Kent College Canterbury

About Kent College Canterbury

Kent College is an outstanding day and boarding school that celebrates both its 137 years of history and tradition, and its forward-looking, innovative approach to education. It has a reputation as a friendly school, and is most definitely a place where teachers really get to know the pupils, with the time and space to give individual attention, both academically and pastorally.

Part of the Methodist Schools group, Kent College is deeply rooted in the Methodist tradition that welcomes all pupils of every faith and none. ‘Do all the good you can’ is a guiding principle, and one that allows pupils to develop into confident young adults, aware of their responsibilities and their place in the world.

The school’s location, on the outskirts of the historic city of Canterbury, provides a safe, healthy and beautiful environment for pupils to grow up. The Senior School sits in 80 acres of land with 26 acres of sports fields, grazing for the school farm and ancient woodland for walking and cross country running. Yet the centre of Canterbury, with its wide selection of shops and restaurants, and world-heritage site, within which sits Canterbury Cathedral, is just a short walk away.

The bespoke approach to the curriculum ensures pupils receive highly personalised teaching, which leads to excellent results. The school regularly ranks in the top 10 small cohort schools for the International Baccalaureate with an average score of 37 for the last 7 years and 75% of students achieve A* – B at A Level. At the most recent full inspection (in 2022), the Independent Schools Inspectorate judged the school to be ‘excellent’ in every aspect – the highest grade possible.

Boarding at Kent College Canterbury

Kent College has a long history of welcoming boarding pupils from abroad, as well as from British families resident in the UK or working overseas. Boarders make up around one-third of pupils in the Senior School, and there are over 40 countries represented in the boarding community. The five friendly and comfortable senior boarding houses truly become a ‘home away from home’. The school also offers weekly and occasional boarding. The Junior School Boarding House takes children from the age of 7 upwards and is a cosy family environment. Boarders can participate in evening and weekend activities as well as joining up to 30 excursions over the school year on a Sunday from ice skating at the Natural History Museum in London to going to paintballing.

Contact

Type of School Co-ed independent day and boarding school
School Address Kent College, Whitstable Road, Canterbury, Kent CT2 9DT
Number of Pupils 810
Number of Boarders 200
International Boarders 30%
Age Range 11-18
Religious Tradition Methodist
Distance from Airports

Gatwick 1 hour 10 mins, Heathrow and Stansted 1 hour 30 mins

Distance from London

Train to London: 57 minutes

Contact
School Links

Kent College Junior School (3-11), Garden Cottage Nursery (0-3)

Educational Programmes

GCSEs, IGCSEs in pre Sixth Form years, A-Levels, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge Technical.

Co-Curricular Programmes

Kent College has a strong belief in “work hard, play hard” and provides 100 different clubs and activities for students to participate in. The performing arts are a particular strength at Kent College, with an impressive line-up of vocal and instrumental ensembles, and many opportunities to perform for all ages and abilities. The Great Hall is an impressive 600-seat auditorium that allows students to gather for worship and to showcase their musical, theatrical and performance talents within a world-class theatre. In sport, the aim is to provide something for every pupil, from recreational sport and promoting fitness to top-level coaching for our elite players. Hockey and cricket are a particular strength with regular representation by our pupils in county, regional and national squads.

There is also a wide-ranging list of activities and clubs on offer for all pupils, including a full Duke of Edinburgh programme, horse riding and Farm Club at the School Farm.