WELCOME FROM THE HEAD OF LOWER YEARS
Dear Parents, Guardians and Pupils,
I am delighted to welcome you and your children to the Lower Years (Years 7 and 8) at King’s. I am very excited about the journey your child will go on over the next two years. As you know, children join King’s in the Lower Fourth (Year 7) from a variety of Primary Schools and also from our two Prep Schools, King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford. The Lower Years are important in easing the transition to Senior School, for learning and embracing new routines, for making new friends and preparing the children for the later years at King’s.
Having been a part of the King’s Foundation in various roles for 16 years, and a King’s parent, I can say that the School is a warm and nurturing environment and we will do our utmost to ensure your child is happy, safe and secure here. In my experience, if we get this right, children’s learning and development follow naturally!
There is a change as children move from Year 6 to 7 and we will work tirelessly to ensure this transition is not daunting and is wellmanaged. Think of the Lower Years as the last two years of a Prep/ Primary School rather than the first two years of Secondary School. We want the children to build on existing learning skills, remain curious, embrace new routines and work hard, but we also want them to remain children! We want them to play as children at break times, enjoy new opportunities and widen their horizons.
Although the Lower Years is very much a part of King’s, it has its own areas for form rooms, offices and play areas, its own assemblies, timetable and lunch arrangements. Transition to King’s is done sensibly and gradually through the Lower Years and with the School’s values of ambition, resilience, humility, creativity and kindness at its centre. This is the start of an exciting journey.
My role, and that of my Deputy, Mrs Rachael Worth, and the Lower Years tutors, is to support, nurture and gently push your children to be the best version of themselves and thus prepare themselves for the Removes (Years 9 and 10), the House system and GCSEs. We are a very friendly team and children must feel they can ask us if they are unsure or worried.
Do contact your child’s Form Tutor in the first instance and Mrs Worth if you have any queries or concerns. I already know a number of you and look forward to meeting you and your children at various events and on touchlines, concerts and the like over the coming months. Welcome to King’s and welcome to the Lower Years.
Best wishes,
Mr Richard Chapman Head of Lower Years
Mr Richard Chapman Head of Lower Years
S ENIOR SCHOOL STRUCTURES
PASTORAL STRUCTURE IN THE LOWER YEARS
Mr Richard Chapman Head of Lower Years
Mrs Rachael Worth Assistant Head of Lower Years
Learning Skills Department
Health Centre Nurses
Mrs Emma Rossiter
Mrs
SENIOR LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
AT KING’S
Dr Alison Oliver Senior Deputy Head
Mrs Katie Beever Deputy Head Academic
Mr Gareth Doodes Headmaster
Miss Harriet Dyke Designated Safeguarding Lead Deputy Head Pastoral
Miss Georgina Mason Director of Finance and Business Development
Mr Adam Winter Director of Operations
Upper Fourth (U4) (Year 8) Form Tutors
Lower Fourth (L4) (Year 7) Form Tutors
USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS
In addition to the raft of information in our handbook, you can find additional information on our Lower Years Hub. Here you will find a link to our virtual tour, information on getting to King’s, details of the school uniform, a short video from our Lower Years Pupils, essential tips for settling in, how to express an interest in music lessons and how to sign up to our school newsletter and social media channels.
Reason for contacting the School Who should I contact?
School Office
absence@ksw.org.uk
Contact Information Illness/Emergency/Planned Medical/Dental Appointment
Form Tutor - please copy them in to any absence emails
Contacting the Lower Years Team Mr Richard Chapman Head of Lower Years
Mrs Rachael Worth
Assistant Head of Lower Years
House Tutors
Health Centre
01905 721704
01905 721700
See list of email addresses
rchapman@ksw.org.uk
rworth@ksw.org.uk
Please see House specific information Page 10
Mrs Emma Rossiter
Mrs Alison Odam
Mrs Jo Walters
Senior Leadership Team Mr Gareth Doodes
Dr Alison Oliver
Miss Harriet Dyke
Mrs Katie Beever
Miss Georgina Mason
Mr Adam Winter
TIMINGS OF THE DAY
The Annett Building is open, with a member of staff on duty and in the Lower Years Playground, during morning break. Lunch is eaten in the Dining Hall between 11.55 am and 12.30 pm. Activities and clubs then take place during Long Break, which runs between 13.40 and 14.15. During Long Break, the School Library is open for supervised use, and Lower Years staff are again on duty around the Annett Building and Lower Years Playground.
