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The King's Hospital

Ireland, Dublin

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €9,360 - 29,760
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1669
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Taught languages English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
Strengths Performing Arts, Sport, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

The King's Hospital is an 80‑acre co‑educational boarding and day school in Palmerstown, Dublin 20, Ireland. Its curriculum follows a three‑stage structure: Junior Cycle (Form 1–3) leading to the Junior Certificate; Transition Year (Form 4); and Senior Cycle (Form 5–6) leading to the Leaving Certificate. In Junior Cycle nine core subjects are taught, including Irish, English, Maths, Geography, a modern language (French, German or Spanish), CSPE, History, Science and Religious Education, with options such as Technology, Art, Music, Business, Technical Graphics and Home Economics continuing into Form 2. Senior Cycle offers core subjects (Irish unless exempt, English and Maths, plus a modern language) and allows four to five electives from a broad list. A Careers Team supports pathway planning from Form 1 with a focus on 3rd‑level options in Forms 5–6. Distinctive facilities include the 300‑seat Wilson Wright Theatre, a Dance Barn, a Professional Recording Studio and Harden Library with Sora access. Extensive sports facilities and a dedicated rowing room complement a broad co‑curricular programme.

The King's Hospital School, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, D20 V256, Ireland

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

The King's Hospital has instruction in English.

Location
The King's Hospital School is located in Palmerstown, Dublin 20, D20 V256, Ireland. It sits on an 80-acre campus close to Dublin City, with easy access to major motorways, train links and Dublin Airport, making it a convenient home for families across Ireland and beyond.

Stages
Co-educational secondary school for boarders and day students.

Type
Co-Educational Boarding and Day School.

Country affiliation
Ireland

Religious affiliation
Church of Ireland

Bus service
The King's Hospital School provides school transport options. The nearest stops at Liffey Valley (5 minutes' walk) are served by several Dublin Bus routes including C1–C6, 26, G2, L51, L53, P29, and express X25–X32.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees

Annual tuition at The King's Hospital ranges from EUR 9,360 to EUR 29,760 for 2026/27.

Application & Registration Fees

- Registration fee: EUR 100 (non-refundable) payable at time of enrolment for every Form 1 domestic student.
- Acceptance deposit: EUR 1,000 for Irish-resident students; EUR 3,000 for overseas students (non-resident in the State). The deposit is credited to the student's final fee invoice for those who take up a place and is refunded in August of the year in which the student leaves. The deposit is non-refundable if the place is not taken and may also be subject to a term's fees in lieu of notice.

Tuition & Boarding Fees (2026/2027 academic year) — annual amounts

- Day pupil: EUR 9,360 per annum.
- 5‑day boarding (domestic): EUR 19,395 per annum.
- 7‑day boarding (domestic): EUR 21,880 per annum.
- 7‑day boarding (EU): EUR 28,595 per annum.
- 7‑day boarding (Non‑EU): EUR 29,760 per annum.

Per‑term and invoice breakdown (calculated from above annual fees and the school billing schedule)

Note: the school issues fee invoices half‑yearly (July and December) and requires payment in full before the start of term in August and January; domestic direct‑debit options are also available. The per‑term figures below are derived from the published annual fees and the school's billing schedule.

- Day pupil (EUR 9,360 per year):
- Per school term (annual ÷ 3): EUR 3,120.00.
- Half‑year invoice (annual ÷ 2): EUR 4,680.00.

- 5‑day boarding (EUR 19,395 per year):
- Per school term: EUR 6,465.00.
- Half‑year invoice: EUR 9,697.50.

- 7‑day boarding (domestic) (EUR 21,880 per year):
- Per school term: EUR 7,293.33 (rounded to two decimals).
- Half‑year invoice: EUR 10,940.00.

- 7‑day boarding (EU) (EUR 28,595 per year):
- Per school term: EUR 9,531.67 (rounded).
- Half‑year invoice: EUR 14,297.50.

- 7‑day boarding (Non‑EU) (EUR 29,760 per year):
- Per school term: EUR 9,920.00.
- Half‑year invoice: EUR 14,880.00.

