Kingswood Foundation Strategic Plan 2022-2027

Kingswood Foundation Strategic Plan 2022-2027

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTER

KINDNESS

HUMILITY

DETERMINATION

CREATIVITY

When John Wesley was questioned about his motives for travelling the length and breadth of the country on horseback and on foot, teaching and preaching to people, his answer was beautifully simple - he wanted people to be happy, to be virtuous and to be useful to others.

As we approach our 275th anniversary, and look to the future, we draw strength from our history as the first Methodist School. We are proud of our Wesleyan heritage which calls us to be a vibrant, diverse and inclusive community,

recognising that education is about the acquisition of wisdom and humility as well as academic qualifications. Kingswood is a school where individuals are helped to develop their own talents while encouraging others to do the same. Academic achievement takes place in a context of all round personal development where high standards are combined with a sense of responsibility and service. Kingswood pupils excel in themselves whilst making a real difference to the lives of others. Through the power of holistic education, we will transform lives, enabling our younger people to grow in mind, in body and spirit. We are ambitious in our desire to be a school renowned for the highest standards nationally and internationally. We make full use of our stunning setting in Bath, and aim to satisfy UK and International families wanting an all-round education of breadth, balance and opportunity.

“We are proud of our Wesleyan heritage which calls us to be a vibrant, diverse and inclusive community, recognising that education is about the acquisition of wisdom and humility as well as academic qualifications.”

Our Strategic Plan for 2022-2027 articulates our vision, mission and values as well as the four strategic pillars that form the basis of our work. We are not afraid to challenge ourselves with stretching goals, acting in a manner that enables a self-critical pursuit of excellence in all areas of life, with fierce ambition on behalf of our pupils and a focus on our core values.

We are delighted by the result of our recent ISI inspection of Education Quality, where the quality of Senior school pupils’ academic and other achievements and personal development was judged as excellent. The report offers independent evidence to the strength of the Kingswood education. The full report can be read on the Kingswood website.

I trust that this strategic plan serves as a useful reference document for all those with an interest in the ongoing success, and future development of Kingswood School.

Andrew Gordon-Brown Headmaster & Principal of The Kingswood Foundation

KINGSWOOD FOUNDATION STRATEGY

Our Vision

To transform lives through the power of holistic education so that young people grow in mind, body and spirit within a diverse and inclusive community.

Our Mission

To be a co-educational day and boarding school that inspires, challenges and prepares pupils to take their place as global citizens. We aim:

• To be a caring and inclusive, co-educational community committed to the development of the full potential of each individual

• To maintain excellent standards in all academic, cultural and sporting activities

• To work with and in the communities we serve

• To uphold Christian values in practice as well as in theory, whilst welcoming all in a spirit of openness and respect

• To encourage pupils to think critically and develop a personal philosophy to guide them throughout their lives

• To be a great place to work, inspiring and empowering our people to work collaboratively as they seek to move the school forwards

• To safeguard the school for current and future generations through solid governance, clear-sighted leadership, sound financial performance and environmental best practice

Our Values

• Learn with passion, perseverance and positivity

• Show compassion and kindness by taking initiative to ‘do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the people you can’

• Take courageous risks, to take responsibility and to stand up for your beliefs

• Demonstrate honesty and integrity

• Respect yourself, other people and the world we live in

“Our vision is to transform through the power of holistic education so that young people grow in mind, body, and spirit.”

Our plan is centred around four strategic priorities: Care for Each Individual, Educate for Life, Serve the Community and Live Sustainably. With our pupils at the heart of everything we do, these core priorities are our focus as we pursue the goal of excellence in all areas as one Kingswood Foundation.

THE KINGSWOOD ISI INSPECTION OF EDUCATION QUALITY

We are delighted by the result of the October 2022 ISI inspection whereby Kingswood has been rated ‘Excellent’ in both categories. Extracts from the inspection are below. The full report can be read on the Kingswood website.

Care for the individual

• Pupils self-confidence, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-knowledge and resilience are excellent. Pupils take advantage of the opportunities afforded to them to apply their own initiative and autonomy

• Pupils across the school are reflective and resilient in many ways

• Leaders listen to them and provide a strong platform on which to suggest ideas

• Boarders and day pupils alike value the support given to them by staff

• Throughout the school, caring for others is part of the ethos

• Leaders have worked tireless to ensure that the quality of opportunity is promoted vigorously across the school and with very positive results

• The schools boarding house system and strong family ethos encourages a strong sense of belonging and provides pupils with many opportunities to work with and learn from each other

Serve the community

• Pupils develop a mature and strong awareness of what is right and wrong

• Pupils work hard to appreciate and fulfil with commitment the school’s aims and values so that they learn to understand their place in the world

• Older pupils…play a significant role in supporting the staff in the mentoring of younger pupils

