Inspection Report

The Independent Schools Inspectorate visited the School in February 2005.  This is their overall summary:

The King's School, Canterbury provides a rich and varied education of very high quality to all pupils, whatever their ages, abilities or aptitudes.  The daily life of the school expresses the Benedictine tradition of worship, work and study, a concern for body, mind and spirit and strong care for the individual.  Boys and girls enjoy natural and open relationships with each other and with adults.  Pupils achieve high standards, not only in their academic work but also in a very wide range of activities, though their progress in a few subjects would accelerate if they were encouraged to take more responsibility for their own learning. 

What the School Does Well :

• The school has many strong features, of which the following are the most important.
• Pupils' personal development is excellent because the school encourages the interests and aptitudes of individuals to flourish.
• Boarding and day pupils share a strong sense of academic and social purpose in a close-knit community.
• The school provides rich opportunities beyond the classroom to extend learning and understanding.
• The high quality of the teaching promotes high academic standards.
• The excellent nurture provided by the school, particularly the boarding, produces confident, balanced individuals, well prepared for adult life.
• The quality of pastoral care is very good.

What the School Should Do Better:
The school has no significant weaknesses but the following points are intended to improve what is already very good provision.

• Although most teaching and progress are very good, there are weaknesses in a few subjects and in individual cases.
• Progress is limited where the teaching fails to give pupils sufficient opportunities to develop independence in their learning.
• In some subjects the marking of pupils' work is inconsistent and does not sufficiently support pupils' learning.
• The accommodation in some boarding houses and some teaching areas is jaded.

Summary Report

Full Report