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Head's Up
At the heart of a King’s education is the pursuit of academic and co-curricular excellence. The wide-ranging interests, intellectual ambition and development of self discipline so engendered are highly prized in our modern society. The quality of teaching and activities mean that the lessons learnt and skills acquired stay with our pupils for life.
The inside track from a current parent
We chose King’s because it meets all of the criteria we want for the education of our 3 children. It is a well-rounded school and has traditional values which will set our children up for life. It is a very happy place and is accepting of individuality.
The House System is strong but we like the fact that the children eat in a central dining room and form friendships out of House. The Shirley Hall (where school assembly and some concerts are held) is sufficiently large to accommodate the whole school.
As well as being strong academically, it has a fantastic reputation for music and drama, culminating in King’s Week. The opportunity to attend regular Services in the Cathedral is wonderful, even if the pupils don’t appreciate it fully until they have left! The school particularly encourages independence and generates a self-starting mentality amongst it’s pupils and those who enter into all the opportunities available will get the most from the school . It’s position within the Cathedral Precincts and the Christian ethos subtly underpins their daily life. It is a unique and inspiriational place to learn whilst being in the heart of a City, which gives the pupils an understanding of their position in the wider community.
The pupil/teacher relationship is built on mutual respect and from Shell (year 9) they are treated as young adults. The teachers themselves are committed to getting the best out of the pupils whilst being very realistic about the modern issues facing children today.
The school is in an investment phase which means it has an exciting future ahead, building a new Science Block and a Theatre.
As parents we love...
- Music and Drama and in particular, King’s Week – the annual arts festival at the end of the summer term.
- The pupils leave as individuals – there is no King’s stereotype.
- Beautiful surroundings and being in a City.
As pupils we love...
- Shared family experience as they have all been there together.
- The opportunities to get involved in a variety of activities.
- The friends they have made.
What makes us different
With origins dating back to 597AD, The King’s School is reputedly the oldest school in the world. It is also one of the country’s leading co-educational boarding schools located in the idyllic surroundings of the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral, just one hour from Central London.
The School has a strongly academic curriculum that is continually adapting to encompass the ever changing demands of modern education. With almost all our pupils going on to further education at leading universities in the UK and abroad, there is an emphasis on scholarly excellence. Through regular monitoring of academic progress, the school’s aim is to enable every individual to make the most of their abilities and to fulfil their potential.
We believe that much of what is most valuable in education takes place outside the classroom. The wide-ranging co-curricular programme has been developed to provide opportunities for all pupils to discover their passions and encourage them to develop these talents as best as possible. Art, Drama, Music and Sport play a large role in school life, alongside the Combined Cadet Force, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and numerous other activities to suit all tastes. King’s Week, the School’s own festival of arts at the end of the summer term, involves hundreds of pupils in a showcase of creativity ending each academic year on a fitting note of achievement and enjoyment. Music is a central part of life at the School with a range of disciplines flourishing, from a large Symphony Orchestra, to a 40-voice SATB choir of Cathedral Standard. There are some 60 Music Scholars in the school at any one time.
The main school site is situated in the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO world Heritage Site, providing a beautiful and inspiring backdrop to what has been described as ‘a university for young people’. Further sites include the historic St Augustine’s Abbey, the Malthouse (a 334 seat theatre with orchestra pit, drama and dance studios), a 22-acre multi-purpose sports field with pavilion and a purpose built sports recreation centre owned and managed by the School.