What King's School, Rochester does

King's School, Rochester is an independent co-educational school operating as a charitable trust under a Board of Governors that includes Rochester Cathedral clergy. Founded in 604 AD, it is the world's second oldest school and the oldest Cathedral Choir School in England, educating approximately 650 pupils aged 2-18 across Little King's Nursery, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Senior School, and Sixth Form, with full and flexi boarding from age 11. The campus occupies the Rochester Cathedral Precinct between Rochester Cathedral and Castle, including a heated indoor swimming pool, rowing facilities, the Paddock cricket pitch, and School House boarding accommodation. The curriculum is a traditional British independent school academic programme supplemented by Cathedral Choristerships, Combined Cadet Force (Navy, Army, RAF sections), Duke of Edinburgh Award, LAMDA drama, sport, and 30+ co-curricular activities, with university destinations including Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions.

The school's revenue model is fee-based and recurring, structured around three termly billing cycles. Day tuition ranges from £5,330 per term (Reception) to £10,370 per term (Sixth Form); boarding fees range from £11,678 to £17,174 per term; ancillary services include instrumental music tuition, LAMDA lessons, lunches, wraparound care, and flexi-boarding at £87-98 per night. Multiple payment options (termly, 10-month direct debit, 9-month flexible plan) plus means-tested bursaries and academic, music, sport, drama, and art scholarships support enrolment. The go-to-market is sales-led via a dedicated Admissions team and event-driven through Open Mornings, individual tours, and small group visitor mornings, with specialised funnels for military families (MoD CEA scheme) and international students (Tier 4 visa sponsorship, IELTS-tested admissions). Marketing channels centre on the school's website, Good Schools Guide listings, digital prospectuses, and direct email engagement with prospective families.

The business is regulated by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (100% standards met, May 2024) and holds memberships in HMC (since 1909), ISC, IAPS, BSA, and the Woodard Corporation of Schools. There is no proprietary technology platform; the school operates standard parent/pupil portals, filtered internet, and Wi-Fi in boarding houses, with no AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or patents disclosed. The principal leadership team comprises Principal Simon Fisher, Vice Principals Kellie Crozer (Junior) and Owen Smith (Senior), Bursar Nicholas Ball, and Director of Teaching and Learning Peter Medhurst, supported by an approximately 25-member Board of Governors with senior backgrounds in finance, law, education, defence, and the Church of England.

Name

King's School, Rochester

Legal name

King's School Rochester

Website

https://kings-rochester.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

King's School, Rochester is an independent co-educational charitable trust school, founded in 604 AD, educating approximately 650 pupils aged 2-18 from Nursery through Sixth Form, with boarding from age 11, on its Rochester Cathedral Precinct campus in Kent, England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Alternative/Pedagogical Model Private Schools (Project-Based, Democratic, etc.) (EDAJABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• Independent school education
• Boarding school services
• Preparatory school tuition
• Senior school education
• Nursery early years

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Day Pupil Tuition Fees: The primary revenue stream is tuition fees charged per term for day pupils across Nursery, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, and Senior School. Fees range from approximately £5,330 to £10,370 per term depending on year group and include lunch for most year groups. Payment options include termly, 10-month instalment plan, or 9-month flexible plan.
2. Boarding Fees: Full and weekly boarding fees are charged for pupils in Years 7-13 (ages 11-18). Boarding fees range from approximately £11,678 to £17,174 per term. Additional revenue comes from flexible/occasional boarding at £91-98 per night.
3. Ancillary Services: Additional revenue streams include instrumental music tuition (£30-36 per lesson), LAMDA lessons (£39 per half hour), SEN and EAL support, school lunches (Senior School £1,287 per year), wraparound care (£9 per hour), activity clubs, and examination fees.
4. Scholarships and Bursaries: The school offers means-tested bursaries and scholarship awards that reduce tuition fees for eligible students. While these represent cost reductions rather than revenue, they attract students who might otherwise be unable to attend, maintaining pupil numbers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

King's School Rochester is an independent co-educational school delivering continuous full-time education from Nursery (age 2) through Sixth Form (age 18), with boarding available from age 11. The school sells tuition across Little King's Nursery, Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory, Senior School (GCSE), and Sixth Form (A Level/BTEC), alongside full and flexi boarding, scholarships and bursaries, and ancillary paid services such as instrumental music tuition, LAMDA lessons, and wraparound care. Revenue is generated primarily through termly tuition and boarding fees paid by parents.

