Our History
Amazingly, 16th October 2020 marked the 200th birthday of The Royal Kent School!
Although RKS is now found on Oakshade Road, just off the High Street in Oxshott, did you know that the school originally began life on the current site of the petrol station in the village 200 years ago?
Built in 1820, the school was named ‘Royal Kent’ as it was set up under the Patronage of Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, who lived in nearby Claremont and his sister, the Duchess of Kent and mother to the future Queen Victoria.
Until the building of the current school in Oakshade Road in 1958, the school was located on Oxshott High Street, on the site of the present petrol station. The 1820 building continued to be used until long after World War II, but it became more and more difficult to maintain the building and ensure it was fit for purpose.
In 1950, the first Parent Teacher Association formed, and they were able to persuade the local authorities to build a modern school in Oakshade Road.
The present-day RKS has visible reminders of the original building in the shape of a plaque which reads, ’Royal Kent School Founded 1820’, and the bell from the turret on its roof. In keeping with tradition, the school still ring this bell throughout each day.
If you would like to read a much more detailed account of the history of The Royal Kent, please click here to access a fantastic account by Ernest Crossland.
If you are one of our school's many alumni, please visit our dedicated alumni page to see our guestbook!
