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  • Independent school for boys and girls

The King's School, Canterbury: entry, assessments, dates and fees

25 The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2ES

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Can we apply, and when?

  • Registration closes

    Not published yet

  • Places

    Not published

  • Fees at 11+, day

    £9,042a term

    2026–27 school year, including VAT

    Checked, source: The King's School, Canterbury, checked

The King’s School Canterbury sets its own tests and decides after them and the interviews. We have not found a published pass mark, so we do not show one.

How entry works

How entry works

Ways in, and how children are assessed

The King’s School Canterbury takes new pupils at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Each way in has its own tests and dates.

  • 11+ entry

    How children are assessed: a reasoning paper, a piece of creative writing, an interview, a reference from the current school and taster day.

Other ways in: 13+ and 16+Places, tests and registration for each

  • 13+ entry

    150 places

    How children are assessed: an English paper, a maths paper, a reasoning paper, a piece of creative writing, an interview, a reference from the current school and the ISEB Common Pre-Test (an online test many independent schools share). Tests are taken in Year 6, with a place offered ahead of entry.

  • 16+ entry

    How children are assessed: a reasoning paper, an interview, a reference from the current school and GCSE grade requirements.

    Registration closes: Friday 2 October 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Source: The King's School, Canterbury, checked

More about entry from our guide

Children joining before the senior school go to Junior King's, which shares the school's website. We are covering it as a separate school, so this page deals with senior entry only.

11+ (Year 7)

  • What the school assesses: interviewThe King’s School Canterbury: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: All pupils will also have an interview with the Registrar or a senior member of staff.View the official source; creative or extended writing taskThe King’s School Canterbury: Own creative writingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: skills, and complete a piece of creative writing.View the official source; school's own reasoning assessmentThe King’s School Canterbury: Own reasoningChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Children will sit standardised entry tests in verbal, quantitative, spatial and non-verbalView the official source; reference or report from current schoolThe King’s School Canterbury: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: As well as entry to Junior King’s we also offer a ‘through place’ to The King’s School following a good performance in an entrance exam and a positive reference from their current school.View the official source; taster or assessment dayThe King’s School Canterbury: Taster dayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Applications to join in Years 4 to 8 will entail an assessment as part of a taster day.View the official source

13+ (Year 9)

The school gives about 150The King’s School Canterbury: PlacesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Year 9 is the largest point of entry into King’s, with approximately 150 pupils joining each year at this stage.View the official source places at 13+. Boys and girls in Year 6 sit the Pre-Test and can be offered a deferred place; the King's pages describe the later steps by school year rather than by date.

  • Places: about 150The King’s School Canterbury: PlacesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Year 9 is the largest point of entry into King’s, with approximately 150 pupils joining each year at this stage.View the official source
  • What the school assesses: interview (prep school candidates (Experience Day))The King’s School Canterbury: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Applicants will come to the school for a day, to take part in some activities and interviews which will allow us to get to know your child and for your child to get to know King’s.View the official source; ISEB Common Pre-Test (prep school candidates)The King’s School Canterbury: Iseb pretestChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Pupils sit the ISEB Pre-Test at their current school in the Autumn Term of Year 6 and then, on the strength of those results, will be invited to King’s for an Experience Day in the February of Year 6.View the official source; creative or extended writing task (non-prep and international candidates (King’s Entrance Exams))The King’s School Canterbury: Own creative writingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Part 5 (an English written paper consisting of a comprehension exercise and a creative writing task) 40 minutesView the official source; school's own English assessment (non-prep and international candidates (King’s Entrance Exams))The King’s School Canterbury: Own englishChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Part 5 (an English written paper consisting of a comprehension exercise and a creative writing task) 40 minutesView the official source; school's own maths assessment (non-prep and international candidates (King’s Entrance Exams))The King’s School Canterbury: Own mathsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Part 4 (Mathematics written paper) 40 minutes (calculators are allowed)View the official source; school's own reasoning assessment (non-prep and international candidates (King’s Entrance Exams))The King’s School Canterbury: Own reasoningChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: The exams consist of online assessments and an English and Mathematics paper.View the official source; reference or report from current school (prep school candidates)The King’s School Canterbury: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Offers are made in March of Year 6 on the basis of performance at the ISEB Pre-Test, formal reference from the pupil’s current school and their time at the Experience Day.View the official source
  • First assessment taken in: Year 6The King’s School Canterbury: Pre test year groupChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Pupils sit the ISEB Pre-Test at their current school in the Autumn Term of Year 6 and then, on the strength of those results, will be invited to King’s for an Experience Day in the February of Year 6.View the official source
  • Offers made early for deferred entry: YesThe King’s School Canterbury: Deferred offerChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Offers are made in March of Year 6 on the basis of performance at the ISEB Pre-Test, formal reference from the pupil’s current school and their time at the Experience Day.View the official source
  • The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2027The King’s School Canterbury: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Scholarships & Exhibitions for 2027 entryView the official source

