KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL SOUTHAMPTON
Annual Review 2021
Head’s Report This time a year ago, I began my Annual Review with the following words: “The academic year 2019/20 will go down in King Edward’s history. A year of unprecedented disruption and difficulty, but also one which demonstrated, beyond doubt, the enduring resilience of the organisation and the individuals within it who make up our school community. Pupils, staff, parents and governors were all tested to a degree unknown of in living memory. It has been a source of immense pride and satisfaction to see how these challenges have been met: with determination; with optimism and with immense skill. As Head of King Edward’s, I cannot express enough my thanks and gratitude to everybody who played their role in facing up to Covid.” It is both a source of great sadness and also considerable pride that every word of this paragraph remains relevant and true when applied to the 2020/2021 school year. Over this academic year the pressures and disruptions caused by the pandemic have grown and intensified. Unlike the year before, COVID-19 gripped the world and our school for the entirety of the academic year, giving us daily challenges, which were unrelenting and constant. That we were able to sustain and maintain our standards, our values and the opportunities, upon which a King Edward’s education is founded, throughout the long year, speaks volumes about the resilience of the organisation and the people within it. If I was grateful for the privilege of working alongside the staff and pupils of King Edward’s a year ago, my gratitude has only grown along with my admiration for all those who have given so much to make this year successful at our school. None were put under greater pressure than those pupils undertaking public examinations. For much of the year, they did not know whether they were to be judged through formal examination papers sat in the summer term, or whether any given term-time assignment might be used as evidence of achievement. Far too late in the day did we, and they, learn how ‘teacher assessed grades’ were to be conducted. At King Edward’s our students sat formal assessments at Easter and through the summer term, combining this rigorous source of evidence with other work completed during the course. This being the case, I can confidently and clearly state that our students absolutely deserve their final results, which reflect so well upon their dedication and learning, as well as the patient professionalism of the teaching staff at KES. For our GCSE students, over 80% of exams sat achieved an A* or A grade (or the new numerical
equivalent), with 95% of the results earned being at B grade or better. At A Level, about 69% achieved A* or A grades, and just under 93% a B grade or better. These are superb results, and our congratulations go to the students who earned them. In other areas of school life, innovation was key. We fundamentally believe that a wider engagement with school life beyond the classroom is a core part of the King Edward’s experience. But to maintain this ethos when socially distanced age-group ‘bubbles’ are required, along with a myriad of other preventative measures against the virus, proved challenging to say the least! Challenging, but not impossible. In the arts, lockdowns restricted the live performances which so often represent high points of the school year. It was only late in the Summer Term that a very lucky, select audience of parents were able, once again, to enjoy an inperson performance at the stunning Summer Concert. Earlier in the year, we were instead treated to recorded and televised performances: from the historic remote Carol Service, through to the wonderful Dance Gala and the powerful theatre production of ‘Game Over’ - challenging, thoughtprovoking theatre at its best! These productions needed vast amounts of time and skill to create and record, and the results are testament to the creativity of everybody involved. In sports, a ban on fixtures against other schools prompted the creation of the KES Super League, an internal multi-sport contest running across all age groups during the Spring Term in which hundreds of students participated to represent their ‘franchise’, seeking to win their particular competition and contribute to the overall standings.
Elsewhere, having lost the 2019/20 Summer Term season, cricket suddenly found itself to be the main representative sport for September and October, during a period when noncontact sports were still permitted. Cricket duly returned to its more traditional slot back in the Summer Term, once the lockdowns were eased. For me, however, the highlight of the sporting year was Sports Day. Whilst we were unable to allow parents to attend, this traditional coming together of the whole school was one of the first such events to be allowed, after nearly a year and a half of remote and segregated teaching and learning. To see, and to hear, the outpouring of sheer joy at being together again on the day was a memory I shall always take with me, and I know that the same can be said for many other students and colleagues who were there. Indeed, Sports Day was just one Summer Term event to bring renewed optimism to the School. Almost at the same time, the lifting of restrictions allowed for the magnificent Science and Technology Festival to take place; for the excitement of our ‘Endeavour’ programme to go ahead, and for a oneoff ‘Activities Week’ to be arranged for the examination year groups, after their very difficult year. This hotbed of activity has continued through the recent Summer holidays, with Duke of Edinburgh expeditions back in full swing, alongside pre-season sports tours and a marvelous activities week for our Sixth Form students, in partnership with the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association. I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute in particular to the outgoing Upper Sixth, and especially to the Student Leadership Team. The final year of schooling ought to be a memorable rite of passage, a chance truly to be a role-model for the whole school. Our student leaders inevitably missed out on many of the more glamorous elements of that role, but strived nonetheless to keep spirits up and to demonstrate to their younger peers that the pandemic would not stop the year from being productive and worthwhile. In this they showed true leadership, and I am immensely grateful to them. I was so pleased that we were able to put on a fabulous Leavers’ Event for them in August, even if the rain occasionally did its best to dampen spirits – something it utterly failed to do!
