Kent College Canterbury
Co-educational Day School for ages from 3 to 18, Boarding from 7 to 18, 460+ pupils, County of Kent
About the School
Kent College is situated in a delightful 80 acre semi-rural location adjoining 200 acres of ancient woodland. The idyllic campus overlooks the historic city of Canterbury. It is renowned as a particularly friendly and welcoming school with a strong family feeling. Kent College provides a challenging yet unfailingly supportive community that nurtures and develops an impressive range of talents and interests to enable every pupil to realise their full potential.
Admissions
Entrance for both boys and girls to the senior school is normally at 11, 13 or 16, though vacancies do occur at age 12 and 14. All candidates are required to take an entrance examination and 6th Form places are also subject to GCSE results.
International Baccalaureate
From September 2010, Kent College will (subject to authorisation by the IBO) be offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme alongside our existing Sixth Form curriculum. The IB Diploma is a prestigious pre-university qualification and is recognised by universities and governments throughout the world. The IB offers students a broad curriculum with an international perspective. The course is an excellent preparation for university life and employment especially given the increasingly interconnected global economy. The Diploma will suit those students that are hardworking, well organised and have a genuine curiosity for the subjects they wish to study. For some students A Levels may still remain the best option if they want to specialise in a particular field such as sciences, arts or languages. The IB offers a continuum of high quality education that encourages international awareness and understanding alongside a positive attitude to independent learning.
English as an Additional Language
The International Study Centre at Kent College offers an English language programme that gives students the English they need to join the mainstream British academic curriculum and take relevant English examinations for entry to universities. Students are fully integrated with other mainstream students in the boarding houses and tutor groups. Normally there are between 6 & 10 students in each group. Students in Year 7 to 9 are accepted into the ISC with a level of English between beginner and intermediate. The students study English intensively as well as Maths and the vocabulary they need to join mainstream subjects. Integration into the mainstream curriculum occurs when their English is of an appropriate level. In Year 10 & 12 the College accepts students at an intermediate level of English. They will normally spend an academic year in the ISC to help them prepare for entry into GCSE courses or sixth form courses. Students will be concentrating on the 4 language skills; reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as basic grammar and vocabulary. All pupils take part in extra-curricular activities. Teaching is conducted within a personalised timetable suited to the student’s ability and speed of learning. Once the required standard has been achieved, the next stage is access to the main school curriculum. At the ISC students will have been taught the skills they need to cope with the demands of subject lessons. As their language skills continue to develop many are able to join British public examination courses. Students who are in the mainstream, but who need language support, come to the ISC instead of studying French in the junior school or as one of their options in the senior school. They are given the opportunity to prepare for the IGCSE in ESL and the IELTS examinations.
Boarding
Around a third of pupils at Kent College are boarders, and the school has a long and honourable history of welcoming boarders from the international community, as well as from British families. Currently there are some 30 countries represented in our boarding population, and this brings great richness and diversity to school life, as well as helping all our pupils to understand and respect different cultural traditions. There are 4 boarding houses on the campus, 2 for boys and 2 for girls, each with house parents for whom this is their family residence. Students and parents benefit from flexibility as the school provides termly, weekly and occasional boarding.
Vernon Holme is located under a mile away in a glorious parkland setting. It provides a stimulating and supportive environment for boys and girls from ages 3 - 11. Boarding is available from the age of 7. This setting allows children to thrive in a safe and happy atmosphere where their individuality is fostered. The majority of students progress, naturally, to the Senior School.
Sport
With the benefit of a floodlit all-weather pitch, used for hockey in the winter and tennis in the summer, as well as a superbly equipped Sports Hall and numerous pitches, Kent College teams make formidable competitors in any sport. Hockey is a particular strength, with regular representation in County and National squads. The school has high hopes for four pupils who are well on course to represent Britain in London 2012.
Music and Drama
Music and drama play a central role in the life of the school, with many performances each year. The new Music Centre offers state of the art facilities for all aspects of the subject. The provision for Music Technology is now amongst the best in the country. These facilities have helped the school to offer over 30 music scholarships, currently including two concert musicians. Dance is becoming increasingly popular, and examples of our art department are proudly displayed around the campus.
Location
By air – Gatwick Airport – 1 hour 30 minutes drive, London Heathrow Airport – within 2 hours drive. By rail – Canterbury West (short taxi ride or 20 minutes walk) to London Charring Cross/Waterloo and Eurostar/Channel Tunnel - via Ashford Kent – 1hour 30 minutes, or Canterbury East (5 minute taxi ride) to London Victoria via Faversham.
Visit the Kent College Canterbury website.