Entry in September 2028

StepDate
Registration closesThe King’s School Canterbury: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by The King's School, Canterbury; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarships & Exhibitions for 2027 entryView the official source
AssessmentThe King’s School Canterbury: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by The King's School, Canterbury; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarships & Exhibitions for 2027 entryView the official source
OffersThe King’s School Canterbury: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by The King's School, Canterbury; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarships & Exhibitions for 2027 entryView the official source

16+ (sixth form, Year 12)

Sixth-form candidates have online interviews in October 2026 (online interviews)The King’s School Canterbury: Interview date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Online interviews will take place from October 2026 onwards.View the official source and sit entrance exams in early November, at King's or overseas. Two school documents give different figures for the size of the sixth-form intake.

  • Places: Awaiting confirmationThe King’s School Canterbury: PlacesOfficial sources disagree; we are confirming this with the publisher.View the official source
  • What the school assesses: GCSE grade requirementsThe King’s School Canterbury: Gcse requirementsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Successful 16+ applicants are generally expected to achieve at least seven (I)GCSEs at Grade BView the official source; interviewThe King’s School Canterbury: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Entry is by competitive examination, reference and interview either at King’s or online.View the official source; school's own reasoning assessmentThe King’s School Canterbury: Own reasoningChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: The exams will consist of the following online objective tests and will last two hours:View the official source; reference or report from current schoolThe King’s School Canterbury: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Entry is by competitive examination, reference and interview either at King’s or online.View the official source
  • The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2027The King’s School Canterbury: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Sixth Form Entrance Exam Information for 2027 EntryView the official source

Entry in September 2027

StepDate
Registration closesFriday 2 October 2026The King’s School Canterbury: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: The registration deadline for 2027 entry is 2nd October 2026.View the official source
AssessmentFriday 6 November 2026 and Saturday 7 November 2026 (UK-based applicants sitting at King’s); Friday 6 November 2026 to Wednesday 11 November 2026 (overseas applicants)The King’s School Canterbury: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: For applicants attending The King’s School Entrance Exams in person on either Friday 6th November or Saturday 7th November, the following gives an idea of what to expect on the day:View the official source
InterviewsOctober 2026 (online interviews)The King’s School Canterbury: Interview date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Online interviews will take place from October 2026 onwards.View the official source

Entry in September 2028

StepDate
Registration closesThe King’s School Canterbury: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by The King's School, Canterbury; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: The registration deadline for 2027 entry is 2nd October 2026.View the official source
AssessmentThe King’s School Canterbury: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by The King's School, Canterbury; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Sixth Form Entrance Exam Information for 2027 EntryView the official source
OffersThe King’s School Canterbury: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by The King's School, Canterbury; last checked 10 Oct 2026.The source says: Sixth Form Entrance Exam Information for 2027 EntryView the official source

Key dates

Key dates

Dates not published yetWe add each date when the school publishes it.
Dates for the other ways in16+

