomes pupils from all backgrounds and prioritises exceptional pastoral care.
Situated on a stunning site overlooking Canterbury and adjacent to the University of Kent, St Edmund’s is easily accessible from East Kent, London, and international transport hubs.
The school fosters a nurturing yet challenging environment, combining high academic standards with a rich co-curricular programme that encourages both breadth and excellence. As home to Canterbury Cathedral Choristers, it celebrates a unique cultural and historical heritage.
Through dedicated staff and a supportive community, St Edmund’s develops confident, resourceful, and compassionate young people prepared for the challenges of modern life.
Organisation. St Edmund’s is a close-knit community, with the Nursery, Pre-Prep, Junior, and Senior Schools sharing the same campus and facilities, including the Chapel, music and art rooms, theatre, dining hall, science labs, and sports facilities. While the Junior School is led by the Head of Junior School and the Nursery and Pre-Prep by the Head of Pre-Prep, this integrated structure ensures strength and efficiency.
The Senior School is organised into four Houses—Baker, Wagner, Warneford, and Watson—each overseen by a Housemaster supported by Deputies and Tutors.
The chapel. All pupils attend at least two of the morning services a week. Confirmation is conducted annually by the Bishop of Dover; the candidates are prepared by the School Chaplain. The School Carol Service is held in Canterbury Cathedral, by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter.
Buildings and Facilities. Over the past 20 years, St Edmund’s has undergone significant modernisation and expansion, including a new Junior School building, purpose-built music school, Sixth Form Centre, tiered auditorium, sports hall, and major upgrades to science, art, IT, and Pre-Prep facilities. All Senior School boarding has been converted to study-bedrooms, with Junior boarding also refurbished.
Recent developments include the completion of Phase 2 of the Academic Hub in 2024, doubling its capacity to 16 classrooms, as well as new recreational facilities for Senior School boarders, a refurbished theatre and library, an AstroTurf pitch, and a new medical centre.
Academic Organisation. St Edmund’s sets high academic expectations, exceeding National Curriculum requirements. Pupils are grouped by ability from Junior School, fostering diligence and perseverance. Regular reports and parents' meetings ensure close communication.
Nursery & Pre-Prep. With their own facilities, Nursery and Pre-Prep create a secure, friendly environment where children thrive. Small classes and experienced staff focus on academic, artistic, musical, and physical development.
Junior School. Junior School promotes independent learning and motivation. In Forms 3–5, pupils follow a broad curriculum including English, Maths, Science, Art, Music, French, and Latin. Subject specialists teach Forms 6–8, preparing pupils for Senior School. The House system develops leadership and teamwork, and choristers of Canterbury Cathedral are integral to the Junior School community.
Senior School. Year 9 pupils follow a core curriculum with optional subjects like Drama, Spanish, and Latin. GCSE and A-Level options include a wide variety of academic and creative disciplines. Lower Sixth pupils may undertake an EPQ or the Leiths Academy Diploma. Careers guidance and work experience prepare pupils for higher education or specialist institutions like art or music conservatoires.
Music & Performing Arts. Music is central to school life, supported by a purpose-built Music School and Canterbury Cathedral Choristers. Over 25 concerts annually showcase exceptional talent. Performing Arts are integral, with drama, dance, and technical production offered across all ages. St Edmund’s was named the UK’s Best Performing Arts School in 2023.
Art & Sport. Art is embedded across all age groups, offering painting, sculpture, ceramics, and photography. Sports include football, hockey, cricket, netball, tennis, and a range of other activities. Facilities include an AstroTurf pitch, swimming pool, sports hall, tennis courts, CCF rifle range and golf course.
Extracurricular Activities. A wide range of activities includes community work, Eco-Schools, debating, CCF, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Field trips, music tours, and sports tours enhance pupils' experiences, with Year 8 enjoying an outdoor activities week in Spain.
Health & Wellbeing. The Medical Centre provides care with NHS support, and a counselling service is available to all pupils.
Festival of the Arts. Since 2017, the annual St Edmund’s Festival has featured world-class performers, becoming a key event in Canterbury’s arts calendar.
Admissions & Scholarships. Entry is available at various stages from ages 2–18. Scholarships up to 25% are offered in academics, music, drama, sport, art, and choral performance. Means-tested bursaries and fee concessions are also available.
Fees per term (from January 2025). Senior School: Boarders £17,026, Weekly Boarders £15,872, Day £9,314. Junior School: Boarders £12,966, Day £6,870–£7,096. Pre-Prep: £4,273–£4,939. Nursery: £32/day with Free Early Education.
Charitable Status. The school is operated by St Edmund’s School Canterbury, a registered charity (No. 1056382), committed to educating children in its care.
Governors & Staff:
Patron: The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury
Governors:
Chairman: Air Marshal C M Nickols, CB, CBE, MA, FRAeS
Deputy Chair: Mr Q L Roper, BA Hons, MA, NPQH
Mrs Jane Billing
Dr M Carnegie, MB BS
Mr R Dodgson
Dr P Eichorn, MD
Mr C Harbridge, FRICS
Mrs N Leatherbarrow, BSc, MBA
Mr S M Sutton, BA, FCA
Councillor P A Todd
Head: Mr E G O’Connor, MA Cantab, MPhil Oxon, MEd Cantab
Head of The Junior School: Mr Ross Comfort, MA
Head of The Pre-Prep School: Mrs Sarah Bartholomew
Chaplain: The Revd Joy Atkins
Bursar: Mr A Kent
Deputy Head: Mrs C J Shearer, BA Bangor, PCGE Leeds
Assistant Head Co-Curricular: Mr N Hodge
Please refer to the school website for the full staff list.