EDUCATION
• Future pathways: Think about GCSE options, Sixth Form choices, university ambitions or vocational goals. Choose a school that can nurture your child’ s evolving interests.
Why Private Education? Families choose independent schools for many reasons: smaller class sizes, excellent extracurricular opportunities, specialist teaching or a nurturing environment. Kent’ s private sector spans everything from historic boarding schools to modern day schools with cutting-edge facilities.
Types of Private Schools in Kent Kent’ s independent education sector is impressively diverse, catering to a wide range of ages, learning needs and family preferences. Preparatory schools( prep schools) typically welcome children from age three to either 11 or 13, focusing on strong academic foundations and a broad, balanced experience. Many feed into prestigious senior schools locally and beyond. Examples include St Ronan’ s in Hawkhurst and Somerhill in Tonbridge, both praised for pastoral care and rich extracurricular programmes.
Senior or secondary independent schools usually take pupils from age 11 through to 16 or 18, offering qualifications such as GCSEs, A-levels or the International Baccalaureate. Kent is home to several top-tier senior schools including King’ s School Canterbury, Tonbridge School, Benenden and Sevenoaks School- renowned for academic excellence, superb facilities and strong university outcomes.
Some schools in Kent offer an‘ all-through’ model, combining primary and secondary education in one institution. This can provide continuity and a strong sense of community for children from Reception to Sixth Form.
Families also have choices between day and boarding options. Some schools are primarily boarding, others are day schools, and many offer flexible arrangements including weekly boarding. Additionally, Kent has specialist independent schools that cater to specific talents- like music, sport or the arts- or that support children with special educational needs, offering tailored learning environments.
Planning Ahead for 2026 Applying to private schools requires careful planning. Ideally, families should begin researching 18- 24 months before the desired entry date, especially for competitive institutions. Start by exploring school websites, ordering prospectuses and creating a shortlist that aligns with your child’ s personality, needs and interests. Virtual tours can be a helpful introduction before arranging in-person visits.
Entrance exams are often part of the admissions process, typically assessing English, maths and sometimes verbal or non-verbal reasoning. For more selective schools, tuition may help if your child is unfamiliar with the test formats.
It’ s important to register early- some schools limit applicant numbers and missing deadlines can mean missing out entirely. Visiting schools in person
is essential. A prospectus can’ t replace the value of seeing classrooms in action, meeting staff and experiencing the school environment firsthand.
Costs & Finance Private education in Kent is a significant financial commitment. Day school fees typically range from £ 12,000 to over £ 24,000 annually, while boarding fees can span £ 28,000 to £ 45,000 per year. But fees are just the beginning. Additional costs- uniforms, trips, exam fees, music lessons and clubs- can add thousands more each year. Always request a clear breakdown of extras.
Financial support is sometimes available. Many schools offer means-tested bursaries to help families who could not otherwise afford the fees. Some cover a portion of the costs; a few may cover them fully. Scholarships are awarded for talent in academics, sports, music or the arts. These may offer fee reductions, but they are usually modest, so shouldn’ t be relied on solely. Many schools offer monthly payment plans to spread the cost. It’ s wise to speak directly with school finance offices and carefully review contract terms.
Key Questions to Ask Schools During school visits, ask about class sizes, teacher qualifications and mental health support. Explore the school’ s ethos, academicextracurricular balance and approach to discipline. For older students, review exam results and university placements. For younger ones, ask how curiosity and creativity are nurtured. Also, consider facilities, inclusivity and the overall environment to ensure the best fit for your child. www. insidekent. co. uk • 153