King's Canterbury

[martinanewbury]

My daughter is considering starting there for 6th form next year. She is moving from a quite relaxed boarding school (overseas) we are worried that it's a too uptight environment or too traditional. Additionally, we are looking at scholarships particularly academic, what does this change in daily life compared to regular students?
Are the people nice and is the teaching good?

Thank you
Martina

DS’s prep school sends lots to Kings I’ve never heard anyone say Kings is “too uptight” or “to traditional” although my information may be out of date as my DS’s are now at uni. Secondly one mans uptight and too traditional is another mans “I love these old fashioned traditions and lots of emphasis on good behaviour!
Those who went to Kings from DS’s prep were diverse very clever average musical sporty budding thespians eccentric barn door normal and bloody odd all bar 1 loved it there. There was also a wide selection of parents some who I genuinely warmed too (slack middle class eccentrics like myself) others who I chat too on the side of the pitch but nothing more and others who I actively avoided again spoke highly of it.
As you may know the school is not on one site (some people don’t like this) and when I lived near and shopped worked etc in Canterbury I often saw the Kings pupils walking to lessons their boarding houses etc they seemed relaxed and happy Canterbury as I’m sure you know is a small safe city with plenty of restaurants shops a theatre cinema so something for both you and your DD to do.

Sorry can’t comment on the scholarship thing.

We have friends with DC at Kings.

Sixth Form academic scholarships at King‘s go to students with a clean sweep of high grades at 16+/predicted high grades at A level/pre U. It helps if the student has an additional talent for sport, music, drama etc and can make an additional contribution to the ife of the shool. They are not worth much money though (think a percentage off the boarding fee) You need to be looking at a bursary if you want a big reduction. These are not necessarily linked to academic excellence.

Sixth form teaching tends to be in quite small groups. Classes are not streamed att this level as you need a high grade at 16 to be able to study a subject for A level/pre U. Academic scholars are in the same groups as everyone else. They can wear different jumpers if they want and they are part of the Cathedral foundation so process in white cassocks at church services. There is lots of extension work on offer to all - societies, visiting speakers, visits to theatres etc. They sent about 20 to Oxbridge last year - most of whom were involved in other aspects of school life - so lots of scope for the talented all rounder.

Despite its age and traditional uniforms, King‘s is a surprisingly modern and relaxed school. There is a broad mix of students - internationals and expats, a London contingent and a large group of Kent students. It has a reputation for being unstuffy.