What King Edward's School, Bath does

King Edward's School, Bath is an independent co-educational day school founded in 1552, educating 1,016 pupils aged 3-18 across four sequential stages: Pre-Prep & Nursery (ages 3-7, currently on a separate Weston Lane site), Junior School (ages 7-11), Senior School (ages 11-16), and Sixth Form (ages 16-18). The Senior School and Junior School are co-located on the North Road campus in Bath, with a £3 million investment underway to consolidate Pre-Prep onto the same site by September 2027. The school is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC), has been named Sunday Times South West Independent Secondary School of the Year for four consecutive years (most recently 2026), and received an ISI Significant Strength designation for pupil development in January 2026.

The school's product is delivered through 12 Senior School science laboratories (£1 million investment), a dedicated Junior School science laboratory, a state-of-the-art gym with strength-and-conditioning programme, dedicated drama and music spaces, sports fields at Bathampton, and a seven-year rugby development pathway supported by video review. Academic outcomes are strong and consistent: 89% A*-B at A Level in 2025, 14 consecutive years of 60%+ A*/A grades, with 85% of Sixth Form leavers securing first-choice university destinations and almost 80% progressing to Russell Group institutions. Auxiliary services include KES Ventures facility hire (via SchoolHire), KES Adventures Holiday Camps (via Magic Booking, £54-62/day), and specialist courses. Means-tested bursaries totalling approximately £1.3 million annually support over 130 Senior School pupils (1 in 5), with the 1552 Foundation launched in 2025 targeting an additional £500,000 annually by 2030 to widen access.

Revenue is generated primarily through annual tuition fees billed to parents on a subscription basis across the four school sections, with fee levels not publicly disclosed. Additional revenue streams include commercial facility hire to local corporates, clubs and community groups, holiday camp fees, and charitable fundraising via the 1552 Foundation. The school is a private charitable institution governed by a Board of Governors (chaired by Winifred Thomson), with Headmaster Martin J Boden leading academic operations, Sean Price heading the Pre-Prep and Junior Schools, and a dedicated Development Director (Alison Heyes) overseeing fundraising and alumni relations. Headcount sits in the 251-500 band. The operating geography is single-country domestic, serving Bath and South West England.

Name

King Edward's School, Bath

Legal name

King Edward's School Bath

Website

https://kesbath.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

King Edward's School, Bath is an independent co-educational day school founded in 1552, educating 1,016 pupils aged 3-18 across Pre-Prep, Junior, Senior and Sixth Form on its Bath campuses, with means-tested bursaries and commercial ventures including facility hire and holiday camps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bath

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. School Fees: KES generates the majority of its revenue through tuition fees charged to parents for pupils across Pre-Prep & Nursery, Junior School, Senior School, and Sixth Form. Fee levels are means-tested with bursary support available. The school also offers Nursery Fees and Funding options including government-funded hours.
2. Facilities and Venue Hire (KES Ventures): KES rents out its indoor and outdoor facilities — including sports halls, astroturf pitches, netball courts, cricket squares, the Wroughton Theatre, Rose Drama Studios, the Wessex Building (dining hall and performance room), classrooms, and the Junior School hall — to local companies, clubs, and community groups on evenings, weekends, and school holidays via the SchoolHire platform.
3. KES Adventures Holiday Camps: KES Adventures Holiday Camp runs during major school breaks (Summer, October Half-Term, Christmas) for children aged 5-12 from Bath and surrounding areas. Priced at £54/day (standard) or £62/day (extended day), with full week and sibling discounts available. Activities include sports, arts and crafts, nature trails, and themed events, staffed by KES teachers and external professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

King Edward's School, Bath is an independent co-educational day school delivering primary and secondary education across four stages — Pre-Prep & Nursery (ages 3-7), Junior School (ages 7-11), Senior School (ages 11-16), and Sixth Form (ages 16-18) — to 1,016 pupils in Bath, UK. The school offers GCSEs, A Levels, and a co-curricular programme spanning rugby, music, drama, and outward bound activities, supported by means-tested bursaries. Additional commercial offerings include KES Ventures facilities hire and KES Adventures holiday camps for ages 5-12.