In any school year, we must say a fond farewell to a number of colleagues, as they move on to pursue a new path elsewhere. A number of teachers came to the end of fixed-term contracts. Mr Marino, Miss Mitchell, Mr Clarke, Miss Latter and Miss Greig all left after covering for maternity or other short-term roles. Miss Horn left at the end of her training contract, and Mr Hyder moved on to a new teaching position. Mr and Mrs Brown both left, as they fulfilled a long-held dream of working at an international school in Dubai. Mr Mapstone moved just up the road to become Head of Computing at Winchester College, whilst Miss Yerbury joined an exciting online education provider and, after 27 years at KES, Mr Tofts made the decision to retire from teaching. Earlier in the year we also saw the departure of Mr Smart after nearly a quarter of a century of service to the school, most latterly as Head of Curriculum Support. Mrs Hardwick retired from the English Department after a long career in teaching and Miss Cullen moved on to take up the position as Head of English at Portsmouth High School. Ms Moody also left the Psychology Department for pastures new. We were also sad to lose some nonteaching colleagues. Mrs Cox and Mrs Roe moved on from our nursing team. Mrs Hurst retired from the reception staff. In the library, we said farewell to Mrs Swainson and Mrs Burrough. Mrs Mandley retired as Student Guidance Co-ordinator, and Mr Consterdine moved on from his role as Theatre Manager. Finally, driver Mr Matthews and IT Support member Mr Penny left the school this summer. These valued colleagues have served the school with great distinction and we are all enormously grateful for their impressive contribution to King Edward’s. We wish them all well for the future. 2020/21 was a year like no other. As we look forward to the coming year, we hope that we may return to greater normality, but we do so safe in the knowledge that this school truly can rise to any challenge.
Neal Parker Head
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Head of School
Chair’s Report After 7 fantastic years, I look back on my time in KES with only the fondest of memories. KES is a community that allows you to grow as an individual and prepares you to take your first steps outside of the school environment. I have learnt that KES is a place that encourages you to seize opportunities before those opportunities cease to exist, and for that I am very grateful.
“It has been an honour to represent the school.”
It has been an honour to represent the school in many of the numerous activities that KES offers, ranging from chamber orchestra to netball and hockey teams, not to mention the amazing Charities Commission and Diversity Society! From the opportunity to travel to Spain to live with a Spanish family to receiving a tour around the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, I realise the breadth of experiences that KES has given me; ones that I look back on with a real smile on my face! As the class of 2020/2021, we have not had an easy year to say the least! With the return of Zoom school once again, and a very competitive year for university applications, we were met with a number of challenges but, on behalf of the Upper Sixth, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the teaching and non-teaching staff who enabled us to make the most of this rather strange past year. I am grateful to say that, despite the circumstances, we have made many memories, ones that will go down in history! I am very sad to be leaving KES but also very excited for the future and can only express my gratitude to the KES community for making this chapter of my life so enjoyable.
Anoushka Umranikar Head of School 2020-2021
This is my fourth report as Chair, reflecting on another year of unprecedented disruption by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Head, in his report, has described the academic and pastoral challenges associated with the pandemic and the outstanding response from our pupils and teaching staff during the year. I would also like to pay tribute to the enormous contribution of the nonteaching staff at both schools who have dedicated huge amounts of time to keeping all our IT systems running, and managing the many adverse financial consequences to us caused by the pandemic. On the surface, the schools have continued seamlessly and calmly to deliver the education for which we are rightly renowned, but I have also been aware of the huge amount of effort and planning going on ‘behind the scenes’ to ensure the ongoing safety of our pupils and staff. I have no doubt that every single member of staff played their part and we should be enormously grateful for their contribution. I would also like to thank our parents for their support over the last year, despite their own lives being turned upside down by the farreaching effects of this worldwide pandemic. While there may have been understandable scepticism, at the beginning of lockdown, about the quality of education which could be provided remotely, for the last year there has been unqualified support and appreciation for the consistent quality of the teaching received by our pupils. This has been hugely appreciated by our teaching staff, who were often delivering lessons while also home-schooling their own children. All this has been managed by the Senior Leadership Teams at both schools who have worked tirelessly to manage the many and various challenges along the way. I would like to pay special tribute to Mr Parker, in his second year as Head of King Edward’s, both of which have now been substantially disrupted, and Mrs Smith, in her first year at Stroud. Both have done an outstanding job for our schools and I am sure I speak for our whole community in thanking them most sincerely for their outstanding leadership during these difficult times.
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I would also like to recognise formally the contribution of our governors throughout the last year despite suffering their own pressures in their businesses and personal lives. We are fortunate to be able to call on so many talented individuals, with a wealth of experience, who provide their advice willingly and at no cost to the schools. Finally, it would be remiss of me not to reflect on the financial consequences to our schools caused by the pandemic. It will be no surprise that in the last year the schools have once again lost a considerable amount of revenue, primarily due to fee discounts, and we have also incurred substantial additional COVID-19 related costs. Unfortunately, the support under the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention (furlough) scheme has reduced this year, and we expect this to result in a further reduction in our surplus. The governors and Senior Leadership Teams continue to have to make some really tough choices, balancing the very real pressures experienced by many of our parents, against our undoubted duty to protect the longer-term viability of our schools. These decisions have been addressed diligently and conscientiously and I am happy to confirm that our schools remain in a strong position to address the inevitable challenges ahead. The major building project in 2020 was the brand new Key Stage 2 building at Stroud, which was commenced in the first few months of that year. Despite most of the build taking place during the period of lockdown, the new building was completed on time for the start of the academic year and it has been an outstanding addition to our teaching facilities.