Which year groups these fees cover

- The published annual fees apply to pupils across Forms 1–6 unless otherwise notified by the school; incidental and year‑specific charges (for example Transition Year charges) are listed separately.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fee invoices are issued half‑yearly in July and December. Payment of fees is required, in full, prior to the first day of term in August and January unless a direct‑debit instalment plan is in place. EU student fees are payable half‑yearly in advance (before 1 August and 1 January). Non‑EU student fees are payable yearly in advance (before 1 August).
- Domestic direct‑debit options: 2 instalments (1 August and 1 January) or 8 monthly instalments (1 August to 1 March inclusive). The direct‑debit facility is not available to overseas students.
- Yearly fees‑in‑advance discount: 1.5% discount on the full yearly basic school fee when paid before the first day of term in August (extras and incidental items are not included). Capital‑fees‑in‑advance discounts are available where multiple years' fees are paid in advance; the Finance Office sets the rate.
- Late/payment default: unpaid fees incur a surcharge of 1.25% per month on outstanding balances; persistent non‑payment may lead to withdrawal of the student and loss of access to school facilities or exams. A full school term's written notice is required prior to removal, otherwise a term's fees will be payable.

Accepted payment methods and banking details

- Accepted methods for fee payment: direct debit, electronic bank transfer (IBAN/BIC provided below), cash, banker's draft, or cheque. The school does not accept payment of school fees by credit or debit card. The direct‑debit facility is not available to overseas students.
- Bank transfer details (for electronic payments): IBAN IE06 BOFI 9000 1716 3069 52; BIC BOFIIE2D. Include the student's full name and account reference on transfers.

Boarding‑specific notes (what the boarding fee includes)

- The basic boarding fee includes tuition, accommodation, meals, laundry, and routine on‑site medical attention (plus some general incidental expenses). Other incidental boarding costs may be charged separately.

Other costs and incidental charges

- Personal accident insurance: mandatory charge of EUR 15 per annum (included on the July fee invoice).
- Transition Year (Form 4) mandatory charge: EUR 280 (charged on July and December invoices).
- Optional Subjects Fee (1st Year): mandatory charge of EUR 50 (included on the July invoice) to cover books/materials for the sampling subjects.
- School Fees Remission Scheme (optional insurance against extended absence): example charges included on July and December invoices — EUR 164 for 7‑day boarders, EUR 145 for 5‑day boarders, EUR 70 for day students.
- Parents' Association contribution: EUR 25 per annum per family (included on the December invoice).
- Bluecoat Magazine: mandatory charge of EUR 25 per family (included on fee invoice).
- Career Guidance and exam‑related charges: small mandatory/approximate charges are applied for Forms 4–6 to cover career‑related services and publications (examples given in fee information). Additional incidental items (textbooks not included on booklists, prescriptions, external exam fees such as RIAM, class tours, photos, etc.) are charged when incurred and appear on fee invoices.
- Lunches/meal plan for day students: prepaid cashless system available; payments are made online through the catering partner (Sodexo).
- Student devices: 1‑to‑1 devices are mandatory for Forms 1–6 and must be purchased through the school's approved supplier (Wriggle). Device costs are separate from the basic fee and are arranged through the provider.
- Extra‑curricular activities (music, drama, clubs, trips): many activities incur additional charges; music and drama lessons are charged and parents are liable for the full year's lessons unless specified exceptions apply. These charges are payable through the school's online payments system or added to fee invoices.

Refunds and cancellations

- Acceptance deposit: non‑refundable if a place is not taken; for those who take up a place it is credited to the final fee invoice and refunded in August of the year the student leaves.
- Fee refunds because of withdrawal: at least a full school term's written notice must be provided prior to removal; in default, a term's fees will be payable. Transition Year students are not entitled to refunds or fee reductions if removed part‑way through the year unless full term's notice is given under the Terms and Conditions.
- School trip deposits: deposits for trips are non‑refundable unless the trip is cancelled by the school. If the school has paid a 3rd party on a family's behalf and that 3rd party does not permit refunds, no refund can be made to the parent unless the school recoups the monies.
- Online/shop purchases and incidental payments: refunds or credits will only be processed where the school or the third‑party supplier is able to return funds; where the school cannot recover funds from a third party no refund/credit will be issued.

