Opening a World of Opportunities
Aspiration Our girls are confident of who they are and know that they can achieve anything they want to achieve. PARENT
WELCOME Since 1911 we have been successfully educating girls at Kings Norton Girls’ School. For generations our students have gone out into the world confident of who they are and with the expectation that they can achieve anything they want to achieve. Our wealth of experience undisputedly supports the research that girls up to the age of 16 do better at girls’ schools and we are very proud of what each and every one of our girls achieve year on year both academically and personally; all doors are indeed open to them in their future choices.
WELCOME
We are a fully inclusive school where every student is valued as an individual and the benefits of being a small school mean that everyone’s talent is recognised and nurtured. Our community is a happy one in which everyone is both supported and challenged to explore and develop their skills and to be the best they can be whatever their strengths. It is an immense privilege for me to lead the remarkable team at Kings Norton Girls’ School and Sixth Form where staff and students work together, encouraging each other to go that extra mile and to be part of a local community with parents who work in partnership to ensure that our girls emerge as self-reliant and caring citizens ready to make a difference to their world. I would like to invite you to pay us a visit and find out more for yourself at any time. You will be warmly welcomed but beware - our excitement and passion is infectious and you may find yourself unable to resist the urge to join us.
Ms G Fox BA (Hons) MSc — Headteacher
Opening a World of Opportunities
Opening a World of Opportunities
Excellence The range of subjects that students follow is extensive and subjects are well matched to their individual needs. Ofsted
At Kings Norton Girls’ School we value the richness that the arts, sciences, humanities, languages, technical and enterprise subjects bring to a balanced education and we offer a very wide range of subjects both pre and post-16. English, maths and science are at the heart of our curriculum. In English all our students have the opportunity to follow GCSEs in language and literature. Maths teaching at KNGS is innovative and highly successful in inspiring girls to believe they can do maths. Physics, chemistry and biology are offered as triple science or a combined course at GCSE. Sciences are an exceptionally popular Post-16 choice.
and open-mindedness throughout the curriculum. Our curriculum is designed to develop enjoyment and confidence in learning for successful future opportunities as girls progress through the school and sixth form and on to universities, apprenticeships and the world of work. We offer courses for all levels of achievement and career aspiration through GCSEs at Key Stage 4.
Kings Norton Girls’ School has a long history of success in languages and we teach three languages through to A Level, with excellent results. In the words of one of our Governors, a university admissions tutor: “studying a language alongside other subjects shows you the world in a different way, opens up a myriad of extra choices for university study and the careers available to you afterwards”
The majority of our girls go on to continue this academic and personal success in our co-educational sixth form. We offer one of the widest ranges of A-Level choices of any school sixth form in the city. The excellent enrichment opportunities available ensure our students grow personal skills for their future success.
Pablo Picasso famously said, “every child is an artist”. We take that in its broadest sense and strive to enable children to retain their capacity for creativity
Opening a World of Opportunities
LEARNING
RELATIONSHIPS Everyone learns differently and our teaching styles are adapted to meet individual needs in every lesson.
At Kings Norton Girls’ School we build on the extensive skills our girls bring with them from their primary schools, so that they grow in independence, develop enquiring minds and increasingly show resilience when facing personal and academic challenges. A collaborative approach to problem solving builds confidence and the outstanding relationships between staff and students ensure that we are all developing and growing together as a learning community. Staff are always there to give extra help and guidance for those who need that little bit extra in order to succeed. We provide additional support for those with special learning or physical needs, and for those who have particular gifts and talents. Our specialist Learning Support team work closely with students, parents, teachers and outside agencies to ensure that all girls are able to take a full part in everything we do and to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
School facilities are open after hours so students can access computers and specialist resources. A wealth of online curriculum materials are available 24/7 via the school portal to encourage deep learning and opportunities to explore subjects widely. Work experience gives our girls a real taste of life outside school. We work with over 100 local businesses, education and community organisations to ensure that the girls learn how to manage themselves in an adult environment, an invaluable stepping stone on their journey to becoming successful young women. “You can tell it is a good school by the way the staff talk about the girls and what they are doing, and how the girls talk about the school. They are really proud.” Parent
Care The school is safe, warm, friendly and homely. Caring is a big strength; there are genuinely caring staff. Parent
Opening a World of Opportunities
Everyone a learner. Everyone a leader. Everyone a personal success. Visitors to KNGS invariably comment on how articulate, confident and self-assured our students are. Opportunities to grow personally and socially are extensive across the curriculum with a wide range of enrichment activities and leadership development opportunities. Our vertical tutoring and house systems enable our students to work with others outside of their year group, offering guidance, support and friendship.
Opening a World of Opportunities
Nurture
Teaching throughout the curriculum at KNGS naturally lends itself to developing individual responsibility for thoughts and actions as it also provides opportunities to reflect on personal opinions and explore those of others both inside and beyond our own community.
Good provision and guidance for students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are central to the school’s work.
The personal and social growth our girls gain from residential visits is profound and extensive. Direct links and residential trips to France, Spain and Germany are well established and all our girls are able to experience these. Outward Bound and Duke of Edinburgh are open to all as well as an impressive range of extra activities and clubs from which our
Ofsted
students can choose. These include: Amnesty International, music ensembles, art, PE, computing, photography, science, languages, debating and drama. In addition there is an extensive range of visits to museums, art galleries, theatres and historical sites. These, alongside field trips, take place in many subjects, significantly enriching school life. Leadership skills and attributes are further aspects of personal growth, which we believe are important to foster at Kings Norton Girls’ School. Our subject ambassadors work with staff to improve the learning experiences and environment for others. The student leadership team speak in national arenas; they together with our Sixth Form student leaders, inspire the younger girls to take on roles and responsibilities outside of their year groups through activities such as peer mentoring, sports leadership and focus groups. Many gain the nationally recognised Specialist Trust Gold Award for Leadership. “If you had an idea for something you wanted to do then the school would always support you with it. One thing they have given me? Preparation.” Alumna
RELATIONSHIPS
WITH PARENTS OUR WIDER
& COMMUNITY
Respect The school is a harmonious community that celebrates the diversity of its students’ backgrounds and heritage. Ofsted
When Einstein returned home from school his mum would ask him not what sort of a day he had but what he had learned. A simple tweak, but look what happened!
We positively encourage parents to be involved with their daughter’s education. We help them to understand how to do the little things that make a big difference. We listen to parents, holding Parents in Partnership evenings for each year group, parent consultation evenings and surgeries for individual families. Our regular newsletters keep parents in the loop and on a day-to-day basis our staff are always available to talk. Homework supports the development of independence and self-reliance. Selfdiscipline and organisation are developed through a programme of study support outside the classroom. Our girls are very keen to be involved in their local community. Each girl has the opportunity to work with a community project and charity fund-raising is a big feature of school life.
We are always seeking ways to ensure that the particularly daunting transition from primary school to Kings Norton Girls’ School is seamless. The very good links we have with our local primary schools mean that we understand our girls’ earlier curriculum and personal and social experiences, which is invaluable to making effective transition happen. “The school is a community with traditional values of respect, courtesy and kindness.” Parent “A nice old feeling with a sense of tradition coming down the drive…But definitely not standing still.”
Opening a World of Opportunities
Parent
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Kings Norton Girls’ School Selly Oak Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B30 1HW T. 0121 675 1305 F. 0121 675 2514 E. enquiry@kngs.co.uk
www.kngs.co.uk
@KNGSlife
Opening a World of Opportunities Kings Norton Girls’ School, a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales Registered Office address: Selly Oak Road, Birmingham, B30 1HW. Company Number: 07563329