This will provide a safe haven for our pupils with easy access to our nurses, chaplain, counsellor, curriculum support team and key pastoral staff and it will represent a very important addition to our provision which we are certain will be much appreciated by our pupils and parents alike. Alongside this work, an impressive number of smaller projects have been completed at both schools during this summer as we continue our programme of continuous improvement to the fabric of all our sites. Notable additions have been the new servery built in the KES Dining Room which will lock in the reduction in our pupils’ waiting times for their lunch which were achieved last year, and the exciting new adventure playground at Stroud, which will complement the new KS2 building. I would like to thank our Director of Operations, Mr Baker, and his team for their outstanding contribution in delivering a remarkable number of projects on time, despite the innumerable hurdles placed in their path.
The desire to support a greater range of bursaries so that able pupils can attend our schools, regardless of their means, remains a key objective of the governors. The King Edward VI Foundation, under the expert guidance of Ms Hooper, has continued to grow as Old Edwardians of a variety of vintages have made donations or left legacies. We are grateful to all our donors for their support. To conclude, I am delighted to report that, despite everything, our schools continue to be financially robust, and we are very well placed to weather any further storms which may come our way in the years ahead. We will continue to manage our resources carefully, placing our pupils at the centre of everything we do, and we will always strive to deliver excellence in the broad educational experience which we deliver. I remain grateful for the support of every member of our community which is the foundation for our every success.
Alan Morgan
Chair of Governors
The last year has been a quieter one for the membership sub-committee of our governing body, with no new recruits. I would like to record formally my thanks to Dr Yvonne Binge, who retired at the end of March, after giving exemplary service to our schools for nearly 20 years.
In the last year, much of our capital programme has once again been deferred to preserve our cash. However, we were acutely aware of the adverse impact of the pandemic on the mental health of many of our pupils at KES and it was decided that we should not defer the project to create a new Wellbeing Centre in the heart of the school. Once again on a constrained site this has necessitated a large number of consequential moves in order to create the space needed but this has all been achieved, and the new centre is expected to open at the end of September. 5
Academic Progress The academic results this year were very pleasing with 100% of King Edward’s students passing their A Levels, with 36% of grades at A*, 69% at A* and A, and 93% at A*, A and B, matching our results over the past five years in spite of significant disruption following the cancellation of exams. IGCSE and GCSE results were also very encouraging. 99.7% of IGCSE and GCSEs were awarded at grade C / 4 or above, with 82% of all grades at A* and A / 9 to 7. 95% of all grades were awarded at A*, A or B / 9 to 6. 100% of students obtained the minimum 5 GCSE passes including IGCSE mathematics and English, the usual DfE measure of high standards although, given our adoption of the more demanding IGCSE, this is not given official recognition in the government’s league tables. The results for GCSE Religious Studies taken at the end of the Fourth Year were also very encouraging.
A Level Results 2021 Percentage
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A*
A
B
C
D
E
A Level Grades
GCSE Results 2021 (Alpha grades) Percentage
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A*
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
3
2
IGCSE and GCSE Grades
GCSE Results 2021 (Numerical grades) Percentage
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9
8
7
6
5
IGCSE and GCSE Grades 6
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“Thank you to those parents who have already joined and hopefully find it worthwhile. We encourage others to give it a go!”
KES PTA This past academic year saw a continuation of much of KES PTA being in an induced coma, with life support being provided by OBNO (outgrown but not outworn). Things have been happening in the background, maybe not very fast or very visibly, due to the many restrictions, but we are still here and still working away ready to move on to next year whatever that may bring! OBNO has not only been keeping things going but the plan for taking OBNO online was pushed through by the situation in which the PTA found itself. OBNO now has a successful online shop with healthy sales as well as still offering the personal touch with face-to-face sales when allowed. We firmly believe that this extension of the OBNO offering is here to stay and makes it easier to access when face-to-face is not allowed or not convenient.
The Edwardian Society
Another plan that progressed thanks to lockdown was the setting up of Classlist, a community and communications tool for the PTA. Welcome and thank you to those parents who have already joined and hopefully find it worthwhile. We encourage others to give it a go! Classlist enables the PTA to send out announcements about events but also allows parents to message each other, or a group of parents. So far, we (personally and as the PTA) are finding that it is proving both useable and useful and there is no reason to think that this will not continue. It can only get better as time goes on, especially as more people join and use it.
refreshments at the pre-season training for new First and Third Years. Soon after there will be our AGM to which everyone is invited. We don’t yet know the format but, be it virtual, in person, or blended, we would love to take this opportunity to make the new normal the launch pad for new ideas and concepts to add to our existing activities.
