Unlocking Potential For Life
“Students make good progress across a wide range of subjects. This is because they have excellent attitudes to learning. They learn not to give up and to support each other.� Ofsted 2014
Welcome
to Kings Langley School – A Specialist Arts College
As an inclusive and stimulating Academy school we offer a range of high-quality learning experiences that provide our students with an outstanding and supportive education from their very first day.
The Christian and indeed universal values of justice, love and respect form a firm moral foundation to build upon. In our over-subscribed, hardworking school, students develop a real determination to make the most of the opportunities provided and feel supported at each step as they develop into confident, articulate and academically successful young people.
That is why we offer outstanding opportunities that help our students achieve their full potential throughout their time here. We also ensure that our students feel safe and benefit from high quality relationships with their peers, teachers and support staff. Our students are constantly encouraged to develop their unique talents and to shape their futures through their own efforts and initiative. Our nationally recognised “Character Development Programme” ensures our students are prepared to cope with any stressors that may arise in their lives – either now or in the future. We consider the development of strong character traits such as “stickability”, self-regulation and empathy as having equivalent worth to the achievement of academic success in ensuring that our young people are prepared for the challenges of the future. We want our students to understand that it is only through sustained and lasting effort and their own endeavours that they can realise deep satisfaction and fulfilment.
Every student deserves a happy, positive environment in which to learn. Our goal is to achieve the happiness of every child in our care.
We value the different personalities that shape our school community. The education we provide is tailored to suit individuals, giving everyone the
The opening of our brand new, purpose built school in September 2016 ensures that all students and staff have access to the very best facilities and resources available, removing any barriers to educational progress.
best chance to succeed. We believe that humans are fundamentally social creatures and actively seek the approval and company of those around us. We provide opportunities to develop wide ranging social skills and emotional intelligence, allowing our students to lead a fulfilling, socially responsible and happy life. We recognise the crucial role which parents have to play in the education of their children. The continued success of this school is based on a positive partnership between parents and school. The active involvement of parents in the life of the school brings a special warmth and vitality to our community. I am particularly proud of the quality and magnitude of the contributions that our parents make – it is one of our many strengths. I am determined that each student at Kings Langley School will be able to reflect on their years at the school as being a period of happiness and personal fulfilment. I know that the governing body, teaching and support staff share my commitment in achieving this goal.
opportunities
For Creativity and excellence “The school’s work in promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students leads to outstanding behaviour.” Ofsted 2014
We relish providing opportunities for success in many different ways so that everyone can experience the joy of achievement.
indeed national level is obvious but we are proud of the fact that large numbers of our students enjoy the excellent sporting and activity facilities of our brand new school.
We offer all our students a wide range of academic, sporting and creative opportunities both in and outside of the classroom in order that each student might develop their own unique gifts and talents.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme develops naturally from our commitment to outdoor and community pursuits and is one of many activities which we promote to ensure our students learn to work collaboratively with each other and accept leadership responsibility when necessary. Our commitment to developing “strong character” in all our students ensures that they develop important life and employability skills by being constantly challenged to take calculated risks and to push themselves beyond their comfort zone.
As the lead school in the Dacorum Family Services provision, we are able to offer an extensive extra-curricular programme full of exciting and creative opportunities – including, cooking, table tennis, website design, card making, badminton, modern dance and drama classes and many other courses too numerous to list here. Our very own outdoor activity centre in Wales allows us unique access to outdoor learning experiences that build resilience, determination and self-esteem through games, challenges and team building exercises. Our success in a range of team and individual sports at local, county and
The creativity of our students is evident throughout the school and reflects on both our Arts Specialism and the personal confidence possessed by our students. We are very proud of the high quality art work, drama and dance productions and musical performances that our students engage in each year.
