Kent College is a leading provider of the IB Diploma Programme, consistently placed in the top ten IB schools in the UK. We also offer A Level, Pre-U and Cambridge Technical Diploma courses. With this broad range of courses on offer we are able to ensure students follow the most appropriate combination of subjects given their interests and abilities. We are passionate that every student receives the education that is right for them, and our dedicated team of teachers ensures our students not only achieve excellent results but that while doing so, they foster a lifelong love of learning.

At Kent College, we know that every student learns in a different way, and we believe that offering these multiple pathways allows each student the opportunity to challenge their individual strengths and abilities in the way that suits them best.

All the pathways offer challenging, highly-regarded qualifications which are accepted as university entrance qualifications worldwide. The IB and A Level programmes of study are two-year courses, with external exams at the end of the two years. The Cambridge Technical Diplomas are a combination of portfolios of work with less emphasis on terminal examinations, the Pre U Design course is 100% portfolio based.

The choice of which programme to study will rely largely on a student’s academic interests, personal learning style, and plans for university and beyond. Bespoke, individual timetables accommodate the subjects or combinations of subjects students wish to study, ensuring each student is able to pursue their interests.

The IB Diploma is an exciting programme that focuses not only on the academic enrichment of the student, but their personal development as a well-rounded individual. It is highly-respected internationally and recognised by all UK universities. The Diploma offers a breadth of knowledge and range of skills that are sought after by employers and higher education alike.

The IB Diploma allows students to follow six subjects from different areas of study including literature, a foreign language, humanities, science, maths, and an optional arts subject. Students also research and write an Extended Essay in an area of interest to them; this is highly regarded by universities. They also complement their academic study with a course on the Theory of Knowledge, as well as gaining credit for their extracurricular activities in Creativity, Action and Service.

The Diploma is a challenging course that will suit students who are hard working, well organised and have a genuine curiosity for the subjects of their study.

Since 2017, our students have consistently achieved an average of 37 points placing Kent College in the top 10 UK schools offering the IB.

Kent College offers a wide-variety of A Level and equivalent qualifications, allowing students to specialise in the subjects they are passionate about. We are certified as a top 50 UK Independent school for the percentage of pupils achieving A*- B grades at A Level.

We pride ourselves on the quality of our teaching. Students are engaged in their learning, and our small class sizes allow for increased individual attention, helping students to achieve their best. Teachers’ expectations of pupils are high, but all are aware of the need to support those who may find A Level work more challenging. Students are encouraged to work independently as much as possible, but staff are always happy to offer one-to-one support in order to help students succeed.

We offer a wide range of academic A Levels the Cambridge Pre-U in Design and a variety of Cambridge Technical Diploma courses, the latter provides a valuable alternative to students whose learning style may be more suited to ongoing projects and research activities rather than formal written examinations.

A Level students will normally study four subjects in Year 12 and continue with three of these to A Level in Year 13, though timetables can be tailored to individual student’s requirements.

The Pre U in Design and Cambridge Technical Diploma courses in ICT, Business Studies and Media are widely accepted by universities and colleges as well as providing entry to other professional qualifications or employment. The grading system is equivalent to A Level grade and the UCAS points system

Sixth Form students have more than 60 weekly activities and societies to choose from, and they are encouraged to participate in at least two per week. Whether musical, sporty, political or technologically inclined, there truly is something for everyone! From business, club to rock band, and archery to electronics, our students take full advantage of the opportunity to pursue their interests and develop new skills.

Kent College has a reputation for sporting excellence, and we aim to provide something for every pupil in the school – from recreational sport and promoting fitness, to top-level coaching for our elite players. Facilities include a sports hall, gym, squash court, an Astro-turf for hockey and tennis, and extensive pitches for football, rugby and cricket. The school also has facilities for trampolining, badminton, volleyball and basketball, as well as a Riding Centre, offering horse riding lessons and the opportunity to take part in competitions.

Many of our students show great enthusiasm for nature and the environment, and they engage with the outdoors in a variety of ways. Students ready for adventure take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme and are able to undertake all levels of the award. Recent DofE trips for our Year 12s have included treks in the Dolomites in Italy or across Iceland. Others choose to get involved with our very own working farm; spanning 50 acres, students can join the school Farm Club and get involved looking after lambs, pigs, hens and cattle. There’s plenty to do, whether collecting eggs, giving the rabbits a cuddle, or showing our prizewinning calves at the Kent Show. Students dig in with Gardening Club, tend Blean Woods in Conservation Club, and protect the environment in our Eco-Warriors society.