Fee support and discounts

- Bursaries, scholarships, family discounts, and other fee support are available (Charter Bursary, Entrance Bursary, Governors Bursary, Canon Gibson Bursary, etc.). Applying for fee support does not remove the obligation to meet fee deadlines. Yearly fees‑in‑advance and capital‑fees‑in‑advance discounts are available as described above.

Contacts for fee queries

- Finance Office (Mrs Carly Lynch): Tel +353 1 643 6534; email feeaccounts@thekingshospital.ie. The Finance Office is open 09:00–17:00, Monday–Friday.

N.B. All figures and terms above are those published for the 2026/2027 academic year and follow the school's published fee information and payment policy.
Academics

Curriculum
The curriculum is structured in three stages: Junior Cycle (Form 1–3) leading to the Junior Certificate, Transition Year (Form 4), and Senior Cycle (Form 5–6) leading to the Leaving Certificate. Junior Cycle offers nine core subjects in Form 1—Irish, English, Maths, Geography, a modern language (French, German or Spanish), CSPE, History, Science, and Religious Education—with additional subjects such as Technology, Art, Music, Business, Technical Graphics and Home Economics available to continue into Form 2; at the end of Form 3 students sit exams for the Junior Certificate in ten subjects. Senior Cycle begins in Form 5, with eight subjects typically taken; core subjects are Irish (unless exempt), English, Mathematics and a modern language (French, Spanish or German), and students choose four to five subjects from a broad list including Applied Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, History, Geography, Business, Art, Design and Computer Graphics, Music, Religious Education, Politics & Society and Physical Education. The Careers Team supports a student's path to higher education, providing guidance from Form 1 with a stronger focus on 3rd level options in Forms 5 and 6. Gifted and Talented students are supported with allocated resources, and Form 1 entrants with exceptional entrance exam results may be invited to sit the CTYI SCAT entrance exam for CTYI Summer Courses and Correspondence Courses. A Learning Support Department provides SEN assistance led by the SENCO.

Gifted and Talented
Gifted and Talented Students are identified and supported with allocated resources. Form 1 entrants with exceptional entrance exam results may be invited to sit the CTYI (SCAT) entrance exam for CTYI Summer Courses and Correspondence Courses.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
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Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
1) Form 1 Day entries are submitted only through the online form during a three‑week Autumn window each year when the child is in 6th Class. An Expression of Interest Form is available to alert families to enrolment dates and updates, and it does not place a child on the waiting list. For international inquiries, the International Student Applications page provides applicable guidance. 2) New Form 1 Day applications must be accompanied by a Birth Certificate, Registration Fee and/or Religious Affiliation Certificate before processing begins. The Admissions Team can be contacted for help if needed. 3) New Form 1 Boarding applications can be submitted when the child is in 5th or 6th Class, with family boarding visits available year‑round by appointment and Boarding Open‑Mornings scheduled on specific dates. 4) Boarding applications must include PPS Number, current primary school roll number, birth certificate copy, Religious Affiliation Certificate (if applicable to Anglican or Protestant traditions), and a €100 non‑refundable application fee. 5) All boarding applicants are required to visit the school or join a video call for an interview before an offer is made. 6) A child should have reached 12 years by September 1 of the enrolment year for Form 1, and there are additional criteria (including Anglican faith primary school criteria) that may apply to places. 7) For 2027 enrolment, a non‑refundable deposit of €1,000 must be paid at the time of offer. 8) The offer of a place is made after the selection process; the acceptance form is signed and returned; the deposit is paid to secure the place. 9) Expression of Interest does not place a child on the waiting list. 10) The Admissions Policy 2026 and related documents describe how places are allocated, including a Garda‑supervised waiting list lottery for any places not filled by criteria.

Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded annually to incoming Form 1 students based on the results of the scholarship and entrance examination and are carried forward for the duration of studies in the school.

Waitlist
Waiting lists exist for remaining places. Allocation combines application by criteria with a Garda‑supervised lottery. Day applications have an October application window, while Boarding applications can be made anytime within two years of enrolment; applications received after October 22 will not benefit from criteria and are added to the bottom of the waiting list.
School Events
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