Founded in 1829, as the junior department of the newly established King's College of the University of London. It occupies 24 acres of grounds on the south side of Wimbledon Common in a very pleasant residential area. There are good playing fields and a further 25 acres of fields at Motspur Park, and a boathouse at Putney. A sixth-form centre, theatre/concert hall and music school are all on the campus, which is shared with its junior school. Well-designed and comfortable buildings provide first-rate facilities. It is Anglican, but boys of all faiths are accepted. Girls are admitted to the sixth form from 2010. High standards are expected in work and behaviour; integrity and tolerance are regarded as important qualities. The staff:pupil ratio is about 1:9. It has strong academic traditions and examination results are excellent. The International Baccalaureate is now offered in place of AS and A-levels. An unusually high proportion of leavers goes on to Oxbridge. There are strong music, drama and art departments. A good range of sports and games is available (in which high standards are achieved) and a large number of activities. Considerable emphasis on outdoor pursuits, the CCF and voluntary service.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 740 day boys (sixth-form girls from 2010). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance or own scholarship examination after pre-testing at 11; for sixth-form entry, GCSEs with the equivalent of at least 2 A*, 2 A and 4 Bs. School is C of E but no particular persuasion required. State school entry, small at 13, 25% of new entrants to sixth form. 60% of intake from own junior school, King's College Junior School (tel 020 8255 5336).
Up to 15 pa academic scholarships, value up to £1500; also up to 6 music and art scholarships and a number of bursaries, based on financial need. Parents not expected to buy textbooks except in sixth form; maximum extras lunches (approx £140 a term).
15+% in the theatre, media, music etc; 15+% are doctors, lawyers; 15+% in industry or commerce.
Head Master: Andrew Halls, appointed in 2008. Educated at Shenley Court School and Cambridge University (English). Previously Head of Magdalen College School, Deputy Head of Trinity School, Croydon, Head of English at Bristol Grammar and teacher at Whitgift and Chigwell Schools. Teaching staff: 94 full time, 19 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 35.
GCSE/IGSE: 146 pupils in upper fifth, all gained at least grade C in an average of 9.4 subjects (23% gained 10 A*grades). IB/A-levels: 168 in upper sixth. 75% took the IB passed with an average of 39.9 points (14 with maximum 45 points). Last year that A-levels were offered.
100% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (19% after a gap year), 28% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 19% in science and engineering, 30% in humanities and social sciences, 1% in art and design, 27% in combinations of subjects, 13% in business, economics and accountancy.
GCSE, IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB). 27 GCSE and 25 IB subjects. Key skills integrated where possible and fully included in structure of IB. Special provision: Long experience with gifted pupils. Languages: French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish and Mandarin offered at all levels. Regular exchanges (France, Germany, Russia and Spain). ICT: Taught across the curriculum. 250 computers for pupil use (access all day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Some 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, choir, jazz band, wind band. Drama: Some pupils are involved in school productions. Occasional pupil accepted for drama college. Art and design: On average, 50 take GCSE, 15 IB. Pupils regularly accepted for art college.
Sport: Rugby, soccer, rowing, hockey, cricket, athletics, badminton, basketball, cross-country, fencing, golf, sailing, squash, swimming, table tennis and tennis available. Regular county representatives (rugby, hockey, cricket, cross-country, fencing). Activities: Community service, Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, CCF, adventurous training. Over 50 clubs and societies include chess, classics, computer, history, English, debating, philosophy, science.
Uniform: School uniform worn; dark suit in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Captain and vice captain, house captains and house prefects all recommended by committee of heads of house for approval by Head Master. School Council. Religion: Church of England. 3 religious assemblies plus one religious studies period per week; opting out is possible. Social: Debating union, Young Enterprise and over 50 clubs. Trips and exchanges abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a staff-supervised period at lunchtime; those involved with illegal substances on the premises might expect to be asked to leave.
Old King's Club, c/o the school.
Charles Kingsley (novelist); Walter Sickert (painter); John Barrymore (actor); Roy Plomley (Desert Island Discs); Alvar Liddell (BBC radio announcer); Michael Cardew (master potter); Simon Conway Morris FRS (evolutionary paleobiologist); Jimmy Edwards (comedian); Richard Pascoe (actor); Robin Holloway (composer); Bob Ayling (CEO British Airways); Ben Barnes (actor), Khalid Abdalla (actor).
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