Product overview

King's School Rochester is an educational institution offering a comprehensive K-12 educational journey from Nursery (age 2) through to Sixth Form (age 18). The school operates as a unified institution with three main divisions: Little King's Nursery (ages 2-4), the Junior School comprising Pre-Preparatory (ages 4-8) and Preparatory (ages 8-13), and the Senior School including GCSE programmes (ages 13-16) and Sixth Form A Level/BTEC programmes (ages 16-18). The school also offers boarding facilities for pupils aged 11-18, a King's Foundation Year for international students, and prestigious Cathedral Choristerships. Beyond academics, the institution provides extensive co-curricular activities including the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), Duke of Edinburgh Award, music programmes, drama, and sports. The school awards scholarships across academic, music, sport, drama, and art disciplines at key entry points.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Little King's Nursery Early years education and nursery care for children aged 2-4 years at King's School Rochester, with core sessions 08:30-15:30 and wraparound care 07:30-18:30. Accepts Tax-Free Childcare and 15-hour government funding for eligible children.
• Pre-Preparatory School Pre-Preparatory education for children aged 4-8 years (Reception through Year 3), introducing foundational academic skills alongside pastoral care, music, and co-curricular activities. Termly fees from £5,330 (Reception) to £5,800 (Years 1-2), inclusive of lunch five days a week.
• Preparatory School Preparatory education for children aged 8-13 years (Years 4-8) preparing pupils for senior school, including the Chorister programme for Years 4-7. Termly fees from £6,960 (Year 4) to £7,785 (Years 5-8).
• Senior School Secondary education for pupils aged 13-16 years (Years 9-11) studying GCSE subjects alongside a comprehensive co-curricular programme. Termly day fees £10,265; King's Foundation Year option available for international pupils.
• Sixth Form A Level and BTEC education for pupils aged 16-18 years (Lower and Upper Sixth) preparing students for university and career pathways, with support for Oxford, Russell Group, and conservatoire applications. Termly day fees £10,370.
• Boarding Full and weekly boarding for pupils aged 11-18 in Years 7-13, with flexi boarding and occasional boarding options. Full boarding fees £11,678-£17,174 per term; flexi boarding from £91-£98 per night; day boarding to 9pm at £40-£47. Includes international students on Tier 4 visa sponsorship.
• King's Foundation Year A foundation programme for international pupils aged 15-16 providing English language support and academic preparation before entry to the main GCSE and A Level curriculum.
• Cathedral Choristerships Prestigious music awards for Junior School pupils entering Years 4-7 providing chorister training with Rochester Cathedral, vocal lessons, and instrumental tuition as England's oldest Cathedral Choir School programme.
• Scholarships and Bursaries Means-tested bursaries and scholarships awarded in Academic, Music, Sport, Drama, and Art at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry points (including King's Scholars joining the Zetountes Society, Chesterfield Organ Scholarship, and Peter Rogers' Music Scholarship), reducing tuition cost for eligible pupils.
• Instrumental Music Tuition Paid individual instrumental music lessons for pupils: Years 1-3 at £30 per 25-minute lesson; Years 4-Upper Sixth at £36 per half-hour lesson. Instrument hire available at £36 per term. Provided by the Music Department as a paid add-on to tuition.
• LAMDA Drama Lessons Paid LAMDA drama and communication lessons offered to pupils at £39 per half hour as an ancillary paid service.
• Wraparound Care and Holiday Clubs Paid wraparound care for Nursery and Junior School families at £9 per hour, plus activity clubs and holiday clubs, supporting working parents.
• Combined Cadet Force (CCF) School Combined Cadet Force with all three service contingents (Navy, Army, RAF) offering adventure training, field craft, flying, and afloat skills for personal development as part of the Senior School co-curricular programme.
• Duke of Edinburgh Award Award scheme for pupils involving volunteering, physical, skills, and expedition sections to build character and practical skills as part of the co-curricular programme.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of ISI Standards met in May 2024 inspection
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Balfour Junior SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Local state primary school partnership. King's provides academic support including recycled library books, materials for garden projects, science learning support, and interactive educational activities. Pupil volunteers assist at the school.
• Chantry Community AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Local state primary school partnership for academic, arts, and sporting programmes.
• English Martyrs Primary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Local state primary school partnership for academic, arts, and sporting programmes.
• Hilltop Primary AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Local state primary school partnership for academic, arts, and sporting programmes.
• Shorne CofE Primary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Local state primary school partnership for academic, arts, and sporting programmes.
• St Margarets Primary School Troy TownminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Local state primary school partnership for academic, arts, and sporting programmes.
