The King's School, Grantham

The King's School occupies a historic site in the heart of Grantham, where medieval architecture meets modern facilities. Founded in 1329 and re-endowed by Richard Foxe, Bishop of Winchester, in 1528, the school has educated boys on the same site for nearly five centuries. Today, approximately 1,220 boys aged 11 to 18 study here, with around 325 in the sixth form.

Entry is selective through the Lincolnshire 11-plus, and competition is substantial. In 2024, 300 applications competed for 174 Year 7 places. Results justify the demand: at GCSE, 55.8% of grades reached 9-7, while at A-level, 76.6% achieved A*-B. These outcomes place the school in the top 10% of schools in England for both GCSE and A-level performance.

Simon Pickett has led as Headmaster since September 2018, bringing experience from William Farr School near Lincoln, where he served as deputy head. Under his leadership, the school received a Good rating from Ofsted in December 2022, with Good judgements across all categories including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and sixth form provision.

The Old School building, dating to around 1497, anchors a campus that has evolved over centuries. Victorian additions, twentieth-century expansions, and modern facilities create a distinctive architectural patchwork. Wood panelling and original fireplaces in the older sections contrast with bright, airy contemporary spaces. Behind the original school house, now housing the Headmaster's office, secluded gardens provide a peaceful sanctuary amid the academic bustle.

The school operates on six core values: Courage, Friendship, Honour, Humility, Perseverance, and Responsibility. These principles underpin daily life through a house system comprising Burleigh, Curteis, Foxe, More, Newton, and School houses, each fostering loyalty and healthy competition.

Boys wear black blazers in the lower school, while sixth formers are distinguished by their burgundy blazers. The atmosphere is purposeful and academically focused, but relaxed interactions between staff and pupils suggest genuine warmth beneath the formal exterior. Staff know pupils well, and parents report quick responses to concerns and good communication about progress.

The historical connections run deep. William Cecil, later Lord Burghley and Chancellor to Elizabeth I, was a pupil in 1530. Isaac Newton attended between 1655 and 1660, and his carved signature remains visible in what is now the school library. Two Victoria Cross recipients, Albert Ball and Joseph Tombs, also walked these corridors. Boys here are treading paths established by figures who shaped history.

Results are exceptional and consistently strong. At GCSE in 2024, the average Attainment 8 score reached 70.7, substantially above England averages. The school ranks 341st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% of schools in England. Locally, only one school in Grantham achieves higher.

Progress 8 stands at an impressive +1.1, indicating pupils make significantly above-average progress from their starting points. Over half of GCSE entries (55.8%) achieved grades 9-7, demonstrating strong performance at the highest levels.

At A-level, results are equally impressive. The school ranks 201st in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), again placing it comfortably in the top 10%. Nearly a quarter of grades (23.5%) reached A*, while 50.7% achieved A*-A. The combined A*-B rate of 76.6% substantially exceeds the England average of 47.2%. The school ranks first among sixth forms in Grantham for A-level performance.

Mathematics dominates subject choices at A-level, followed closely by sciences. The school maintains strong humanities provision too. French and German are offered at GCSE, with all Year 7 boys studying both languages, though uptake at A-level remains modest, reflecting broader national trends.

Class sizes average 19:1 across the school, with 67 teachers supported by 9 teaching assistants. The curriculum emphasises traditional academic disciplines with particular strength in mathematics and sciences. Specialist teaching begins early, and high expectations are maintained throughout.

The December 2022 Ofsted inspection found the quality of education to be Good. Inspectors noted that pupils achieve high levels of academic success and develop as well-rounded individuals. Teaching follows clear structures, with homework expectations reinforced from the outset.

Modern computing facilities support learning across subjects, and impressive artwork throughout the school demonstrates that academic focus does not preclude creative expression. Some parents observe that certain departments are stronger than others, but most report satisfaction with how the school extracts the best from their sons.

For students requiring additional support, SEN provision is available. Approximately 6.2% of students receive SEN support, while 0.3% have EHCPs. The school supports students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Specific Learning Difficulties, with teachers quick to contact parents when concerns arise.

University remains the dominant destination. In 2024, 72% of the sixth form cohort progressed to university, with higher-level apprenticeships also actively embraced (6% of leavers). Employment accounted for 16% of destinations.

Oxbridge outcomes reflect academic ambition. In the measurement period, 24 students submitted applications, with 5 securing Cambridge places. Newcastle, Leeds, Cambridge, Loughborough, and Nottingham feature prominently among university destinations. Medicine draws consistent numbers, with 9 students securing medical school places in 2025. Harper Adams and the Royal Agricultural University at Cirencester attract those pursuing agricultural and rural careers. A handful enter the Armed Forces each year, continuing the school's historical military connections.

The sixth form collaboration with Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, co-ordinated since 2006-07, expands subject choices and provides social benefits. Students can access courses unavailable at a single-sex institution, while joint dramatic productions have proven particularly popular.

Entry to Year 7 requires passing the Lincolnshire 11-plus examination, run through the county’s grammar-school consortium using GL Assessment materials. The test comprises two papers sat on consecutive Saturdays in September: verbal reasoning on the first Saturday, non-verbal reasoning and spatial awareness on the second.

For September 2026 entry, tests took place on 13 and 20 September 2025. Registration ran from 10 January to 31 March 2025. The qualifying threshold is a combined standardised score of 220 across both papers, representing the top 25% ability nationally. However, achieving this score does not guarantee admission, as demand exceeds available places.

