Independent Secondary School Guide – King’s College Wimbledon

May 21, 2022

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King’s College is an independent day school for boys aged between 7 and 19 years old, although female students are accepted into the co-educational Sixth Form. The school’s vision is to provide each student with a world class education and to widen their knowledge and experience. The school was founded in 1829 by royal charter as a junior school to King’s College, University of London. However, the two educational institutions detached in 1909. There are currently 1,196 students at the school and 410 students attend the Sixth Form. There are roughly 310 male students and 97 female students who attend the Sixth Form.

Located on a 20-acre site next to Wimbledon Common, King’s College has a range of arts and sporting facilities. There is a central Victorian red brick building that contains the Great Hall and a green quadrangle where students can relax in their breaktimes. The arts centre contains a 200-seat concert hall and soundproof practice rooms. Off-site, the school has 24-acre playing fields including rugby pitches. Sporting facilities also include hockey pitches, a 6-lane swimming pool, a large multipurpose sports centre, and a boathouse at Putney Embankment.

The Good Schools Guide described King’s as having a curriculum that is ‘both deep and broad, allowing students to grow intellectually in every direction’. This is reflected in King’s excellent academic track record in public examinations. In 2019, 96 % of GCSE students received Grades 9-7 or A*-A  in their examinations, and in the Sixth Form, 95% A-level students achieved grades between A* to B with 47% of students receiving an A*. In the International Baccalaureate, 56% of students achieved top grades in their examinations. As a general rule, almost all students go on to attend Russell group universities and Oxbridge.