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Set within a spectacular 65 acre site in the Surrey Hills, Duke of Kent School is a co-educational all-through school that prioritises the individual over the institution. Serving approximately 325 students from ages 3 to 16, the school offers a seamless educational journey through its Nursery, Prep, and Senior phases. It is a place where the lack of a sixth form is viewed as a strength, allowing Year 11 students to take on significant leadership roles before transitioning to specialist colleges or senior schools.
The school occupies Woolpit, a grand 19th century building originally designed as a home for the daughters of clergy, which now provides a warm and domestic atmosphere for learning. Mrs Sue Knox has led the school since 2019, bringing experience from both UK and international independent sectors. Under her leadership, the school has maintained a reputation for exceptional pastoral care and a curriculum that balances academic challenge with extensive extracurricular opportunities.
The atmosphere at Duke of Kent School is frequently described by families as familial and grounded. Woolpit is a stunning example of Victorian architecture, but inside, the feeling is one of purposeful modern activity. The school is small enough that every teacher knows every student, which creates a visible sense of security and belonging. This is not a high-pressure academic hothouse; instead, it is an environment where students are encouraged to be themselves.
The surrounding Surrey Hills serve as more than just a backdrop. The extensive grounds are used daily for outdoor learning, sport, and play, encouraging a connection with nature that is a core part of the school's identity. Mrs Knox is a visible presence around the school, often seen greeting students at the start of the day. The school's values, such as kindness and respect, are central to daily life and permeate all aspects of the community.
The Nursery is an integrated part of the Prep School, offering a gentle introduction to school life for children from age three. The environment is designed to stimulate curiosity, with a dedicated outdoor play area and access to the wider school facilities, including forest school and sports halls.
Staff in the Nursery are practitioners who focus on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through play-based learning. Specialist teachers from the main school lead sessions in music, PE, and languages even at this early stage. For parents, the transition from Nursery to Reception is handled with care, ensuring that children are already familiar with the staff and the buildings before they start full-time schooling. For nursery fee details, visit the school website. Government-funded hours are available for eligible families; see our guide to nursery funding for more information.
The curriculum at Duke of Kent School is designed to be broad and inclusive. In the Prep phase, the focus is on building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, but with a significant amount of time dedicated to the arts and sciences. Specialist teaching is introduced early, particularly in subjects like Science, Art, and ICT, which are taught in dedicated suites.
In the Senior phase, students follow a traditional GCSE pathway. Small class sizes, often averaging around 12 to 15 students, allow for highly personalised instruction. Teachers have expert subject knowledge and the flexibility to adapt their teaching styles to the needs of the group. While the school serves a range of abilities, the value-added progress is a point of pride, with students often exceeding their predicted grades through intensive support and a lack of social distraction.
As an independent school with a relatively small cohort, Duke of Kent School focuses on individual progress rather than high-stakes testing in the primary phase. In the secondary phase, the school ranks 1st in the Cranleigh area for GCSE outcomes according to FindMySchool rankings.
In the most recent measurement period, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 32.3. While this sits within the national lower band in England (bottom 40%), it reflects the school's inclusive admissions policy. Performance should be viewed alongside the school's focus on holistic development rather than selective academic screening. The school consistently prepares its students to achieve the grades required for their first-choice sixth form providers.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
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% of students achieving grades 9-7
Pastoral care is widely considered the school's greatest strength. The school operates a house system that encourages vertical integration, where older students mentor younger ones. Wellbeing is a high priority for governors and school leaders, and mental health is fostered through a strong climate of trust.
According to the latest ISI inspection in January 2024, the school is fully compliant in every respect, with leaders actively promoting good behaviour and emotional wellbeing. There is a dedicated Wellbeing Room and a full-time school counsellor, but pastoral support is also embedded in the daily tutor sessions.
The extracurricular programme is extensive, particularly given the school's size. Music is a major pillar, with a vibrant choir, an orchestra, and several rock bands. Drama is equally strong, with major productions staged in the school’s own theatre.
The school has invested significantly in STEM facilities. The site features well-equipped laboratories where practical science is a priority from Year 3 onwards. Coding and robotics clubs are popular, and Computer Science scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate creativity and logical thinking in technology.
Sporting life is inclusive but competitive. The school's facilities include an indoor sports hall, an astroturf pitch, and several tennis courts. Major sports include rugby, netball, hockey, and cricket. The school also offers "alternative" sports like mountain biking on the Surrey Hills trails and orienteering.
As the school ends at Year 11, the transition process for 16 plus entry is a major focus of the final years. The school provides extensive careers guidance and support for sixth form applications.
The majority of students progress to local independent sixth forms such as Cranleigh School, Charterhouse, or St John's Leatherhead. Others choose high-performing state colleges like Godalming College or Reigate College. The school has a strong record of students securing scholarships to their next schools, particularly in Art, Drama, and Sport.
Admission to Duke of Kent School is typically at Nursery, Reception, Year 7, or Year 9, though occasional places may become available in other year groups. The process is designed to be as stress-free as possible. It generally involves a taster day, where children join their peer group for lessons and activities, and a non-competitive assessment to ensure the school can meet their needs.
The school is popular but rarely oversubscribed in the aggressive sense found in London day schools; however, early registration is advised. There is no rigid catchment area, with many families travelling from Cranleigh, Guildford, and Horsham.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, Senior school fees (Years 7 to 11) are approximately £9,132 per term. Prep fees range from £4,775 in Reception to £7,510 in Year 6. These fees typically include lunch and most extracurricular activities, though some individual music lessons and trips incur extra costs. Please note that these figures now include the standard rate of VAT as applied by the government.
The school provides financial assistance through means-tested bursaries, which exist to deal with financial hardship and ensure continuity of education. These awards can range from 10% upwards of the day fees and require full financial disclosure. Scholarships are also awarded for Academic, Art, Music, Performing Arts, Computer Science, and Sporting excellence. While primarily honorary, these awards carry a small financial reward and signify a student's significant potential contribution to school life.
The school day runs from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm for the Senior school, with an optional extracurricular hour until 5:00 pm. Wraparound care is available from 7:30 am with a breakfast club and until 6:00 pm for younger pupils.
The school operates an extensive minibus service across Surrey and West Sussex, covering routes from Guildford, Horsham, and surrounding villages. For those driving, parking is available on-site, though the rural roads leading to the school can be narrow and require care during winter months.
Duke of Kent School is an exceptional choice for parents who value a nurturing, all-through education where their child will be seen as an individual. It balances its stunning Victorian heritage with a forward-looking curriculum and a deep commitment to student wellbeing. Best suited to families who want a supportive, grounded environment that builds confidence and character alongside academic grades.
Yes, Duke of Kent School is a highly-regarded independent school. It was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in January 2024 and was deemed to be fully compliant in every respect. It is particularly praised for its pastoral care and its inclusive, supportive community.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, fees range from approximately £4,775 per term for Reception up to £9,132 per term for the Senior School. These figures include VAT. The school offers means-tested bursaries and merit-based scholarships to assist with costs.
No, the school caters for students from age 3 up to age 16 (Year 11). Students typically move on to local sixth form colleges or independent senior schools for their A-levels.
Admissions for Year 7 involve a General Assessment Morning, which is followed by Academic Scholarship assessments for those seeking them in November. The school looks for students who will contribute to and benefit from the school's community.
The school operates an extensive minibus service with routes covering a wide area including Guildford, Dorking, Horsham, and Cranleigh. This is a popular option for families given the school's rural location.
Get in touch with the school directly
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