With 300 applications for 174 places in 2024 (subscription proportion of 1.72), competition is substantial. Oversubscription criteria prioritise looked-after children, then those receiving Pupil Premium, followed by proximity within 30 miles.

Sixth form entry requires an Attainment 8 score of 52.0 or greater, plus grades 4-9 in English Language and Mathematics. If a student plans to take more than two subjects from the following list, the Attainment 8 requirement rises to 56.0: Mathematics, English Literature, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, History, Economics, or Philosophy. The Published Admission Number for external sixth form applicants is 30 pupils. Applications for September 2026 entry close on 8 February 2026.

Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search tool to check their precise location relative to the school.

The school takes pupil wellbeing seriously, with teachers quick to identify mental health concerns. Behaviour is Good according to Ofsted, and bullying is rare and dealt with effectively when it occurs. Pupils are described as polite and respectful.

Each house provides a community within the larger school, with inter-house competitions fostering friendly rivalry. The tutor system ensures consistent academic monitoring and personal support. Parents report that pastoral care exceeded their expectations, with staff knowing boys well as individuals.

The mobile phone policy is clear: devices must be switched off and kept out of sight during the school day, unless specific permission is granted. This creates an environment focused on learning and face-to-face interaction.

Extracurricular provision is extensive, ensuring that academic intensity is balanced with opportunities for broader development.

Sport

The school maintains a strong tradition of sporting excellence, fielding teams in rugby, cricket, football, and numerous other disciplines. Matches against other schools, including many leading independent institutions on Saturdays, provide competitive opportunities. Inter-house competitions span multiple sports, while extracurricular clubs enable broad participation.

Water polo represents a particular strength. The programme has been strong for years, with some players progressing to international level. School representation is considered a priority engagement over other activities for selected athletes.

Sports tours in recent years have reached South Africa, Australia, Canada, and Barbados. Annual ski trips to America or Europe add further variety. The sports pitches sit a short walk from the main campus.

Music and Drama

Musical life thrives, with the school viewed locally as a major music hub. A third of boys take individual music lessons. Ensembles range from jazz bands to orchestra, with staff and pupils collaborating across genres. The school supports outside musical and dance interests, recognising that talent develops through multiple channels.

Drama productions occur annually, with some years featuring collaborations with KGGS that prove particularly popular with participants and audiences alike.

Combined Cadet Force and Duke of Edinburgh

The CCF contingent numbers over 150 cadets, comprising Army and RAF sections. Pupils can join from Year 8, becoming full cadets with uniform and examinations from Year 9. The school's historical association with the Forces, particularly the RAF, stretches back to the early twentieth century when boarding was available for service sons.

Duke of Edinburgh runs to Gold level with strong participation. These programmes develop leadership, resilience, and practical skills beyond the classroom.

Clubs and Societies

Lunchtime and after-school clubs enhance learning in areas including chess, languages, and subject-specific enrichment. The sixth form offers the Certificate in Financial Studies through the London Institute of Banking & Finance, building practical financial literacy. Young Enterprise provides business experience, while academic and social mentoring schemes support student development.

School gates open at 8:15am, with form rooms accessible from 8:30am. Registration and PSHE run from 8:45am to 9:10am. The school day concludes at 3:45pm. Five teaching periods of one hour each are punctuated by a morning break and one-hour lunch from 12:40pm to 1:40pm.

Enrichment activities run at lunchtime or after school on a voluntary basis. No formal breakfast or after-school care club exists, but the range of activities provides supervision beyond core hours.

The school is located on Brook Street in Grantham town centre, with good access by public transport. The catchment extends across Lincolnshire and into neighbouring counties, with no geographical restrictions on applications beyond meeting the qualifying score.

Entrance examination pressure. Competition for places is real, with nearly two applications for every place. Tutoring is common, though the school does not officially recommend it. The school has partnered with Atom Learning to provide free preparation resources for Pupil Premium students, acknowledging that test preparation can create inequity.

Academic intensity. High expectations mean substantial homework from Year 7 onwards. Boys need to be comfortable in an environment where academic achievement is prioritised. Those seeking a more relaxed pace may find the pressure challenging.

Single-sex environment. The school remains boys-only until sixth form, when links with KGGS provide some mixed-gender experiences. Families seeking co-education throughout should look elsewhere.

Language uptake at advanced level. Despite all boys studying both French and German in Year 7, A-level language entries remain low. Families prioritising linguistic development may find opportunities limited post-GCSE.

The King's School delivers outstanding academic results within a historically rich environment that has nurtured scholars for nearly 700 years. Isaac Newton walked these corridors; today's boys follow in that tradition of intellectual ambition. Progress 8 scores of +1.1 and A-level results in the top 10% of England demonstrate that selective entry translates into genuine added value, not merely a concentration of able students.

Best suited to academically motivated boys who will thrive on challenge and embrace opportunities beyond the classroom. The combination of rigorous academics, strong sport (particularly water polo), active CCF, and thriving music department creates a genuinely rounded education. The main challenge is securing entry through the competitive 11-plus process. For families who navigate that hurdle, the educational experience compares favourably with fee-paying alternatives at no cost.

Parents comparing local options can use the FindMySchool Comparison Tool to view results side-by-side with other Grantham schools.