The School was founded AD 1541 by King Henry VIII, in conjunction with the Cathedral Church of Chester. It was reorganised under the Endowed Schools Act in 1873, and by subsequent schemes of the Ministry of Education. The School is now Independent. The aim of the School is to prepare pupils for admission to Universities and the professions, and at the same time provide a liberal education.
Organisation. The School, which at present numbers 1,170, consists of (i) an Infant School for pupils aged 4 to 7 years, (ii) a Junior School for pupils aged 7 to 11 years, and (iii) the Senior School. The Infant and Junior Schools are housed in separate buildings, but are run in collaboration with the Senior School. On entry to Shells (2nd year of the Senior School) pupils are placed in one of eight houses; every student has a tutor who oversees their progress and welfare throughout their school career.
Admission. Please refer to our admissions policy which outlines the criteria and selection process for entry: www.kingschester.co.uk/policies. Selection is by academic merit alone. Academic. Departments are grouped into four Faculties whose Heads report to the Academic Deputy Head. The subjects offered for study in the Sixth Form are – on the Arts side: Art, Business, Drama, Economics, English, English Language, French, Geography, German, History, Music, Philosophy, Politics, Religious Studies, Spanish; and on the Science side: Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sports Science and Design Technology. It is possible to take most combinations of subjects in the Sixth Form.
Spiritual life. The School is part of the Cathedral Foundation and regularly holds its own services in the Cathedral. Spiritual assemblies are held regularly in school.
Music. Music is part of the general curriculum for all pupils up to the age of 14. After this, music may be taken at GCSE and A level. Private tuition in orchestral instruments, piano and organ is available. There are many musical ensembles and choral groups including the Schola Cantorum which leads the worship in Cathedral services.
Cadet Corps. There is a CCF contingent which gives pupils opportunities to develop leadership skills and to undertake adventurous training.
Outdoor education. Opportunities are provided both within and outside the curriculum for outdoor education, and all pupils in each of the first three years of the senior school spend some days away at centres specialising in outdoor activities. In addition, many pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme at all levels.
Games. Football, hockey, netball, cricket, rowing, swimming, badminton, basketball, athletics, netball, tennis, squash, golf, rounders.
Buildings. Formerly situated adjacent to the Cathedral, the school moved into new buildings in 1960 situated in rural surroundings nearly two miles from the centre of Chester. Since then, there has been an impressive programme of additional building development. These include the Wickson Library, a Music School, the Vanbrugh Theatre and extensions to the Sixth Form Centre. In September 2014, the Junior School was extended to provide a new Junior School Library and Learning Centre, and in September 2015, a purpose-built Infant School was opened by the Duke of Westminster. A state-of-the-art Sports Centre opened in April 2019, The Rohan Ingley Pastoral Centre in 2021 and the redeveloped Sixth Form Centre in 2023.
Alumni associations. Please see the website (www.kingschester.co.uk/alumni) for details of OAKS (the Organisation for the Alumni of the King’s School) and CAOKS (Chester Association of Old King’s Scholars). Fees per term (2025-2026). Tuition: Senior School £6,588; Junior School £5,050; Infants £4,454.
The School offers a small number of bursaries annually.
Scholarships. Academic scholarships of up to £250 are awarded to pupils during their early years in the Senior School. Scholars carry the title ‘King’s Scholar’ throughout their time at the school.
Tenable in the Sixth Form: A number of scholarships are awarded to students on entry to the Sixth Form and during their Sixth form years. These include: (1) Investec Scholarship: £1,000; (2) King’s School Parents’ Association Scholarship: £500.
Tenable at Universities: (1) Old King’s Scholars Exhibition: £750; (2) Robert Platt Exhibition: £500; (3) John Churton Exhibition: £500; (4) Finchett Maddock Exhibition: £500.
Charitable status. The King’s School, Chester is a Registered Charity, number 525934. The aim of the charity is to provide a sound education to all boys and girls who can benefit from it regardless of their economic and social background.