13+ Scholarship Information
How we prepare our pupils for The King’s School Canterbury Scholarships
Important Dates
13+ Entry
Scholarship
Academic
Examination/Assessment Date (Year 8)
Tuesday 3 - Thursday 5 February 2026 (inclusive)
Music Monday 26 & Tuesday 27 January 2026
Art Monday 2 February 2026
Sport Friday 30 January 2026
Design & Technology Wednesday 28 January 2026
Drama Monday 26 & Tuesday 27 January 2026
Dance Thursday 29 January 2026
Closing date for ALL Scholarship applications - 12 December 2025
Scholarships
Dear Parents/Guardians
This publication has been produced to provide you with information on how we prepare our Year 8 pupils for the scholarships that are available at The King’s School Canterbury. The King’s School offers a wide range of scholarships from Year 9 to recognise and support pupils’ talents and potential. The booklet will provide you with some initial information on the requirements for each of the Scholarships.
Academic Scholarships
Offered to high-performing pupils across the full range of subjects, with assessments including exams, interviews, and optional papers in specialised fields like Latin or Philosophy.
Art Scholarships
Focused on creative portfolios, drawing skills, and interviews. Pupils engage in preparatory sessions and submit themed work developed over time.
Dance Scholarships
For skilled and passionate dancers, with auditions including solo performances, group lessons, and interviews.
Design & Technology Scholarships
Based on portfolios showcasing creativity and technical skills, along with practical and written assessments and an interview during the evaluation day.
Drama Scholarships
For pupils with strong performance skills, involving monologues, group workshops and interviews. Participation in school productions is encouraged.
Music Scholarships
Up to 12 scholarships are awarded to talented musicians with Grade 6-level skills. Assessments include recitals, aural tests, and interviews. Choral Exhibitions are also available for singers.
Sports Scholarships
For pupils demonstrating exceptional athletic ability, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Assessment includes fitness tests, leadership games and practical sessions.
Preparation for each scholarship involves time and commitment but provides enriching opportunities for your child. Please ensure that you contact the relevant Head of Department at Junior King’s for further details.
Kind regards, Rob Stonier, Deputy Head - Academic
A small number of Academic Scholarships (King’s Scholars) and Exhibitions are awarded each year to pupils who have performed very well in the exams. For further information please contact pmckeating@junior-kings.co.uk
Academic
The selection of pupils to sit the Academic Scholarship is determined towards the end of Year 7. Factors considered include exam results, attitude towards learning across all subjects and CAT results. The Junior King’s Scholarship group is small, with numbers ranging between 6 and 9 each year. Parents and pupils are informed about their selection to sit the Academic Scholarship in late June of Year 7.
The Academic Scholarship is based on the ability of pupils to perform at a high standard across a range of subjects. Selected pupils attend all their lessons with other Year 8 students, except for Greek, which takes place during assembly twice a week.
The King’s School Canterbury Academic Scholarship takes place in February of Year 8, and all exams are written at King’s.
Candidates will sit the following compulsory papers:
General Paper
English
Modern Language (and discussion)
Mathematics
Science (including a practical assessment)
Informal interview
Candidates will also sit three additional papers chosen from:
A second Mathematics paper
Geography
A second Modern Language (French with discussion, Spanish with discussion, or Mandarin)
History
Classics: either Latin, or Latin & Greek
Religious Studies & Philosophy
Music
The King’s School Canterbury offers up to 12 music scholarships and a few music exhibitions for talented musicians. Candidates should show exceptional musical ability in one instrument (an approximate standard of Grade 6 is expected by audition time) and strong skills in at least one further study or voice.
Interested pupils from Year 6 onwards should contact the Director of Music to discuss their ability to enter the scholarship. Progress is usually reviewed in Year 7, but candidates can still decide to take the exam in Year 7 or early Year 8. Parents/guardians should arrange meetings with the King’s Music Department by emailing musicadmin@ kings-school.co.uk. The Director of Music from King’s also visits Junior King’s to pre-audition boarders.
Candidates should regularly consult with the Director of Music, the Practical Music Co-ordinator and their instrumental teachers at Junior King’s about auditions and requirements. Instrumental teachers need to be aware of the application process, especially if lessons occur outside school. Candidates should participate in ensembles and choirs at Junior King’s and perform solos at concerts.
The week before auditions, Junior King’s holds a ‘Senior Musicians’ Concert.’ Candidates play their full programme at the Old Synagogue in Canterbury and perform at school assemblies. Mock interviews and aural test preparations are also conducted.
The Assessment Day, held in late January or early February of Year 8, consists of the following elements:
Prepare a 15-minute recital of two contrasting pieces on the primary instrument and one on any additional instruments. Focus on musicianship and potential over technical difficulty.
Performances on a second instrument are encouraged but not mandatory. Rehearsal with the accompanist is allowed.
Aural tests, sight-reading (first instrument only), and an interview with Music Department members follow. Composers can submit a composition portfolio, and space is available on forms for music theory exams (desirable but not essential). For further information, please contact tfrost@junior-kings.co.uk
The Assessment Day, held in early February of Year 8, consists of the following elements:
Objective Drawing and Imaginative Composition Interviews
For further information, please contact jsylvester@junior-kings.co.uk.
Art
The Art Scholarship is conducted in January of Year 8. Candidates will be informed about this opportunity by the Art Department during Year 7.
