Gad’s Hill School is set in the expansive and beautiful grounds of the former family home of Charles Dickens, in the village of Higham, just on the outskirts of Rochester, Kent.
Our independent day school is a wonderfully happy and vibrant school, educating girls and boys aged 3-16 years in the Lower and Upper Schools. The site boasts modern facilities, courtesy of its main building, including theatre, refectory and sports hall, opened in 2013, while also retaining the famous literary heritage of the 18th Century Grade I Listed Gad’s Hill Place, and many of the traditions established since its foundation as a school in 1924.
Childhood is celebrated every day at Gad’s Hill School and emphasis is placed on the development of young people’s personal character — their self-confidence, resilience, initiative and sense of community — nurtured through drama, sport and music, as well as at the on-site Forest School (a child-centred, hands-on learning experience in a beautiful natural setting), Combined Cadet Force (that teaches older pupils a range of skills such as first aid and expedition navigation), and via exciting educational visits and activities.
Our next whole school open day will take place on Saturday the 5th October 2024. Please click here to reserve your place.
If you would like to arrange a private tour, on a school day, then please complete our contact admissions form and a member of the admissions team will be in touch to make the necessary arrangements for you.
Please complete our prospectus request form by clicking here and we will happily send you a prospectus pack.
If you would like to apply for a place for your child, please contact our admissions team who will be very happy to help you.
To register your interest in obtaining a place for your child at Gad’s Hill School please click here. A member of our admissions team, will be in touch to discuss the next steps in your application which will include an interview with the Headmaster and a taster/assessment day.
Our full admissions policy can be accessed here which outlines the selection process and application procedure.
There are two main channels of application for applicants wishing to apply for a place in Year 7.
Parents interested in applying for a place in the Upper School for their child can register at any time prior to the academic year of entry. To register your child please click here.
Towards the end of the summer term of Year 5 we will invite those candidates who are already registered to attend the Charles Dickens academic scholarship although it is not compulsory. Those not wishing to sit the academic scholarship exam will be invited in for a taster and assessment day in the autumn term of Year 6.
At Gad’s Hill School we are proud to offer a number of scholarships for Upper School students (Upper Shell – U4th)
The school annually offers a number of academic scholarships which will see fees reduced by up to 100%. These Scholarships are open to any pupil from any school and attract a large number of academically gifted children from North Kent and the surrounding areas.
Registration opens in the Summer of Year 5 and closes on 31st August with the exam being held at Gad’s Hill School in September of Year 6.
Please note that registration for the Charles Dickens Scholarship Award Examination for Autumn 2025 applicants has now CLOSED.
In addition to the Charles Dickens Scholarships we are also able to offer a small number of non-academic scholarships, please click here to learn more.
For information regarding the tuition fees and other costs please click here.
The school is able to offer fee assistance toward tuition fees for families with more than one child attending the school.
A full list of the GCSE options that we offer can be found here.
Pastoral support is at the heart of our approach, pupils have daily tutor time with their tutors, who are central in communicating with parents and staff to ensure a collaborative approach to supporting pupils. There is a full-time school nurse available to pupils to support pupil health and wellbeing. In addition, the inclusion team run lunch hubs and targeted interventions to support specific personal and social wellbeing needs.
We offer wraparound care each school day from 7.30am – 6pm and a holiday club which is available for some of the school holidays.
We would love the opportunity to discuss your child’s future journey at Gads Hill.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Whilst we hope that this information has been helpful, we appreciate that there is no substitute to visiting the school in person and so you are invited to arrange a visit. Our next whole school open day will take place on Saturday 5th October or you would be most welcome to arrange a private tour.
Please contact us in the admissions department if you would like to make an appointment.
We look forward to welcoming you soon to Gad’s Hill School
