YEAR 9 (13+) ENTRY
NON-PREP SCHOOLS & INTERNATIONAL
WELCOME
I am delighted to welcome you to The King’s School, Canterbury. King’s provides an exceptional education in an historic and beautiful environment that rests upon the simultaneous pursuit of academic and co-curricular excellence. Underpinning everything the School does is the provision of highly successful pastoral care of all boarding and day pupils. Pupils are therefore supported by a strong community that provides the context for the development of everyone’s academic and co-curricular passions and abilities in forward-thinking and innovative ways. Sporting, musical and artistic opportunities abound for every pupil alongside the academic stimulus that enables King’s pupils to achieve notable successes during their time here and in their chosen paths beyond school life. This booklet provides initial information and answers to important questions to assist you with the admissions process. The King’s Admissions team are here to support you, therefore please don’t hesitate to contact us and we very much look forward to being of assistance to you. You will be assured of a very warm welcome by all at King’s! Edward Gibson Director of Admissions
VISITING THE SCHOOL
Individual visits include a tour of the school with a current pupil and a meeting with the Director of Admissions. Open Days are held on a Saturday morning in October, followed by another in May. Dates and other details are published on the website in advance. You can either book online via our individual visit booking system or contact our Admissions Team directly: admissions@kings-school.co.uk | +44(0)1227 595727
REGISTRATION
It is necessary to register a prospective pupil for entry at an early stage in the admissions process in order to confirm your interest in a place. This can be done at any age and once a pupil is registered, parents will receive regular updates keeping them informed about the school. The registration fee is currently £200. You can register here - Register Deadline for registration for 2025 entry is 22nd November 2024. Age at Year 9 entry Candidates must be under 14 years of age on 1st September of year of entry. Please use the table below to check the correct year based on the candidate’s date of birth. Pupil’s Date of Birth 1 September 2011 - 31st August 2012 1st September 2012 - 31st August 2013 1st September 2013 - 31st August 2014 1st September 2014 - 31st August 2015 1st September 2015 - 31st August 2016 st
Year of Entry to King’s 2025 Year 9 Entry 2026 Year 9 Entry 2027 Year 9 Entry 2028 Year 9 Entry 2029 Year 9 Entry
EXAMINATIONS & OFFER OF A PLACE Entry Tests The King’s Entry Examination (KEE) is sat in January of the relevant year of entry. Overseas candidates may sit the examination at the nearest British Council Office, an accredited Examination Centre or at their current school. UK-based candidates must sit the examination at The King’s School, Canterbury. The total length of the exam is just over 3 hours, A little more time can be allowed for short breaks between each section. The exams consist of online assessments and English and Mathematics papers. The components are as follows: • • • • •
Part 1 (Spatial) 30 minutes Part 2 (Verbal) 40 minutes Part 3 (Numerical) 40 minutes Part 4 (Mathematics written paper) 40 minutes (calculators are allowed) Part 5 (an English written paper consisting of a comprehension exercise and a creative writing task) 40 minutes
UK- based candidates will be interviewed on the day of their examinations. Successful overseas candidates will be invited for interview via Skype/Teams. Offer of a Place Offers are made on the basis of a pupil’s performance in the King’s Entry Examination (KEE), an interview and a positive confidential report from the candidate’s current school. Places are generally offered in February of the relevant year of entry, following exams and interview in January. A deposit is then paid to confirm acceptance of the place. Confirmation of a Place A place is confirmed through the payment of a deposit following the offer of a place.
ALLOCATION OF A HOUSE
Houses will be allocated to pupils, in order to balance the intake into each House in terms of pupils’ talents and backgrounds. You will be informed of the House allocation at the latest by the summer term preceding the term of entry to King’s. However, we understand that some families have a close connection to King’s, so we will invite all applicants who have accepted a place, to complete a House Preference form, where they can inform us of their 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice of House allocation. Of course, we cannot guarantee that this will be the House they are allocated to, but we will endeavour to accommodate where possible. You can find out more information about the Houses here - The Houses
SCHOLARSHIPS & EXHIBITIONS
A full range of scholarships are available with exams taking place during the year before entry. Bursaries are also available by individual application. Year 9 Scholarships are awarded in the following seven categories: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Academic Scholarships (King’s Scholars) and Exhibitions Music Scholarships and Exhibitions Art Scholarships and Exhibitions Sports Scholarships and Awards Design & Technology Scholarships Drama Scholarships Dance Scholarships
Full details, including key dates for application are available here - Scholarships & Bursaries Our Bursary policy is available to read here - Policies
What is the deadline for Registering for 13+/ Yr 9 entry in 2025? The registration deadline is 22nd November 2024. What is the deadline for submitting the examination form for Year 9, 2025? Following registration, you will be sent a link to the examination entry form. This needs to be completed by 1st December 2024. When do the 13+/ Yr 9 King’s Entrance Exams take place for entry in 2025? Exams are due to take place on 11th January 2025. Can I prepare for King’s Entrance Exams? No preparation or specific study are required for the sitting of the 13+/Yr 9 assessments. Where can I sit King’s Entrance Exams? UK-based candidates are expected to sit the entrance examinations at The King’s School, Canterbury. Overseas candidates are expected to sit the entrance examinations at a British Council Office, an accredited Examination Centre or at their current school. Is there a fee to sit the King’s Entrance Exams? British Councils and exam centres will charge a fee for their time and facilities. (please check locally). King’s does not charge for the exams.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Do the King’s Entrance Exams have to be sat all on the same day? Yes. Do all three sections of the online exam need completing? Yes. I am sitting the entrance examination overseas. Do I need to book a specific time on the day of the King’s Entrance Exam? No. You can sit the King’s Entrance Exam at any time of day. What am I allowed and not allowed to bring into the exam room? ALLOWED Pens Noise cancelling headphones Scrap paper Water Tissues You will need your Passport
NOT ALLOWED Dictionary Bags Mobile Phones/ Smart Watches
Does The King’s School arrange the appointment at the British Council? No. You will need to approach your local British Council Offices and arrange the appointment. The Exams Officers at The British Council will advise you on the process. There will be a fee to pay. Will I receive instructions on how to go about sitting King’s Entrance Exams? Yes. In November 2024 (and if you have registered) you will receive an email regarding King’s Entrance Exams and a link to an online application form. When will I know how I performed in my King’s Entrance Exams? An email containing an offer status will be sent in early February 2025. Does the School provide feedback to candidates after the exams? The School does not provide details of results. What deposit will I need to pay to confirm my acceptance of a place at King’s? All parents will be asked to pay £2,000 acceptance deposit to ensure their child’s place at King’s. The deposit is only refundable on academic grounds. All non-UK-based parents will be asked to pay an additional deposit of two term’s fees.
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