The OKS Association at The King's School, Canterbury

Registrations are now open for OKS runners! Use the special team code: KINGC to join the team.

Runners of all ages and abilities are warmly welcome to join the team. Full details can be found here: https://kings-association.co.uk/events/view/hare-and-hounds-alumni-race-2026-oks-runners-needed

🏃 Calling all OKS runners!

We’re hoping to enter an OKS team in this year’s Hare & Hounds Alumni Race on Wimbledon Common. This is a 5 mile cross country race in which runners compete for their old school.

OKS runners of all abilities welcome. Please express your interest on our website, or by messaging us.

https://kings-association.co.uk/events/view/hare-and-hounds-alumni-race-2026-oks-runners-needed

We have been deeply touched by the incredible number of messages, memories, and kind words we’ve received in memory of Michael Holden, The Beadle. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write.

We can now share the details of the arrangements to remember Mike and celebrate his life:

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 14.00 PM, 4th September 2026, in The Crypt, Canterbury Cathedral, followed by refreshments in the Cathedral Chapter House. All who knew Michael are respectfully invited.

This will be preceded by a Cremation at 11:00 AM, 4th September 2026, at Barham Crematorium, for family and close friends.

Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Michael to 'The Charter Awards Transformational Bursary Fund' at The King's School Canterbury. (Cheques payable to 'The King's School Canterbury') may be sent to J Dilnot Smith & Son, Cedar Lodge, Beacon Lane, Woodnesborough, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 0PD or via www.jdilnotsmith.co.uk/donate-in-memory

Congratulations to The King's School Canterbury 2026 leavers on their fantastic A-Level results!

Do we need the wild to be happy?

Losing Eden by Lucy Jones (JR 2001-03) is our OKS book of the month. This book is a love letter to the restoring power of nature and all the ways the natural world enhances our health and well being.

Read our August book of the month article here:

OKS Book of the Month: August 2026 Losing Eden by Lucy Jones (JR 2001-03)

🏃 Calling all OKS runners!

We’re hoping to enter an OKS team in this year’s Hare & Hounds Alumni Race on Wimbledon Common. This is a 5 mile cross country race in which runners compete for their old school.

OKS runners of all abilities welcome. Please express your interest on our website, or by messaging us.

https://kings-association.co.uk/events/view/hare-and-hounds-alumni-race-2026-oks-runners-needed

Then vs Now: St Augustine's 📸

The King's School Canterbury first moved into the St Augustine's site in 1976, before purchasing it in 1993.

Originally opened in 1848 as the St Augustine's Missionary College, the site was created by Alexander Beresford Hope in collaboration with architect William Butterfield, blending restored abbey buildings with striking Victorian architecture.

Following the bombing of 1942, the site continued its educational purpose before beginning a new chapter as part of King's.

A remarkable place where nearly two centuries of history continue to shape the present.

It is with great sadness that we share the news that the Beadle, Mike Holden, died on Wednesday.

Mike had been part of the King's community since 2002, and was so often the first person visitors and families met when they came to King's, giving them the warmest of welcomes. He was someone we all saw every day, always ready with a friendly word for everyone, and he took great pride in representing the school at events. It was no surprise at all that pupils wanted photos with him on their last day just a few weeks ago.

He also supported his wife, Tanya, in her work as a pupil guardian for many families over the last 16 years. He was a constant presence, and a huge part of what makes King's what it is. He will be hugely missed by all who knew him.

Our thoughts are with his wife Tanya, and with their family and close friends at this sad time.

Further details about how we will celebrate Mike's life and his commitment to the school will follow in due course.

This Speech Day, we introduced a new tradition by welcoming our first "Golden OKS" cohort as the Head's special guests. ⭐

Celebrating 50 years since leaving King's, members of the Class of 1976 returned to relive the Commemoration Service and reconnect with old friends. After the service, they enjoyed reminiscing in the Archdeacon's Garden with the Head, governors and senior members of staff.

📷: Just a few of our Golden OKS in the Archdeacon's Garden

Read more here: https://kings-association.co.uk/news/oks-kings-association-news/371/371-Introducing-Golden-OKS-A-New-Tradition-on-Speech-Day

Alan Watts (OKS) is the subject of a new BBC Radio 4 programme, presented by Jarvis Cocker.

Jarvis examines Watts’ life, work and digital legacy - featuring interviews with Watts enthusiasts and family members, historians and experts, as well as artists and filmmakers inspired by his work.

Listen on BBC Sounds:

Archive on 4 - Alan Watts: The Brahman of Bromley - BBC Sounds Jarvis Cocker explores the life, death and digital reincarnation of philosopher Alan Watts