After School, at 3.40pm pupils are free to go home, unless taking part in after-school clubs and activities. They may also join homework club in the ICT suite until 5.00pm and then any remaining pupils will go to the Library which closes at 5.50pm (Monday to Thursday) and 5.30pm (Friday).
After this time, we ask that they leave the school premises. All pupils must be off the site by 6.00 pm unless they are under the direct supervision of a member of staff.
Homework club in the ICT suite until 5pm and then any pupils remaining on site will go to the library which closes at 5.50pm (Monday to Thursday) and 5.30pm (Friday).
health@ksw.org.uk
01905 721711
headmaster@ksw.org.uk or you can make an appointment to meet with the Headmaster via his secretary, Mrs Fiona Cook, on: 01905 721740
aoliver@ksw.org.uk
hdyke@ksw.org.uk
kbeever@ksw.org.uk
gmason@ksw.org.uk
awinter@ksw.org.uk
COMMUNICATION
If as parents or guardians you have any concerns about your child, then please do contact their Form Tutor in the first instance. Early communication is essential to build an effective partnership between school and home and we welcome the opportunity to work closely with you should you have any queries or concerns about life at school or your child’s well-being or progress; we aim to keep parents and guardians fully informed on all matters relating to their children.
The King’s Worcester Firefly website is a key source of information about life in school and offers a variety of information about dayto-day life at King’s. More information on this can be found on page 16.
You will receive a weekly newsletter from the Headmaster which provides a roundup of school news. Once a year, you will receive a copy of the school magazine, The Vigornian.
You are also encouraged to follow us via our social media channels.
‘King’s Worcester’ @kings_worcester
‘Kings Worcester’ @The King’s School, Worcester
SCHOOL INFORMATION
THE SCHOOL DAY
Example LowerYearsTimetable
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
8.30am Registration and Assembly
9.05am English Language 1 Drama Maths Language 2
9.45am Latin Geography Music
10.20am Short Break
10.40am Design Technology English Physical Education Language 2 Art 11.20am History PSHE
12.00pm Lunch
12.25pm Language 2 Maths Biology Physics Latin 1.05pm Computing History
1.40pm Long Break
2.25pm Chemistry Games Language 1 Language 1 Religion & Philosophy 3.05pm Maths English Geography
Our school day starts at 8.30 am, when registration takes place in Form rooms. Pupils should not generally enter the school site before 8.00am as there is no official staff supervision before this time. The day is split into 8 periods (lessons) of 35 minutes. Some of these may be combined to form double periods.
Travelling to and from school Bicycles are allowed, with the Form Tutor’s permission, Bicycles can be kept at the rear of Choir House during the day and must always be locked when left on school premises.
ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE
If your if your child is ill, please leave a message on the School’s absence line - (01905 721704) or email absence@ksw.org.uk - on each day of their absence - copying in the relevant Form Tutor if emailing.
If your child has a medical appointment which cannot be arranged outside school hours please email their Form Tutor in advance.
If a pupil needs to miss school for any reason, such as a family holiday in term-time, family event such as a wedding or funeral; public performance or participation in sport, parents and guardians must contact the Headmaster, in plenty of time and well before arrangements are finalised. The Headmaster will take into account the pupil’s prior attendance record and the reason for the request. Please be aware that he is not legally or contractually bound to grant the request. Any absence of more than ten days may only be granted in exceptional circumstances under the terms of the legislation about compulsory school attendance.
Please encourage your son or daughter to walk safely but quickly to school, either from home or after a journey on public transport. We strongly advise that they avoid the tow path as we do not consider it safe for young pupils on their own. They should use more public routes when they walk to and from school and should always walk with friends. Pupils should bear in mind that they are representing the school when in public.
Please be aware that if a pupil misses school without prior permission, or if he or she stays away for longer than the agreed term, this absence will be recorded as unauthorised. In some instances, the school will seek advice from the local Education Welfare Officer if pupils are missing school for unauthorised reasons.
