Private schools in Kent

Are you considering a private secondary school in Kent? You have plenty of options, with more than 20 schools to choose from.

We've collated everything you need to know about local private schools. Learn about:

• Boys, girls, and co-educational schools

• The selection process for each school

• Recent exam results

• What financial assistance is available

What are the best private schools in Kent?

The following 5 indepenedent schools are ranked the best in Kent in 2024 based on exam results:

1. Tonbridge School
2. Sevenoaks School
3. Benenden School
4. Walthamstow Hall Senior School
5. The King's School, Canterbury

Find out more about the top private schools in the UK.

How much do private schools cost in Kent?

The fees vary for each school. However, private schools in Kent generally cost more than the national average.

The cheapest private senior school in Kent is Gad's Hill School, which costs up to £6,432 per term. The most expensive school is Tonbridge School, which costs £9,709 per term for day pupils, and £15,595 per term for boarding.

We’ve included the school fees for all the private secondary schools in Kent below.

What’s included in the school fees?

Independent school fees always include the cost of teaching. School lunch and exams (e.g. GCSEs, A levels and the IB Diploma) are often charged separately. If your child goes to a boarding school, the fees usually include the full cost of boarding (lodging, meals etc.).

Before you register your child for a school, it's best to check exactly what's included in the fees. You will need to pay a non-refundable registration fee on application (often £100–£300) and a deposit when you accept an offer of a place.

Help with school fees in Kent

Most private schools in Kent offer financial assistance. The most common type of assistance is a bursary, which is means-tested. Lots of schools also offer scholarships, but these are based on talent and are not means-tested.

Bursaries

A bursary is a means-tested grant given to a child whose family cannot afford the school fees. Eligible children need to meet the school's entrance criteria.

Bursaries are usually offered on a sliding scale, so children from lower-income families receive more assistance. In some cases, particularly low-income families might receive 100% off school fees. They may also receive money to go towards school uniform, lunch, transport and extracurricular activities.

If you think your child is eligible for a bursary, you'll need to complete a bursary application for your target school. This will ask you for detailed evidence of your finances. You might also have a home visit from the school's bursary team to assess your financial circumstances.

Scholarships

A scholarship is an award that recognises talent in a particular subject. Academic scholarships are awarded to children who do exceptionally well in the entrance process. Co-curricular scholarships need to be applied for separately and have their own assessments.

Many scholarships are honour-based, so not all come with a financial reward. Any financial reward is usually a set amount (e.g. £1,000 per year) or a percentage of fee-remission (e.g. 10–25%).

Sibling discounts

Over half of private schools in Kent offer discounts to families who have multiple children studying at the school. Most sibling discounts are between 5–10% for the third child.

Other discounts

Some private schools offer other types of fee discounts. These can be discounts for:

• Children of former pupils ('alumni')
• Children of parents in the Armed Forces
• Children of parents in a Clergy (normally more common at a cathedral-based schooll

Private boys' schools in Kent

Tonbridge School

Day and boarding school in Tonbridge for boys aged 13–18.

• Address: Tonbridge School, High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1JP
• Number of students: approx. 800
• Fees per term (2023–2024): £12,490 (day pupils), £16,648 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: up to 110% (full fee cover plus additional support for school uniform, school lunch etc.)
• Other financial assistance: 10% discount for the third son and a one-third discount for parents of limited means who live within 10 miles of the Tonbridge Parish Church
• 13+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, sport, and design, technology and engineering
• A level results (2023): 97.3% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 93.5% 9–7
• 13+ exam: ISEB Common Pre-Test and English writing and maths tests
• 13+ registration deadline: 1st September in Year 6

Private girls' schools in Kent

Benenden School

Day and boarding school in Cranbrook for girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Benenden School, Cranbrook Road, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 4AA
• Number of students: 550+
• Fees per term (2023–2024): £11,860 (day pupils), £15,800 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: up to 100%
• Other financial assistance: no
• 11+ scholarships: academic, music and sport
• A level results (2023): 82.7% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 81.6% 9–7
• 11+ exam: ISEB Common Pre-Test and English and maths tests
• 11+ registration deadline: end of Year 5

Cobham Hall

Day and boarding school in Gravesend for girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Cobham Hall, Brewers Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 3BL
• Number of students: 100+
• Fees per term (2023–2024): £7,600–£8,300 (day pupils), £12,900–£13,900 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: yes
• Other financial assistance: no
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music, and sport
• A level results (2023): 46% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 43% 9–7
• 11+ exam: CAT4 test

Kent College Pembury Senior School

Day and boarding school in Tunbridge Wells for girls aged 11–18 and boys aged 16–18.

