The Norton Knatchbull School Benefactorum recordatio jucundissima est
The Norton Knatchbull School
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A long and proud
tradition
“ The school was founded with love and passion, and hopefully the passion will continue forever.� Yr 7 student
Benefactorum recordatio jucundissima est: Things done well make the best memories
Headteacher’s
WELCOME The Norton Knatchbull School is a popular and highly regarded selective school for boys aged 11–18 which admits a growing number of girls into its sixth form. Having proudly served the local community of Ashford since the 17th century, we combine traditional values with a forward-looking and vibrant learning environment where young people are nurtured to become considerate, confident and well-rounded individuals. We provide an atmosphere in which all our students feel supported and inspired to strive for their personal best. Our approach to academic study is varied, disciplined and fosters a life-long love of learning. We value community and celebrate diversity. As a result, our young people are able to make informed and positive life choices, and are equipped to face the challenges of a fast-changing, competitive and increasingly global environment.
Our students are supported by a team of highly qualified, hard-working and caring teaching and support staff and a well informed and supportive governing body, all of whom are united in their desire to achieve the best possible outcomes for all. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be headteacher here, and I very much look forward to welcoming you to The Norton Knatchbull School.
Ms. S. K. Staab BA, MA, DipTrans We are proud of our track record of strong examination results, the wealth of our extra-curricular provision and the strength of our careers’ education, advice and guidance. We benefit from a wide range of facilities which support learning in a variety of disciplines, styles and environments. Our specialisms model innovation and best practice across the school and maintain productive links with local schools and the wider national and international community.
The Norton Knatchbull School
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A vibrant and inspiring
learning environment
“The teachers are great and we learn lots as well as having fun.� Yr 7 student
From year 7 onwards, our students follow a rigorous academic and creative curriculum, featuring English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, history, geography, french, german, spanish, ICT, music, drama, art, design and technology, physical education, and PSHCE. All of these subjects are available for study at GCSE examination level. We offer an even wider choice of courses at post-16 level to ensure that all interests, talents and aspirations are catered for.
High quality teaching and learning are at the heart of everything we do. All our teachers are subject specialists who place great emphasis on academic rigour as well as active learning. Students are taught how to think and learn for themselves, developing reasoning, reflection, resilience, resourcefulness, respect and responsibility. This results in a vibrant and inspiring learning atmosphere and equips students with the tools to become independent and lifelong learners.
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The Norton Knatchbull School
Teaching takes place in designated and well equipped classrooms: There are also specialist science laboratories; art and technology workshops; a sports hall and gymnasium; a drama studio and music rooms. In addition to our ICT suites, teachers and students make frequent use of our bookable laptop banks to support independent learning. The Ashfordian Library is a modern and flexible space which serves as a silent study and reading area and a classroom. Our grounds boast ample playing fields which also serve as recreational outdoor spaces at break and lunch times.
Providing support, guidance
and challenge
We believe that young people learn best when they feel happy and secure. We have a strong pastoral system in place which provides support, guidance and challenge and we foster kind, respectful and tolerant attitudes towards others, both inside and outside the classroom. Students are organised into forms and form tutors are the first and most regular point of pastoral contact during the school day. A sixth form prefect is attached to each form and all year 7 students have a year 12 mentor to ease the transition from primary to secondary school. A number of our sixth form students are trained peer listeners and can provide further support. We also have a strong team of Student Support Managers in place who monitor each year group closely and deal with any pastoral and academic issues that might arise. Our Inclusion Manager and team of Learning Support Assistants will provide any additional guidance and support needed to allow all of our students to unlock their potential. Our School Counsellor offers professional confidential advice and support. We provide regular points of feedback to parents and carers through academic reports containing information on students’ potential, progress, attitude to learning and homework. Thus, school works closely with home to ensure that problems are identified early and appropriate intervention and support can take place. Equally, good effort and achievement are highlighted and can be celebrated and rewarded.
