doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
K

Kent College Canterbury

United Kingdom, Canterbury

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £15,690 - 55,545
Ages 0 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 800
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1885
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification, IB (DP)
Taught languages English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
Strengths Performing Arts, Sport, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Kent College Canterbury is a co-educational day and boarding independent school for ages 0–18, with 80-acre Senior and Junior campuses in Canterbury. The Senior School runs a two-week timetable with six 60-minute lessons daily. The curriculum offers Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualifications and the IB Diploma. In Years 7–9 core subjects include English, Mathematics and Science, with French and Spanish in Years 7–8 and Latin in Year 8. Year 9 leads to a Global Citizenship Diploma. Years 10–11 offer GCSE/IGCSE options with English, Maths and Science compulsory, plus electives including Triple or Applied Science BTEC. In Sixth Form, students study three or four A-levels or Cambridge Technicals, with BTEC Certificates and Kent College Honours. Overseas students may follow a three-year A-level pathway. Facilities include a 600-seat Great Hall, a Music School, theatre, farm and riding facilities, and extensive sports and academic facilities. Pupils come from over 40 countries.

Senior School: Kent College, Whitstable Road, Canterbury, CT2 9DT; Junior School: Kent College, Harbledown, Canterbury, CT2 9AQ

The Essentials

Kent College Canterbury has 800 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Kent College Canterbury is located in Canterbury, Kent. The Senior School is at CT2 9DT and the Junior School at CT2 9AQ. Canterbury is well connected by road and rail, with easy access to London, airports and the Channel Tunnel. The Senior School is a short taxi ride or a 15-minute walk from Canterbury West station.

Stages
Garden Cottage Nursery 0-3; Junior School 3-11; Senior School 11-16; Sixth Form 16-18; Boarding 8-18.

Type
Co-educational day and boarding private school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Boarding pupils come from abroad; there are over 40 countries represented in the boarding community. Boarders include pupils from overseas as well as British families resident in the UK or working overseas.

Additional learning support
English language teaching in the International Study Centre and a specialist Learning Support Centre.

Religious affiliation
Methodist tradition; welcomes pupils of other faiths or none.

School day structure
Weekdays follow a full timetable of lessons and co-curriculars. Boarders have evening boarding activities. There are Saturday morning activities and weekend trips. On weekends, boarders may visit Canterbury city centre under supervision.

Bus service
Transport Service with a dedicated fleet operated by MIDAS-accredited drivers in partnership with Vectare. Routes include Ashford, Canterbury West, Charing, Deal, Dover, Elham, Folkestone, Herne Bay and Thanet. Spaces are limited; ad hoc bookings are possible; a Passenger App allows booking and tracking; fares and passes are in the Transport Guide; contact transport@kentcollege.co.uk.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school has five boarding houses: Austen House (Girls 10 to 18), Wesley House (Girls 14 to 18), Guilford House (Boys 10 to 18), Gamon House (Boys 13 to 18) and Elfick House (Sixth Form). House Parents live on site and are assisted by Assistant House Parents, House Managers and Resident Tutors to provide 24/7 care. Younger pupils share rooms up to four; Years 12–13 typically have study bedrooms of their own where possible, with common rooms including Sky TV, Wifi, and kitchen/dining facilities. Boarders may sign out to Canterbury with the permission of their House Parents, and laundry is handled in-house; the Medical Centre is staffed 24 hours a day during term time.

Uniform Requirement
The school requires pupils to wear a uniform when attending school or a school-organised event. Uniform lists exist for the Junior and Senior Schools, and Sixth Form follows a Business Casual dress code, with a formal suit required for certain events.

Food Options
All food is cooked on the premises by Holroyd Howe, with a team of chefs and front-of-house staff; meals are prepared using local and trusted suppliers, and the school can source pork, lamb and mutton from its own farm. The catering serves around 1,000 Senior School meals and 200 Junior School meals daily and accommodates special diets such as gluten-free or lactose-intolerant, working with the Medical Centre as needed; meal times include Breakfast, Boarders' High Tea, Supper, and snacks at 1885 cafe, with payments via the biometric sQuid system.

House System
There are five boarding houses: Austen House (Girls 10–18), Wesley House (Girls 14–18), Guilford House (Boys 10–18), Gamon House (Boys 13–18) and Elfick House (Sixth Form). Each house has a House Parent on site, supported by an Assistant House Parent, a House Manager and Resident Tutors, providing around-the-clock care and a communal living space with common rooms. Younger pupils share rooms up to four; older pupils in Years 12–13 typically have study bedrooms, and houses feature mentoring, prefect roles and house events.

