Kent College, Canterbury

Description: Kent College is an outstanding day and boarding school that celebrates both its 130 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. Music, drama and sport all play central roles in the life of the school, and many pupils also enjoy the opportunities provided by the school’s Farm and Riding Centre.

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 do’ 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 school sits in 80 acres (32 hectares) of land with extensive sports fields, as well as the Farm and Riding Centre. Yet the centre of Canterbury, with its wide selection of shops, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and world-heritage site, within which sits Canterbury Cathedral, is only a 5-minute journey by car. A high-speed train service links Canterbury to London, and the school is within 100 minutes of Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and City of London airports. 

Results: Kent College prides itself on offering personalised academic programmes, small class sizes and an exceptionally well-qualified and experienced teaching staff. All students are provided with a MacBook laptop when they start at the school. Pupils achieve excellent academic results at GCSE, A level, and in the International Baccalaureate (IB), with 100% pass rates for GCSE and A level. An average point score of 37 in the IB consistently places Kent College in the top 10 IB schools in the UK. The school also offers a wide range of additional support for pupils, including access to a dyslexia unit and specialist English language teaching for overseas students in the International Study Centre. 

Sport: Kent College teams make formidable competitors in any sport. Hockey is a particular strength, with national titles won every year. Regular representation by our pupils in county, regional and national squads is encouraged and enhanced by the school’s scholarship programme. 20+ sports offered, including rugby, athletics, hockey, tennis, riding, orienteering, yoga. Also bronze and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (involving large numbers); community service; school farm and equine centre offers activities and experience with livestock. Up to 50 clubs, eg literature, debating, photography, horse-riding, bridge, judo.

Boarding: 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, 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.