Kent is well known for its beautiful countryside, historic estates, and long-standing traditions. The county is also home to many respected private schools, each with its own strengths and character. With so many schools to choose from, finding the right one can feel like a big decision for parents. It’s important to choose a school that suits your child’s learning style, supports their academic progress, and helps them grow as an individual.
From day and boarding schools, single-sex and co-educational institutions, we've curated a list for parents to have an overview of the best private schools in Kent.
| School | Overview |
|---|---|
| Sevenoaks School | Highly academic and internationally recognised school, best known for its strong International Baccalaureate (IB) results and global outlook. |
| Benenden School | Prestigious all-girls boarding school with a strong emphasis on pastoral care, confidence-building, and all-round development. |
| Tonbridge School | Traditional and academically elite boys’ school, known for excellent exam results and a strong reputation among top UK independent schools. |
| Walthamstow Hall School | Long-established girls’ school offering a supportive environment and solid academic performance from early years to sixth form. |
| The King’s School, Canterbury | One of the oldest schools in the world, combining historic tradition with strong academics and a broad co-curricular programme. |
| The Worthgate School | International-style independent school focused on GCSE, A-Level and IB pathways, with personalised university preparation. |
| Cobham Hall School | School set on a historic estate with a diverse, international community and a focus on holistic education. |
| Kent College Canterbury | All-through independent school offering a broad curriculum, strong pastoral support, and flexible boarding options. |
| Beechwood School | Friendly, community-focused school known for individual attention and a balanced approach to academics and extracurriculars. |
| St Edmund’s School Canterbury | Long-standing co-educational school offering a well-rounded education with strong pastoral care and creative opportunities. |
🏛️Understanding Private Education in Kent
According to statistics on pupil population in 2024 to 2025 released by the official website of the UK government, there are 39 recorded independent schools in Kent. 1 It's considered a substantial amount, which reflects the demand for private education for different age groups in the county.
In the UK, private schools and independent schools are the same terms with the same meaning. They are educational institutions that are not state-funded, requiring pupils to pay fees. They also have autonomy in terms of admission and curriculum. 2
📌Government and official policies: Independent schools
📌Parents, students, informal settings: Private schools
If you're a parent who's on the fence, it's a good time to explore some key benefits of private education.
Generally, when you look at the best private schools in the UK, most of them have smaller class sizes, which leads to student-to-teacher ratios. This means educators can give personalised attention to every student in terms of their strengths, weaknesses, and learning goals. That is why these schools tend to have higher academic performance in exams such as GCSE, A-Level, or International Baccalaureate (IB)
Private schools also give UK students the opportunity to develop global perspectives and cultural awareness.
Many offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme and welcome students from overseas, allowing pupils to learn and build friendships with classmates from different countries.
Additionally, private schools are known for investing heavily in both academic and extracurricular facilities, as well as boarding environments where applicable. From modern classroom technology and well-equipped science labs to theatres and sports facilities, the focus is on providing a well-rounded education that helps pupils develop their individual interests and reach their full potential.
Now, let's review some of the top-ranked private schools in Kent.
✅ Sevenoaks School
Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks School is one of the oldest independent schools in the UK.
Academically, it is best known for its complete adoption of the International Baccalaureate curriculum for Sixth Form (no A-Levels offered) for almost 50 years, and is one of the top IB-performing schools in the UK.
Academic Results:
- GCSE: 90% score Grade 7-9
- IB: Average score of 39.4 points
- 11 students scored 45 points (max score)
Admission Process:
- Main Entry Points: 11+, 13+, 16+
- Assessments: ISEB Pre-Test (11+/13+), school exams (English, Maths), group activities
- Interview for shortlisted applicants
Location: Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1HU
Tuition Fees:
Day: £11,975 - £13,838
Boarding: £19,590 -£21,419
*(differ according to age group)
✅ Benenden School
Located just an hour by train from London, Beneden School is one of the best all-girls boarding schools in Kent.
Founded in 1923, it is known for its learning philosophy, "A Complete Education," which supports every student's academic, co-curricular pursuits, and well-being.
Academic Results:
- GCSE: 79% score Grade 7-9
- A-Level: 70% score A*/A
Admission Process:
- Main Entry Points: 11+, 12+, 13+, 16+
- Assessments: ISEB Pre-Test, Benenden assessment day tasks
- Interview on the day of assessment
Location: Cranbrook Road, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AA
Tuition Fees:
Boarding: £19,738 per term
Day: £14,165 per term
✅ Tonbridge School
Established in 1553, Tonbridge School is well recognised for its academic rigour and vibrant co-curricular programme.