Governance and Ownership
Kent College Canterbury is a charity within the Methodist Independent Schools Trust (MIST), and a governing body manages most governance while financial decisions are made by MIST. The school is described in inspection reports as a component institution of Kent College Canterbury, a charity owned by MIST.
Fees

Annual tuition at Kent College Canterbury ranges from GBP 15,690 to GBP 55,545 for 2026/27.

Application & Registration Fees

- Registration fee (non-returnable): GBP 150.
- Deposits payable when a place is accepted:
- Deposit for UK and EU boarding pupils: GBP 4,000.
- Deposit for non-EU boarding pupils: GBP 15,500.
- Deposit for day pupils: GBP 750.
- Deposit policy: the deposit is returnable at the end of a pupil's career less any outstanding charges; deposits are non-returnable if a place is not taken up after acceptance.

Tuition fees (per term) — Senior School (day and boarding)

- Senior school day pupils (per term):
- Year 7: GBP 8,609 (annual equivalent: GBP 25,827, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 8: GBP 8,951 (annual equivalent: GBP 26,853, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 9: GBP 9,419 (annual equivalent: GBP 28,257, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 10: GBP 9,527 (annual equivalent: GBP 28,581, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 11: GBP 9,899 (annual equivalent: GBP 29,697, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 12: GBP 9,899 (annual equivalent: GBP 29,697, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 13: GBP 9,899 (annual equivalent: GBP 29,697, calculated as term x 3).

- Senior school weekly boarding (per term):
- Years 7–8: GBP 11,207 (annual equivalent: GBP 33,621, calculated as term x 3).
- Years 9–13: GBP 16,475 (annual equivalent: GBP 49,425, calculated as term x 3).

- Senior school full-time (seven-night) boarding (per term):
- Years 7–8: GBP 13,445 (annual equivalent: GBP 40,335, calculated as term x 3).
- Years 9–13: GBP 18,515 (annual equivalent: GBP 55,545, calculated as term x 3).

Tuition fees (per term) — Junior School and Pre-Reception

- Junior school day pupils (per term):
- Reception (R): GBP 5,230 (annual equivalent: GBP 15,690, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 1: GBP 5,675 (annual equivalent: GBP 17,025, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 2: GBP 5,705 (annual equivalent: GBP 17,115, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 3: GBP 7,151 (annual equivalent: GBP 21,453, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 4: GBP 7,781 (annual equivalent: GBP 23,343, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 5: GBP 8,159 (annual equivalent: GBP 24,477, calculated as term x 3).
- Year 6: GBP 8,249 (annual equivalent: GBP 24,747, calculated as term x 3).

- Pre‑Reception (per term; fees shown by days per week):
- Full days (8:30–15:30) per week: 1 day GBP 960; 2 days GBP 1,920; 3 days GBP 2,880; 4 days GBP 3,840; 5 days GBP 4,800.
- Morning sessions (8:30–12:30) per week including lunch: 1 day GBP 576; 2 days GBP 1,152; 3 days GBP 1,728; 4 days GBP 2,305; 5 days GBP 2,881.
- Afternoon sessions (12:30–15:30) per week not including lunch: 1 day GBP 384; 2 days GBP 768; 3 days GBP 1,151; 4 days GBP 1,535; 5 days GBP 1,919.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Standard billing schedule: fees due by the first day of each term if paying termly; extras invoices are issued in arrears at the end of each term and are due by the first day of the following term. The school's preferred method of payment is by direct debit.
- Instalments and monthly options: fees may be paid in instalments by direct debit; parents may arrange monthly payments through School Fee Plan.
- Composition (advance) payment: fees can be paid in advance via composition fees which include a small discount.
- Extras invoicing and collection: extra services and activities (for example music tuition, minibus, trips, learning support) are invoiced separately in arrears; where fees are paid by direct debit that method will normally be used to collect Extras; Extras invoices may also be payable by bank transfer.

Boarding-specific fees and charges

- Weekly and full-time boarding termly fees are listed above under tuition; occasional boarding (subject to availability) is charged at GBP 115 per night.
- Boarders' early departure charge (per night) for departures earlier than the end of term: GBP 126.
- 1‑ or 2‑term stay supplement (per term) payable in addition to the boarding fee: GBP 700; this supplement is refunded if the pupil remains at the school for one year or more.
- Boarding includes meals (breakfast and evening meal and snacks), bedding and internal laundry services; lunch for day pupils is compulsory but charged separately.