Well-being is at the heart of what we do and is central to our ethos as a Methodist school. Kent College is well-known for our family atmosphere and supportive environment, and we know it is vital that our students strike a balance between study and play, whether through sport, music or helping out on the Farm

Guidance and support are available whenever a student may need them, and while all members of staff are more than happy to help with any concerns, every student is supported by their personal tutor who they meet with daily, their Head of Year who ensures a smooth transition into Sixth Form and guides on university applications and future-planning, and their Head of House, who supports them through their entire tenure at Kent College.

The house system at Kent College is designed to impart a real sense of belonging, instilling friendly competition and forming lifelong bonds. All pupils and staff of the Senior School belong to one of these Houses, which are called Augustine, Becket, Chaucer and Marlowe. House competitions range from drama and music, to chess, problem-solving, photography, sport, art and spelling bees--every student is given a chance to shine

Three times a week, students meet for chapel, with one service being dedicated to upper school students--this is where achievements are celebrated and reflected upon, and our Chaplain is always available to be a listening ear

There are a variety of activities for health and well-being that students can engage in outside curriculum time, including yoga, conservation, and sports activities. To ensure students stay healthy and active, Sixth Form students have an afternoon of timetabled physical activity that they choose, including team sports, rowing, badminton and trampolining

Our 24/7 on-site medical team ensures students are cared for by qualified and current nursing staff, overseen by a Senior Nurse . A doctor visits the school twice a week, and a confidential listener is also available to students should they wish to share any concerns or worries that they have.

The Boarding community operates as an extended family with House Parents in each Boarding House ensuring that each child is happy during their time at KC.

They are also supported by assistant House Parents,Tutors and Managers who provide 24 hour care for the students ensuring that they have assistance with homework, as well as any practical matters, and are always ready to listen to any concerns our boarders may have. As the school does not have exeat weekends and is comprised almost entirely of full-time boarders, the weekends are always very lively on campus with sports activities, visits to Canterbury in the afternoon and movie nights.

There are a wide variety of trips for boarders throughout the year from ice skating at the Natural History Museum to paintballing or theatre trips. There is also a very popular Brunch option available at weekends enabling students to have a relaxed social gathering over a meal in the morning. Sixth Form students take on additional responsibility in the Boarding Houses as Head of House and Assistant Head of House, welcoming new students and helping them to settle in. Year 12 and Year 13 students are encouraged to grow their independence during their last 2 years at school in preparation for university and can take cooking classes alongside, learning how to manage day to day household requirements.

Preparing for the Future

Aristotle once said that “knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” and this is fundamental to the direction of Key Skills. The Key Skills programme of study is a compulsory and vital part of the sixth form timetable here at Kent College: its primary aim is to develop the whole student and the recognition of their own value to a wider world

Aspects covered combine within the three main topics of life, health and work. Trying to find the correct balance could be a life’s work but with strong foundations in a supportive environment that balance could fast become habit. The breadth of area covered can range from gap year planning to student finance, international study and interview technique, but with an overarching emphasis on student wellbeing and self-awareness

Developing resilience

Students are encouraged to become more reflective about the challenges which they have already overcome and the potential that they have to overcome those that may lay ahead. Drawing from the wisdom of a wide range of teaching staff’s own life experience and the shared insight from visiting parties, such as Positively Mad and Dr Bettina Hohnen, students begin to see the importance of continued learning beyond the classroom.

The Next Step

Deciding what to study and where to attend university may at first seem daunting, but our students need not feel alone! Support is provided along the journey. All Sixth Form students partake in our Key Skills programme, which is aimed at preparing them for the future. A member of staff guides students through the university application process. They are encouraged to examine their strengths and interests and advised on possible career paths, choosing the right university course and writing their personal statement.

University applications and career guidance

Students also have access to the online Unifrog platform, where they can explore UCAS, as well as universities in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia, alongside the many apprenticeships on offer. Students can use Unifrog to research specific careers, from astronaut to zoologist, as well as those based on their general interests, like art or technology.

Further inspiration and information may be gained through a variety of other opportunities, including relevant summer schools and subjectspecific days, as well as University, Career and Apprenticeship fairs. Kent College hosts visiting lecturers who discuss pursuing specific careers, such as medicine, law and veterinary science, alongside an array of relevant topics, including: gap year opportunities, USA scholarships, and a personal statement writing workshop. For students aiming for Oxford or Cambridge, we plan visits to the universities, meeting both admissions tutors and Kent College alumni, and individual support is provided during the application process.