Lateness
All pupils must arrive for registration by 8.30 am. Afternoon registration takes place at 2.25 pm in their Period lesson. If pupils arrive after 8.40 am they will be marked ‘Late’. If a pupil is frequently late, his or her parents and guardians will be informed.
CATERING
The School offers a lunch with choices of soup, hot main courses, salads, sandwiches/wraps, jacket potatoes, pasta dishes, desserts and fruit. There are, of course, vegetarian, vegan and halal options.
It is assumed that pupils will be having a school lunch unless confirmed before the start of term that your child will bring a packed lunch (which will be eaten in the Dining Hall) and return any lunch pass issued. If pupils forget their lunch pass, they will need to go to the Finance Department to get a temporary pass.
If your son or daughter has allergies or special dietary requirements, please contact your child’s Form Tutor or the Catering Manager (01905 721793). Items containing nuts are clearly marked and the School is used to catering for special diets.
VALUABLES AND LOST PROPERTY
If your son or daughter loses something, he or she should check bag racks and the changing rooms (particularly at the fields) before then going to Lost Property. Valuable items (such as wallets or mobile phones) will be kept in the School Office if handed in.
Please ensure that your son or daughter names all items of uniform, sports kit and other possessions (such as watches, books, shoes, bags, calculator and mobile phones). Unnamed items are taken to the Lost Property Store in the Annett building. Pupils can ask the School Office for the key.
OPEN MORNINGS
All pupils are expected to act as a guide at least one of our Open Morning events each year. We believe that pupils derive a significant benefit from showing their school to others: the process enhances their communication skills and fosters pride in their achievements. We therefore request that pupils are available on these days and we will communicate dates accordingly..
If a pupil suspects that an item of theirs has been stolen, they should inform their Form Tutor who will contact the Senior Deputy. The School keeps a register of such incidents.
Money and items such as mobile phones should be kept in bags or in their blazer pocket. During Games lessons, all valuables must be kept in bags or blazer pockets. Parents and guardians need to be aware that pupils are responsible for the security and safe use of all their personal property and for property lent to them by the School. School lockers are available for allocation on request via the School Office.
PUPIL WELL-BEING
Pastoral care at King’s takes a supportive approach, fully integrated and interwoven into the fabric of teaching and learning, the School’s organisation, and its engagement with the world beyond the school gates. Through our focus on the development of the individual, we aim to provide a genuinely caring environment where pupils can thrive and develop as curious and confident members of the King’s community and a broader society. Our ethos emphasises mutual respect, openness, and warmth; it is the quality of relationships within the School that makes the pastoral care at King’s so special.
Responsibility for Pastoral Care in the Lower Years
The Form Tutor has overall responsibility for the pastoral and academic development of their tutees. Work in the Forms is overseen by the Head of Lower Years, Mr Richard Chapman, and his Assistant Head, Mrs Rachael Worth. Alongside the Form Tutors they create age-appropriate induction and transition models as well as having a holistic overview of pupil well-being and happiness in the Lower Years. The pastoral staff are extremely experienced in dealing with challenges affecting this age group and work collaboratively to ensure all pupils feel happy, safe and valued in the Lower Years.
The Deputy Head Pastoral is ultimately responsible for pastoral care and development at King’s.
OUR PASTORAL SUPPORT STRUCTURE
King’s is a happy school; we believe that all pupils can be successful in an environment which is caring, optimistic and encouraging. Our dedicated network of support structure at King’s is integral to ensuring pupils are fully cared for during their time here.
A uniquely nurturing and supportive pastoral House and Form structure
Dedicated and experienced staff who provide help, support and guidance
Health Centre
Counselling Team
Chaplain
Learning Support Team
The Head of Lower Years, Middle Years and Sixth Form provide added support and ensure a smooth transition
A set of parentfocused seminars providing valuable insight into adolescent behaviours and pressures
A well-rounded and structured PSHE Programme of Study
OUR NURTURING HOUSE STRUCTURE
King’s is proud of its strong House tradition and loyalty, which creates our enviable sense of community. Our Houses provide a framework for friendships across all age groups. Each term, Houses run a variety of activities and internal competitions covering debating, sport and charity events, which ensure that there is always something in which pupils can take part.
