As the city’s former grammar school, founded in 1552, KES has a very healthy tradition of nurturing academic excellence and ambition, reflected these days in the School’s outstanding results which consistently place us in the top five independent schools in the South West. The ethos of the School is one that encourages all pupils to play as hard as they work and to make the most of all the wonderful opportunities here, both in and out of the classroom, that enable them to grow and thrive within a supportive and caring framework. We set the bar high, but we also give our pupils all the tools that they need to reach those ambitious standards. We aim to foster talent in all its forms and to open doors to enquiry and discovery. Independent-mindedness and creative spirit are strong suits, but so too is the sense of community that seeks to respect and value all its members.
As a family of three schools, the Pre-Prep, Junior and Senior sections of King Edward’s offer an inspiring and supportive environment for children age 3 to 18. Some join us just for the Sixth Form, many stay for their entire school career. All pupils are encouraged to be the best they can be and all are nurtured along the pathway to leading happy, fulfilled and successful lives at school and beyond.
ISI Inspection report. In 2023, the School was inspected by the ISI and was judged as ‘excellent’ in all areas. In relation to the ‘Excellent’ quality of KES pupils’ academic and other achievements, the ISI noted that ‘pupils’ overall achievement across all age groups is outstanding and represents [the] successful fulfilment of the School’s aim for pupils to strive for excellence’, adding that ‘this level of attainment is a consequence of the pupils’ highly positive attitudes to learning, supported by teaching which shows strong subject knowledge combined with comprehensive learning resources’.
Organisation. King Edward’s is a co-educational day school. The School consists of a Senior School of 903 pupils, a Junior School of 183 pupils and Pre-Prep & Nursery of 87 pupils.
Facilities. The Senior School is situated on a 19-acre campus with stunning views across Bath. A further 17-acre site at nearby Bathampton is home to the School’s playing fields and sports pavilion. Senior School buildings include the Wroughton Theatre, extensive refurbished laboratories for Biology, Chemistry, Physics and ICT & Creative Media Suite and a designated Modern Foreign Languages building. The Holbeche building includes an extensive Sixth Form Centre with adjoining café, an extended Careers and Higher Education Centre, a refurbished Design Suite and Design Technology studios. There is also a modern Sports Hall with a newly refurbished gym, together with an all-weather sports pitch. One of the most iconic buildings on the site is the stunning Wessex Building: a three-storey, glass-fronted structure with a dining room and servery on the first floor, a multipurpose second floor for assemblies, presentations, concerts and social gatherings, and a state-of-the-art Library on the ground floor. The Senior School also has a state-of-the-art purpose-built Drama Centre. Currently under construction is a new Pastoral and Academic building which will open in autumn 2025.
Admission. King Edward’s Pre-Prep and Nursery: Most pupils start at the Pre-Prep in Nursery in the September after they turn three years old. Thereafter, children progress to Reception and then on to Years 1 and 2. Space allowing, children are also welcomed throughout the academic year.
Junior School: Children joining from our own Pre-Prep do so via internal assessment. They do not sit an entrance examination. Pupils from other primary schools and preparatory schools are offered places based on assessment and interview. Main entry is in Year 3 and Year 5 but other vacancies may occur, specifically in Year 4.
Senior School: All potential Year 7 pupils are interviewed and assessed via an entrance examination testing Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and English. Older pupils may enter the Senior School, if and where places are available, by sitting an entrance examination appropriate to their age.
Pupils may also seek direct entry into the Sixth Form. Such pupils are expected to acquire a sound set of GCSE passes before transfer for advanced study. Applicants are interviewed and a reference is sought from their present schools.
Application forms and further information concerning entry are obtainable from the Registrar or available online. Open Days are held in the Autumn and Spring terms.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Pre-Prep: starts from £3,495, Junior School: £4,695, Senior School: £5,935 (before VAT).
Scholarships. Scholarships are awarded in Year 7, either for academic excellence or for an outstanding special talent in art, drama, music and sport.
