King’s Named as Top 1% Sporting School and Elite Top 8 in Rowing!

King’s Worcester has achieved remarkable dual recognition this year, securing its place among the top 1% of sporting schools in the UK and being named one of the top eight schools for rowing in 2024.

These prestigious accolades highlight King’s Worcester’s exceptional commitment to both overall sports and rowing, placing the school alongside some of the most esteemed educational institutions in the country.

The impressive ranking in the top 1% of sporting schools was awarded by School Sport Magazine, which evaluates schools based on their success across 20 different sports and over 120 events. King’s Worcester’s leap of 98 places over the past year now positions it among elite institutions such as Millfield School, Epsom College, and Repton School. As the only school in Worcester to feature in the Top 150, this achievement underscores the school’s dedication to sports education.

Foundation Director of Sport, Jonny Mason, celebrated the news, highlighting the dedication and hard work of both the Sports Department and the pupils. “We are fortunate, as a day school, to offer such a wide range of sports and to compete at a national level,” he said. Headmaster Gareth Doodes echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the school’s strong sports program and the opportunities it provides for students to achieve their best.

Complementing its overall sports achievements, King’s Worcester was also recognized by The Good Schools Guide as one of the top eight rowing schools in the UK. This recognition places King’s among esteemed institutions like St Edward’s Oxford, Shiplake College, and Radley College. The Guide praised the close-knit boat club community at King’s and the school’s impressive facilities, including a striking boathouse on the River Severn with a 12km training loop.

Headmaster Gareth Doodes expressed pride in this accomplishment, attributing it to the dedicated rowing coaches who inspire and support students. Jim Chalmers, Head of Rowing, shared in the delight, emphasizing the lifelong impact of the rowing program on its alumni, many of whom continue to row at university and in clubs, achieving significant accolades such as Henley Medals and representing Great Britain.

This dual recognition for both overall sports and rowing comes on the heels of King’s Worcester’s inclusion in the Top 10 national ranking for academic performance. The school was named one of the Top Ten Independent Secondary Schools in the West Midlands by the Sunday Times’ Parent Power 2024 Schools Guide, ranking seventh among the county’s 900 secondary schools. This achievement highlights the rounded education and inclusive ethos of the King’s Foundation of Schools, further cementing its reputation as a top-tier educational institution.

The continuous investment in facilities, sporting provision, and dedicated coaching staff at King’s Worcester underscores an exceptional commitment to fostering both academic and athletic excellence. As Headmaster Gareth Doodes aptly put it, “It really is an incredible time for sport at King’s; our investment in facilities, sporting provision, and dedicated teams is truly second-to-none.”

Summary League Table of Local Schools