Pupils new to Lower Remove, Upper Remove or the Sixth Form will join one of eight Houses, which will be their pastoral base throughout their time at King’s. The Year Group Tutor has overall responsibility for the pastoral and academic development of their tutees, and they are the first port of call for parents and guardians who wish to discuss their child’s experience at school or academic progress.
House Tutors work alongside the Year Group Tutors and oversee the happiness, development, and integration of all pupils in the House.
The pastoral staff are extremely experienced in dealing with challenges affecting teenagers and work collaboratively with the Head of Middle Years, Head of Sixth Form and the Deputy Head Pastoral to ensure all pupils feel happy, safe and valued in the Middle Years and Sixth Form.
HOW TO CONTACT THE HOUSES
Pupils join Houses in the Lower Remove. All Year Group Tutors and Form Tutors can be contacted by using the staff member’s first initial and surname followed by @ksw.org.uk House House Tutor Email
Castle
Mr A Deichen adeichen@ksw.org.uk
Chappel
Mrs N Sears nsears@ksw.org.uk
Choir
Creighton
Dr R James rjames@ksw.org.uk
Mr W J Joyce wjoyce@ksw.org.uk
Kittermaster
Mrs C Neville cneville@ksw.org.uk
Oswald
Miss G Ormandy gormandy@ksw.org.uk
School
Mr T Pearson tpearson@ksw.org.uk
Wulstan
Dr M Poole mpoole@ksw.org.uk
THE HEALTH CENTRE
The Health Centre plays a pivotal role in ensuring our pupils are well cared for physically and emotionally, providing an environment where pupils are supported through medical concerns. The Nurses are also able to provide support with emotional difficulties within the department and signpost pupils to appropriate support. Fully-qualified nurses are on duty fulltime throughout the school week. The rooms in the Health Centre allow the nurses to deal with medical and emotional issues which occur in the course of the school day. If a pupil feels unwell before the start of the school day, parents and guardians are requested to keep him or her at home, and not to send their child into school in the hope of a quick recovery.
Pupils with special medical problems such as asthma, allergies, diabetes, and epilepsy will have an individual care plan drawn up with them if needed. This will also be applied to all visits and trips.
Nurses can administer medication according to the Medication Policy, which is available on Firefly.
If pupils are unable to participate in PE or Games, they should bring a note from home in the first instance. Off-Games notes can be given in emergencies and for issues that arise during the school day
COUNSELLING SERVICE
The School’s Counselling Service is in addition to the already wellestablished provision for pastoral care, guidance, and support for pupils in the school. Our counsellors are highly experienced in working with young people and families and British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy accredited. They are available to work with pupils when they are experiencing problems or concerns which may be easier to share with someone other than a member of staff. All that is shared by the pupils will be treated in confidence - if the counsellor is concerned for the pupil’s safety or that of others then they abide by the BACP code of ethics, which could mean the sharing of relevant information with other agencies to ensure that all children are appropriately safeguarded.
Pupils can request to see the counsellor or can be referred by a member of staff. Parents, guardians and pupils can also contact their Form Tutor or Year Group Tutor for further information.
FURTHER PASTORAL SUPPORT
Parents or pupils with pastoral concerns should contact their Form Tutor, Year Group Tutor, House Tutor, the Head of Lower Years/Middle Years/ Sixth Form or the Deputy Head Pastoral to look at further options for support and intervention, as required.
If someone is behaving towards your son or daughter in a way that is upsetting him or her, do please encourage him or her to tell someone in their Pastoral Team at School.
If parents and guardians have any concerns about their child’s welfare or would like any advice on dealing with issues involving their child, they are welcome to contact the Form or Year Group Tutor. Any question, concern or complaint about the pastoral care or safety of a pupil must be notified to the School as soon as practicable.
If a pupil wants to make a complaint about something, for example the way he or she is being treated, the first thing to do is speak to a member of staff he or she trusts, or use the online reporting forms on Student Voice.
It’s very difficult as a parent to watch children go through adolescent challenges and we are extremely grateful for the support that our son
receives at King’s. The pastoral support is outstanding and clearly rooted in genuine care and affection for the students.
Existing Year 10 Parent
PSHE AND RSE
Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is a programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives. PSHE develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society.