“There is no problem too small – you will always be listened to.” Yr 13 student The Norton Knatchbull School
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“There are many extra-curricular activities to get you learning new things.� Yr 8 student
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The Norton Knatchbull School
Joining in the fun and
building our community All students belong to one of the five houses, named after individuals who have been closely connected with the school in the past: Apps, Burra, Barrett, Harper and Knatchbull. The houses are organised vertically and provide a great opportunity for students of different age groups to mix socially and enjoy activities together in a spirit of friendly competition. The house captains take great pride in organising a wide range of extra-curricular activities related to sports, music, art, drama and many other subjects and areas. Many of these are linked to charitable causes at local, national and international level. Our students always give generously of their time to serve the wider community and excel each year at raising very significant amounts of money. Outside of the house competitions, there are a number of clubs on offer, and all departments offer study support sessions at lunch time or after school. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is extremely popular, with students each year completing bronze, silver and gold awards whilst demonstrating an impressive array of skills in the process. We offer a rich and varied programme of trips, visits and exchanges each year. These include the annual ski trip; numerous visits to places of history and culture such as
Westminster, London theatre productions and art galleries; visits abroad to places such as Spain, Germany, France and more exotic and testing ventures such as the World Challenge trip to Vietnam. Our vibrant and successful music department offers all students the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. We can offer flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, violin, viola, cello, double bass, all brass family, classical, rock and bass guitars, drums and piano keyboards. Both beginners and more advanced musicians can join in a wide variety of bands, ensembles and performances, such as the wind band, orchestra, brass ensemble, saxophone ensemble, jazz bands, jazz quintet and vocal groups. There are a number of informal rock and blues ensembles, run mainly by students. NKS enjoys a considerable national reputation for its jazz; over the last twenty years the jazz bands have won numerous national awards, and have performed in the country’s top venues including the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Festival Hall. Two of our jazz bands have performed in the USA. We stage many performances during the school year, to cater for all musical tastes, styles and abilities.
“The clubs offer you an opportunity to show what you are made of.” Yr 7 student
Sport is another important and very successful part of life at NKS. There is a wide variety of extra-curricular sport taking place during lunch time, after school and at weekends such as football, hockey, rugby, basketball, weight training, cricket, swimming, athletics and cross country. Practice is organised and directed by members of staff with assistance from senior students. There is a regular programme of Saturday and after-school sport which involves teams in years 7 to 10 in football, hockey, rugby, cross country and basketball. Older students have the opportunity to play Kent League Football (the School runs a 1st and 2nd XI), a regular hockey 1st and 2nd XI programme and Kent League Cricket in the summer term.
“There are so many excellent extra-curricular activities … I’ve lost count… all of which are superb.” Yr 7 student
The Norton Knatchbull School
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Fostering tolerance, equality,
responsibility and respect
Our Student Council is a well established forum for student voice. Members are elected by their forms and represent student views on a wide range of topics such as curricular and extra-curricular provision, facilities development and school rules and systems. The Student Council is chaired by the school captain and his deputies who, in turn, meet regularly with the Headteacher to discuss their ideas. Students can also express their views and influence decisions in other ways, such as participating in interviews for new members of staff, completing questionnaires about teaching and learning in different subjects, and voting for the school captain and house captains each year. Our team of sixth form prefects provides effective student leadership in various other ways. In addition to acting as peer listeners and buddies to year 7 students, and organising and supervising clubs and house activities, they are a strong presence at formal school functions, acting as tour guides for visitors, speaking about their various experiences to audiences of parents and students, providing refreshments and helping with the general organisation of those evenings. They provide role models to which the younger students may aspire, and it is therefore not surprising that in no time at all our year 7 students volunteer as duty pupils, speak confidently in public and lead prospective students and parents around the school with pride.
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The Norton Knatchbull School
“ The new library is brilliant. It has really helped bring the students a bright place to learn.� Yr 10 student
The Norton Knatchbull School
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Aspiring
to succeed The school holds ‘Investors in Careers’ status in recognition of the high quality of the careers’ education and guidance provided to students of all ages. This is delivered in a variety of ways including PSHCE lessons, presentations by visiting speakers, focus days, visits to conferences, universities and careers fairs, formal interviews and drop-in sessions organised by our in-house Careers Adviser. In addition, the Ashfordian Library contains a wide range of reference materials to help with making the right choice. A valuable part of life in year 10 is the work experience programme in the summer term. Work experience is an opportunity to spend a period of time outside the classroom, learning about a particular job or area of work. Furthermore, in the sixth form, students are encouraged to take up a regular, substantial work experience placement alongside their academic studies in order to gain life skills and an insight into a career to which they may aspire to in the future. The overwhelming majority of our students go on to university, including the prestigious Russell Group universities, to study a variety of courses. Others prefer to take up apprenticeships or organise a gap year. They are prepared for their next steps by an extensive programme of advice and guidance including how to make choices, write applications and perform at interview. We are immensely proud of our students’ record of success in leaving school with qualifications and skills that equip them well for any future they might choose.
“ I aspire to study law at Oxford and become a barrister. The school has provided me with an enormous body of information and advice, guided me through UCAS and supported my application completely.” Yr 13 student
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The Norton Knatchbull School
The Norton Knatchbull School The Norton Knatchbull School
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The Norton Knatchbull School
Hythe Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 0QJ T: 01233 620045 F: 01233 633668 information@nks.kent.sch.uk www.nks.kent.sch.uk
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The Norton Knatchbull School