Age range. Co-educational, Day: age 3–18 years, Boarding: age 7–18 years.
Number of pupils. Senior School: 379 pupils in total, 107 boy boarders, 76 girl boarders, 196 day pupils. Junior School: 151 pupils, 13 boarders (6 boys, 7 girls), 138 day pupils.
Educating children from the age of 3 to 18 years, this safe and caring school is set in over 80 acres of spacious, stunning grounds which house beautiful old architecture combined with new modern builds and facilities. Founded in 1879, it is home to 530 day and boarding pupils from local, UK and international families and welcomes boarders from 7 years of age.
High Performance Learning is embedded in our supportive, caring environment, which is founded on traditional Christian values. We have small class sizes where each child is an individual, nurtured to succeed in all aspects of life, ranging from progress in their studies to empathy, resilience and leadership.
Academic. St Lawrence College has a long record of providing an excellent academic education within a supportive community, but is also modern in its outlook and very well suited to preparing pupils for a rapidly changing world. Class sizes are small and pastoral support is strong. Academic standards are high and impressive results are achieved across all years in the school. An extensive choice of GCSEs and A levels are offered, with an excellent success rate of pupils going on to their first-choice university, including Oxbridge.
In the Junior School, pupils are given the opportunity to explore new experiences such as Forest School, Thinking and Learning Skills and STEAM enrichment subjects. Pupils are expected to become independent learners and participate in STRETCH homework projects; we do not have Gifted and Talented for the few but rather we have STRETCH for all.
Boarding. Boarding pupils enjoy a ‘home from home’ experience, both in terms of comfort and atmosphere. In recent years, a massive programme of investment has created some truly remarkable facilities for boarders. All senior boarders are housed in single or double rooms with en-suite facilities and younger boarders are placed in rooms of between two and five pupils with modern streamlined en-suite bathrooms. Junior boarders (from age 7–11) enjoy living in Kirby House, a modern, purpose-built development which offers en-suite accommodation of exceptional quality.
Facilities & extracurricular. Continued investment saw a new Science, Art and Design Centre open in May 2018. Sporting facilities are exceptional and expert coaching is provided at all levels in a variety of disciplines including hockey, rugby, netball, cricket and swimming. There is an Olympic-standard waterbased hockey pitch and the Sports Centre houses a fitness suite, squash courts, climbing wall, dance studio and a large sports hall for badminton, basketball, etc. Music and Drama flourish, enhanced by a 500-seat Theatre. Alongside the traditional chapel and library sits the school’s modern coffee shop and boarders are able to use all of the facilities in the evenings and at weekends. All pupils benefit from an extensive activities programme which includes the CCF (Combined Cadet Force) and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, as well as chess, climbing, archery, golf, fencing, horse riding, table tennis, musical theatre, and many more activities.
Membership of the wider College community gives Junior School pupils the best of both worlds, and they are able to share many of the Senior School’s excellent specialist facilities, including the Sports Centre and Theatre. The wide range of sports on offer includes rugby, hockey, cricket, netball, football, athletics, cross-country and swimming. There are plenty of fixtures against other schools, but, most importantly, children learn the value of fitness, cooperative teamwork and good sportsmanship. There is a proud musical tradition, and plenty of scope for drama and the creative arts, including LAMDA lessons. Some extracurricular activities take place at the end of the school day, but most are concentrated into the popular, informal varied Saturday morning programme.
Location. The school is set in a safe, self-contained campus situated within easy walking distance of the historic seaside town of Ramsgate, home to the stunning Royal Harbour – currently the only Royal Harbour in England. It has excellent transport links to the continent, being near both Dover and the Channel Tunnel. London is only 75 minutes away by high-speed rail link to St Pancras International. Both Gatwick and Heathrow are under 2 hours away.
Exam results. Outstanding results are achieved by the most academic students who progress to top universities. In 2019/20, the school entered the High Performance Learning (HPL) Fellowship of World Class Schools, confirming that our approach enables students to develop the cognitive skills, values, attitudes and attributes needed for high academic performance and lifetime success. The College was one of the first 14 schools in the world to achieve the High Performance Learning Accolade.
