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In AD 597 St Augustine arrived in Canterbury to evangelize England. The tradition of education here is rooted in that event, as the Venerable Bede attests. The education provided by Canterbury's monastic foundation, but chiefly by the ancient School of the City of Canterbury, was in 1541 made the responsibility of the new Cathedral Foundation of Henry VIII. He established within it 50 King's Scholars and their two masters, of whom John Twyne, Headmaster of the Canterbury School, carried on as Principal. Thanks to the core of King's Scholars the School came to be known as the King's School.

Over the many years of its history King's has aimed to bring out the very best in its pupils, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to be effective in the world, giving them a secure basis for choosing how to use their talents and the confidence to be receptive to new challenges.

King's is placed in the stunning setting of the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine's Abbey - a World Heritage site.

Canterbury Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion and the School is part of the Cathedral Foundation. Pupils of other religions are freely admitted and arrangements can often be made to suit them. The whole School has the privilege of worship in the Cathedral for the School Sunday service, and there are also three School chapels where Holy Communion and other services are held. Each School day begins with prayers. Pupils who wish it are prepared for Confirmation.