Other costs and regular extras

- Individual music lessons (10 x 30 minute lessons): GBP 230.
- Junior School holiday club fees (per day): GBP 60.
- Extended day (per session): Junior and Senior Breakfast GBP 8.50; Junior and Senior Supper GBP 8.50.
- Individual tuition and learning support (per hour / termly packages):
- Individual tuition with a teacher – per hour: GBP 78.
- Paired tuition – per hour: GBP 45.
- Shared tuition – per hour: GBP 33.
- Individual learning support assistant – per hour: GBP 45; shared learning support assistant – per hour: GBP 26.
- Learning Support Centre membership (KS3) termly fee: GBP 2,000; KS4 small-group support termly fees range from GBP 360 to GBP 1,440 depending on frequency.
- International Study Centre: membership termly fee GBP 2,000; EAL support GBP 1,300.
- Laptop purchase requirement: devices for students are purchased through the school's Easy4U laptop scheme (orders placed with the supplier).
- Uniform: uniform and sports kit orders are supplied through the designated uniform supplier (orders are sent directly to the school for collection); a second‑hand Thrift Shop is available for uniform items.

Refunds, notice and withdrawal terms

- Deposit refunds: the refundable deposit will be returned when a pupil leaves the school after final invoices are issued and any outstanding balances are settled. Registration fees are non-returnable.
- 1‑ or 2‑term stay supplement refund: the 1 or 2 term stay supplement (GBP 700 per term) is refunded if the pupil remains for one year or more.
- Notice to withdraw: a term's written notice is required to withdraw a pupil; if notice is not given a term's fees in lieu of notice will be charged (the rate charged is the rate that would have applied for the final term). This notice requirement applies at transition points (eg Pre‑Reception to Reception, Year 6 to Year 7, Year 11 to Year 12).

Fee payment methods

- Preferred and standard methods: direct debit is the school's preferred payment method and may be used to collect termly fees and Extras.
- Monthly payment arrangement: parents may arrange monthly payments through School Fee Plan.
- Extras and one-off invoices: Extras invoices are typically paid by bank transfer by the first day of the following term; where direct debit arrangements exist that method may be used to collect Extras.

Other notes on fee structure

- The standard fee covers a range of curriculum activities, exam entry for the first sitting of external examinations, many curriculum materials and services for boarders (meals, laundry, bedding), and some compulsory trips; certain items remain chargeable as Extras and will be invoiced separately.
- Scholarships and bursaries are available at the Senior School and, when awarded, are applied to the day tuition element only; a sibling remission scheme and certain other remissions (eg Armed Forces Allowance, Methodist Ministers' Allowance) are available under defined conditions.
Academics

Kent College Canterbury teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification, IB (DP) for students aged 0 to 18.

Curriculum
Senior School follows a two-week timetable with six one-hour lessons per day. Years 7–9 study a broad curriculum with English, Mathematics and Science as core subjects; in Years 7–8 most students study two modern foreign languages (French and Spanish), with Latin taught in Year 8 and Year 9 offering a choice of languages and other subjects, including History, Geography, Global Citizenship and PSHCE. A Global Citizenship Diploma is awarded at the end of Year 9. For Years 10–11, GCSE/IGCSE options are chosen, with English Language and English Literature, Mathematics and Science as compulsory, and a range of electives including Triple Science or Applied Science BTEC; PSHCE and Careers Education are also included. In Sixth Form (Years 12–13), students study three or four A‑levels or Cambridge Technicals; BTEC Level 3 Certificates in Sport, Dance, Music and Medical Science are available, as is a BTEC Diploma in Sport; the Kent College Honours programme provides enrichment and leadership opportunities, and overseas students may follow a three‑year A‑level pathway to access the programme.

Exam Results
Kent College Canterbury celebrates International Baccalaureate Diploma results with an average score of 38.2 points (2026), above UK and global averages; 40% of students achieved 40 points or more, equivalent to at least four A* grades at A‑Level. A number of students achieved outstanding individual results, including a student with 45 points.

Higher Education Progression
Sixth Form offers three or four A‑levels or Cambridge Technicals, plus BTEC Level 3 Certificates in Sport, Dance, Music and Medical Science and a BTEC Diploma in Sport; the Honours programme includes leadership and enrichment activities. Some IB results highlight progression to leading universities (e.g., Bath University, Imperial College London, Warwick, UCL, King's College London, ESCP).