Bursaries. Means-tested bursaries may be awarded to children entering Years 7 and 12, whose parents are unable to pay the full fee. A general bursary fund is also available to assist parents during times of unforeseen family circumstances, when they may find themselves unable to fund full school fees. Further details are obtainable from the Bursar’s office.
Senior School curriculum. We start in Years 7 and 8 with a broad range of subjects, to which we add choice and greater range in Year 9. By the time pupils are choosing their GCSE options, they will have a clearer idea of their strengths and enthusiasms and be able to select the best range of subjects to go alongside the core subjects of English, Maths, all three sciences and a modern foreign language.
For A level, further specialisation and greater focus on personal interest and academic strengths come into play as pupils look to their education and potential careers after life in the Sixth Form. We offer careers guidance and testing to support these fundamental choices and then UCAS and Higher Education guidance as they look to make the move to their chosen degree subject from the A levels they will complete in Year 13.
No two pupils are the same and so we work to provide as much choice and flexibility as we can in our options schemes for Years 9, 10 and 12. All combinations are possible in principle and a broad mix of subjects is as supported as more traditional routes of sciences, languages or humanities.
Throughout, there is an underlying appreciation that pupils succeed best when taught interesting and engaging lessons by enthusiastic, specialist staff. We want our pupils to leave here with valuable study skills, having found their intellectual and academic passion and having fulfilled their potential in that area.
Music and Drama. There is a healthy musical tradition in the School, with over 20 instrumental and choral groups affording opportunities to explore differing musical styles. Partnerships with Bath Abbey and Bath Philharmonia Orchestra help to further extend the experience of our musicians and choirs. Pupils are also regular recipients of the Bath Young Musician and Actor of the Year.
King Edward’s is known for producing exceptional theatrical work and is regarded as a centre of excellence for its creative and challenging performance work, the professional standards of its productions, and its consistently outstanding academic results. In addition to three big productions each year, the Senior School also offers inter-form competitions, Duologue performances, drama clubs and drama tech club. The School has also introduced LAMDA exams and taken several shows to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Sport. Sport plays a significant role in the life of King Edward’s School. The School enjoys a strong sporting tradition, where all pupils are encouraged to take an active role in the curricular and co-curricular opportunities available to them. Each pupil is encouraged to develop their potential, creating the opportunity to allow later involvement at recreational level or within a competitive environment. We aim to nurture teamwork, leadership, commitment and a passion for sport through the opportunities available to all pupils at KES. The major games are rugby, hockey, cricket and netball. Minor sports include athletics, cross-country, tennis, football, badminton and a strength & conditioning programme.
School societies and activities. The School aims to challenge and stimulate all pupils by offering a wide range of activities and experiences beyond the classroom. The 2023 ISI Report praised the range of opportunities and quality of achievement available to all pupils beyond the classroom, with inspectors observing that, ‘pupils’ engagement with the broad and varied extracurricular programme is outstanding’.
Outward-bound opportunities include joining the School’s CCF, founded in 1896, or taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. The School also enters the Ten Tors Competition each year. Lunchtime clubs include Esports Club, Code Club, Creative Writing Club and a Amnesty Club, as well as many more.
Pastoral care The Deputy Head (Pastoral) coordinates the pastoral team. Every child has a Form Teacher who is at their foremost contact during daily life at school. Tutors work in teams managed by Heads of Year or Senior Tutors who are in turn assisted by Heads of Sector (Lower, Middle School and Sixth Form). The pastoral staff are ably supported by a Health and Wellbeing Centre. The School prides itself on its family atmosphere and the excellent relationships between pupils of all ages and staff.
Honours. In 2024, pupils performed exceptionally in their A levels: 61.7% A*/A grades. At GCSE: 84% of grades awarded 9–7.
The Association of Old Edwardians of Bath. c/o The Development Office.
Charitable status. King Edward’s School Bath is a Registered Charity, number 1115875. It is a charitable trust for the purpose of educating children.