Product overview

King Edward's School, Bath is an independent co-educational day school for children aged 3-18, consisting of four core educational stages: Pre-Prep & Nursery (ages 3-7), Junior School (ages 7-11), Senior School (ages 11-16), and Sixth Form (ages 16-18). The school operates commercial ventures including KES Adventures Holiday Camp, KES Ventures Facilities Hire, and specialist courses & events. The 1552 Foundation manages bursary programmes. The Pathways Programme supports Sixth Form students with university and career guidance. The school has been recognised as Sunday Times South West Independent Secondary School of the Year 2026 and received an ISI Significant Strength award for pupil development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pre-Prep & Nursery Early years education for children ages 3-7, offering Nursery and Reception programmes with a nurturing ethos and focus on foundational learning. Located on Weston Lane (BA1 4AQ) with a new purpose-built facility planned for the North Road campus by 2027.
• Junior School Primary education for children ages 7-11, preparing pupils for transition to the Senior School with high-quality specialist teaching, strong co-curricular programme (music, drama, sport, outdoor learning), and academic focus.
• Senior School Secondary education for students ages 11-16 (Years 7-11), offering academic excellence with consistently outstanding GCSE results (over 53% grades 9 or 8), co-curricular activities (rugby, music, drama, outward bound), and pastoral care. Includes 12 science laboratories.
• Sixth Form A Level education for students ages 16-18, providing specialist support for university applications including Oxbridge, Medicine, and Degree Apprenticeships, with UCAS guidance, career counselling, and exceptional outcomes (89% A*-B at A Level, 14 consecutive years of 60%+ A*/A).
• KES Adventures Holiday Camp Holiday camp programme for children aged 5-12 from Bath and surrounding areas, running during Summer, October Half-Term, and Christmas holidays. Activities include sports, arts and crafts, nature trails, and themed events, staffed by KES teachers and external professionals. Priced at £54/day (standard) or £62/day (extended day).
• KES Ventures Facilities Hire Commercial venue and facility hire service offering sports halls, netball courts, astro pitches, cricket squares, theatre spaces (Wroughton Theatre, Rose Drama Studios), classrooms, and dining halls (Wessex Building) for external bookings on evenings, weekends, and school holidays via the SchoolHire platform.
• KES Courses & Events Specialist courses and community events including Football Development Summer Camp, Touch-Typing Course, Art Courses, Tennis Camp, and outdoor cinema screenings, operated under KES Ventures.
• 1552 Foundation Bursary Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% A*-B at A Level (2025, one of the school's highest ever returns)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and moderate.