Along with the rest of the world, the PTA hopes to come out of its suspended animation sometime in the near future and, restrictions permitting, we hope to offer
PTA Chair
So, we hope to see you all soon and we would really like to hear from parents who would like to be involved or have any thoughts or ideas at this exciting new time. You don’t even have to wait for the AGM – try out Classlist and get in touch!
Richard Congreve
This has been an academic year like no other in so many ways, not least because we have been unable to hold any on-site reunions for our alumni. The vast majority of OE sporting fixtures were cancelled and only the golfers managed to squeeze in an event prior to the second lockdown when they played the annual Triangular Match in September and the OE boys’ hockey team achieved victory over the school’s 1st XI on a sunny weekend in July. Despite everything, we have done our level best to maintain contact and provide support via social media, email and via The Edwardian magazine. The advent of the mainstream use of Zoom for meetings and webinars has enabled many more of our alumni to participate in careers events. The sharing of their professional experiences and advice is invaluable to our students and we are always grateful for their time and input. Throughout this last year, we have heard countless stories of the many vital contributions that so many of our alumni have made to the NHS, COVID-19 relief effort and vaccination programme whilst others have worked tirelessly in other keyworker
roles. This is a true testament to the community mindedness of our students, past and present, and, as a school, we are proud of each and every one of you. We have continued to grow our profile on Linkedin and other social networking sites and invite you all to follow us to ensure you always receive the most up-to-date news and information. As we look forward to a, hopefully, more normal year, we hope to see as many of you as possible back at KES for our planned gettogethers.
Ms Hooper
Development Officer 7
Drama This year we have had to really think outside of the Proscenium Arch box having had to deal with; restrictions with having audiences, cast members in different bubbles, year groups of students in isolation or issues around creating theatre that maintains social distancing or having to perform in masks. However, all these limitations have ensured that we have been ever more creative. The pandemic did not stop our students from accessing theatre professionals from around the world by virtual means. These have included Dr Corinna Di Niro in Australia who is a leading expert in Commedia dell’arte, a virtual vocal and dialect workshop with H. Russ Brown, Head of Theatre and Artistic Director of Texas Performing Arts Academy and a page to stage masterclass with Rich Gittins, an Actor and Director with the Royal Opera Company. Co-curricular lunchtime drama clubs have continued including work on Roald Dahl’s ‘Revolting Rhymes’ by members of the First Year Production Club. Our new Creative Arts Lead Technician, Mrs Brewer, has also introduced a new Stage Crew Club - a hands-on activity club that gives pupils the chance to design and operate lighting and sound equipment and take part in other technical theatre and backstage roles. Our LAMDA provision continues to be a very popular and successful programme of study offered at KES, with over 90 students signed up and achieving awards in acting from grades 4-8.
“This year we have had to really think outside of the Proscenium Arch box.”
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This year’s Upper School production of the hard hitting Mark Wheeler play ‘Game Over’ was a challenge for the cast and crew alike, having to be postponed several times due to COVID-19. With the help of Zoom rehearsals, and a variety of different staging options used, a wonderfully creative and innovative filmed performance was produced, with the cast showing an immense level of skill, versatility and patience. The production captured some truly heartfelt and emotion-driven performances from all the cast who were amazing in their handling of such a sensitive and important subject matter. Following a comprehensive audition process, we have been able to form an amazing cast of highly talented performers for the whole school production of ’Les Misérables’. The cast are already deeply immersed in vocal rehearsals, led by Miss Forsey, in preparation for creating a production which promises to be quite spectacular.
Mrs Gilmour Head of Drama
Art This extraordinary year has seen the Art Department have to adapt to the challenges of remote learning and it has done so with aplomb. With Zoom and remote teaching, art staff and KES students found themselves new and often exciting ways of working. Google classroom and slides allowed for a wonderfully interactive way of presenting work, with the slightly unnerving bonus of seeing annotations and submissions in real time. Some classes were set the challenge of finding creative materials from around the house, whether that was the red from a berry muesli or using tea and coffee to use as a brown wash. Our examination classes had the advantage of having KES art boxes with a lovely array of materials in them, allowing them to carry on with their pieces, whilst the exam board and government decided how, when, and on what, they would be assessed. Having on-line digital
Music At a time when the Arts suffered so upsettingly during the global pandemic, KES pupils and staff were able to keep creative thinking and expression alive and well. Where there was restriction, we found a way to forge through, and where there was boundary, we overcame it.
sketchbooks ensured that as we entered the second lockdown, everyone knew the routine! Despite all the disruptions, our GCSE and A Level Fine Art students and photographers produced some magnificent work both in sketchbooks and as final pieces. They are to be congratulated for their perseverance and creativity in trying times. We look forward to being able to celebrate their achievements at some point soon. When we finally returned to school, it was lovely to be back in the art studios for both the students and staff. The sense of renewal that creativity brings has been a joy to see.
