History

We have a rich and interesting past.

The School’s origins can be traced back to 1751, when John Pyrke was elected as the first boy to be educated at the expense of the recently formed Clergy Orphan Society. The Clergy Orphan School, as it became known, was originally located at Thirsk in Yorkshire, but moved in 1812 to St John’s Wood, London, at what is now the Nursery End of Lord’s Cricket Ground.

In 1852 the architect Philip Charles Hardwick designed the building which would later stand on St Thomas Hill, Canterbury. After a generous donation by Doctor Samuel Warneford with some persuasion from Mr Joshua Watson (Both of which two of our houses are now named) the land was purchased and the plans were approved. On the 29th June 1854, the first stone was laid and by 1855 the building was ready for the pupils to move in.

Our spectacular chapel was completed in 1858 and the school was renamed St Edmund’s School in 1897 after the Archbishop of Canterbury St Edmund of Abingdon.

Over time, the school has grown considerably, evolving and modernising its provision. St Edmund’s took over the education of the Canterbury Cathedral choristers in 1972, and became co-educational in 1982. In 1996, the school was refounded as fully independent. Recent years have seen substantial investment in our facilities and the development of a broad, engaging and challenging curriculum.