Learning opportunities At Kings Langley School we strive to provide our students with the very best environment for success. In every lesson, our students experience teaching and support that helps them to thrive. A recent Ofsted Inspection recognised that the calm, ordered atmosphere of our school allows students to develop at their own pace and that they are always guided positively toward achieving their full academic and personal potential. Our current Ofsted grading of “good” with many outstanding features provides an excellent platform as we strive to become an outstanding school in all aspects. We are committed to providing up to date facilities that meet the challenges of a modern curriculum. Since moving into a new school, we are confident that the quality of our computer, media and communication technology is second to none, allowing our teachers to exploit the very best of modern technology to enhance the learning experience of all students, regardless of
their ability. The new school has been designed to a high specification and provides our students with a first rate learning environment. Our Arts Specialist Status has had a significant impact on the education we are able to provide. As a Specialist College we are able to invest in the success of our students by installing cutting edge Information Technology facilities throughout the school. This extra investment will help our students to develop as independent and self-motivated learners in all areas of the curriculum. We have over 300 students engaged in extra music classes and provide an extensive range of school trips and visits that not only provide stimulating learning opportunities but also allow subtle development of social and emotional skills. Our commitment to providing this extensive programme is recognised by Ofsted as “outstanding” with particular praise focused on our rigorous management of health and safety balanced against sensible risk. We also run special activities through the cultural programme for our identified Gifted and Talented students. The activities and visits organised are
designed to cultivate and nurture a desire for life-long learning and success in a competitive but supportive environment, allowing students with exceptional abilities to challenge their perception of the world. Similarly, our commitment to celebrating diversity and inclusivity is reinforced in all activities and we are confident that our nationally recognised Character Development programme ensures that students are sensitive to the needs of everyone and understand that our school is a richer community because of the diverse and unique nature of all individuals that contribute to our ethos. The opportunities on offer in extracurricular sport, music, drama and the wider Arts provide all our students with the chance to develop their unique talents and interests. We expect each individual to stretch themselves in a multitude of ways and to develop a desire and determination for success and enjoyment in whatever activity they do.
“Students see school as a very safe place to be, and they learn exceptionally well how to keep themselves safe.” Ofsted 2014
Tailoring
Success Tailoring provision to the needs of individual students is at the heart of the excellent education we offer.
students to revel in the enjoyment of success, recognising both academic and personal progress.
We nurture and develop individuals regardless of ability or aptitude, through careful tracking and mentoring. It is our aim to develop a unique and clear understanding of each child, discovering their aspirations and dreams.
In 2014 and 2015, public examination results were “significantly above the national average” and indicators measuring student progress and achievement showed that our students often achieved significantly above expectations, regardless of their cultural background. Ofsted have praised the excellence of our literacy programme and it is significant that English Language results place us in the top 6th percentile of all maintained schools nationally.
We are proud of the advances we are making in regular and accurate assessment of learning progress in order that we might intervene at an early stage to provide either additional challenge or individual assistance in order that each child might realise their God given potential. Regular and honest communication with both parents and students allows development of an effective three-way partnership which places the needs of the child as its central focus. Our varied and extensive rewards programme permits all
Our aim is to remain flexible and pragmatic in designing learning opportunities to suit the individual and to allow that individual to grow and change direction as they develop into responsible young people controlling their own destiny.
“Highly positive relationships among students and between staff and students create a calm, friendly and purposeful place of work.” Ofsted 2014
“The Sixth Form is good. Students are well prepared for higher education, training or employment.� Ofsted 2014
Sixth Form Success For a dynamic place to study, Kings Langley Sixth Form is the ideal choice. With a wide range of courses, excellent facilities and plenty of great opportunities on offer, our Sixth Form adds an exciting dimension to our school. Ofsted have recognised the impressive progress made in post 16 education at the school and have praised both the provision and its careful and thoughtful management. Academic courses are studied by students here and as a member of a strong partnership with 4 other secondary schools (Cavendish, Hemel Hempstead, Ashlyns and John F. Kennedy Schools); the curriculum on offer is very broad and allows students to study virtually any combination of subjects within our partnership. Cooperative time tabling and shared specialist teaching provide all our students with the opportunity to start turning dreams of success into reality.
Academic, cultural and sporting events are another important part of life here. Along with trips and visits to theatres and galleries and opportunities to travel abroad, the annual Sixth Form prom provides the perfect way to celebrate a successful and memorable Sixth Form experience. In 2014 Ofsted commended Sixth Form provision by reporting that “the quality of teaching in the Sixth Form is good, and teachers’ marking of work and feedback to students are particularly effective in promoting good progress. The students are very appreciative of the high quality advice they receive as they plan their futures”. Similarly, Ofsted reported that “leadership of the Sixth Form is strong and, while it is very much part of the school, the Sixth Form has its own identity of which students are very proud. Leaders closely monitor teaching and students’ progress and ensure that students take the most appropriate courses”.
Kings Langley Secondary School Unlocking Potential For Life Love Lane, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 9HN T 01923 264504 | F 01923 260564 | E admin@kls.herts.sch.uk | www.kls.herts.sch.uk
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