2024 Exam results – GCSE (9–7) 28%, GCSE (9–6) 47%, GCSE (9–4) 84%, A levels (A*–A) 24%, A levels (A*–B) 55%, A Levels (A*–C) 72%.
Admissions.
Junior School
An initial parental tour with the Head or Admissions Officer will be followed by a Pupil Taster Day, which allows the prospective pupil to be assessed in numeracy and literacy as well as getting to know the school from the inside.
Subject to a satisfactory meeting and supporting documentation, the Head of the Junior School may offer a place.
All parents will be asked to complete and return a Registration Form and a £100 Registration Fee (non-refundable).
Upon receipt of the Registration Form, the Terms and Conditions of the School will be sent with an Acceptance Form. The Acceptance Form must be completed and returned together with a deposit. This will secure a place at the School.
The deposit will be held for the duration of the child’s time here and will be returned when all outstanding accounts have been settled in full. It does not form part of the payment for school fees or boarding fees that are charged termly in advance.
Senior School
Admission to St Lawrence College requires completion of the Registration Form and a £100 Registration Fee (non-refundable). The admissions process includes return of the form, along with the most recent School report for the student. Completion of assessments, where required CAT tests and an Interview with the Head of College form part of the admissions process for all students.
At 16+ the offer of a place will be dependent on the above processes and a meeting with the Deputy Head responsible for Academics and/or Head of Sixth Form.
EU and Overseas Students will be admitted on the same basis as above, however an EAL paper is included. Our special EFL centre will assess and integrate overseas pupils into the curriculum by offering a range of English teaching options, including an intensive English course.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School: Boarders £11,804–£14,315, Day £7,031–£7,620. Junior School: Boarders £10,309, Day £3,085–£4,827.
Fees are due and payable before the commencement of the relevant school term. St Lawrence College offers generous sibling allowances.
Individual Private Tuition: £65 per hour. Individual Instrumental Music: £45 per hour.
Bursaries. Parents in HM Forces pay the MOD CEA (Continuity of Education Allowance) plus 10% of our main boarding and tuition fees. Bursaries are awarded annually to pupils in need of financial assistance and who are likely to make a positive contribution to the life of the school. Bursaries may be awarded to new or existing pupils of the College and pupils who have been awarded a scholarship that requires supplementing. Parents may apply to the Governors’ Bursary Committee for assistance and will be required to complete a confidential grant application form. Bursaries are means tested.
Scholarships. Scholarships can be offered in Years 7–11 for outstanding academic ability, art, drama, music or sports disciplines, worth up to 25% of fees. Sixth Form scholarships are also available.
Charitable status. The Corporation of St Lawrence College is a Registered Charity, number 307921. It exists to provide education for children.
Governors & Staff:
The Council:
Chairman of Council: G Carter, FRICS, FCABE
Members:
E Gill
G Hamill, BSc Hons, BDS
M Iliff, MSc
A Jameson, BA, PGCE
J Laslett, BA Hons, FCMA [OL]
N Lawn, BSc Hons, MRICS
R MacPhee
N G Marchant [OL]
S Pullen, BA Hons, PGCE, NPQH
P Russel, BA Hons
J H Tapp, BSc
[OL] Old Lawrentian
Clerk to the Governors and Bursar: J A Connelly, MA, MBA, BEng, CEng, MIET
Head of College: Barney Durrant, MA
Deputy Head (Academic): B Pennells, BA Hons
Assistant Head (Academic): K B Parker, BA Hons, PGCE (Head of Design & Technology)
Deputy Head (Pastoral): T Moulton, BA
Chaplain: Revd J P Goodwin-Hudson (Religious Studies)
Assistant Head, 6th Form: E Matthews, BA (Drama)
Director of External Relations: J Ganderton-Smith
Junior School
Head: Mrs E Rowe, BA Hons, PGCE