Mr Piggott Head of Art
Breaking up our choristers’ rehearsal interactions across their bubbles was one particular challenge, but those who shared in the joyful Carol Service were reassured by the fantastic comradery and community spirit that we still managed to create. The Service repertoire certainly had a jubilant theme. Solo singers and musical theatre enthusiasts also had their chance to shine with a vocal masterclass held early in the Autumn Term. This gave students a taste of the spotlight in readiness for the launch of the forthcoming November production of ‘Les Misérables’. The Chamber Orchestra continued to work on performance repertoire and recorded a stunning concert with Sixth Form Chant music scholar William playing the Beethoven Emperor Concerto second movement along with Elgar’s String Serenade. This was shared with our community via video. During the January lockdown, colleagues across the Arts found fantastically innovative and unique co-curricular projects to explore with students whilst working exclusively online. The summer was busy in terms of co-curricular projects. Many KES musicians enjoyed the annual Music Competition. The winner of the Grade V-VII category was Joshua, and
winner of the Grade VIII+ category was Elias. Ruth Rodger (Leader of the London Mozart Players) adjudicated the competition, giving each student some valuable oneto-one time during their audition. The Jazz workshop for Swing Band and Big Band was another joyful event in the department’s calendar. Playing alongside world class jazz performers was inspiring for the students involved. Academic Music was treated to enrichment too with a Blues and Jazz workshop for Second Year, a film music lecture with Jono Buchanan for Third Year and a lecture and masterclass on Romantic piano for GCSE and A Level. The year was rounded off by two live concerts, one as part of the Romsey Music Festival at Romsey Abbey as part of their lunchtime concert series, and the other in the Dobson Theatre. Performers from across the school took part and treated the audience to a rich variety of repertoire and styles. In June, Sophie and Elias organised a showcase Summer Concert to celebrate the return to live music. From Lucy’s Annie solo to numbers by the cast of ‘Les Misérables’, the students prepared a display that celebrated musical memories past, and musical futures new. The evening ended with drinks accompanied by the wonderful Fifth Year band ‘404 Not Found’, and Euan who treated us to some upbeat and life affirming music.
Miss Forsey
Head of Creative Arts & Director of Music
“The sense of renewal that creativity brings has been a joy to see.” 9
Sport In a most unusual year, we had cricket in September and rugby in May! The challenges of COVID-19 were felt in the sporting arena as much as anywhere in school life, but a creative approach and flexibility of thought meant the students had as good a sporting offering as was truly possible. With rugby not permitted, the year started with cricket on balmy September afternoons but, eventually, circumstances dictated that inter-school sport was no longer possible. This prompted the invention of the KES Super League; a fantastic internal franchise tournament. All our students entered into this with great enthusiasm to the point where nearly three-quarters of the school were involved in sporting competition. Well played to the Tigers who were the overall winners of the league. January to March saw no sport take place and so it was to everyone’s delight that we were able to hold a full summer term of cricket. Boys’ cricket was as strong as ever, with large numbers playing the sport, many good results against challenging schools, a cohort of very enthusiastic senior players and much ability starting to blossom in the younger students. Whilst the county cup competitions did not go ahead for the girls’ teams, we were successful in a number of the boys’ competitions. The U15s reached the semi-final, the U12s reached the final and both the U13 and U14 teams won their respective competitions. The U14 side now qualify for the national U15 cup competition next year. The U13 boys’ team finished the season with 17 wins from 17 games - this is
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a great achievement and bodes very well for the future. Girls’ cricket picked up where it left off in the summer of 2019, the break not diminishing the enthusiasm for this new summer sport. We fielded our first ever senior girls’ team in a fixture against Hursley Cricket Club, furnished two teams at U15 and U14 level, three teams from the Second Year and four First Year teams. The players grew in confidence, eventually demanding to play with the hard ball. Match results were really positive (the U15B, U14A, U13B and U12C all finished the season with 100% wins) and it is going to be very exciting to see the rapid growth of girls’ cricket in the years to come. Despite it being the summer term, we were able to arrange some rugby, netball and hockey fixtures for the senior teams so that all those leaving the school had one last chance to represent KES before they depart to pastures new and it was a real pleasure to be able to hold Sports Day in June. The whole school came together for the first time in two years as the students worked hard to gain points for their Houses. A number of longstanding records fell and the overall winners were Lawrence House. It was a year that has forced us to consider what is on offer and be creative about how we deliver sport at King Edward’s but it showed more than ever the value of sport for all our students, in ensuring they remain healthy both in body and also in mind.
Mr Kent
Director of Sport
Co-Curricular Despite year two of disruption to the normal flow of life here at KES, we have seen a huge amount of activity and enjoyment in the co-curriculum. Clubs and Societies, within bubbles, have continued to work and flourish. Character Design Club and a new Fashion Illustration Club have entertained the Lower School and produced some extraordinary work. The new librarians have introduced a host of book-related discussion clubs, and brought a new energy to the space. Mr Giles continues to foster a love of cacti, and chess has gone virtual! Dance, music and drama clubs have continued in bubbles and look forward to the return of mixed year group activities. DivSoc hosted a thought-provoking Pride Week, and we have seen online lectures by both the History and Classics Societies and the Geography, Sanskrit, Junior Science, and Life Beyond Earth clubs have all continued, as have the Sustainability, Sewing, School Council, Polyglots, Politics, Mountain Biking, Japanese, Photography and Robotics groups; the list goes on and on.