Assignments related to the scholarship are provided over the summer break before entering Year 8, with the expectation that these tasks are completed and submitted as part of their application, if deemed appropriate. Parents or guardians are required to submit applications in December in Year 8, accompanied by references from the school. Candidates can also participate in the Extended Art Sessions on a Monday and the Friday afternoon activity slot to enhance their portfolios.
Portfolio: Candidates must prepare a portfolio consisting of individual work exploring various materials, scales, and styles. The portfolio should contain no more than 20 pieces and include a personal sketchbook. These should be submitted just before the examination at the end of January. The portfolio must demonstrate the diligence, passion and creativity necessary to be awarded an Art Scholarship. Support will be provided during the collation of this work.
Exam: A title will be given just before the Christmas break to allow for research and preparation. Previous themes have included Myths and Legends, Food, The Senses, and Up Close.
Application Process: Further information and the application form can be found on The King’s School website, www.kings-school.co.uk/ admissions/scholarships/
Extra Art Sessions and Scholarship Preparation: These sessions will commence in September during a lunchtime slot from 12:30 to 13:10 in D7 (Art Room). Weekly assignments will be set, and regular attendance is expected.
Sports
Gower Sports Scholarships and Awards are for candidates showing exceptional skill, sportsmanship, and potential in main school team games. Candidates are recommended by the Director of Sport and Head of Girls’ Games and are prepared for an Assessment Day with sessions focusing on athletic development, team-building, and sport-specific skills.
Candidates should also obtain references from external coaches as part of their submission. Awards are based on recommendations and assessment performance. Selected candidates will be invited for the assessment day to evaluate their sports aptitude and teamwork.
The Assessment Day, held in late January of Year 8, consists of the following elements: Gym/Fitness Tests: Showcases physical attributes. Leadership Games: Highlights leadership, communication, teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Practical Sessions: Demonstrates skills and tactics in chosen sports through drills and match play.
Interview: With a senior staff member to discuss enthusiasm, achievements, and passion for sports. For further information, please contact ocobbe@junior-kings.co.uk or ascott-kilvert@junior-kings.co.uk
Design & Technology
Design & Technology Scholarships and Exhibitions at The King’s School Canterbury are available to candidates who demonstrate a genuine interest, and aptitude, in the subject.
Candidates must present a portfolio of work that illustrates th eir experience, ability, and interest in Design & Technology. This portfolio sh ould include projects undertaken both at home and at school, commencing from Year 7. We begin finalising this document during the Winter Term of Year 8; however, it is recommended that students start keeping digital photos of their work from Year 6. Portfolios will be reviewed in November to identif y candidates who exhibit the diligence, creativity, and passion necessary fo r this application. Mock interviews with the Headmaster will be held in January to discuss the students’ work and interests.
The Assessment Day, held in late January of Year 8, consists of three elements:
Interview: Candidates will discuss their portfolio.
Written Assessment: Candidates will demonstrate creativity, written and graphical communication skills, and an understanding of at least one aspect of Design & Technology, such as Product Design, Electronics, or Mechanical Engineering.
Practical Task: Candidates will perform practical operations safely and accurately, following detailed instructions to assess their classroom abilities. For further information, please contact afrench@junior-kings.co.uk
Drama
Drama Scholarships and Exhibitions are available at The King’s School Canterbury to candidates with flair and ambition. It is expected that candidates have an interest in all aspects of Drama and Theatre, not limited to performance.
Potential drama scholars, and exhibitioners, will have strong performance skills and be expected to play a significant part in school productions.
ln Years 7 and 8, all pupils will be offered the opportunity to apply for the Junior King’s Drama Excellence Group. It is expected that future scholarship candidates will be part of this group and demonstrate the diligence, creativity and passion necessary to be considered for a scholarship.
The Junior King’s Excellence Group is designed to give Upper School pupils with a passion for drama, the opportunity to engage with advanced drama skills and concepts, and to work with visiting artists. All Excellence Group members will study for and take their Bronze Arts Award whilst working towards performances, particularly in the summer term. Applicants for the Excellence Group will be asked to perform and work on a speech that they will be given before hand and to discuss why they would like to be part of this group and take their work further. We are committed to nurturing the passion and commitment to drama of our Upper School pupils and this is our key consideration when selecting Excellence Group members.
Assessment Day, held in late January of Year 8, consists of the following elements: practical assessments: a practical group workshop and the performance of a two-minute monologue chosen by the candidate. interview to assess commitment to the subject and suitability for an award. Preparation support is offered to all scholarship candidates in the autumn term of Year 8. further information, please contact fbanks@junior-kings.co.uk
Dance
Dance at The King’s School Canterbury is taking on ever higher prominence with a burgeoning group of talented dancers who use The Malthouse Theatre, a spectacular development complete with a state-of-the-art stage space and Dance Studio.
Aside from building on technique, the Department enjoys preparing for regular performances as well as taking part in drama productions. Scholarships and Exhibitions are on offer to talented and committed boys and girls. Candidates would perform in every suitable project we undertake, whether as a soloist, or in an ensemble. They will be required to practise regularly, and to show good character and determination to improve.
Candidates will be required to prepare two 2-3 minute solos of contrasting styles for their audition.
They will also take part in a group dance lesson and an improvisational session.
Candidates should have a sound technique in their chosen discipline, an engaging performance quality, good stamina, and an ability to work positively with others. They will also be given a short interview. The Assessment Day is held in January of Year 8.
For further information, please contact admissions@kings-school.co.uk