Compare International Schools in Canterbury, United kingdom

The Worthgate School is on New Dover Road in Canterbury, a historic cathedral city in Kent. Canterbury has direct rail connections to London St Pancras via the high-speed service (under an hour). The city is close to the Channel Tunnel and Dover port, making it accessible for European families. Canterbury is also within easy reach of Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

The school offers GCSE courses (from age 13/14), A Levels (from age 15.5), the IB Diploma (from age 15.5), and foundation programmes for university preparation. Pre-GCSE and Pre-A Level courses are available for students who need additional preparation before starting their main programme.

The Worthgate School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school. It has a strong focus on international students preparing for UK university entry. The school offers both September and January start dates.

The school offers boarding for international and domestic students. As a member of the Boarding Schools' Association, it meets BSA standards for boarding provision. The campus is situated in Canterbury, providing boarders with access to the city's amenities.

The Worthgate School is an independent school with over 70 years of history. It is approved by UK Visas and Immigration for sponsoring international student visas.

GCSE students study compulsory English, Maths, Business, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, plus three electives from blocks including Art, Computing, Classics, Geography, French, History, and Spanish. A Level students choose three subjects from blocks including Business, Maths, Physics, Psychology, Chemistry, Computer Science, History, Biology, Economics, Sociology, and Further Maths. The IB Diploma offers six subject groups covering English, languages (French, Spanish), social sciences, sciences, mathematics, and arts or additional subjects. Both A Level and GCSE programmes offer September and January start dates.

Average class sizes are 9 students for the IB Diploma, 14 for A Levels, and 15 for GCSEs. The small class sizes allow for individual attention and personalised teaching.

In 2025, IB Diploma students achieved a 100% pass rate with an average of 34 points (above the global average of 30.38). 80.3% of IB grades were 7-5. At A Level, 74.2% of grades were A-C. At GCSE, 42% of students achieved at least one A-A grade, and 44% of Maths grades were A-A.

The school has a strong focus on university preparation, with pathways designed to prepare students for UK university entry. University Foundation Programmes are available for those who need them. Oxford and Cambridge preparation pathways are offered through university partnerships.

The school has extensive experience supporting international students with English as an additional language. Academic English programmes are available alongside or before the main academic courses. IELTS or equivalent English proficiency is required for admission, with different thresholds for each programme.

1. Applicants must have a good academic record from their previous school. Entry requirements include a minimum number of years of schooling: 8 years for GCSE, 10 years for A Levels.
2. English language proficiency is assessed via IELTS or equivalent: 3.5+ for GCSE, 4.5+ for A Levels, 5.5+ for the IB Diploma.
3. The school offers both September and January start dates, giving families flexibility in planning their move.
4. International students can apply for a UK student visa as the school is approved by UK Visas and Immigration.
5. Pre-GCSE and Pre-A Level courses are available for students who need additional preparation before starting their main programme.

Scholarships and bursaries are available for qualifying students. Families should contact the admissions team for details.