Houseroom
Track my schools

Data profile

The King's School, Canterbury

Independent boys all-through school in Canterbury for ages 3–18, day or boarding. Selective entry.

  • Rank #51
  • ISI Standards met
  • Fees £39.9k/yr
  • co-ed
  • both
  • Canterbury

Outcomes

Where leavers go after sixth form.

Oxbridge
11
Russell Group
86%

of leavers

US Ivy
2

Top destinations

  • University of Exeter—
  • Durham University—
  • University of Oxford5
  • University of Cambridge6
  • UCL—
  • Imperial College London—
  • University of Edinburgh—
  • University of Bristol—

Exam results

A level A*–A and GCSE 9–7, recalibrated for 2026.

A-level A*–A
56%

Recalibrated

GCSE 9–7
75%
Oxbridge rate
4%
Russell Group rate
86%

Entry points & fees

EntryYearPlacesAssessmentDay fee (max)Boarding fee (max)
13+Year 9—ISEB Common Pre-Test · School's own exam · Interview · Reference / report£39.9k£58.0k
14+Year 10—School's own exam · Interview£39.9k£58.0k
16+Lower Sixth40School's own exam · Interview£39.9k£58.0k
ReceptionMAINReception—Taster / assessment day · Observation£39.9k£58.0k

Houseroom Index

Our composite score, broken down by pillar.

Index score

78

/ 100

National rank #51

Academic72
Destinations90
Future-ready55
Pastoral82
Value-add64
Access & breadth90
External consensus70

Inspections

ISI

Met

Inspected 2024-02-01

Read full ISI report →

Editorial verdict

ethos

Jude Lowson became King's first female head in September 2023. She is described as academic, ambitious, and highly personable—she breakfasts and lunches with pupils and is keen to hear their views. Her philosophy centres on trust and respect: 'We keep a hand on the reins and tighten when we need to, therefore pupils feel more grown up.' She has launched an outreach programme addressing AI, brought Junior King's more into the fold (95% of its pupils now progress to the senior school), and introduced a phone-free school day (phones handed in at 8.25am for all except sixth-formers), which staff report has led to more socialising, better sleep, and increased club attendance.

teaching

The curriculum is described as relatively pacey and university-like. Setting applies only to languages, science, and maths. Sixth-formers choose from 32 A-level options including Mandarin, geology, and music technology. French and Spanish native speakers can work towards native-speaker qualifications alongside standard GCSEs. The Hub is a dedicated learning-support department for revision and study skills. A futures team and careers centre provide timetabled university preparation from Year 9. Most recent A-level results were the school's best ever: 80% A*–B; 11 pupils won Oxbridge places; 86% secured Russell Group offers; 15 were offered US university places; five went to music conservatoir…

pastoral

Pastoral care is led by housemasters/mistresses, matrons, and a mentor system. Academic staff attached to each house meet tutees weekly to monitor progress and wellbeing. Group mentor time takes place daily. Prefects (identifiable by purple gowns), independent listeners, and trained peer listeners are available. There are 73 nationalities on roll; 30% of pupils are overseas students. A new online social network connects staff, parents, and pupils.

Compare with peers

Schools families applying here also consider.

  • 1Whitgift SchoolCroydon
    Fees £31.4kA*-A 68%Oxbridge 4%Rank #81

    Whitgift School matches on boys/both boarding options, overlaps entry phases 11+ and 13+, and is in a similar selectivity tier with fees slightly higher but comparable, plus a strong Oxbridge destination.

  • 2Trinity SchoolCroydon
    Fees £30.5kA*-A 77%Oxbridge 8%Rank #34

    Trinity School is an independent boys senior school with day boarding, overlaps entry phases 11+ and 13+, and has a similar fee bracket and strong academic outcomes including Oxbridge destinations.

  • 3Wetherby Senior SchoolWestminster
    Fees £35.2kA*-A 75%Oxbridge 5%Rank #104

    Wetherby Senior School is an independent boys day school with selective entry, overlaps entry phases 11+ and 13+, and has fees and academic standards comparable to The King's School.

  • 4King's College School, WimbledonMerton
    Fees £35.8kA*-A 97%Oxbridge 17%Rank #6

    King's College School is an independent boys day school with overlapping entry phases 7+, 11+, and 13+, a strong C of E ethos, and top-tier academic results including high Oxbridge rates.

  • 5Kingston Grammar SchoolKingston upon Thames
    Fees £29.3kA*-A 74%Oxbridge 10%Rank #32

    Kingston Grammar School is an independent co-ed school with boys' day schooling, overlaps entry phases 11+ and 13+, and has similar fees, selectivity tier, and strong Oxbridge destinations.

How peers are chosen

Matched on sex, boarding, entry phase, location, fee band, tier and outcomes. Scoring: 0.45 outcome similarity, 0.25 structured, 0.10 embedding, 0.20 AI re-rank. Refreshed yearly and when a profile changes.

Open days, bursaries and how to apply: The King's School, Canterbury profile →