• St William of Perth Primary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Local state primary school partnership for academic, arts, and sporting programmes.
• Medway RFC (Rugby Football Club)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023School opens its playing fields to Medway RFC for rugby usage. Partnership provides community access to sports facilities while fostering local sporting relationships.
• Medway Champions Event PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023School participates in Medway Champions event and Rochester High Street forum, uniting local representatives from diverse sectors to celebrate community achievements and foster collaboration.
• Medway African Caribbean AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership promoting history and diversity within the local community. School hosts events and lectures in collaboration with the association.
• Kenward TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023School hosts Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation lectures from Kenward Trust, supporting pupil education on social issues.
• wHoo Cares CICminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Community interest company through which the school invites senior citizens to attend concerts and cultural events.
• wHoo Cares CICminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023School opens sports facilities including netball courts, swimming pool, and tennis courts for community use through coaching programmes and activities.
• Rochester CathedralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKing's School Rochester has an inseparable relationship with Rochester Cathedral, dating back to the school's founding in 604 AD. The school is England's oldest Cathedral Choir School. Pupils use the Cathedral as their chapel for weekly services, major celebrations, and musical/choral events. The Chaplain is a priest of Rochester Cathedral and oversees the spiritual life of the school. Weekly services are held in the Cathedral for Preparatory and Senior Schools. Scholars and boarders attend six King's Sundays per year with the Cathedral congregation.
• Woodard Corporation of SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKing's School Rochester is part of the Woodard Corporation of Schools, a group of Church of England independent schools founded in 1850. The Woodard ethos underpins the school's Christian foundations and values. The school follows Woodard's educational principles while maintaining its own unique heritage.
• Royal Shakespeare CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrama students benefit from the school's partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company, providing access to professional theatre experiences and workshops that enhance the drama curriculum.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Benenden School: Kent-based boarding school with comparable fee structure and traditional heritage positioning. Although girls-only, it competes directly with King's for southeast England boarding families across the 11–18 age range.
• Cranbrook School: Co-educational Kent independent school offering day and boarding at comparable fee levels. Direct competitor for Kent-based families and a near-substitute for many of King's domestic day applicants.
• Dulwich College: Large London-based HMC independent school with similar co-educational day offering and comparable fees. Competes for London/southeast families and offers a similar mix of academic strength and extensive co-curricular programme.
• Oundle School: HMC co-educational day and boarding school with similar size (~850 pupils), strong science/engineering reputation, and comparable fee structure. Direct competitor for full-curriculum independent school families.
• Eastbourne College: Co-educational boarding school in southeast England with similar HMC credentials, fee range, and full K-12 offering including sixth form. Competes directly for boarding families considering southeast England schools.
• Tonbridge School: HMC boys' day and boarding school located in Kent with comparable fees and traditional heritage positioning. While single-sex (boys), it competes directly with King's for premium southeast England boarding families.
• Sevenoaks School: Co-educational day and boarding school in Kent with similar fee levels, HMC membership, and a comparable mix of UK and international pupils. Direct competitor for southeast England families considering traditional independent schooling.
• Brighton College: Highly regarded independent day and boarding school in southeast England with comparable fee structure, full K-12 offering, and similar co-curricular breadth. Direct competitor for premium southeast families and international boarders.
• King's School, Canterbury: Historic Kent cathedral school with similar heritage positioning (founded 597 AD), HMC membership, day and boarding offering, and comparable fees. Direct competitor for cathedral-school-oriented families and international boarders.
• Royal Grammar School, Guildford: Selective southeast England independent school with comparable academic profile, fee structure, and traditional character. Competes for academically focused southeast families across the 11–18 age range.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ksr_boarding
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/king-s-school-rochester

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles28 records

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's School, Rochester