In the Lower and Upper Remove, selected teachers lead weekly PSHE lessons. Fifth Form have sessions led by their Year Group Tutor in House. Pupils also have the experience of PSHE days where they work with external experts, on topics such as Mental Health, Careers, Finance and Relationship and Sex Education.
The PSHE programme of study for pupils in the Lower Years covers a range of topics including:
• Physical Health
• Mental Health
• Relationships
• Sex Education
• Careers
• Drugs, Alcohol and Addiction
• Citizenship
• Diversity and inclusion
• Finance
In the Sixth Form, students also take part in weekly Key Skills sessions. These cover vibrant areas of life for 16-18-year olds, including finance skills, well-being, research writing, festival safety, cancer prevention, cooking and other PSHE, higher education and 18+ options related topics. The Key Skills programme also incorporates our EPQ sessions as well as visits from external speakers.
The aim of PSHE and RSE at King’s is to allow pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to live a happy and healthy life in today’s world. The programme is designed to challenge pupils with aspects of moral and social responsibility at each stage of their development so as to offer an environment in which to discuss issues affecting both adolescents and also those in the wider community.
PSHE at King’s helps pupils to realise the nature and consequences of discrimination, teasing, bullying and aggressive behaviours (including cyber-bullying), use of prejudice-based language, and also how to respond and ask for help. It also aims to support pupils to make responsible, informed decisions related to drugs, alcohol, and sexual consent, to understand the causes, implications and sources of help for mental and physical health problems, and to guide them in their career planning and financial future. It is integral equipping our pupils for what lies ahead, and to encourage balance and confidence in line with the School’s principles.
This course is central to all aspects of school life – its thinking, planning, teaching, and organisation – and as such has a positive influence on pupils’ learning and relationships throughout the whole school community. Provision of PSHE is explicitly designed to contribute to the process of growing up and the preparation of pupils for responsibility in adult life, by promoting fundamental British values and by passing on enduring, universal values which help to nurture pupils’ integrity and autonomy so that they become responsible and caring citizens capable of contributing to the development of a just society.
E-SAFETY AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOL
One of the School’s primary safeguarding principles involves protecting pupils online; it is a requirement of government legislation that we closely monitor pupils’ online activity.
Our school monitoring software tracks screen activity on school owned devices and/or school WIFI. Specifically, the software identifies and captures key words associated with bullying, swearing, racism, pornography, gambling, extremism, grooming and other concerns. The system automatically takes and sends a screenshot of any inappropriate material to the Designated Safeguarding Leads who will then deal with the information accordingly. Pupils are aware that the system is in place and sanctions may be applied for those who breach our AUP (Acceptable Use Policy).
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are not allowed to be used in the Lower Years, except with the permission of and in front of a teacher or other adult working at the school.
Mobile phones will not be required for use in lessons. Any devices pupils bring into school must be both switched off and kept out of sight.
To see the PSHE and RSE policies and programmes of study, please head to the department page on Firefly https://kingsworcester.fireflycloud.net/pshe
SCHOOL POLICES
The latest School polices can be found on our website at ksw.org.uk/policies
FOUNDATION SCHOOL RULES
The School Rules are drawn up to assist in making the School an orderly and safe environment, to give a sense of security to everyone in the School, to ensure respect for others and their property and to make clear the distinction between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.
Unacceptable behaviour disrupts the learning of others and infringes on the rights, safety or learning on any member of the school community. The School requests that all parents read through the School Rules with their children and expects them to work with the School in the interests of all pupils to encourage positive behaviour. A full list of the School Rules can be found on Firefly, along with the Behaviour Management Policy.
The School Rules apply on school trips, including educational visits and sporting events. They also apply outside of school premises, for example when pupils are on the way to and from school and when they are wearing school uniform.
UNIFORM GUIDE AND RULES
At King’s, our school uniform plays a key role in promoting a sense of confidence and belonging, as well as being an outward expression of equality within our school community. Our uniform is designed for pupils to be smart and business-like in their formal, day-to-day activities. Whenever King’s pupils are wearing their uniform, they are representing the Foundation, and so are expected to wear their uniform with pride and to the highest standards. While students in our Sixth Form do not wear uniform, they must conform to the Sixth Form Dress Code, set out in our separate guide.
