Founded in 597, the school was first a part of the 6th century Benedictine monastery. It has been associated with the cathedral for most of its life. Nearly all the buildings are in the cathedral precincts or at the recently purchased St Augustine's Abbey nearby. Many of them date from the Middle Ages, some belong to the 16th and 17th centuries. Thus, the school is blessed with an unusually civilised environment and some of the finest architecture in England. The School became fully co-educational in 1990. There are now six boy and five girl boarding houses, plus two mixed day houses. A pupil's welfare is primarily the responsibility of his/her Housemaster/mistress. For individual academic guidance each pupil is further assigned into the care of one of the Tutors of the House. Domestic matters are the concern of the Matron residential in each boarding House. Feeding and medical care are organised centrally. All pupils follow a broadly-based curriculum for three years, at the end of which they sit the GCSE. The VIth form courses that follow educate pupils by a deeper study of subjects selected from a wide range. The A and AS levels of the GCE and University Entrance examinations are taken from the VIth form. Nearly all pupils leave King's for the Universities. The advice of the Careers Department is available at all relevant stages. The major sports are Rugby Football, Hockey, Cricket, Rowing, Netball and Tennis. The School has a new Recreation Centre with swimming pool, sports hall, squash courts and fitness room. Another recent addition is the Pupil Social Centre. Cultural recreations and hobbies are encouraged through some 25 societies, and through a programme of 'Activities' which occupies one afternoon a week. Lectures and recitals by distinguished visitors take place each term. The school has a very strong musical and dramatic tradition; apart from numerous House plays and House concerts, the School's own festival of Music and Drama, King's Week, attracts thousands of visitors each summer.
