St Edmund's School
St Edmund's School
Canterbury, England
St Edmund’s sits in the beautiful university city of Canterbury, just an hour from London in the county of Kent. The school is renowned for its outstanding music and drama teaching – many of the choristers of the world-famous Canterbury Cathedral Choir are educated here. Academically, St Edmund’s performs strongly, even though admissions are not heavily selective on grades.
The Details
The Academics
St Edmund’s is not especially selective academically, which makes its 2024 results all the more respectable: 29% A grades at A level and 37% 9–7s at GCSE.
The school has an excellent learning support department, with particularly strong provision for pupils with dyslexia.
Languages Taught
German, French, Latin and Spanish.
The Boarding
Almost half the pupil body boards. Accommodation is practical and well maintained, if a little on the cosy side. Most pupils share with one or two others, while in their final year they move into single rooms.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
The real jewel in St Edmund’s crown is its music. It’s no coincidence that choristers of the legendary Canterbury Cathedral Choir are trained here. The school even has its own dedicated music school, complete with a large concert hall and a state-of-the-art recording studio.
Drama is another forte. St Edmund’s boasts its own theatre, hosting at least five major productions each year alongside house performances, musicals and improvised drama. Creativity here doesn’t just live in the classroom – it thrives on stage.
Weaknesses
As mentioned, the boarding accommodation can feel a little on the cosy side.
Location
St Edmund’s School is set in the attractive university city of Canterbury. The city is famous for its magnificent cathedral, rich history and lively student life. Cobbled streets, cosy cafés, boutiques and a vibrant cultural scene create an inspiring environment right on the doorstep. And for those who like to escape into nature, the rolling Kent countryside and the coast with its beaches and cliffs are only a short drive away.
London - 90 min by car
St Edmund’s is a very welcoming, small boarding school – perfect for pupils with a passion for music and drama.
Famous alumni include Francis Bacon – not the poet or the philosopher, but the cricketer – and actor Orlando Bloom.
Take a look at similar schools
Ackworth School
Wrekin College
Dover College
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