The Allen Grant Trophy was the most exciting we have seen for some years. Despite multiple interruptions and lockdowns, 34 House events have gone ahead this year and, after heated competition, the result went down to the wire, with just three points separating the champions and runners up. We were able to have Sports Day for the first time since 2019 and it was a delight to be out as a school, enjoying the athletics. Reynolds retained the Allen Grant Trophy but by the narrowest of margins, winning with 149 points, just 3 points ahead of Lawrence on 146. The staff and pupils have continued to throw themselves head first into a host of hobbies and activities, and we await even more enjoyment as restrictions lift in the Autumn Term.
Miss Smith
Assistant Head (Co-curricular)
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Trips & Visits Trips and Visits in the time of COVID-19 have been more about the hours preparing and planning, mixed with the despair of postponement and cancellation. In a year where no one went anywhere, we were like many whose travel plans were curtailed. There was some light at the end of the tunnel, however. Ingenuity prevailed with the Outdoor Education staff, and Second Year Camp went to Wellington Sports Ground for two days of cooking, emergency relief and problem solving. Duke of Edinburgh managed to do day walks and then, come June, complete real residential expeditions across all three levels of the Award, and there were fun days out at Paulton’s Park, Thorpe Park, and Marwell Zoo. Numerous trips adapted and amended to become closer, shorter, on site or non-residential. It is only right to thank all staff who worked so hard and spent many hours planning trips that were then postponed, altered, postponed again, and then never happened. We are so excited about the next 12 months when, at last, we can return to offering more experiences for our pupils away from Hill Lane, which will further enrich their school life.
Miss Smith
Assistant Head (Co-curricular)
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Charities Members of the Charities Commission have had another productive year, despite sometimes challenging circumstances, and have hosted a variety of events, shows and stalls. We have raised money for a range of charities from local organisations, such as Yellow Door Southampton, to national campaigns such as Save the Children. Turnout to both Upper and Lower School Charities has been impressive, despite having to transfer to virtual meetings during lockdown.
During lockdown, the Charities Commission still strived to think of others in the local community. For Valentine’s Day the students sent heart-warming videos to share with the residents of 30 local care homes. Additionally, they also sent Easter cards to these residents once they returned to school. Easter sales were managed in year group bubbles, to ensure students were supplied with Easter eggs prior to the spring break, raising valuable further funds for the Sixth Form charity projects.
To begin the Autumn Term, the Commission held the annual shoe collection for Sal’s Shoes, Toe to Toe campaign. An impressive 523 pairs of shoes were collected and sorted to be sent to those in need across the globe. The subsequent non-uniform day and Krispy Kreme doughnut sale was held in aid of The Marine Conservation Trust and raised over £1000. This year’s First Year Toy Appeal Fun Run was a huge success. Not only did students create the most fantastic and creative toyinspired costumes but they managed to raise over £3000. This money is currently being used to buy presents that will be distributed by the Scratch charity in Southampton this Christmas for disadvantaged children. For International Men’s day, in November, Sixth Form students sold gingerbread men to raise money for Prostate Cancer charities and, in December, there were the traditional candy canes and advent calendar sales in aid of all the Sixth Form charity projects including the Sholing Partnerships Project, Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association and Summer Camp.
In April, the Charities Commission ran an awareness assembly to bring difficult subject matters to the forefront of the school’s attention. These issues included inequality, racism, prejudice, and violence against women. They decided to donate the Spring Term’s non-uniform day to Yellow Door Southampton - a charity which prevents and responds to domestic and sexual abuse. They also put together a display on the boards in the Crush Hall to ensure that these issues are still viewed and discussed on a regular basis by the school community.
“Members of the Charities Commission have had another productive year.”
Miss McGinn
Head of Charities
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the departmental guru when it came to dyspraxia and visual stress, mentored new colleagues and contributed to staff training. We wish her all the best in her new venture as a Declutter Coach and thank her for all that she has contributed to school life.