It occupies about 150 acres of land, offering a wide and conducive learning space for students, well-equipped with modern facilities.
According to the 2024 Sunday Times ‘Parent Power’ league table, Tonbridge was the 6th highest ranking independent school in the country.
Academic Results:
- GCSE: 77% score Grade 8 to 9
- A-Level: 71.4 % score A*/ A
Admission Process:
- Main Entry Points: 13+, 16+
- Assessments: School-set entrance exams; reports & references
- Interview for shortlisted applicants
Location: Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1JP
Tuition Fees:
Day: £15,526 per term
Boarding: £20,693 per term
✅ Walthamstow Hall School
Walthamstow Hall School was initially founded in 1838 to educate the daughters of missionaries before expanding to become a fully independent all-girls school in Kent.
It is a dynamic school with solid core values where every individual is respected and every individuality valued while fostering a sense of community.
Academic Results:
- GCSE: 53% score Grade 8 to 9
- A-Level: 45% score A*/ A
Admission Process:
- Main Entry Points: 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
- Assessments: School entrance tests (English, Maths)
- Interview for shortlisted applicants
Location: Holly Bush Lane Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3UL
Tuition Fees:
Junior School: £7,379 per term
Senior School: £10,063 per term
Learn more about the best independent schools in Hertfordshire.
✅ The King's School, Canterbury
Historically linked to Canterbury Cathedral's origins in 597 CE, The King's School is considered one of the oldest continually operating schools in the world.
It boasts a medieval campus, consisting of historic buildings with extensive facilities to meet the academic and curricular needs of students.
Academic Results:
- GCSE: Over 70% score Grades 9-7
- A-Level: 82% score Grades A*-B
Admission Process:
- Main Entry Points: 3+, 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
- Assessments: Entrance exams vary by age; academic papers
- Interview for shortlisted applicants
Location: 25 The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2EH
Tuition Fees:
Day: £5,190.00 (Reception to Yr 2)
Day: £8,682.00 per term (Yr 4-8)
Day: £7,074.00 per term (Yr 3)
Boarding: £12,210.00 per term
✅ The Worthgate School
Formerly known as CATS Canterbury, The Worthgate School offers a wide range of internationally recognised qualifications to help students unleash their academic potential.
With over 70 years of history, this school is rated excellent in all areas by the Independent Schools Association (ISA), and is known for its supportive and effective teaching strategies to help students progress to their desired top British universities.
Academic Results:
- GCSE: 31% score Grades 9-5
- A-Level: 74.20% score Grades A-C
- IB: Average score of 34 points
Admission Process:
- Main Entry Points: 13+, 14+, 15+, 16+, 17+
- Assessments: English & Maths tests; IELTS/English proficiency (if needed)
- Interview for shortlisted applicants
Location: 67 New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3LQ
Tuition Fees:
High school: £6,605 per term
GCSE and A-Level (3 subjects): £6,605 per term
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✅ Cobham Hall School
Founded in 1962, originally as a girls’ independent boarding school, Cobham Hall School is now a co-educational school in Kent (male and female students for Sixth Form).
The school takes pride in its diversity and inclusivity culture, where it's non-denominational and non-selective, welcoming students of all backgrounds.
Academic Results:
- GCSE: 46% score Grade 6-9
- A-Level: 43% score A-B
Admission Process:
- Main Entry Points: 11+, 13+, 16+
- Assessments: School assessments; cognitive/academic tests
- Interview for shortlisted applicants
Location: Cobham, Gravesend, Kent DA12 3LH
Tuition Fees:
Year 7-9: £9,520 (Day), £15,725 (Boarding)
Year 10-11: £9,995 (Day), £16,555 (Boarding)
Sixth Form: £9,995 (Day), £17,565 (Boarding)
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✅Kent College Canterbury
Founded in 1885, Kent College Canterbury is a top co-educational school that is known for its vision for education and also its Methodist roots.
Future pupils of this school are set to enjoy a vibrant school life with access to the school’s full working farm, which is about 50 hectares of land. Riding lessons are offered, and pupils can visit the KC Horse Riding centre for a casual riding session.
Academic Results:
- GCSE: 45% score Grade 7-9
- A-Level: 59% score A*-B
- IB: Average points is 37.1
Admission Process:
- Main Entry Points: 3+, 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
- Assessments: English, Maths, and reasoning tests
- Interview for shortlisted applicants
Location: Whitstable Road, Canterbury, Kent CT2 8QA
Tuition Fees:
Junior School: £5,028- £7,928 per term
Senior School: £8,276 -£9,512 per term (Day)
£12,926 -£17,798 per term (Boarding)
✅ Beechwood School
An established independent co-educational school in Royal Tunbridge Wells, the history of Beechwood School dates back to 1915.
