insideKENT Magazine Issue 42 - September 2015 | Page 127

EDUCATION

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

The Junior King’s School
Getting off to a flying start
The Junior King’s School in Canterbury is a prep
school that mixes tradition and modernity. In
1929, at the opening ceremony of the Junior
King’s School in Canterbury, Rudyard Kipling
described it as “the junior branch of the oldest
school in England”. It was a reference to the
school’s connection to the prestigious King’s
School in Canterbury, whose history can be
traced back to 597 AD.
The school’s home at Milner Court in the village
of Sturry – three miles northeast of Canterbury
– was generously bequeathed by Lady Milner in
memory of her late husband. “Space and beauty
are an important part of the experience the
children have here,” says Head Teacher, Peter
Wells.

A modern Anglican school
Junior King's holds true to its traditional Christian
values within the ancient Canterbury Cathedral
Foundation; however, it also keeps with the times.
While academic rigour is recognised and
rewarded, so too are the many talents of the
children, thanks in no small part to the myriad of
curricular and extra-curricular activities.

In 1929, these included conkers and rollerskating
in the 400-year-old Tithe Barn; whereas,
nowadays pupils are more likely to be found
fencing or brushing up for their LAMDA performing
arts certificates in the barn.
As both a mixed-day and full-boarding preparatory
school, the Junior King's community reaches far
and wide. Expatriate families have long recognised
this excellently resourced school as the best start
for their children. Dean Bell Bursaries and 11plus academic scholarships offer places for those
who otherwise might not be able to attend.
The vast majority of pupils move up to the King’s
School, in Canterbury, whose alumni include Field
Marshall Montgomery, David Gower and Michael
Morpurgo. Others gain places at Kent grammar
schools or independent schools further afield.

127

As Kipling rightly noted in his speech to the
students: “So, you see, all your experiences at
school are rehearsals for what you may expect
on a larger scale.”

The Junior King’s School
Milner Court
Sturry
Canterbury
CT2 0AY
01227 714000
www.junior-kings.co.uk