MANAGING BEHAVIOUR
While our main focus is on what our pupils are getting right and highlighting the good, it is essential for pupils to understand that we do not tolerate poor behaviour at King’s, and deal with it appropriately.
Behaviour Points
These are used to record instances where a pupil’s behaviour has not met school expectations in any area. Behaviour Points are not sanctions in and of themselves, rather they are an information share, to allow for members of a pupil’s pastoral team, and the pupil themselves, to be aware that expectations on a particular occasion have not been met. Patterns and trends of Behaviour Points and their accumulation are monitored over time by a pupil’s pastoral team. They may be used to inform dialogue with parents and guardians and may lead to pupils being referred to the Managing Pupil Progress Framework or sanctions being issued.
Sanctions
Disciplinary sanctions, such as Detentions, are applied when a pupil’s behaviour falls below the standard which could be reasonably expected of him or her, whether because of failure to follow a school rule or an instruction by a member of staff.
Sanctions should be seen as a constructive measure to bring an improvement in the pupil’s behaviour or learning by a) stopping the inappropriate behaviour; b) allowing the pupil to make a better choice next time; and c) showing other pupils what is/ is not acceptable in school. Pupils may be required to attend a detention, either after school or on some weekends or nonteaching days. The School will give parents 24 hours’ notice.
Further information may be found within the Behaviour Management Policy on www.ksw.org.uk/policies.
LOWER YEARS MATTERS
THE ACADEMIC AIMS OF THE KING’S SCHOOL ARE:
1 That every pupil fulfils his or her academic potential;
2 That teachers and pupils pursue excellence in teaching and learning;
3 That our pupils develop a love of learning, both individually and with others, and acquire a wide range of learning skills; and
HOMEWORK
Homework is set for three subjects each evening, and sometimes four are given at the weekends. In the first half of the Autumn Term only, Lower Fourth pupils will not be given homework on Fridays.
As a guide, your child ought to be spending about 20 minutes on each ‘set’ homework in the Lower Fourth, and about 25 minutes each in the Upper Fourth. If your son or daughter regularly takes longer than this to complete his or her homework, please contact the Form Tutor. Do not allow your child to work for too long if he or she is struggling. However, a child who develops a keen interest should not be discouraged from spending longer on his or her work.
We ask for homework to be completed at home, or in the School Library after 3.40 pm or Homework Club. Breaks are times when we think it important for young people to relax or attend music rehearsals or some of our many clubs and societies, rather than work.
From time to time some pupils become disorganised and fail to work adequately on their own. Usually, pupils will be required to redo an unsatisfactory piece of work. If you are anxious about any aspect of your child’s progress at school, you should contact the Form Tutor, who will support and guide you with the next steps.
4 That we create an environment in which pupils are confident in their ability and increasingly ready to take responsibility for their own learning.
We aim to offer a curriculum that supports these academic aims. It is also our aim that our curriculum is intellectually challenging and offers cultural, spiritual and physical development which will prepare our pupils successfully for their future beyond school.
REWARDS AND PRAISE
Offering rewards and praise is one of the fundamental ways in which we encourage a sense of belonging, community and ownership. We care about embedding intrinsic motivation in all of our pupils and actively encourage them always to try their very best.
A range of different rewards are applied over the year by teachers for outstanding behaviour, effort and academic achievement. They are accessible to all pupils and are given out in many areas of school life.
When a pupil produces a good piece of work in relation to his or her abilities, Merits are given to reward this effort. Headmaster’s Commendations are given for exceptional pieces of work or for sustained quality in work. Postcards home and other direct contact with parents also recognises outstanding effort or achievement. Form Prizes are awarded at the end of each academic year. They may be for academic excellence, industry, improvement during the year or a combination of these.
We also actively celebrate pupil success via the school news on our website, in our weekly e-newsletter and on social media.
ACADEMIC REPORTING
Reporting plays a vital role in helping children achieve their potential at King’s. Reports will provide communication about a child’s progress and offer a chance to celebrate achievement, look for new challenges and take action to address any problems that may emerge. Reporting at King’s primarily takes place via grade reports, full reports, and parents’ evenings.
