King Edward's School, Bath

King Edward's School, Bath page for King Edward's School, Bath http://www.kesbath.com

The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year 2026 (South West) 🏆

An independent co-educational day school from 3 to 18 years. The School has a reputation for academic excellence and outstanding pastoral care.

England Rugby Girls’ U18 PDG 🌹🏉A huge congratulations to Clemmie W, in Year 13, on her selection for the England Rugby G...
01/10/2026

England Rugby Girls’ U18 PDG 🌹🏉

A huge congratulations to Clemmie W, in Year 13, on her selection for the England Rugby Girls’ U18 Player Development Group (PDG).

Clemmie is part of the South Centre (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Dorset & Wiltshire, Hampshire & Oxfordshire), where selected players take part in regular training sessions throughout the season, alongside a range of playing opportunities and a national festival.

This is a fantastic achievement and recognition of the commitment, hard work and talent Clemmie has shown throughout her rugby journey.

Clemmie has been a dedicated member of the KES rugby programme since first attending rugby taster sessions with Miss Young in the Junior School. Since then, she has represented the School at numerous tournaments and been part of several notable successes, including an undefeated campaign at the Clifton College 7s and victory at the inaugural KES Bath 7s. Clemmie has also competed at the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens tournament, gaining valuable experience at one of the biggest stages in school rugby.

We are incredibly proud of Clemmie and of the example she sets for younger players across the School and we look forward to following the next stage of her rugby journey.

Our Year 13 Biologists are out on their ecology field trip. First stop sand dune succession at the beach.
29/09/2026

Our Year 13 Biologists are out on their ecology field trip. First stop sand dune succession at the beach.

First Look at New Outdoor Learning Spaces for King Edward’s Pre-Prep and Junior Earlier this year, King Edward’s School ...
28/09/2026

First Look at New Outdoor Learning Spaces for King Edward’s Pre-Prep and Junior

Earlier this year, King Edward’s School announced plans to bring its Pre-Prep and Junior Schools together on the North Road campus, alongside a £3 million redevelopment programme that will create an exceptional environment for primary aged children. The investment includes a dedicated Early Years area with indoor-outdoor free-flow learning, specialist Pre-Prep classrooms and play spaces, enhanced STEM and music facilities, transformed outdoor education provision, an extended kitchen offering bespoke menus, improved practical amenities and a welcoming new reception area. Together, these developments reflect the School’s long-standing belief that children thrive in an environment that is stimulating, nurturing and ambitious.

As the project progresses, we are delighted to share the first detailed images of the new outdoor learning and play environments being created for Early Years, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils.

The first phase of the outdoor redevelopment will be completed in January 2027, ready to welcome Pre-Prep pupils to the North Road campus as King Edward’s Pre-Prep and Junior School begins its next chapter. A second outdoor space will follow, creating a sequence of carefully designed environments tailored to the needs of our youngest learners.

Designed to be irresistible to explore, the spaces will encourage curiosity, imagination and child-led discovery. Inspired by ideas developed by teachers and leaders from KES, the designs balance opportunities for adventure, play and problem-solving with areas designed for quieter activities. Drawing inspiration from Bath itself, including its sweeping crescents, waterways, bridges, hidden passageways and green spaces, the environment will create a strong sense of place while inviting children to explore, investigate and make discoveries of their own.

Sean Price, Head of King Edward’s Pre-Prep and Junior School, said:
"This is about creating spaces where children feel excited to learn, play and explore every day. The designs reflect what our staff know about how young children develop confidence, independence and curiosity, and we are delighted to share this first glimpse of what is to come."

The outdoor spaces have been developed in partnership with Bath-based Greenhalgh Landscape Architects, helping to bring the School's vision to life. Greenhalgh is well known for its work on the restoration of Sydney Gardens, one of the UK's last surviving Georgian pleasure gardens, where the scheme included an extensive new play area.

