King Edward's School, Bath

🎓 Ambitious futures lead to ambitious destinations for KES leavers.

KES is celebrating another year of exceptional destinations, with Year 13 leavers securing places at leading UK and international universities, prestigious creative institutions, competitive degree apprenticeships and a wide range of specialist and professional pathways.

This year's leavers will progress to destinations including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, LSE, Edinburgh and St Andrews, alongside degree apprenticeships, Medicine and Dentistry courses, international universities, creative institutions such as RADA and a range of vocational and professional routes. Their chosen courses span everything from Engineering, Physics and Medicine to Law, PPE, Languages, Acting and Fashion Marketing.

Alongside this breadth of destinations, the quality of outcomes remains exceptionally strong. This year, 96% of pupils secured their first or second-choice destination, while 75% progressed to universities ranked within the UK's Top 30.

Behind these outcomes sits a carefully structured programme of support. Through our Competitive Edge Programme, Pathways Programme and dedicated university and careers guidance, KES pupils are encouraged to explore ambitious futures, develop their individual strengths and secure destinations that are right for them.

Read the full story and discover where a KES education can take our pupils.

https://www.kesbath.com/kes-sixth-form-destinations-2026

A snapshot of today's outstanding GCSE results. Many congratulations again to Year 11.

📊 Headline Stats

🏫41% of grades at 9
🏫65% of grades at 9-8
🏫83% of grades at 9-7 (3 x the national average)

🏫25% of our Year 11 cohort gained straight 9/8s

📚 Department Highlights

📖English (Language & Literature): an average of over 70% at Grades 8/9
📏Further Maths, Latin & Greek: 80%+ at Grades 8/9
🌍Geography and Spanish: 95%+ at Grades 9–7
⚛️ Maths 44% 9s, Physics 70% 9/8s

As always, these outstanding results have been built on inspirational teaching, the support and encouragement of families and the determination of our pupils to make the most of every opportunity available to them. As our most recent ISI inspection recognised, KES is a school where pupils are known as individuals, flourish academically and personally, and are inspired to achieve highly. These fantastic outcomes are a reflection of that environment.

Over 40% of All Grades Awarded Grade 9 as KES Pupils Celebrate Outstanding GCSE Success.

Year 11 pupils at King Edward’s were today celebrating some of the School’s best ever GCSE results, with a remarkable 41% of all grades awarded at grade 9, around 8 times the national figure.

Alongside this exceptional achievement, a superb 65% of grades were awarded at 9-8 and 83% at 9-7, whilst a quarter of the cohort gained all 9/8 grades, broadly equivalent to the old A*.

The results follow last week’s excellent A Level outcomes, which saw KES ranked amongst the top 50 schools nationally according to The Times, completing a summer of outstanding academic success for the School.

Beyond their hugely impressive performances in the public examinations, many pupils celebrating today have also made fantastic contributions to school life through sport, music, drama, the CCF, outward bound activities, debating, creative writing, charitable service and much more. Their success reflects the School’s belief that academic achievement is at its strongest when accompanied by personal growth inspired by opportunities beyond the classroom.

Headmaster, Martin Boden, commented:
"I am absolutely delighted for all our pupils in the Class of 2026, who have deservedly achieved these outstanding GCSE results. This is a very talented year group that has shown dedication, resilience and impressive ambition throughout their time at KES, underpinned by characterful engagement, mutual support and a genuine appreciation for their peers and the wider school community. We are immensely proud of all that these pupils have accomplished, both within and beyond the classroom, and look forward to seeing them thrive on all fronts in the Sixth Form."

As always, these outstanding results have been built on inspirational teaching, the support and encouragement of families and the determination of our pupils to make the most of every opportunity available to them. As our most recent ISI inspection recognised KES is a school where pupils are known as individuals, flourish academically and personally, and are inspired to achieve highly. These fantastic outcomes are a reflection of that environment.

With a talented group of new pupils due to join the Sixth Form in September, the future for this cohort looks exceptionally bright indeed.