• Global Rugby Players Foundation (GRPF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2025KES partnered with the Global Rugby Players Foundation to host a masterclass with England rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson at the school in February 2025. GRPF, launched in 2024 by eleven player founders including Jonny Wilkinson, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, and Siya Kolisi and supported by World Rugby and International Rugby Players Association, empowers rugby players to achieve their full potential beyond the game. The session was organised by the GRPF, with KES hosting approximately 30 pupils across Year 8 and Senior School kickers.
• Sean Lilley (Head of Rugby, KES)coreOthersSean Lilley, Head of Rugby at KES, developed the seven-year rugby programme pathway from Junior School through Sixth Form. Former 1st XV captains from the decade he has spent at the school have sent personal congratulations. He started as a specialist coach under his brother Craig Lilley, now head of Bath Rugby Academy.
• Chris Goodman, Guy Mercer, Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby — KES Alumni)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerBath Rugby professionals Chris Goodman, Guy Mercer, and Max Ojomoh are KES alumni who started in the Nursery at KES and progressed through to Sixth Form, exemplifying the school's seven-year rugby pathway. Several alumni have gone on to play professionally and remain a presence on the touchline, building squad mentality among current pupils.
• InnotiveDx (Bath-based Biotech Start-up)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear 12 Biologists from KES visited Bath-based biotech start-up InnotiveDx during Science Week, where they explored careers in Microbiology and Biomedical Sciences. The visit provided pupils with insight into the biotech sector and real-world applications of their science studies.
• University of BathminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKES uses University of Bath facilities for some sports activities (e.g., floodlit fixtures at the university campus). Year 12 Chemists participated in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Young Analyst Competition at the University of Bath.
• Royal Society of ChemistryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKES Year 12 Chemists took part in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Young Analyst Competition at the University of Bath, providing pupils with competitive science enrichment experience.
• Bath PhilharmoniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKES has a long-standing collaboration with Bath Philharmonia, a professional orchestra based in Bath. Pupils perform alongside Bath Philharmonia musicians at the Guildhall as part of a unique musical partnership. This partnership also extends to bringing high-quality arts experiences to pupils in local state schools, strengthening cultural education across the city.
• Holburne MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKES has a partnership with the Holburne Museum in Bath, providing pupils with opportunities to work alongside professional artists and curators, developing skills, creativity, and cultural awareness. The partnership extends beyond KES to benefit pupils in local state schools.
• Bath RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKES has a close relationship with Bath Rugby, including connections through the Head of Rugby (whose brother is head of Bath Rugby Academy), alumni playing for the club, and the club providing a challenging fixture list including exhibition matches against touring sides. Bath Rugby represents a key sports academy partner for the school.
• Team Bath Buccaneers Talent Academy for HockeymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKES maintains a close relationship with the Team Bath Buccaneers Talent Academy for Hockey, providing talented hockey players with a development pathway and access to professional coaching and competition.
• Team Bath Netball Player PathwaymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKES has a close relationship with the Team Bath Netball Player Pathway, offering talented netball players a structured development route and access to elite-level coaching.
• Bath Cricket ClubmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKES has a close relationship with Bath Cricket Club as a key sports academy partner, providing pupils with cricket development opportunities and competitive fixtures.
• UnifrogcoreTechnology or IntegrationKES uses Unifrog, the renowned destinations platform, to help Sixth Form pupils explore interests, record activities, find training opportunities, and draft university and career applications. The platform supports the full destination process from exploration through to application submission.
• RSAcademicsminorOthersRSAcademics conducted an independent parent survey on behalf of KES for its Pre-Prep and Junior Schools, providing third-party validation of parent satisfaction across teaching quality, pastoral care, and breadth of opportunities.
• Yondr (Phone Pouch System)moderateTechnology or IntegrationKES implements the Yondr phone pouch system for Years 7-11, providing a physical solution to reduce phone distraction during the school day. Supported by the school's Learning for Life programme, the initiative is designed to help pupils build healthy relationships with technology.
• Naomi Bateson (Commercial Manager)moderateOthersNaomi Bateson serves as Commercial Manager for KES Ventures, managing facility venue hire and holiday camp operations. Contact point for commercial enquiries related to hiring KES facilities.
• SchoolHirecoreTechnology or IntegrationKES uses the SchoolHire online booking platform (schoolhire.co.uk) to manage and process bookings for all hireable facilities including sports halls, astro pitches, netball courts, the Wroughton Theatre, drama studios, classrooms, and the Wessex Building.
• Magic BookingcoreTechnology or IntegrationKES Adventures Holiday Camps use the Magic Booking partner platform for all camp bookings. Parents must create an account via Magic Booking before making any holiday camp reservations. The platform supports day-by-day booking for Summer, October Half-Term, and Christmas camps.
• John Moore SportsmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe majority of KES branded school uniform items can be purchased directly from John Moore Sports via their website or by phone (01225 466341). John Moore Sports is the school's preferred uniform supplier.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Millfield School: Somerset-based co-educational independent school renowned for sporting excellence, attracting South West families seeking premium independent education with a strong co-curricular proposition similar to KES's rugby/sport-led positioning.
• Badminton School: Bristol-based independent girls' day school offering a parallel 3-18 academic journey, competing with KES for aspirational families in the wider Bristol-Bath corridor.
• Prior Park College: Bath-based co-educational Catholic independent school for ages 3-18 with a parallel through-school structure, competing head-to-head for Senior School and Sixth Form pupils in the same city.
• Taunton School: Somerset-based co-educational independent school for ages 0-18, with a strong through-school model and Somerset/South West catchment that overlaps directly with KES's draw area.
• Clifton College: Bristol-based co-educational independent day and boarding school for ages 2-18, the leading South West competitor for premium independent school families across the region.
• Bristol Grammar School: Bristol-based co-educational independent day school for ages 4-18, competing with KES for South West academically selective families and regularly appearing in the same Sunday Times regional rankings.
• Royal High School Bath: Bath-based GDST independent day school for girls, directly competing with KES for fee-paying families in the same catchment, offering a parallel 3-18 academic journey with strong A Level outcomes.
• Monkton Combe School: Co-educational independent school minutes from Bath offering Pre-Prep through Sixth Form, directly competing for the same Bath/South West families with a similar boarding and day mix.
• Westonbirt School: Gloucestershire-based co-educational independent day and boarding school for ages 2-18, drawing from the same broader South West region and offering a comparable all-round education proposition.
• Wells Cathedral School: Somerset-based co-educational independent school with strong specialist music provision, offering comparable A Level pathways and competing for the same wider South West catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kesbath

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about King Edward's School, Bath