Staff Mr Smart joined the English Department in 1986 as a teacher of English and Drama. His long career as a teacher has been characterised by a meticulousness of preparation, combined with a love of the dramatic making for many lively and inspirational lessons. In 2003, as Literacy Support Co-ordinator, he was asked to head up the school’s brand-new Curriculum Support Department initially by himself, and, since 2008, with a team of colleagues. Outside the classroom he has also been active, managing the basketball team for 31 years with several city and county league wins. He is also the founder of the popular Byron Society. He retires from teaching to concentrate on his professional acting career, to commit further time to his spiritual direction and vocational coaching, and to spend time with his family. We thank him for his dedication to the school and its pupils for so many years. Mr Tofts joined King Edward’s in the year it became fully coeducational and in the last twenty-seven years has taught 23,000 lessons to uncountable numbers of students. His lessons have been imaginative and intellectually demanding and he has imparted vital facts about religious and philosophical world views in a memorable way, encouraging students to think clearly and to argue logically. He has demanded high standards of thought and expression. Outside the classroom, he has taught cooking to the Sixth Form in Foundation Studies, has led the Philosophy Society and has carefully nurtured many students through The Philosophy Shop outreach to Highfield School. We wish him all the best for a well-deserved retirement. Mrs Smart joined the Curriculum Support Department in 2008 teaching Literacy Support. After qualifying as an assessor, she expanded her role to include identifying students with possible special needs ensuring their ongoing support and organising special arrangements in exams. She also created a bespoke study skills course for Sixth Formers on the Curriculum Support Register and her handwriting lessons were legendary. Mrs Smart became
Mrs Hardwick arrived at the school in 2008, having worked in the state sector for twenty years. As Second in the English Department, in charge of GCSE and then IGCSE, it is in no small part due to her dedication, that the examination results have remained so stable throughout her time with us. She is passionate about her subject and has taught at all levels throughout the school. At A Level, she particularly enjoyed enthusing students with her own love for the Pastoral, as well as her favourite Shakespeare play, ‘King Lear’. She has been a highly professional Sixth Form tutor taking the welfare of her tutees very seriously. On the co-curricular side, Mrs Hardwick was a long-standing member of the Reading Scheme team, and organised several theatre trips. We wish her a long and happy retirement. Ms Swainson joined King Edward’s in 2013 as Learning Resources Manager, having previously worked in a variety of academic libraries. She has always been passionate about putting the library at the heart of the school, as both a pastoral and a learning space, and her child-centred approach and imagination encouraged its use to the point where capacity was reached. This, in turn, became a primary driver to the extension and refurbishment of the library in 2019 in which she played an integral part in both its design and realisation. Ms Swainson will be very much missed by colleagues and pupils alike, especially those children for whom the library became their most important space in the school. We wish her all the best for her retirement. Mrs Cox joined King Edward’s in 2008. During her time at the school the number of students that the nursing team has to deal with on a daily basis has risen exponentially. This rise is testimony to the safe, welcoming environment that she has created. Whether it is a minor injury or the occasional more serious situations that need urgent care, she has been the face of calm reassurance and professional excellence. She has also supported students experiencing emotional turmoil or periods of poor mental health, and her compassion and good sense has been invaluable. Mrs Cox will be sorely missed and we wish her the very best of luck in her new role.
Mrs Mandley joined King Edward’s in 2006. Within her role of Careers Advisor, she has been hugely influential on the lives of innumerable KES students, helping and guiding them in making decisions that will affect their HE choices and their chosen professional pathways. She has introduced younger students to the world of work, conducted many thousands of individual careers guidance interviews, overseen the work experience programme for Sixth Formers, hosted industry-focused lunches and lectures and introduced the annual KES Careers Fair. She leaves us with our thanks for all that she has done. Mrs Burrough joined the school in 2008 to work in the library. There have been tremendous changes in the facility during her time at King Edward’s as it has evolved from a traditional space with parquet floors and trestle study tables, to the bright and modern learning environment, at the heart of the school, that it is today. She has always applied the highest standards to her work and has helped shape the library service, playing a significant part in supporting the Learning Resources Manager to achieve this. Mrs Burrough retires with our very best wishes. Mr Mapstone joined King Edward’s in September 2010 to head up the Computer Science and Digital Literacy Department and, over time, has expanded the subject to all year levels to create a continuous pathway for students. He has led two ‘Digital High Tech Treks’, first to Silicon Valley in California and then to Tokyo and, closer to home, he has taken teams to the student robotics competition, organised trips to the National Museum of Computing and been a long term member of the D of E team. He has also coached numerous cricket teams in the Lower School. He leaves us to lead the Computing Department at Winchester College. Miss Yerbury joined us in 2005 teaching both Biology and Chemistry classes at A Level. For several years now, she has taught purely Biology guiding numerous cohorts of IGCSE and A Level students who have appreciated her excellent subject knowledge and engaging lessons, as well as her understanding of how Biology mark schemes are interpreted. Outside of the classroom, Katrina has contributed in most areas of the school, coaching netball teams, running the Charities Commission and leading the Charlotte Exchange. She moves on from King Edward’s with the very best wishes of the Biology Department.
Ms Moody
Mr Consterdine
Rosie Horn
Ms Moody joined King Edward’s in September 2016 and rapidly made her mark on the Psychology Department and the wider school community. A formidable intellect, she took the reins of an already-successful department and helped give it further academic rigour. She revitalised the Psychology Society and introduced Lower Sixth research projects into the curriculum, a study unit on gender issues, annual trips to the Freud Museum in London and many other lecture trips. Outside the classroom, she sang in the staff choir and became a stalwart of the Duke of Edinburgh’s award team. She leaves the department in a very strong position and we wish her the very best in her new endeavours.
