Founded in 1829, as the junior department of the newly established King's College of the University of London. It occupies 24 acres of grounds on the south side of Wimbledon Common in a very pleasant residential area. There are good playing fields and a further 25 acres of fields at Motspur Park, and a boathouse at Putney. A sixth-form centre, theatre/concert hall and music school are all on the campus, which is shared by the junior and senior schools. Well-designed and comfortable buildings provide first-rate facilities. It is Anglican, but boys of all faiths are accepted. High standards are expected in work and behaviour; integrity and tolerance are regarded as important qualities. The staff:pupil ratio is about 1:9. It has strong academic traditions and examination results are excellent. The International Baccalaureate is now offered as an alternative to the conventional AS and A-level sixth-form programme. An unusually high proportion of leavers goes on to Oxbridge. There are strong music, drama and art departments. A good range of sports and games is available (in which high standards are achieved) and a large number of activities. Considerable emphasis on outdoor pursuits, the CCF and voluntary service.

Pupils: Age range 13-18; 762 day boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance or own scholarship examination after pre-testing at 11; for sixth-form entry, at least 7 GCSEs grade B (grade A in sixth-form subjects). C of E school but boys not required to be of any particular persuasion. State school entry, small at 13, 25% of new entrants to sixth form. 60% of intake from own junior school, King's College Junior School (tel 020 8255 5336).

Up to 15 pa academic scholarships, value up to 30% fees; also up to 6 music and art scholarships at 13. Variable number of bursaries, based on financial need. Parents not expected to buy textbooks except in sixth form; maximum extras lunches (approx 140 a term).

15+% in the theatre, media, music etc; 15+% are doctors, lawyers; 15+% in industry or commerce.

Head Master: Tony Evans, appointed 1997. Educated at De La Salle Grammar School and at the Sorbonne, Oxford University and University College London (modern languages). Previously Headmaster of Portsmouth Grammar, Head of Modern Languages at Dulwich and Assistant Master at both Winchester and Eastbourne. Also initiator and co-Chair of HMC/GSA University Entrance Working Party and HMC representative to Oxford University Admissions Forum; former HMC Chairman and its Academic Policy Sub-Committee; ISC Unity Committee (Co-Chair). Publications on Georges Duhamel. Teaching staff: 75 full time, 7 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 37.

GCSE: 144 pupils in upper fifth, all gained at least grade C in an average of 9.4 subjects. Average GCSE score 69 (over 5 years). A-levels and IB: 138 in upper sixth. 91 took A-levels, passing an average of 3.3 subjects, with a final point score of 392. 47 took the IB, 98% of whom were awarded the Diploma, with average IB points of 38.

100% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (19% after a gap year), 19% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 19% in science and engineering, 30% in humanities and social sciences, 1% in art and design, 27% in combinations of subjects, 13% in business, economics and accountancy.

GCSE, AS, A-levels and International Baccalaureate (IB). 24 GCSE and 26 sixth-form subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. Many have mixed programmes: 56% take maths, 33% a foreign language. IB is offered as an alternative to AS and A-level (recommended to pupils). Key skills integrated where possible and fully included in structure of IB. Special provision: Long experience with gifted pupils. Languages: French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish offered to GCSE, IB and A-level. Also Chinese. Regular exchanges (France, Germany, Russia and Spain). ICT: Taught across the curriculum, eg history, geography, English, science and design. 220 computers for pupil use (access all day), all networked and with email and internet access.

Music: Some 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, choir, jazz band, wind band. Drama: Some pupils are involved in school productions. Occasional pupil accepted for drama college. Art and design: On average, 50 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Pupils regularly accepted for art college.

Sport: Rugby, soccer, rowing, hockey, cricket, athletics, badminton, basketball, cross-country, fencing, golf, riding, sailing, squash, swimming, table tennis and tennis available. Regular county representatives (rugby, hockey, cricket, cross-country, fencing). Activities: Clubs include computer, history, English, debating, philosophy.

Uniform: School uniform worn; dark suit in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Captain and Vice Captain, house captains and house prefects all recommended by committee of heads of house for approval by Head Master. School Council. Religion: Church of England. 3 religious assemblies plus one religious studies period per week; opting out is possible. Social: Debating union, Young Enterprise and over 50 clubs. Community service, Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, CCF, adventurous training Trips and exchanges abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a staff-supervised period at lunchtime; those involved with illegal substances on the premises might expect to be asked to leave.

is run by Secretary, Old King's Club, c/o the school.

Charles Kingsley; Walter Sickert; John Barrymore; Roy Plomley; Alvar Liddell; Michael Cardew; Jimmy Edwards; Richard Pascoe; Robin Holloway; Bob Ayling; Christopher Luscombe; Tim Luscombe.