A journey to unlocking potential for all, girls and boys
Building on our firm foundations
What has remained constant throughout this change is the essence of Kent College. Co‑education does not alter who we are; our academic ambition, our personalised approach, and our exceptional pastoral care remain the foundation of our identity. Continuing mixed‑gender learning into the Senior School and Sixth Form will strengthen these foundations with stronger social development, and an environment that mirrors the collaborative, interconnected world our students will enter as adults.
Honouring our heritage whilst embracing the future
Kent College has been a girls’ school since 1886, and that heritage is something we honour. But education cannot stand still. The world our students are growing into is diverse, and demanding of new skills and forward-thinking mindsets. Parents’ expectations have evolved too, and there is a demand for these advantages of co‑education. Opening our Senior School to boys is not a departure from our tradition, rather a continuation of our purpose—to support our students to be the best they can be.
Preparing students for the future
What reassures me most is that the strengths we are known for translate perfectly into a co‑educational environment. We have always nurtured individual strengths, encouraged curiosity, and helped young people challenge stereotypes. These qualities are not gendered and will remain at the forefront of Kent College. They are the foundations of a school that believes every child deserves to be known, supported, and stretched. Co‑education simply widens the lens. It brings more voices into the classroom, more perspectives into discussion, and more opportunities for pupils to learn from one another. For girls, it means developing confidence and leadership in mixed settings, skills they will need beyond school. For boys, it means benefiting from our proven approach to academic value‑added, pastoral care, and holistic development.
Co‑education strengthens our ethos rather than reshaping it
Behind the scenes, this transition has been years in the making. We have examined every aspect of school life from curriculum to facilities, from staffing to sport and uniform, boarding, and more. At every stage, one question has guided us: how do we make Kent College an even better school for both girls and boys? That question has kept us grounded in our values and ensured that co‑education strengthens our ethos rather than reshaping it.
Looking ahead with confidence
As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, our mission remains unchanged and our ASPIRE values continue to guide every lesson, every decision, and every student’s journey. Co‑education is not a reinvention of Kent College, but a confident evolution, one that positions us to unlock the potential of every young person who walks through our doors. And that, ultimately, is what matters most.