Visit Us
Families interested in learning more about the future of King Edward’s Pre-Prep and Junior School are warmly invited to book a personal tour or attend our Pre-Prep and Junior School Open Day on 3 October. To register, visit: https://www.kesbath.com/pre-prep-and-junior-school-open-morning-2026

KES Quantum Physics Award Winners Present at Royal Institution Youth SummitOn the eve of Michael Faraday's birthday, ear...
25/09/2026

KES Quantum Physics Award Winners Present at Royal Institution Youth Summit

On the eve of Michael Faraday's birthday, earlier this week, three Year 13 physicists were invited to present their award-winning quantum physics videos at the Royal Institution of Great Britain's 2026 Youth Summit.

Annabel, Hafsa and Wendy, whose entries won both the Most Engaging Video award and a Highly Commended distinction in the Institute of Physics' Quantum on the Clock competition, joined other students to explore this year's Royal Institution Christmas Lectures theme, What is Time?

Held in the Royal Institution's famous lecture theatre, the summit took place in the very space where Humphry Davy announced the existence of sodium, Michael Faraday shared his pioneering work on electromagnetism and J.J. Thomson revealed the discovery of the electron.

Presenting in this historic setting, the talented trio explained how they developed, refined and communicated their understanding of quantum physics through accessible and engaging three-minute films. Guided by the belief that "the best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don't show you what to see", the videos used everyday analogies to explain complex quantum phenomena before considering their wider implications and the Nobel Prize-winning findings in greater depth.

The invitation to the Youth Summit provided an opportunity to share both their award-winning work and their passion for communicating science to wider audiences.

Alongside our students' presentations, delegates heard from science writer Jo Marchant, who explored the question What is now?, Emily Akkermans, Curator of Time at the Royal Museums Greenwich, and quantum physicist Maria Violaris, creator of the Quantum on the Clock competition. Annabel, Hafsa and Wendy were the only student presenters invited to contribute to the programme, sharing their award-winning work alongside leading figures from the worlds of science and research. The summit also featured an introduction to this year's Royal Institution Christmas Lectures theme from physicist, broadcaster and author Professor Jim Al-Khalili, who announced that the physics of time would be explored.

The Impact of a KES Education This year's GCSE results were exceptional, with 41% of all grades awarded at Grade 9 and 8...
24/09/2026

The Impact of a KES Education

This year's GCSE results were exceptional, with 41% of all grades awarded at Grade 9 and 84% at Grades 9-7.

But beyond these outstanding headline figures lies another measure of success, one which reflects the significant value added to our pupils during their journey through the School.

When our pupils join KES in Year 7, they complete nationally standardised baseline assessments. Independent value-added analysis by Cambridge Insight then compares those starting points with the GCSE grades achieved five years later.

For this year's cohort, that analysis reveals that our pupils achieved, on average, around a full GCSE grade more per subject than would have been expected from their starting points. To put this in context, this could be the difference between achieving a grade 8 rather than a grade 7.

Nor is this a one off, with KES pupils achieving an average value-added uplift of almost a whole grade over the last five years.

Mr Smith, Deputy Head, Academic, notes:
"We are always striving to help our pupils do their best. We want them to be happy in school and interested in the subjects they do. Helping all pupils to thrive and succeed requires us to know them well and help nurture their talents. We appreciate that achievement is far more than cold statistics might show; however, the value-added data does help us measure how far we are making a difference."

"This year's analysis suggests that our pupils achieved around a full GCSE grade more per subject than their starting points indicated. That additional progress reflects the impact of a KES education: excellent teaching, individual support, high expectations and, importantly, a culture in which pupils inspire and challenge one another to achieve their best.

"Whether they join us from our own Junior School or from other schools across the region, our pupils bring tremendous potential. Our role is to help them develop that potential as fully as possible. It is therefore particularly encouraging to see independent evidence that, over time, our pupils are achieving significantly more than would have been predicted when they first joined us."