Good luck to our talented Year 11 cohort ahead of tomorrow’s GCSE results!

King Edward's School Recognised as Best Value Independent School in the South West region

King Edward's School, Bath has been recognised by The Telegraph as the Best Value Independent School in the South West region in its 2026 guide to the UK's leading independent schools. The Telegraph's value rankings compare fees against GCSE, A-level and International Baccalaureate outcomes, while also making adjustments for factors including facilities, location and school type.

The accolade follows a period of significant external recognition for KES. Earlier this year, King Edward's was named 2026 Independent Secondary School of the Year in the South West by The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, while the School's most recent ISI Inspection identified pupil development as a Significant Strength.

Martin Boden, Headmaster of King Edward's School, said:
"We are delighted that King Edward's has been recognised by The Telegraph as the Best Value Independent School in the South West region.

"Families rightly want to understand the value offered by an independent education and the opportunities it creates for their children.

"Academic outcomes are an important part of that conversation and we are proud of what our pupils achieve. However, the true value of an education is also reflected in the confidence young people develop, the opportunities they experience and the ambitions they go on to pursue.

"At King Edward's, we are committed to helping every pupil realise their potential and develop the knowledge, skills and character needed to pursue ambitious futures. This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, the achievements of our pupils and the strength of our whole school community."

In outlining its methodology, The Telegraph notes that while academic outcomes can be measured, many important aspects of a school's offering, including pastoral care, school experiences and personal development, are harder to quantify.

These are areas that sit at the heart of a King Edward's education. Alongside academic success, pupils benefit from extensive opportunities in sport, music, drama, art, outdoor learning, leadership and service, helping them to develop confidence, independence, resilience and a strong sense of purpose.

This broader educational experience was recognised in the School's most recent ISI Inspection, which identified pupil development as a Significant Strength. The report recognised the positive impact of the School's approach to supporting young people as they grow academically, socially and personally.

At a time when many families are carefully considering the value offered by independent education, recent recognition from The Telegraph, The Sunday Times and ISI provide independent validation of King Edward's School’s approach and value: combining outstanding academic outcomes with exceptional personal development and ambitious futures for every pupil.

Following our full results report earlier, here is a recap on the impressive headlines from this year’s A Level achievements:

✨ 88% of all entries were graded A*-B
✨ 58% of all grades at A*/A, with a quarter at A*
✅ 100% pass rate

📊 KES vs National Averages for A*/A (according to Ofqual):
🏫 KES A*/A grades: 58%
🏫 State sector average: 28.5%

🎓 Highlights:
• 55 pupils achieved only A*/A grades
• 10 pupils gained 3+ A*s
• 11 subjects achieved 100% A*-B

KES Pupils Celebrate Outstanding A Level Results and Look Forward to Ambitious Next Steps

Year 13 pupils at King Edward’s School, Bath have today been celebrating some outstanding A Level results, with 88% of all entries awarded A*-B and 58% at A*/A, more than twice the national average. A quarter of all grades were at the very highest A* level, and the overall pass rate remained at 100%.

There were many excellent performances across the cohort, including 55 pupils gaining at least three A*/A grades and 10 pupils achieving three or more A*s.

These very impressive outcomes continue a superb run of success in public examinations and mark another year in which KES pupils have secured exceptionally strong A Level grades. The 2026 results compare favourably with recent years, highlighting both excellence at the top end and strong achievement across the whole year group. KES’ A*-B average over the last 5 years is over 87%, reflecting a remarkable level of consistency.

We are also proud of the ambitious next steps our pupils are now preparing to take, with many embarking on some of the most competitive courses and pathways in the UK and beyond. Destinations include many of the UK's highest-ranked universities*, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, the London School of Economics, Durham, St Andrews, Warwick, UCL, Edinburgh, Manchester and Bristol, as well as Medicine and Dentistry courses, Degree Apprenticeships with major UK employers, places at RADA and elite sporting pathways at leading American universities.

