Location and transport
The school’s location overlooking the beautiful cathedral city of Canterbury mean that boarders at Kent College have the best of both worlds – a healthy, safe
environment close to beautiful countryside, and to the city’s excellent facilities. Canterbury is also within easy access of Gatwick, Heathrow, London City and
Stansted airports, the Channel Tunnel and Dover ferry, and has frequent high-speed trains to London. For more information about our location and transport click
here.
We strongly encourage all prospective boarding pupils and their parents to come and visit us to meet our welcoming boarding staff, and see the houses for themselves.
To arrange a visit call +44 (0)1227 763231 or click here.
Welcome from the Head of Boarding
“The purpose of education is transformation and there is no doubt that those who board at Kent College are changed by the experience. Communal living is enriching, rewarding and exciting. Pupils learn to live with one another, they learn from one another, and they learn about themselves. They flourish in a supportive environment that is akin to being a member of a large, diverse and happy family. As well as making academic progress, boarders develop social and emotional skills, and become self-sufficient and resilient. By the time they leave us, boarders have developed the confidence and independence to successfully navigate the next stage of their lives. They go on to learn and achieve elsewhere, but they are always guided by what boarding has taught them”
Head of Boarding, Elaine Jameson
Questions? Please contact the Head of Boarding, or take a look at the KC Boarding Pupils’ Handbook here.
Boarding options
Our Boarding Houses
Boarders’ Activities and Trips
Boarders’ FAQs
“I really like boarding because it’s like having a new family and new amazing friends who are always supportive and motivating.”
Full boarding: Most of our boarding pupils are full boarders – they stay at school throughout the
term and are able to take full advantage of the wide range of sport, trips and activities on offer at the weekends.
Weekly boarding: this option allows students to enjoy the stimulus and structure of boarding life during the week while being at home
with family at weekends – although there is so much going on at school during the weekends, including the boarding activities programme,
that many weekly boarders often choose to stay for weekends too.
Occasional boarding (subject to availability): this option is useful if parents need to be away for short periods. Please
contact registrarseniorschool@kentcollege.co.uk for more information about
occasional boarding. The occasional boarding parental consent
form can be found here.
Information about fees for all boarding options is available on our Fees page here.
“Boarding has allowed me to expand my qualities as a person; I am now more independent, I have more friendships and I have been given a confidence boost.”
There are five boarding houses at Kent College Senior School, three boys’ houses and two girls’ houses. All of the boarding houses
have House Parents who live in, and who are responsible for the welfare of the pupils in their house. The House Parents are assisted by
Assistant House parents, House Managers and Resident Tutors, and between them they ensure the care of our boarders 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
Younger pupils may be accommodated in rooms of up to four, while students in Years 12 and 13 are allocated a study bedroom of their own
wherever possible. In each boarding house there are common room facilities for all pupils which include Sky TV, Wifi, kitchen and dining
areas and games areas. Each house has its own character and style but all have similar rules and values.
Click below to see information about each of our Houses
Throughout the week and at weekends there is a wide range of activities and trips available to all boarders. These include school
sports training and fixtures, music and drama rehearsals and performances, opportunities for volunteering, trips to the theatre or
sporting events, and shopping expeditions. Canterbury has many attractions and boarders are allowed to visit the city centre at the
weekend at the discretion of their House Parents, although junior boarders are always supervised.
Example weekly activities – Badminton; Basketball; Conservation; Cooking (Yr 12 & 13); Dance; DoE Bronze, Silver, Gold; Equine
(horse care and riding); Five-a-side Football; Gym (over 16 years); Martial Arts; Pilates/Aerobics; Swimming; Tennis; Volleyball ;
Yoga; Young Enterprise (Yr 12); Young Farmers’ Club.
Example weekend trips – Dreamland, Margate; Paintballing; New Scientist Live; Thorpe Park; Pink Floyd Exhibition: V&A Museum; Royal
Albert Hall Classical Concert; Ice Skating & Tower of London; Science Live: Victoria Theatre, London; Westfield Shopping Centre;
Brooklands Motor Racing & Concorde; Football: Charlton Athletic; Chinese New Year Meal: Café De China; Windsor Castle & Park;
Go-Karting; Greenwich Shopping; Howletts Wildlife Park; Trampolining & Ice Skating.
What is the daily routine?
Details of the daily routine for boarders during the week and at weekends can be found here
and in the Boarding Pupils’ Handbook.
Is there school on Saturday?
There are no formal lessons on Saturday, but there are usually sports fixtures and team practice in the morning as well as catch up sessions
and other activities.
What else happens at weekends?
There is a full programme of boarders’ activities at weekends.
Are pupils allowed out after school?
Boarding pupils are allowed into town at the discretion of their House Parents and after a suitable induction. They are generally allowed to
go into Canterbury on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Details can be found in the Boarding Pupils’ Handbook.
Can my child put posters on their walls?
Yes this is permitted in the boarding houses.
Special diets?
Our Head Chef caters for special diets such as gluten-free, or lactose-intolerant and works closely with the staff in the school’s medical
centre to ensure that pupils with specific needs are well looked after. If you have any questions about dietary requirements at the School,
please contact our Head Chef Neil Wiggins at headchef@kentcollege.co.uk
What are the laundry arrangements?
Laundry is done for the boarders. Pupils put their washing into the laundry bins on the allocated day. All pupils are responsible for their own
ironing (all age groups).
How many others will my child share a room with?
Most rooms in boarding are doubles, while the younger years share rooms in groups of 2 to 5 depending on their year group and boarding house.
There are a number of single rooms available for Sixth form students. Most rooms have ensuite bathroom facilities while others share larger
bathroom facilities.
When do boarders do their homework?
For Years 7-9, homework (prep) is done in Study Hall at the end of the school day – this is supervised by a member of staff. Older students
work more independently in their boarding houses during quiet times before and after supper.
What happens when a boarder is ill?
The school has a fully equipped Medical Centre which is staffed by medically trained nurses 24 hours a day during term time. Click
here for
more information.
Is there someone in the boarding house during the day?
Yes, the House Manager is on duty during the day, so there is always someone in the house to help if a boarder has a problem.
How far is the nearest airport?
Gatwick Airport is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, Heathrow Airport approximately 1 hour 40 minutes and Stansted approximately 1 hour 30
minutes by car/taxi.
Can the school arrange airport transfers?
Airport transfers are arranged by parents or the pupil’s guardian. Boarding pupils under 16 must be collected from the school by a guardian,
parent or other named adult.
Arrange a visit
If you would like to come visit us and meet our friendly staff and pupils click below.
We look forward to seeing you.