A Cathedral School appears to have existed at Worcester virtually continuously since the 7th century. In its present form, however, The King’s School dates from its re-foundation by King Henry VIII in 1541.
This Foundation of Schools has a history dating back to the 7th Century and close links to the Cathedral. The King’s School has a strong sense of tradition combined with a modern and successful approach to learning, inspiring pupils to aim higher, shaping the character to go further, and instilling the values to lead lives of purpose. The King’s School is well known locally for its friendly atmosphere and excellent relationships between staff and pupils.
Today, The King’s School, Worcester is a Foundation comprising two preparatory schools and a senior school – all three are co-educational day schools.
The Senior School, for pupils from 11–18, still occupies its original site adjacent to Worcester Cathedral and sits on the banks of the River Severn. The buildings are grouped around College Green and the School Gardens. They range in date from the 14th century College Hall and Edgar Tower through the 17th and 18th century buildings surrounding College Green, to a range of modern, purpose-built buildings including an award-winning boat house, a modern ECO Sports Hall and Performing Arts Centre, an enviable well-resourced School Library and a recently refurbished Modern Languages Department.
King’s St Alban’s stands in its own grounds adjacent to the main school site, offering education from age 2–11, with a purpose-built pre-prep department for girls and boys aged 4–7 and a teacher-led nursery for children from 2 years. The school has a large hall, a dedicated Science Laboratory, an IT suite, an Art and Technology Room, Libraries, Music Rooms, Sports Hall and 25 metre Swimming Pool. In the grounds stand the Chapel, the main buildings of the Prep School with the Nursery and Pre-Preparatory Department on an adjacent, self-contained site. Frequent use is made of the Senior School facilities, such as the 300-seat Theatre and Dance and Drama Studios.
King’s Hawford is set in a spacious rural setting just to the north of the city and offers education from age 2–11. The school has a strong focus on outdoor learning and holds the LoTC (Learning Outside the Classroom) Award, for its outstanding outdoor learning provision. The school is accommodated within an elegant and recently refurbished Georgian house surrounded by playing fields, a heated enclosed swimming pool, a multi-purpose sports hall and performance space and secure play area for younger children. The school has a double-decker bus that has been converted into an amazing library. The children’s weekly radio show is posted on the website.
The nurseries at the Prep Schools are well regarded and rated highly amongst parents. In 2021 they received the UK Top 20 Group Award.
Numbers and Admission. The King’s School is fully co-educational. King’s St Alban’s has 182 pupils. King’s Hawford has 283 pupils. The Senior School has 881 pupils, including 269 in the Sixth Form.
Entrance to the King’s School is by the Prep Entrance Test at 7, 8 or 9, or by the School’s Examination at 11, 12 and 13. Boys and girls also join the School at Sixth Form level; this entry is by test, interview and GCSE results.
Religion. The King’s School has an historic connection with Worcester Cathedral. Religious education, given in accordance with the Christian faith, is non-denominational. Pupils of all denominations and faiths are welcomed.
Curriculum The Senior School offers GCSE and A Level examinations in preparation for Higher Education. The curriculum is designed to give all pupils a general education and to postpone specialisation for as long as possible. Further details will be found in the Prospectus and on the School’s website.
Games. The major sports are Rugby, Netball, Hockey, Football, Rowing and Cricket. Other sports include Tennis, Athletics, Cross Country, Badminton, Rounders, Fencing, Golf, Swimming, Sailing and Canoeing. PE and games are compulsory for all: a wide choice is offered to Sixth Formers.
Other Activities. The Senior School organises a contingent of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and provides an outstanding programme to enable pupils to engage in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
Pupils undertake Community Service within and beyond Worcester and our Charity Committee organises a series of events across the year to fundraise and raise awareness of wide-ranging issues.
Regular drama performances are of an exceptional standard and our accommodation for them is superb with a fully equipped theatre seating 320, a black box studio which seats 80, and also a dance studio complete with mirrors and a sprung floor. Music is similarly impressive with a broad range of ensembles, choirs, orchestras, bands, quartets and groups.
Sport is very strong among both boys and girls and benefits from some outstanding facilities, including a swimming pool, three-storey climbing wall and an industry-standard Boathouse.
As well as a thriving Lego Robotics Club, School Radio and participation in the Engineering Education Scheme and Young Enterprise, pupils are offered the chance to undertake Model Union Nations (MUN) and debating.
Scholarships and Bursaries. Both Music and Academic Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+ in the Senior School, value up to one third of tuition fees. Academic scholarships at 11+ and 13+ are awarded on the basis of the Entrance Test and an interview: at 16+ on the basis of an aptitude test and interview.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School £6,325, including VAT. Prep Schools £2,633–£4,826 excluding VAT.
Charitable status. The King’s School Worcester Foundation is a Registered Charity, number 1098236. It exists to provide high-quality education for boys and girls.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of Governors: Mrs P Preston, MA Oxon, DipM
Acting Head KSW and The King's School Worcester Foundation: Dr A Oliver, BA, MSc, EdD
Deputy Head Pastoral: Miss H Dyke
Deputy Head Academic: Mrs K Beever, MA, CEng
The King’s Prep Schools:
King’s St Alban’s:
Head: Mr N Hawker, BMus, MPhil
Assistant Head, Pre-Prep: Miss B Cartwright, BEd
Deputy Head: Mr A Kent
Director of Sport: Mrs J Clark
Academic Deputy: Mrs K Beauchamp
King’s Hawford:
Head: Mr T Butt, BSc
Assistant Head, Pastoral: Mrs C Knight, BEd
Assistant Head, Co-Curricular: Mr L Stigant
Assistant Head, Academicl: Mr Richard Cook
Head of Pre-Prep: Mr Oliver Roberts