Headmaster, Martin Boden, commented: “These fantastic results are a credit to the pupils and to the staff and parents who have supported them along their journeys. The statistics will never truly show the full stories behind these, but I do know that we have many happy pupils who have been rewarded not just for their exceptional talents but also for years of consistent effort; their success is fully deserved, and I am delighted for everyone involved.”

KES has enjoyed a remarkable period of recognition, including being named the 2026 Independent Secondary School of the Year in the South West by The Sunday Times and the Best Value Independent School in the South West by The Telegraph, as well as receiving an outstanding inspection report in the Spring term, in which the ISI inspectors described our pupils as “curious, resilient, kind, compassionate and responsible members of the school community.” These are all qualities that have been amply embodied by this outgoing Year 13 cohort, and we wish all of our Leavers the very best of luck as they progress along different pathways and look forward to hearing news of their success in the future.

*Highest ranked according to the Complete University Guide and The Times Higher Education Supplement.

Wishing our adventurous, ambitious and endlessly engaging Year 13 cohort all the very best ahead of tomorrow’s A Level results.

Join us for our School Open Day Events

📅 Saturday 3 October 2026 – Pre-Prep and Junior and Senior Schools
📅 Friday 2 October 2026 – Sixth Form

There is no substitute for seeing a school up close.

Whether you are considering KES for Pre-Prep and Junior School, Senior School or Sixth Form, our Open Events offer the opportunity to meet pupils and staff, explore our facilities and discover what makes a KES education distinctive.

At KES, we believe young people achieve their best when they are known, supported and encouraged to make the most of every opportunity available to them. From the classroom to music, sport, drama and our wider co-curricular programme, pupils are encouraged to develop their interests, pursue their goals and discover new strengths.

Our most recent ISI inspection recognised pupils' personal development as a Significant Strength. This reflects the importance we place on helping every child flourish, build positive relationships, contribute to the community and leave KES ready for the next stage of their lives.

Alongside this, we are proud to have been named The Sunday Times South West 2026 Independent Secondary School of the Year in the South West.

Come and discover how KES supports pupils to thrive from Reception through to Sixth Form.

📅 Sixth Form Open Evening: Friday 2 October 2026
📅 Whole School Open Morning: Saturday 3 October 2026

👉 Register today via https://www.kesbath.com/visit-us

King Edward's School, Bath
The School for Adventurous Minds

Special Talent Awards at KES

At KES, our Special Talent Awards recognise pupils entering Year 7 who demonstrate outstanding talent and potential in Music, Sport, Art and Drama.

These awards are about more than recognising talent. They are about helping young people develop their passions within a school that is committed to supporting excellence both inside and beyond the classroom.

🎵 Our Music pupils are part of a vibrant performance programme featuring more than 50 performance opportunities annually, alongside established partnerships with Bath Philharmonia and Bath Abbey Choir and the opportunity to work with our Composer in Residence. Onward destinations see KES musicians studying at top Conservatories and Oxbridge.

🏉 In Sport pupils benefit from specialist coaching, a significant strength and conditioning provision, a highly successful performance pathway programme with organisations including Bath Rugby Academy and Team Bath Netball, a continued investment in facilities, such as our state-of-the-art gym and a proven track record of success in national school competitions.

🎨Within our Art and Photography provision pupils benefit from visiting artist workshops, direct exposure to a wide medium of art via UK and international trips and unique partnerships with organisations including the Holburne Museum.

🎭 KES Drama pupils enjoy a purpose-built Drama Centre, supported by outstanding GCSE and A Level results, a highly successful LAMDA programme and enrichment via visiting theatre practitioners from the worlds of musical theatre, stage combat and more.

If your child has potential in one of these areas and you are considering KES, we would love to hear from you.

Find out more about our Special Talent Awards:
https://www.kesbath.com/Scholarships-and-awards

Or discover KES for yourself by registering for our October Open Event on 3rd October: https://www.kesbath.com/visit-us