• Address: Kent College Pembury, Old Church Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 4AX
• Number of students: 500+
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £8,965–£9,580 (day pupils), £12,190–£14,310 (boarding pupils)
• Means-test bursaries: yes
• Other financial assistance: 20% discount for MOD parents and 5% sibling discount
• 11+ scholarships: academic, creative and performing arts (art, dance, drama and music), and sport
• A level results (2023): 64.8% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 51.5% 9–7
• 11+ exam: CAT4 test and creative writing
• 11+ registration deadline: October in Year 6

Walthamstow Hall Senior School

Day school in Sevenoaks for girls aged 11–16.

• Address: Walthamstow Hall Senior School, Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN12 3UL
• Number of students: 400+
• Fees per term (2023–2024): £7,870
• Means-tested bursaries: up to almost 100% (a nominal fee of £50 per term applies)
• Other financial assistance: sibling discount (5% for second daughters and 10% for third and subsequent daughters)
• 11+ scholarships: academic, music and sport
• A level results (2023): 84.7% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 72.5% 9–7
• 11+ exam: ISEB Common Pre-Test
• 11+ registration deadline: October in Year 6

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Private co-educational schools in Kent

Ashford Senior School

Day and boarding school in Ashford for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Ashford School, East Hill, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8PB
• Number of students: 1,000+
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £7,265 (day pupils), £10,750–14,895 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: yes
• Other financial assistance: Clergy bursaries, sibling discount (5% for the second sibling and 10% for third and subsequent siblings), 20% boarding discount for children of MOD parents receiving CEA, and discount for children of FCO parents receiving CEA
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music, and sport
• A level results (2023): 63.3% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 52.2% 9–7
• 11+ exam: Atom Assessments

Beechwood Senior School

Day and boarding school in Tunbridge Wells for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Beechwood School, 12 Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3QD
• Number of students: 250+
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £6,735 (day pupils), £10,405–£11,570 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: yes – more information available from the school
• Other financial assistance: no
• 11+ scholarships: yes – more information available from the school
• A level results (2023): 55.7% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 31.1% 9–7
• 11+ exam: English, maths and science

Bethany School

Day and boarding school in Cranbrook for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Bethany School, Goudhurst, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 1LB
• Number of students: 300+
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £7,335–£8,100 (day pupils), £11,245–£14,060 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: up to 30%
• Other financial assistance: 10% sibling discount, 10% Clergy discount, and 10% Armed Forces discount
• 11+ scholarships: academic, creative arts, performing arts, and sport
• A level results (2023): 61% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 33.1% 9–7 (A*–A)
• 11+ exam: CAT4 test and creative writing
• 11+ registration deadline: October in Year 6

Dover College Senior School

Non-selective day and boarding school in Dover for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Dover College, Effingham Crescent, Dover, Kent, CT17 9RH
• Number of students: 300+
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £5,723–£6,887 (day pupils), £10,027–£14,450 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: yes – information available from the school
• Other financial assistance: sibling discounts (information available from the school)
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music and sport
• A level results (2023): approx. 50% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): approx. 33% 9–6 (A*–B)

Farringtons Senior School

Day and boarding school in Chislehurst for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Farringtons School, Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 6LR
• Number of students: approx. 700
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £6,650 (day pupils), £11,280–£14,160 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: yes – information available from the school
• Other financial assistance: 10% discount and discount for British Forces personnel
• 11+ scholarships: academic, music, creative and performing arts, and sport
• A level results (2023): undisclosed
• GCSE results (2023): 92% 9–4
• 11+ exam: maths, creative writing, and online computer test
• 11+ registration deadline: November in Year 6

Gad's Hill Upper School

Non-selective day school near Rochester for boys and girls aged 11–16.

• Address: Gad's Hill School, Gravesend Road, Higham, Rochester, Kent ME3 7PA
• Number of students: 350+
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £5,947–£6,432
• Means-tested bursaries: up to 100%
• Other financial assistance: 5% sibling discount
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music, and sport
• GCSE results (2023): available on the school website

Kent College Canterbury Senior School

Non-selective day and boarding school in Canterbury for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Kent College Canterbury, Whitstable Road, Canterbury, Kent CT2 9DT
• Number of students: approx. 800
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £6,902–£7,936 (day pupils), £8,904–£14,692 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: yes
• Other financial assistance: sibling discount (20% for the third child and 30% for fourth and subsequent children), 10% boarding discount for Armed Forces, 25% discount for FCO, and 10% discount for Methodist Ministers
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music and sport
• A level results (2023): 61% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 45% 9–7 (A*-A)
• 11+ exam: English, maths and non-verbal reasoning

King's School Rochester

Day and boarding school in Rochester for boys and girls aged 3–18. Children applying at 11+ enter the Preparatory School. Boarding is available from 13+ onwards.