Effort Grades
At the core of the reporting system at King’s is the focus on pupil effort. In association with good teaching, it is the critical factor in ensuring the best possible academic outcomes. We therefore place great emphasis on effort in our reporting system by providing an effort grade in each reporting event and closely monitor these grades for each pupil over the academic year and as they progress through the School.
Attainment Grades
While attainment grades provide helpful information about where a pupil stands academically at that moment in time, it is widely recognised that both low and high attainment grades can have a demotivating effect. We therefore only provide attainment grades once each term.
Summary
• Effort grades, attainment grades, exam results and full reports are issued throughout the academic year.
• Reports go to pupils in school and via email to parents at home.
• After each report, there are individual discussions between the pupil and their Form Tutor or Year Group Tutor to celebrate achievements and plan for future progress.
• Parents’ Evenings offer the opportunity to discuss pupil progress with subject teachers. Pupils in the Lower Remove (Year 9) and above are invited to attend with their parents.
• There is also an end of year Pastoral Parents’ evening to discuss your child’s performance throughout the academic year.
Examinations
In the Lower Years, pupils sit end of year exams. These will be an opportunity for pupils to consolidate their learning of the year and trial different revision strategies and study skills as well as providing pupils with a taste of formal examinations. The examinations in the Fifth Form will be their formal GCSE or IGCSE qualifications.
CAREERS
As the Lower Years is a great time to develop interests, it is also an important time to start thinking about the bright future pupils will want for themselves. We have an excellent careers team, who are available to meet with pupils and offer them advice. Additionally, in the Upper Remove pupils will be considering their aspirations and researching career pathways. In the Fifth Form, pupils are also offered the opportunity to complete a Morrisby profile and work with the careers team to enhance their self-awareness alongside increasing their knowledge of possible future pathways. In this everchanging world, a tool such as this can be very powerful in helping pupils to keep their doors wide open.
IT SYSTEMS
Pupils have access to plenty of computers in the Library and ICT rooms. When they use a school computer, they should make sure that they are familiar with the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for IT. Please see the E-Safety section for further information regarding our school monitoring.
When pupils start their education journey at King’s, pupils and parents are issued with access to our school Firefly website portal. This website is our central school portal and one with which we encourage you to become familiar. It is the key source of information about life in school, offering a variety of information about day-to-day activities such as current menus, school policies and also the school calendar.
New parents will be sent a link to access Firefly once their child starts at King’s. Firefly can also be accessed via our Quick Links section on the footer of the King’s website (www.ksw.org.uk).
Alongside this, pupils are also issued with a Microsoft Office 365 account. This cloud-based solution will allow them access emails and work on any device in and outside of school. It also offers access to a plethora of Microsoft applications including Word, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook, applications which pupils will become familiar with during their time at King’s.
THE LIBRARY
The School Library is a beautiful and welcoming space, with thousands of books, and comfortable places to study or read. We are open from 8.00 am to 5.50 pm (5.30 pm on Fridays) and the Librarians are always here to help – whether that is to find the next favourite book, or to research a topic. In addition to books and online resources to support with schoolwork, we provide books to support well-being, and to inspire interests. The diverse fiction collection is aimed to provide as much choice as possible. It is constantly updated and includes graphic novels and manga. We are very happy to take requests! There is also an e-Library of eBooks and audiobooks which is accessed from the Firefly dashboard (as is our School Library catalogue Oliver).
Library displays feature new books, and promote themes such as Empathy Day, Book Awards, and Black History Month. Resources include magazines and subject specific publications in addition to computers, laptops, and a printer/photocopier/scanner. We also sell school stationery at cost price. There is a popular halftermly reading group (WRAITH) for each of the Lower and Middle Years and Sixth Form. We also organise author visits, and activities and events throughout the year. At the start of Lower Fourth, all pupils receive a full induction to the Library and will also visit us during form times. We look forward to meeting everyone.
OUR CO-CURRICULUM
It has long been a central aim of The King’s School Worcester to provide a rich, stimulating and varied co-curriculum. All pupils are encouraged to participate in the programme of activities and opportunities that comprises our co-curriculum, as it provides an invaluable contribution towards personal, moral and social development and encourages life-long interests and healthy, creative and fulfilling habits of body and mind. With some 100 clubs and activities on offer – in addition to our enviable programme of sport – pupils at King’s are able to learn new skills, embrace fresh challenges and realise their ambitions.