Gifted and Talented
AIM (Able, Interested and Motivated) replaces a traditional Gifted and Talented approach; high‑ability pupils are identified via tracking data and staff nominations and receive extension provision, including STEM/Arts sessions, enrichment opportunities, and the Extended/ Higher Project Qualifications; HALO and related enrichment activities support high aspirations and destinations.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school emphasises values-based education with a focus on respect, openness, acting justly, kindness, ambition, resilience, humility and curiosity, integrated into daily learning and school life.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The curriculum and support structures are designed to cater to a wide range of abilities within a single school community, with dedicated learning support as part of the Junior and Senior School provisions.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school offers an International Study Centre and a broad language provision, including MFL taught from early years; pupils have opportunities to study multiple languages as part of the curriculum.

Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral care is pupil-centred, aiming for every child to feel valued, happy and secure within a friendly and inclusive environment, with regular engagement with families to support individual well-being.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is part of the essential information and policies, with a focus on ensuring all pupils feel safe and supported within the school community.
Parent Experience

History
Kent College Canterbury was established in 1885. The Senior School has occupied the same site for nearly 140 years, while the Junior School is located at Harbledown, on the former home of local artist Sidney Cooper. The school follows the Wesleyan ethos of 'Do all the good you can.' It is proud of 140 years of history and tradition.

Community
Kent College Canterbury has a diverse, international community with students from over 40 countries. The Vision & Values describe Kent College as a values-led, inclusive community and a friendly, welcoming school. KC in the Community highlights the school's active role in supporting the local Canterbury community, as well as charities and good works nationally and globally.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Friends of Kent College (FOKC) is the parent association for the Kent College Canterbury community. All parents are automatically members, with a voluntary annual contribution of £30 per family that supports FOKC activities, community events, student bursaries and initiatives across the school. FOKC is led by a committee of parent volunteers, with staff and governors, and runs a calendar of events including Quiz Night, year-group socials and family events, plus the KC Thrift Shop for second-hand uniform. It supports projects and initiatives that enrich pupil experiences and fosters connections across year groups. FOKC is a registered charity that holds an Annual General Meeting each year, and details are shared in KC News. For inquiries, contact friends@kentcollege.co.uk.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Kent College Canterbury comprises an 80-acre Senior School campus and a 14-acre Junior School campus in Canterbury, with 26 acres of playing fields and a 600-seat theatre. The Great Hall hosts theatre and Canterbury Festival events, and the Music Department is housed in a purpose-built Music School with teaching and practice rooms, plus a recording studio. A working farm and riding facilities are located nearby, and the school offers both full and weekly boarding. The campus is about an hour by train from London and supports a large, international community drawn from over 40 countries.

Sports Facilities
Facilities include a floodlit 2G astro, all-weather cricket nets, an athletics field, cricket pitches with a digital scoreboard, grass football pitches, a rugby pitch, outdoor netball and tennis courts, two sports halls, an outdoor swimming pool, and a riding arena. These facilities are available to hire to appropriate community groups seven days a week, with extended hours during school holidays.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include a sports hall, a Strength and Conditioning facility, a specialist classroom, an all-weather sand-dressed hockey pitch, tennis courts and an athletics track, two cricket squares, three football pitches and three rugby pitches. The department maintains ties with Kent University and provides access to UKC S&C facilities and CCCU Sportslab for fitness testing, anatomy physiology and biomechanics. Additional access includes Polo Farm and Apetti Tennis facilities and coaching, Aire Trampolining facilities and coaching, Kingsmead and Kings Recreation Swimming Pool, and Chimera Rock Climbing Centre. The Music Department is housed in its own Music School with teaching and practice rooms, two large rehearsal rooms and a recording studio, and the 600-seat Great Hall hosts concerts and performances.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular life includes 80 co-curricular clubs and activities; seven music ensembles and three choirs; seven drama productions a year; choir tours to Europe; visiting actors and LAMDA lessons; and involvement with theatre and the Canterbury Festival. There is also a working farm with a Young Farmers Club and horse riding lessons, plus local community service activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
GCSE, A Level, Cambridge Technicals, and International Baccalaureate are offered. Small class sizes and a broad range of academic pathways run from the Junior School through to the Sixth Form, supporting students to pursue their interests and develop strong study foundations.

Arts & Creative
Music, theatre and the arts are central to life at Kent College Canterbury. There are seven choirs and ten orchestral groups and a 600-seat auditorium. The arts program includes autumn productions and a summer opera production; the program has been nominated for National Theatre Awards.