• Address: King's School Rochester, Satis House, Boley Hill, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1TE
• Number of students: 700+
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £6,210 (11+ day pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: yes
• Other financial assistance: Clergy discount, MOD boarding discount, and sibling discount (10% for the third child, 20% for the fourth child, and 30% for fifth and subsequent children)
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music, organ and sports scholarships
• A level results (2023): approx. 25% A*–A
• GCSE results (2023): approx. 50% 9–7 (A*–A)
• 11+ exam: English, maths and non-verbal reasoning

Radnor House Sevenoaks Senior School

Day school in Sevenoaks for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Radnor House Sevenoaks, Combe Bank Drive, Sundridge, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 6AE
• Number of students: 500+
• Fees per term (2023–2024): £7,200–£7,760
• Means-tested bursaries: yes
• Other financial assistance: no
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music, sports and values scholarships
• A level results (2023): 35% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 34% 9–7
• 11+ exam: CAT4 test and creative writing
• 11+ registration deadline: October in Year 6

Rochester Independent College

Non-selective day and boarding school in Rochester for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Rochester Independent College, 254 St Margaret’s Banks, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1HY
• Number of students: 300+
• Fees per year (2024–2025): £16,800–£24,600 (tuition), £16,500–£22,200 (additional boarding cost)
• Means-tested bursaries: up to 50%
• Other financial assistance: no
• 11+ scholarships: academic and sustainability scholarships
• A level results (2023): 25% A*–A
• GCSE results (2023): 30% 9–7

Sackville School

Day school near Tonbridge for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Sackville School, Tonbridge Road, Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent, TN11 9HN
• Number of students: 200+
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £6,715
• Means-tested bursaries: yes – more information is available from the school
• Other financial assistance: sibling discount (5% for second sibling, 10% for third sibling, and 15% for fourth and subsequent siblings)
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music and sport
• Sibling discounts: 5%–15%
• A level results (2023): 48% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 51% 9–5
• 11+ exam: English and maths

Sevenoaks School

Day and boarding school in Sevenoaks for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Sevenoaks School, High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1HU
• Number of students: 1,200+
• Fees per term: £9,709–£11,026 (day pupils), £15,595–£16,919 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: up to 100%
• Other financial assistance: no
• 11+ scholarships: academic and music
• IB results (2023): average points – 39
• A level results (2023): 96% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 86.1% 9–7
• 11+ exam: English and maths tests. Parents will also need to provide the child's ISEB Common Pre-Test score or grammar school 11 plus score (e.g. from the Kent Test)
• 11+ registration deadline: September in Year 6

St Edmund's School, Canterbury

Day and boarding school in Canterbury for boys and girls aged 2–18. Children applying for 11+ entry enter the Junior School.

• Address: St Edmund's School, St Thomas Hill, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8HU
• Number of students: 600+
• Fees per term (2023–2024): £6,180 (Years 7–8). Boarding is available from 13+ onwards
• Means-tested bursaries: yes – more information is available from the school
• Other financial assistance: sibling discount (more information is available from the school), 25% Clergy discount, 10% alumni discount and 10% Armed Forces boarding discount
• 11 plus scholarships: academic, art, dance, drama, music and sport
• A level results (2023): 53% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 35% 9–7
• 11+ exam: verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests

St Lawrence College

Non-selective day and boarding school in Ramsgate for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: St Lawrence College, College Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 7AE
• Number of students: 400+
• Fees per term (2023–2024): £6,421–£6,959 (day pupils), £11,242–£13,633 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: yes (more information is available from the school)
• Other financial assistance: sibling discount (more information is available from the school)
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, drama, music and sport
• A level results (2023): 76% A*–C
• GCSE results (2023): 40% 9–7

Sutton Valence Senior School

Independent day and boarding school in Maidstone for boys and girls aged 11–18.

• Address: Sutton Valence School, North Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 3HL
• Number of students: 800+
• Fees per term: £7,877–£9,360 (tuition), £2,730–£5,120 (additional boarding cost)
• Means-tested bursaries: yes – more information is available from the school
• Other financial assistance: 20% sibling discount for the youngest child when 3 or more children are studying at the same time, and 20% Armed Forces discount
• 11+ scholarships: academic, art, design and technology, drama, music, and sport
• A level results (2023): over 30% A*–A
• GCSE results (2023): over 40% 9–7
• 11+ exam: ISEB Common Pre-Test
• 11+ registration deadline: October in Year 6

The King's School, Canterbury

Day and boarding school in Canterbury for boys and girls aged 13–18.

• Address: The King's School, 25 The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2ES
• Number of students: 800+
• Fees per term (2024–2025): £9,830–£10,920 (day pupils), £15,720 (boarding pupils)
• Means-tested bursaries: up to 100%
• Other financial assistance: sibling discounts – more information is available from the school
• 13+ scholarships: academic, art, dance, design and technology, drama, music, and sport
• A level results (2023): 80% A*–B
• GCSE results (2023): 75.9% 9–7
• 13+ exam: ISEB Common Pre-Test for prep school applicants, or online verbal, non-verbal and spatial test and written English and maths tests for non-prep school applicants