Mr Consterdine took on the role of Theatre Manager in 2017 and quickly became the linchpin of the Dobson Theatre. From the seats to the lighting box, and everything in between, he has run the Dobson with impressive professional standards. He is also incredibly creative and his illustrations have been projected to enhance scenes, scenery, scores and lighting for many a school production. He has been a fundamental part of the Creative Arts Faculty, working across the departments, and more widely across the school community, to bring life to everyone’s visions. He will be missed by us all and we wish him well for the future.
Miss Horn joined the PE Department in 2018 as a trainee teacher of PE. She has become a valued member of the department and made contributions across many areas of the school. She has taught both core PE and GCSE Sports Science and has contributed to the coaching of sports teams in hockey, netball and cricket. She has been a keen supporter of the House competitions, has accompanied the Summer Camp for 2 years and been a tutor for Lawrence House. She leaves us with our good wishes. Miss Stevens
Mrs Roe Mrs Brown Mrs Brown joined the staff in 2014 to teach French and Spanish, having previously been a pupil at KES. She has been a conscientious and passionate teacher who has always thrown herself into co-curricular activities and been a valuable member of the hockey coaching team. In 2017, she took over the role of Sustainability Co-ordinator and has also led a number of successful overseas trips, including the Second Year trip to Normandy. She leaves us to start a new chapter of her teaching career in Dubai with her husband Mr Brown. We wish her all the best for the future. Mr Brown Mr Brown joined KES in 2012 on a temporary contract but swiftly became a permanent member of the Geography Department. As well as being a fantastic teacher, who engages and enthuses his students, he has played a leading role in Geography Society, been Head of Lawrence and Assistant Head of Upper School and also served as Head of Geography for a year. A keen sportsman, he has coached both cricket and football sides and has accompanied many school trips, both domestic and international. He leaves us to teach abroad in Dubai and we wish him all the best for his new adventure; he will be hugely missed. Miss Cullen Miss Cullen arrived at King Edward’s in 2016 and has taught English throughout the school. She was also a Sixth Form tutor until 2018 when she went on maternity leave, returning on a part-time timetable in 2019. As a Teaching and Learning Lead Practitioner, Miss Cullen led several INSET courses, and she also acted as a mentor. On the co-curricular side, she worked as Assistant Director on several school plays, and also organised a ‘Jane Austen at Home’ evening in the Dobson Theatre. She also took part in the Booker Prize Challenge, an initiative she intends to start up at her new school, Portsmouth High, where she is taking up the post of Head of English. We wish her every success in her new role.
Mrs Roe joined the nursing team part-time in January 2017 whilst continuing her other role as a Practice Nurse alongside. She brought a wealth of experience with her and has been a reliable and supportive colleague over the last four years. As well as staffing the Medical Room, she has delivered First Aid classes to the First Years and has thoroughly enjoyed her Junior House and Saturday rugby cover. She is always cheerful and her positivity and dedication to her job will be sorely missed by students and staff alike. We look forward to welcoming her back as a bank nurse and are grateful for all her support during her time at KES.
Miss Stevens joined King Edward’s in April 2019 to take up the post of Marketing Assistant/Theatre Bookings Coordinator. She was immensely organised and efficient and did much to promote the school’s social media presence, monitoring and populating the accounts, as well as ensuring our presence in a range of publications and updating parts of the website. She also worked to introduce the new weekly parents’ bulletin and oversaw a range of external bookings in the Dobson Theatre. She left the school at the very end of August to return to her native Kent. We thank her for all her hard work. Mrs Hurst
Mr Hyder Mr Hyder joined King Edward’s in 2017 on the teacher training programme. During his four years at KES, he has qualified as a teacher and completed his NQT year. He has a calm and unflappable nature and a measured and consistent approach to teaching. Outside the classroom, he has been a hockey coach, accompanied the South Africa trip, assisted with Summer Camp and attended the annual residential Biology Field trip. He leaves us to take up another teaching post away from Southampton. Mr Penny Mr Penny joined King Edward’s as Technical Support Specialist in July 2018 and quickly became a core member of the IT Support Team, readily turning his skills to each task presented. We will miss his calm and professional manner as he moves onto a role focused on Microsoft 365. Mr Gent Mr Gent joined King Edward’s in September 2020 as IT Support Technician on the sandwich work-placement component of his degree course in Computer Networks at University of Portsmouth. His customer service skills shine and he is always keen to assist anyone who asks for help. We wish him well in his continuing studies.
Mrs Hurst joined the reception team in September 2020 at the height of COVID restrictions and picked up the role really quickly. She leaves us to enjoy a very early retirement. Mrs Latter (German), Mr Clarke (PE), Miss Greig (Geography) and Mr Marino (Spanish) also leave us having worked at King Edward’s for the past year on fixedterm contracts. We thank them for their contributions to school life.
KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL SOUTHAMPTON
Wilton Road Southampton SO15 5UQ Tel 023 8070 4561 Fax 023 8070 5937 Email enquiries@kes.hants.sch.uk www.kes.hants.sch.uk