While outstanding GCSE grades tell us what our pupils achieved, value-added data helps us understand the progress they made along the way.

For current parents, this provides independent reassurance that their children are being challenged, supported and inspired to achieve more than they may have thought possible. For prospective families, it shows the difference an outstanding education can make in which children enjoy their subjects and are inspired by their learning.

Outstanding attainment, Exceptional progress: The impact of a KES education.

Award-Winning Author Max Porter Visits KESPupils in Years 1, 2 and 3 were delighted to welcome author Max Porter to KES ...
22/09/2026

Award-Winning Author Max Porter Visits KES

Pupils in Years 1, 2 and 3 were delighted to welcome author Max Porter to KES yesterday to enjoy his new children's book, Dogs and Bears.

It is Max's first foray into children's literature, and his funny and sublimely ridiculous story about playground squabbling and peace had everyone in fits of giggles as they acted out the story of the warring animals.

His visit is the first in a regular series of author visits to KES this year and forms part of the Junior School's programme of celebrating authors, a love of literature and storytelling.

Annual events include Book Week, the Speak Out Festival, which celebrates prose, Shakespeare, performance poetry and storytelling, Year 6 writing their own storybooks, and participation in the National Reading Champions Quiz.

Did you know? The Junior School has its own book shop and outdoor reading hut, while the library currently contains more than 4,000 books, with its collection set to grow further when Pre-Prep resources are combined in January.

Leadership comes in many forms.Last week, our Junior School Music, Sports and School Captains received their badges from...
21/09/2026

Leadership comes in many forms.

Last week, our Junior School Music, Sports and School Captains received their badges from their Senior School counterparts, many of whom attended the Junior School themselves. Sharing their experiences and words of wisdom, they encouraged our newest pupil leaders as they begin their service.

During assembly, Head of Junior School, Mr Price, reflected on what leadership means at KES, challenging the common misconception that leaders must always be the loudest voices in the room.

"Not all leadership looks like this. Sometimes, the quieter, more considered idea is better than the emotive reaction. Inspiring others can happen through support and facilitation, not just by example."

Mr Price reminded pupils that leadership takes many forms and that every child has the ability to make a positive contribution to the school community.

"The beauty of our school is that we have introverts, extroverts, and everything in between, and they all have value and the ability to lead."

Linking this message to our values of Learn Together, Grow Together, he encouraged pupils to recognise the contribution everyone makes to the life of the School.

"It is not only the people with a badge who can influence, and we must encourage all children to appreciate their role in our special tapestry."

Congratulations to all of our newly appointed captains. We look forward to seeing how they, and all of our pupils, help and support the school community throughout the year.

Celebrating John Tidball and 25 years of KES 1st XV rugby coachingFollowing the first 1st XV fixture of the season, King...
18/09/2026

Celebrating John Tidball and 25 years of KES 1st XV rugby coaching

Following the first 1st XV fixture of the season, King Edward’s was proud to celebrate John Tidball's 25 years of coaching KES 1st XV rugby.

What Mr Tidball didn't know was that the day held a special surprise. Former KES 1st XV players had travelled from across the country to watch the opening match of the season and celebrate alongside him, joining the current 1st XV squad for a memorable occasion.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who returned. Their presence was a powerful reflection of the respect, admiration and gratitude felt by generations of players who have benefitted from John's coaching over the past quarter of a century.

The celebrations also included the surprise unveiling of plans for a future John Tidball Stand, which will overlook the 1st XV pitch at Bathampton and serve as a lasting tribute to John's contribution to KES rugby.

As Director of Sport, Louisa Gwilliam said:
"Over the past quarter of a century, John has become synonymous with KES rugby, inspiring generations of players through his unwavering enthusiasm, care and expertise. His influence extends far beyond the touchline, leaving a lasting impact on all those fortunate enough to have been coached by him."