150+
pupils are actively engaged in CCF on a weekly basis
SPORT
100+
Co-curricular clubs and societies
Sport is very strong among both boys and girls and benefits from significant expertise and commitment from our staff as well as some outstanding facilities. Our breadth of sporting opportunities extends across the whole year with Basketball, Swimming, Rowing, Kayaking, Sub Aqua, Cross-Country Running, Climbing and Fencing. Our winter team sports – Netball, Rugby, Hockey and Football – and our outstanding programme of summer sports - Cricket, Athletics and Tennis –demonstrate an excellence and a level of inclusion of which we are justly proud. At the beginner, intermediate and elite performance levels, we offer support, challenge and routes to achievement and success.
30+
Annual Residential Trips
250+
Annual Day Trips
SOCIETIES AND CLUBS
Other activities on offer include Young Enterprise, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Music, Drama, Debating, Art, Dance, Community Service, Model United Nations and The Combined Cadet Force. They take place during lunchtimes and after school, and there is also a range of weekend events. Some activities are also based at the Old Chapel, the School’s outdoor centre in the Black Mountains. Community Service is a strong feature of life at King’s. A number of our pupils volunteer to read with local primary school children and visit older members of our local community. Alongside this our pupil-lead charity committee hold annual charity events to raise money for local and national charities.
TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS
Trips, fieldwork, and expeditions provide enormous benefits to our pupils, so our co-curricular programme includes a diverse range of trips and expeditions to ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to experience memorable educational visits and opportunities.
Trips take place at weekends and during half-term and main school holidays. A Classics trip to Italy, History trip to France, Disneyland Paris Dance tour, Rugby tour to South Africa, Netball and Hockey tour to Barbados and Cricket tour to Sri Lanka are just a few highlights. We also make sure that there are many valuefor-money trips within this country each year across a wide range of subjects and activities, such as the annual Art trip to St Ives in Cornwall.
MUSIC, LAMDA AND DANCE
The School has two orchestras as well as small ensembles such as flute and guitar groups, three choirs, a Wind Band and Jazz Band. Many concerts are held throughout the year, most of which take place in the magnificent College Hall; our popular Open Mic Nights also take place every term, allowing pupils to showcase their musical passions.
Music lessons are also available, and we have over 25 peripatetic teachers who offer lessons across a wide variety of musical instruments. If you wish your son or daughter to learn one or more musical instruments or to have singing tuition, please contact the Director of Music, Mr Simon Taranczuk, or complete the form on the Joining King’s Hub. Music lessons usually take place in lesson time on a rotational basis so that pupils do not miss the same lesson each week. Each year we stage ambitious pupil productions to full houses, as well as more intimate pupil-led performances including the work
of our GCSE and A-level cohorts. We offer technical theatre and design as options alongside acting and directing at every level. Weekly practical clubs for all ages foster a spirit of creativity and curiosity, allowing pupils to develop their talents in the supportive company of like-minded individuals.
King’s Dance outside of lessons is particularly strong, with opportunities available for boys and girls of all ages. Entry to the Senior Company is by audition and is aimed at pupils who wish to train and perform at a high level. The School also has a Junior Dance Company and runs many other development clubs, including Street Dance and Ballroom Dance.
Additional LAMDA Speech and Drama lessons or Dance lessons can be organised, individually or in pairs. Please contact the School Office if you would like to arrange LAMDA lessons for your child and Ms Kym Lane (klane@ksw.org.uk) if you are interested in Dance lessons.
MAP OF KING’S
The King’s School 5 College Green Worcester WR1 2LL
t: 01905 721 700 e: info@ksw.org.uk
The King’s School, Worcester: A company limited by guarantee, registered in England. Registered office: 5 College Green, Worcester WR1 2LL. Company No: 4776324. Registered charity No: 1098236. The information, terms and conditions set out in this prospectus and all occasional papers may be amended from time to time, and their provisions, subject to any such amendments, shall continue to apply for the whole period during which a boy or girl continues to attend the School, irrespective of his or her age.
