The King's School, Chester celebrated Outdoor Classroom Day by taking all lessons and lunch outside in Willow Lodge, with a barbecue lunch enjoyed by the children.
Senior school
The King's School, Chester
The King's School, Chester is a co-educational independent school just outside Chester for pupils aged 4 to 18, founded in 1541 and including a Sixth Form.
Day fees
£13,845 – £20,478
Entry
School Exam + InterviewSelective
At a glance
Key facts
Head
George Hartley
since 2017
Gender
Co-ed
Pupils
1,170
Location
Chester, Cheshire West and Chester
Suburban setting
Day or boarding
Day
Age range
4 to 18
Religious ethos
Church of England
Founded
1548
Entry points
11+
School buses
Yes
Wraparound care
Available
Scholarships
Academic, Music, All-rounder
Show 2 more factsShow fewer facts
A-level A*–A
85%
2025
GCSE 9–7
96%
2025
Overview
About The King's School, Chester
##
The King's School, Chester, established in 1541 by King Henry VIII, is one of the UK's oldest independent schools. Initially housed in the former Monastic Refectory, it relocated to its current 33-acre campus on Wrexham Road in 1960. ()
The school offers education from ages 4 to 18, comprising Willow Lodge (4-7), Junior School (7-11), Senior School (11-16), and Sixth Form (16-18). It maintains a strong affiliation with Chester Cathedral, celebrating this connection with a cathedral service each term. ()
Academically, King's consistently ranks among the top-performing schools in Cheshire. In 2025, 85% of GCSE grades were at 9-7 (A/A* equivalent), with 38% at grade 9. At A Level, 25% of grades were A*, and 60% were A*/A. ()
Extracurricular activities are integral, with strong programs in music, drama, and sports. The school operates a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and offers rowing, reflecting its commitment to holistic development. ()
Located in Chester, the campus is situated on Wrexham Road, providing a spacious environment for its diverse programs. ()
Houseroom EditorialOur take
Houseroom Editorial
Our take
Independent co-ed senior school for ages 7–18.
Best for
- Families seeking a senior school for ages 7–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry.
- Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
Watch-outs
- SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has an EHCP or specific learning needs, ask admissions about case-by-case capacity before applying.
- Location detail is sparse in our profile — verify postcode and tube/rail link before counting on commute time.
AdmissionsApplication timeline
Admissions
Application timeline
September 2027 entryRegistration open
- Oct10Open dayNextInfant and Junior Open Day
- Jan15Assessment
Not yet published: registration opens, registration closes, bursary deadline, interview, offers, acceptance deadline.
UpcomingOpen events
Upcoming
Open events
Private tours by arrangement with admissions.
Fees & costFees
Fees & cost
Fees
£13,845 – £20,478per year · Day · 2026-27 · est. (3 x term)
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Quick answers about The King's School
Answered only from The King's School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.
Financial supportBursaries & Scholarships
Financial support
Bursaries & Scholarships
Beyond the classroomActivities & co-curricular
Beyond the classroom
Activities & co-curricular
drama
Drama productions, musicals, festivals, weekly drama clubs, theatre visits, LAMDA examinations, Chester's Festival of Sp
OutcomesLatest exam results
Outcomes
Latest exam results
85%
A-level A*–A
96%
GCSE 9–7
DestinationsWhere leavers go
Destinations
Where leavers go
5%
to Oxbridge (2025)
9%
to Russell Group
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 110 | 100 | 115 | 105 | — |
| Oxbridge | 5 | 1 | 3 | 7 | — |
| Russell Group | 10 | 8 | 11 | 9 | — |
| US Ivy | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Medicine | 5 | 6 | 11 | 5 | — |
Top universities (2025)
[{"name": "Durham University"
CurriculumQualifications offered
Curriculum
Qualifications offered
GCSEA Level
In the newsRecent coverage
In the news
Recent coverage
AlumniNotable alumni
Alumni
Notable alumni
John Prescott (former Deputy Prime Minister)Sir Philip Sidney (poet and courtier)Sir Peter Bazalgette (media executive)Sir John Bradbury (civil servant)Sir John Ratcliffe (politician)
Recommended next step
Open days are booking now
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Fit for your child
Is The King's School, Chester right for your child?
Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.
Check fit for my childRegulationInspection
Regulation
Inspection
ISI inspection, 1 Sept 2025
FAQQuestions parents ask
FAQ
Questions parents ask
What kind of child is The King's School, Chester best for?+
The King's School, Chester suits: Families seeking a senior school for ages 7–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry; Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
How much are the fees at The King's School, Chester?+
Day fees at The King's School, Chester are £4,615 to £6,826 a term in 2026-27 (£13,845 to £20,478 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.
When is the next open day at The King's School, Chester?+
The next open day at The King's School, Chester is on 10 October 2026. Booking is usually required.
How does admissions work?+
We don't hold full admissions details for The King's School, Chester. Ask the school directly.
Does The King's School, Chester support SEND?+
We don't hold SEND details for The King's School, Chester. Ask admissions early if your child has additional needs.
What ages does The King's School, Chester take?+
The King's School, Chester takes pupils from age 4 to 18.
Is The King's School, Chester a day or boarding school?+
The King's School, Chester is a day school.
Is The King's School, Chester co-educational or single-sex?+
The King's School, Chester is co-educational, taking both boys and girls.
Where is The King's School, Chester?+
The King's School, Chester is in Cheshire West and Chester, CH4 7QL.
How do I contact admissions at The King's School, Chester?+
Contact The King's School, Chester by email at admissions@kingschester.co.uk or phone on 01244689500.
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