16+ entry, September 2027

  1. Done: Registration closes for 16+ entry

  2. Coming up: Interviews

    Expected

  3. Next: Entrance tests: UK-based applicants sitting at King’s

  4. Coming up: Entrance tests: overseas applicants

At a glance

The King’s School Canterbury in brief

tap a value for its source

Ages
3 to 18AgesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: We’re co-educational, offer boarding or day schooling and welcome pupils from the ages of 3 through to 18.View the official source
The ages the school teaches, from youngest to oldest.
Scholarships
8 kinds
Awards for a talent, such as academic work, music or sport.
Day or boarding
day pupils and boarders
Whether pupils go home each day or can live at the school.
Ways in
11+, 13+, 16+
The ages at which the school takes new pupils (4+, 11+ and so on).
Help with fees
Yes, up to [object Object],[object Object]%
Bursaries reduce fees for families on lower incomes, after a check of income and savings.
Registration fee
£240including VAT
Paid to the school when you register your child for its tests.

Fees

From £9,042 a term, including VAT
11+ entry, day
£9,042 a term, including VAT
11+ entry, full boarding
£12,780 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, day
£11,976 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, full boarding
£19,326 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, flexi boarding
£96 , including VAT
16+ entry, day
£13,302 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, full boarding
£19,326 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, flexi boarding
£96 , including VAT

Fees for the 2026–27 school year, as the school publishes them. We never add or remove VAT.

fees are published both with and without VAT

Registration fee: £240 (including VAT).

Source: The King's School, Canterbury, checked

Joining atDayFull boardingFlexi boarding
11+£9,042 per term (including VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Day - Years 4 to 8 | 9,042.00 (incl VAT)View the official source£12,780 per term (including VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Boarding | 12,780.00 (incl VAT)View the official source–
13+£11,976 per term (including VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Day - Shell | 11,976.00 (incl VAT)View the official source£19,326 per term (including VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Boarding | 19,326.00 (incl VAT)View the official source£96 per night (including VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: Flexi boardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: | Flexi-Overnight Boarding from (per night & where applicable) | 96.00 |View the official source
16+£13,302 per term (including VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Day - Sixth Form | 13,302.00 (incl VAT)View the official source£19,326 per term (including VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: BoardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Boarding | 19,326.00 (incl VAT)View the official source£96 per night (including VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: Flexi boardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: | Flexi-Overnight Boarding from (per night & where applicable) | 96.00 |View the official source
  • Registration fee: £240 (including VAT) (Senior School (the web pages give £200 + VAT); Junior King’s £120 inc. VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: Registration feeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: registration fee of £240 (inc. VAT)View the official source
  • Acceptance deposit (day): £2,400 (Senior School); £900 (Junior King’s)The King’s School Canterbury: Deposit dayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Acceptance Deposit | 2,400.00View the official source
  • Acceptance deposit (boarding): £2,400 (Senior School); £900 (Junior King’s)The King’s School Canterbury: Deposit boardingChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Acceptance Deposit | 2,400.00View the official source

Bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries up to [object Object],[object Object]% of fees
Bursaries (help with fees)
Available, up to [object Object],[object Object]% of the fees. They depend on a check of household income and savings.
Scholarships
For academic, art, choral, design and technology, drama, music, other and sport, at 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry, worth up to 10% of the fees.

