The Worthgate School
Canterbury, Kent, England
The Worthgate School
Canterbury, Kent, England
Overview
Established 60 years ago, The Worthgate School occupies a modern campus with excellent facilities only 15 minutes walk from the historic heart of Canterbury, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just 25km from the Eurostar terminal at Ashford and 50 minutes from London by train. A non-selective school, it offers unique learning paths tailored to each student’s needs and, being truly international with students from 80+ countries, English language lessons are included in the fees for all students.
At a glance
Academic
The school offers 1 and 2 year GCSE’s, A Levels, the IB Diploma and a University Foundation course. Each student has a personal tutor responsible for overseeing all aspects of life, from personal development to academic progress through a personal study plan. 2 full-time Higher Education Officers are dedicated to offering individual support for university applications and, impressively for a non-selective school, around two thirds of A Level candidates achieve A*/A.
Boarding
Rated ‘Excellent’ by a 2016 ISI inspection, the boarding facilities offer 24-hour residential supervision for under 18s, 93% of rooms are en-suite, there is Wi-Fi throughout and all meals for catered students are prepared and served on campus. Under 16s live in Ethelbert House, a cosy home with a large garden, 16-17 year olds can choose from several new luxury residences, whilst over 18s live more independently in houses on or close to the campus. A dedicated team oversees over 100 activities.
Sports
The school's sports programme keeps students active and healthy, whilst enhancing their social and team building skills, and support is offered to those wishing to get involved with local sports teams in the community. An ‘Elite Sports’ programme is offered to top sports students, linked to a business course, with 2 hours a day of coaching and training – recent students included the world kick boxing champion, an elite gymnast from Latvia and a professional footballer.
Creative arts
Both Fine Art and Media are offered as academic courses, whilst an elite performing arts programme is offered alongside a business course, enabling specialisation in Acting or Musical Theatre. A range of creative activities is offered by a dedicated team, including art, choir, school magazine, craft & textiles, dance & drama, music and photography. Beyond The Worthgate School, creative students can continue their art studies at CATS’ partner college, Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Art.
Did you know?
- The first ever UK University Foundation Programme began at The Worthgate School nearly 30 years ago, and it is now also a SAT Testing centre for applications to the US and Canada.
- The school won the 2015 ISA Senior School Award for Excellence and innovation, and the 2014 Boarding Initiative of the Year at the TES Independent School Awards.