Cultural & Language
Student-led societies include the African-Caribbean Society, Asian Society, Pride Alliance, and International Society. Cultural and language activities are supported through partnerships such as the International Afternoon and Evening with the Chinese Learning Paradise School, featuring sessions on culture, cooking and calligraphy.

Social & Hobbies
The co-curricular program includes around 70 clubs each week across a wide range of interests, from astronomy and drama to Lego, coding and sport. Senior school activities include Duke of Edinburgh, Amnesty International and other service and wellbeing clubs, among many others. There are leadership opportunities within clubs and societies across the school.

Community & Service
Service and community engagement are central, through Kent College Canterbury's community projects and the Enterprise Team. Service Week includes activities such as planting a meadow, beehive projects, and litter picks. The school also supports fundraising for Farms for City Children and provides facilities and transport support to local charities and community groups.

Leadership & Professional
There are leadership opportunities across the curriculum, with over 80 weekly activities and societies in the Sixth Form and a culture of student leadership. Programs include Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and Model United Nations, helping pupils develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Pastoral care sits at the heart of the school, with a dedicated wellbeing and safeguarding network including tutors, Heads of Year, family house staff, school counsellors, the Chaplain and medical team. A PSHE program equips pupils with life skills, and safeguarding is a clear priority. Sport is central to co-curricular life and psychological wellbeing, with professional coaching and upgraded facilities; catering supports special diets and works closely with our medical centre.
Languages

Language Provision
In Years 7–8 two modern foreign languages are studied: French and Spanish, with nearly all Year 8 students studying Latin. In Year 9 students choose two from French, German, Spanish, Latin, with EAL and Classical Civilisation also offered. GCSE/IGCSE options include French, German, Spanish, and Latin. In the IB Diploma, languages may be studied at Ab Initio, Standard Level and Higher Level, with English, French, Spanish, German and Italian available; in Year 8 British Sign Language is offered as an alternative to languages.
Admissions

Admissions
1) Register. Kent College is non-selective and welcomes pupils into Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) or Year 12 (16+), with an International Study Centre option for international applicants. The first step is online registration and the online form must be completed with a £150 non‑refundable registration fee. Completing registration does not commit the family to the school or guarantee admission; registration enables the child to be assessed for entry. Upload two of the pupil's most recent school reports, a passport, and Birth Certificate or ID; there is an opportunity to meet the SENDCO to discuss learning needs if applicable.

Scholarships
2) Visit Us. Stage 2 involves visiting Kent College with a personalised tour and an opportunity to meet a member of the Admissions team; if an in‑person visit isn't possible, a Zoom call can be arranged. Open evenings and information sessions are available to help families learn about the school. The aim is to provide a clear picture of Kent College and its offerings for prospective pupils.

3) Entrance Assessments. Stage 3 comprises annual assessment days for main entry points. Year 7 entrants take English, Maths and Non‑verbal reasoning tests, plus a ‘getting to know you' session with a member of the Senior Management Team; offers are generally sent out during the February half term. Years 8–11 applicants sit entrance examinations in English, Maths and Non‑verbal reasoning, with an online Oxford English assessment for international students; there is an interview with the Head or Senior Management Team and responses are typically issued within a week after marking. Year 12 entrants are assessed based on school reports, mock GCSE results and meeting minimum requirements; international entrants may have an online interview if required.

4) Offer of a Place. Stage 4 occurs after meeting entry criteria, at which point a place is offered. The family completes an acceptance form and pays a deposit; the deposit is refunded from school fees when the pupil leaves.

5) Parents' Contract. Stage 5 requires the Parents' Contract, medical questionnaire, and online forms (including travel and biometrics agreements); pupils cannot start until these forms are completed.

6) Joining KC. Stage 6 involves onboarding information being shared after acceptance; there is a Joining KC section with essential information and FAQs to guide new families.

7) International Applicants. Stage 7 addresses applying for CAS and visas; Kent College is on the UKVI sponsor list and can issue a CAS once the place is confirmed, guardian agreement is in place, and funds are available; the CAS/visa window for a September start opens in April; Sable International assists with immigration matters.

8) Induction. Stage 8 includes induction activities: New Pupils' Information Day for Year 7 in June and an induction morning before the September term starts.

Additional notes: Kent College presents a non‑selective entry approach with entry points typically at Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12, and international study options. The school offers online application and ongoing communication with the Admissions team to support families throughout the process.
School Events
The school has not added events
Compare Kent College Canterbury with
vs The Worthgate School
Search for more schools
Search schools in United Kingdom View all schools in Canterbury View all schools in United kingdom IB curriculum schools in United Kingdom Open days & tours in Canterbury What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools