We are proud to be a part of KES Academy Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC) is at the heart of all we do at KES Academy and is reflected in our academy ethos which is based around the fundamental British values of respect, community and positivity. The ethos forms the basis of the way we work together as staff and students at KES.
We think and act positively We all create a great place to learn We respect one another in everything we do We strive to improve We work well together We celebrate our successes We are proud to be a part of KES Academy Students and staff helped design the ethos and students were particularly keen to add the last line. In this booklet, you will find some examples of the things we do at KES Academy to promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through our ethos.
We think and act positively
Special events and celebration days (Social/Cultural) The academy marks and celebrates national and international days and initiatives. Students have recently taken part in ‘The Big Read’ for World Book Day, a quiz to mark International Women’s Day, a maths relay race for Maths Week and a French breakfast for Francophonie Week.
Assemblies (Spiritual/Social/Moral/Cultural) Assemblies are a formal event at KES Academy, where we celebrate the very best behaviour in our students. Our assemblies are all delivered by a member of the senior leadership team and promote SMSC topics. Recent topics have included ‘respect’, ‘what’s stopping you’ and ‘keeping safe online’.
Charity days (Spiritual/Social/Moral) Students are keen to support charities and often use their own initiative to plan charity events. Year 8 students held a bake sale for Children in Need and our Sixth Form students collected bags of sugar for the sugar appeal. The whole academy collected shoe boxes of presents for the shoe box appeal.
We create a great place to learn
The litter pick (Social/Moral) As part of a diploma challenge a group of Year 7 and 8 students spent a week collecting litter and helping to make the academy much tidier. They certainly gained some insights into the work our site team do!
Links with the community (Social) We are always keen to make links with the community. Last year we held a really successful fun day with a range of showcases, stalls, fairground rides and even a dog show. On World Book Day we invited parents to send books into the academy to donate to charity. We communicate with parents via our weekly parent bulletin which contains key information, including all of the special events as well as SMSC topics to discuss with students.
Sports day (Social) Sports day a KES Academy is a huge event as it marks the end of our house competition and culminates in the awarding of the Dornay cup. Everyone’s encouraged to get involved; the whole academy spectates and supports the competitors, whilst enjoying an ice-cream on the field.
We respect one another in everything we do
Student Sentate (Spiritual/Moral/Social/Cultural) We have a well-established student voice at KES Academy. The student senate meet regularly to discuss ideas and issues with a member of ALT who takes these ideas forward to the senior team. The student senate are currently fundraising to improve the outside social spaces and have some exciting plans in place.
Promoting communication skills (Social/Moral) Through seminar time all year groups are given opportunities to develop communication skills. In addition, initiatives like ‘No Pens day’ provide ideal opportunities for students to learn in a different way. We encourage students to put down their pens and to talk and listen to each other as they work in a more cooperative style.
Seminar time (Spiritual/Moral/Social/Cultural) At KES Academy seminar time is used for learning. Students work together to develop ‘soft’ skills in leadership,organsiation, resiliance, initiative and communication as well as exploring topics like body image, healthy eating, etc.
We strive to improve
The KES Enrichment Diploma (Spiritual/Moral/Social/Cultural) Amazing people do amazing things!This diploma encourages students to develop skills in leadership, organisation, resilience, initiative and communication. Students work with their tutor to design their own challenges and have done some amazing things.
Aiming high (Spiritual/Social/Cultural) Students are offered a range of opportunities to aim high and help them develop skills need for further education. The National Citizen Service is one of these - students are offered the opportunity to go on two week residential trips at a significantly reduced cost.
Safer schools partnership (Social/Moral) At KES Academy we have our own community police officers who regularly deliver assemblies encouraging students to make the correct decisions and to be the best version of themselves. Topics are based around issues such as ‘staying safe on line’ ‘healthy relationships’ and ‘driver safety’.
We work together
Diploma day (Social/Cultural) Every term we have a diploma day where the normal timetable is collapsed and students take part in a range of activities with an SMSC theme. Central to all of these activities is the idea of respect and working together.
House system (Social) Our house system is part of our history. All students are assigned to a house and we encourage them to participate and work as a team to support their house. We have weekly events ranging from cricket to dodgeball to cookery to talent shows.
Trips and visits (Social/Cultural) Trips and visits are an essential part of life at KES Academy. As well as a range of local trips to theatres, work shops and revsion days, we take a number of students further afield. We run trips to the Ardeche, Barclenoa, the French market, the battle fields and even China and Barbados!
We celebrate our successes
The arts (Spiritual/Social/Cultural) We celebrate all of our success and dedicate a week to celebrating the arts. During this week there is an evening dedicated to music, art, dance, drama and poetry where students are able to show case their talents.
Rewards (Spiritual/Cultural) We reward students for their success. Students collect achievement points which they can redeem for rewards days. The top students are displayed outside the head’s office each week and student’s names are published in our weekly PowerPoint.
Celebration and rewards evenings (Spiritual) We hold both KS3 and KS4 awards evenings each year, with students being nominated for prizes for achievement and progress. In addition we hold sport’s awards and diploma awards evenings at the Corn Exchange.
We are proud to be a part of KES Academy
Leaver’s dinners (Social) We hold well attended leaver’s dinners for our Year 11 and 13 students. Students plan these events as a committee and staff and students get together to celebrate the success of our students.
Sports leaders (Social/Moral) We encourage our students to be good role models. Many of our older students are sports/subject leaders, working with our younger students. Many go into primary schools and work with the students there.
“I got to know how hard it is to work as a team and organise something big” “I had a great fun day but learned some really important things.” “I designed a house logo using some of the school ethos quotes” “I worked with new people and really enjoyed it.” “I contributed to my house and we won!” “I loved yesterday. It was exciting and fun and we learned about being safe and healthy.” “I felt like we were making a difference to the world”