Source: The King's School, Canterbury, checked

  • Largest bursary: up to 100% (means-tested bursary); 110% (School Charter Awards)The King’s School Canterbury: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Bursary support at all levels of up to 100% of full boarding fees may be available depending on the financial, compassionate or other circumstances of applicants.View the official source of fees, means-tested
  • Scholarships offered: academicThe King’s School Canterbury: AcademicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Up to twenty King’s Scholarships and Exhibitions will be awarded if candidates of sufficient merit present themselves.View the official source, artThe King’s School Canterbury: ArtChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Art Scholarships are available to candidates of outstanding ability and may be held together with Music or Academic Scholarships.View the official source, choralThe King’s School Canterbury: ChoralChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: A small number of Music Exhibitions and Choral Exhibitions, together with free tuition in one instrument/voice.View the official source, design and technologyThe King’s School Canterbury: Design technologyChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Design & Technology Scholarships are available to candidates that are able to demonstrate a genuine interest and aptitude in this subject area.View the official source, dramaThe King’s School Canterbury: DramaChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: A Drama Scholarship is available for candidates who present ambition and flair in the subject.View the official source, musicThe King’s School Canterbury: MusicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Up to twelve Music Scholarships together with free tuition in two instruments are awarded at 13+.View the official source, otherThe King’s School Canterbury: OtherChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Dance Scholarships and Exhibitions are on offer to talented and committed boys and girls.View the official source, sportThe King’s School Canterbury: SportChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Gower Sports Scholarships and Awards are available for boys and girls of character and integrity who display both excellent sporting ability and sportsmanship in at least one of the main School team games.View the official source
  • Largest scholarship: up to 10%The King’s School Canterbury: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: a scholar is offered a 10% or 5% reduction in the feesView the official source of fees
  • Scholarship entry points: 11+The King’s School Canterbury: 11 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Two 11+ Academic Scholarships and two 11+ Academic Exhibitions are awarded to suitable internal or external candidates showing strong academic potential for the future.View the official source, 13+The King’s School Canterbury: 13 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Scholarships are awarded in Year 9 and Year 12.View the official source, 16+ (sixth form)The King’s School Canterbury: 16 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Scholarships are awarded in Year 9 and Year 12.View the official source

Open days

Next: 13+ & 14+ Entry Open Morning – May 2027, Sat 15 May 2027

  1. Coming up: 13+ & 14+ Entry Open Morning – May 2027

    10:00am – 13:00pm, booking needed

Source: The King's School, Canterbury, checked

Results, as published by the school

A level grades A* to A: 51% (2026)

  • A level grades A* to A, 2026

    51%A level grades A* to A, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Once again, King’s celebrated an excellent set of A level results in 2026, with 51% of all grades awarded at A*-AView the official source

    No earlier year published

  • A level grades A* to B, 2026

    81%A level grades A* to B, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: In 2026, this rose to 81%.View the official source

    No earlier year published

  • GCSE grades 9 to 7, 2026

    74%GCSE grades 9 to 7, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: with 74% of all grades awarded at 9-7 and 54% awarded at the very highest grades of 9-8View the official source

    No earlier year published

  • GCSE grades 9 to 8, 2026

    54%GCSE grades 9 to 8, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: with 74% of all grades awarded at 9-7 and 54% awarded at the very highest grades of 9-8View the official source

    No earlier year published

Results are the school's own figures. Schools count them in different ways, so compare with care.

YearMeasureFigure
2026A level grades A* to A51%The King’s School Canterbury: A level astar apercent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Once again, King’s celebrated an excellent set of A level results in 2026, with 51% of all grades awarded at A*-AView the official source
2026A level grades A* to B81%The King’s School Canterbury: A level astar bpercent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: In 2026, this rose to 81%.View the official source
2026GCSE grades 9 to 774%The King’s School Canterbury: Gcse9to7 percent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: with 74% of all grades awarded at 9-7 and 54% awarded at the very highest grades of 9-8View the official source
2026GCSE grades 9 to 854%The King’s School Canterbury: Gcse9to8 percent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: with 74% of all grades awarded at 9-7 and 54% awarded at the very highest grades of 9-8View the official source

What is distinctive about applying to King's Canterbury

Means-tested bursaries can reach the full boarding fee, and the school's Charter Awards go further, at 100% (means-tested bursary); 110% (School Charter Awards)The King’s School Canterbury: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Bursary support at all levels of up to 100% of full boarding fees may be available depending on the financial, compassionate or other circumstances of applicants.View the official source. The bursary deadline is the end of October in the year before entry.

Fees depend on the year group and whether a pupil boards: day fees are £11,976 per term (including VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Day - Shell | 11,976.00 (incl VAT)View the official source from Year 9 and £13,302 per term (including VAT)The King’s School Canterbury: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: Day - Sixth Form | 13,302.00 (incl VAT)View the official source in the sixth form for 2026–27The King’s School Canterbury: Academic yearChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The King's School, Canterbury.The source says: School Fees Schedule - 2026/2027View the official source, and occasional boarding is charged by the night.

Official documents and sources

15 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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