Former colleague and rugby coach, Michael Pell, reflected on John's impact on the game at KES:
"From the beginning John had a vision, an ethos of how rugby should, and could be played. He put in place key foundations for the flourishing set up that we witness today. In short, I think we can say he was influential in developing the DNA of KES rugby in the modern age."

We are also deeply grateful to Old Edwardian, Oliver Taylor, whose philanthropic support will fund the construction of the John Tidball Stand and help create a lasting addition to KES sporting facilities.

Congratulations, Mr Tidball, on 25 remarkable years of service and dedication.

King Edward's School named Finalist in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026We are delighted to have been name...
11/09/2026

King Edward's School named Finalist in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026

We are delighted to have been named a Finalist in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026, in the Regional Independent School of the Year: South category.

The recognition places KES among the leading independent schools in southern England and comes in the same year that the School was named The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year for the South West, reinforcing its reputation for delivering an exceptional education shaped by academic ambition, outstanding opportunities beyond the classroom and a deep commitment to its community.

For KES, this latest recognition reflects the distinctive ways in which the School draws strength from its location in Bath and the wider South West.

At the heart of this approach are partnerships that connect pupils with the cultural, educational and sporting strengths of the region. Through long-standing collaborations with Bath Philharmonia and the Holburne Museum, for example, pupils work alongside professional musicians, artists and curators, developing their skills, creativity and cultural awareness. Crucially, these partnerships extend beyond KES, helping to bring high-quality arts experiences to pupils in local state schools and strengthening cultural education across the city.

This latest recognition comes during what has been a remarkable year for KES. Alongside being named The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year for the South West, the School was also recognised as The Telegraph's Best Value Independent School in the South West, following the newspaper's analysis of the schools delivering the most for their fees. In addition, this year's ISI inspection awarded KES a rare Significant Strength, a distinction reserved for a very small proportion of schools. Inspectors identified this strength in the way KES pupils grow into "curious, resilient, kind, compassionate and responsible members of the school community", inspired by the strong sense of belonging and support they experience each day.

Taken together, these recognitions reflect the quality of education and strength of outcomes that define the KES experience. They also reinforce the School's commitment to ensuring that young people leave not only with excellent qualifications, but with the character, confidence and perspective to make a positive contribution to the world around them.

If you would like to discover what makes a King Edward's School education so distinctive, we invite you to join us at one of our forthcoming Open Events:

📅 Sixth Form Open Evening – Friday 2 October
📅 Whole School Open Morning – Saturday 3 October

For details visit: https://bit.ly/4ylBahL

Six KES Pupils Shortlisted for Prestigious Global Essay PrizeSix Year 13 pupils at King Edward's School have been shortl...
10/09/2026

Six KES Pupils Shortlisted for Prestigious Global Essay Prize

Six Year 13 pupils at King Edward's School have been shortlisted for the prestigious John Locke Global Essay Prize, one of the world's leading academic essay competitions for young people.

This year's competition attracted 100,227 entrants from 183 countries, with only the top 17.5% of submissions reaching the official shortlist. Essays are judged by senior academics from leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Princeton and Stanford.

The competition spans ten disciplines: Economics, History, International Relations, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Public Policy, Science & Technology and Theology. Students are invited to explore complex and often challenging questions that extend well beyond the school curriculum.

Our six finalists tackled a range of thought-provoking topics, including Technology now allows personalised pricing. If this came to be widely used, what effects should we expect?, Does foreign aid help or hurt poor people?, What consolations does philosophy offer?, Is the right to self-determination absolute? and Is democracy in crisis?

Their success reflects the intellectual curiosity, independent scholarship and depth of thinking that characterise KES Sixth Form. Through opportunities structured through the Pathways Programme, pupils are encouraged to pursue interests beyond their A Level studies, engage with contemporary debates and develop the habits of enquiry that prepare them for higher education and future careers.

Our finalists will now await the announcement of the winners at the Global Essay Prize Awards Dinner in London this October.

Address

King Edwards School, North Road
Bath
BA26HU

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+441225464313

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