The school offers a well-rounded academic programme with wide extra-curricular options, including sports, drama, and arts.
Academic Results:
- GCSE: 81% score Grade 4-9
- A-Level: 67.9% score A*- C
Admission Process:
- Main Entry Points: 3+, 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
- Assessments: School assessments; reports
- Interview for shortlisted applicants
Location: Lewes Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8XT
Tuition Fees:
Reception: £3,908 per term
Year 1-Year 13: £4,402 - £7,914 per term
Full Boarding: £14,467 per term
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✅ St Edmund's School Canterbury
Finally, we have St. Edmund's School, Canterbury.
Established in 1749, the school places a huge emphasis on effective teaching of academic subjects as well as offering students an enriching life beyond the classroom through a wide range of co-curricular options, clubs, and societies.
Academic Results:
- GCSE: 35% of Grades 7-9
- A-Level: 81% of grades at A–C*
Admission Process:
- Main Entry Points: 2+, 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
- Assessments: Age-appropriate assessments; GCSE review for Sixth Form
- Interview for shortlisted applicants
Location:
St Thomas Hill, Canterbury, Kent CT2 8HU
Tuition Fees:
Junior School: £7,282 -£7,521 (Day)
Full Boarding: £13,743 (From age 11)
Senior School: £9,873
Full Boarding: £18,048
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🔔Important Factors When Choosing A Private School
While academic results, school fees, and extracurricular opportunities are important factors when choosing a private school, it can often be helpful to start with the basics — the type of school.
Let's look at the two most common considerations among parents.
👦👧Co-Educational vs. Single-Sex Private Schools
The first thing that comes to mind is the co-educational or single-sex school model. Here are some advantages of both school models:
Co-educational
- An early exposure to the real mixed environment of the workplace in the future
- Equal opportunities to foster healthy competition in academic and non-academic activities without gender bias (learning maths, playing chess together)
- Foster broader conversations and collaboration in terms of learning dynamics and generating ideas
Single-sex (only boys/only girls)
- Cultivate a solid academic focus where there's less social pressure (to date), especially during adolescence
- More confidence among female students, as there's no direct comparison with male students in terms of leadership roles
- Less occurrence of gender-based stereotypes, girls can join the coding club, and boys can join the arts and crafts club
Meanwhile, read more about the best private schools in Surrey.
🎒Day vs Boarding Private Schools
Now, let's look at the advantages of enrolling in a day private school and a full-boarding private school.
Day School
Boarding School
📢 Ways to Weigh Your Final Options
As you weigh the pros and cons of different schools in Kent, you may narrow your choices down to a few strong options with your child.
As the saying goes, “seeing is believing,” and you can put this into practice by reading online reviews (from The Good School Guide, for example) or speaking directly with parents who have chosen to send their children to your preferred private schools. Firsthand testimonials can offer valuable insight and added credibility.
Reviews and Testimonials
You can watch testimonials and reviews from parents about their child's experience, or read through how their child has benefited from receiving the right support through pastoral care or scholarship 3, like the examples shown below:
Josie is thoroughly enjoying her experience as a sports scholar. She has access to highquality training sessions that are both practical and theoretical, enhancing not only her school-based activities but also significantly supporting her swimming career. The scholar sessions have been incredibly beneficial, and she particularly enjoys connecting with fellow scholars across different age groups.
Josie's Testimonial (St Edmund's)
📚Open Days and Visits
We highly recommend that your family attend open days or make an appointment for a school visit to effectively assess whether the school is the right fit for your child. It's a good opportunity to see how the school really operates, and get a sense of the school culture and environment, as well as interact with the school staff and educators.
This is when you can ask as many questions as possible and discern how your child can benefit from the learning environment and offered facilities based on their academic and curricular interests.
We hope you have found this article insightful as you plan your next school application in Kent. If you are looking for a tutor to equip your child better for the school's entrance tests and interviews, feel free to connect with an experienced academic tutor on Superprof. Regardless of your child's learning age and pace, he or she will have the best one-to-one tutoring experience. All the best!
References
- All schools and colleges in Kent. (2023). Compare School and College Performance in England; UK Government. https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/schools-by-type?step=default&table=schools®ion=886&geographic=la&for=abspop&basedon=Pupil+population&schoollevel=IsSecondary&schooltype=3&orderby=MINORGROUP&orderdir=asc
- Private schools and independent schools. What are they? (2025). Independent Schools Council. https://www.isc.co.uk/information-for-parents/private-schools-and-independent-schools-what-are-they/
- Testimonials. (n.d.). https://www.stedmunds.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Josies-Testimonial.pdf
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