• Across the school young people take great pride in contributing to society

Educate for life

• Pupils demonstrate a strong appetite for industry and hard work and are engaged and focused on their learning

• Pupils demonstrate an extensive range of skills, knowledge and understanding well beyond age related expectations

• Pupils…take great delight in solving complex questions

• Pupils show a great resilience and determination to persevere, even when things become more challenging

• Pupils develop an excellent understanding about other cultures and the diversity of societies

Live sustainably

• Sixth form pupils have set up their own ‘eco-alliance’ group. In discussion, representatives from the group felt that they are making a real difference in improving the school’s response and support for ecological and sustainable causes, such as ocean preservation and reducing carbon emissions

• Middle school pupils conducted online research into the benefits and drawbacks of investing in the production of sustainable chocolate

• Lower school pupils demonstrated excellent knowledge and understanding of the challenges of protecting the coastal defences in Swanage in relation to the financial cost

“The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent.”

PRIORITY 1: CARE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL

Background

Our founder, John Wesley, believed that God is revealed in the mystery of the human being. In that spirit, we hold that everyone is of immeasurable worth. A Kingswood Education insists on individual care and concern for each other. Our aim is for each young person to develop as a reflective, balanced individual with a personally developed life philosophy.

Child Protection and Safeguarding is every staff member’s responsibility and this is facilitated by appropriate personal relationships between adults and young people. We take a keen interest in the intellectual, affective, moral and spiritual development of every pupil.

As a broad and inclusive community, we are committed to one another’s wellbeing. As an empathetic employer we support colleagues to develop and maintain a healthy approach to work in their pursuit of excellence.

We take mental health seriously and seek to encourage healthy discussions on this topic, including more structured support where it is needed.

How do we care for the individual?

Pastoral Care

1.1. We are a community, committed to the highest standards of safeguarding, where each child is known and nurtured as an individual

1.2. We have dedicated teachers that mentor our pupils in small tutor groups, in partnership with parents, to give them the confidence, emotional intelligence and personal skills to flourish at school and beyond

1.3. Experienced teachers deliver a wide-ranging, age-appropriate Life Skills programme that prepares pupils and helps them thrive amid life’s dilemmas and demands 1.4. We are committed to fostering meaningful and engaged partnerships between home and school

People

1.5 We are an empathetic employer who looks to bring out the best in every person who works in the Foundation 1.6. We promote a culture of collaboration and innovation, harnessing the diversity of thought and talent across the school; our people are willing and able to drive rapid and continual progress within a culture of trust 1.7. We seek to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and empower staff to take decisions to keep us operationally nimble 1.8. Our approach to recruitment and selection attracts talented people who are inspired by our vision

“Our aim is for each young person to develop as a reflective, balanced person with a personally developed life philosophy.”

PRIORITY 2: EDUCATE FOR LIFE

Background

A Kingswood Education ignites a passion for learning, prepares young people for life, and is concerned with how pupils use their talents in service of others. Success is measured not just in terms of academic performance but in (terms of) human flourishing.

Academic excellence is one important element of human formation and includes mastery of a broad and balanced curriculum of humanities, sciences, languages and artistic disciplines, and the ability to reason reflectively, logically and critically. We encourage the imaginative, affective and creative development of each pupil on all courses of study. Our young people are taught to be powerful communicators.

Our boarding ethos contributes cultural, ethnic and religious diversity to our community, benefiting day pupils and boarders alike and helping to foster an inclusive culture. From junior boarding in Westwood through to our most Senior boarders, we are a home away from home preparing pupils for life beyond Kingswood.

We believe a strong academic programme must be partnered with an equally strong co-curricular offering. It is our view that learning and personal development happen just as much outside the classroom as within.

We therefore offer a distinctively broad and enticing programme of activities that foster 21st century skills, creativity and teamwork that serve to broaden mental and physical capabilities, as well as foster healthy relationships between young people and adults.

How do we educate for life?

Academic

1.1. We deliver consistent academic excellence through a broad and balanced curriculum 1.2. Through an unremitting focus on professional development, inspirational and expert teachers will guide our pupils to intellectual mastery and academic achievement across the Sciences, Humanities, Languages and the Creative and Performing Arts 1.3. Our teaching and learning is informed by thoughtful, research-driven curriculum and assessment design, harnessing supporting technology to instil in our pupils the skills of communication, collaboration, criticalthinking and creativity 1.4. We offer a programme of departmental enrichment and learning support that inspires intellectually curious, lifelong learners and ensures each pupil fulfils their academic potential 1.5. We offer expert national and international universities guidance and careers education as a springboard to pupils’ next steps after Kingswood

Co-curricular

We offer an outstanding co-curricular programme that provides diverse and inclusive opportunities to challenge and excite every pupil, so that each individual builds on existing talents and finds new ones.

1.1. We expect a continued focus on both participation and performance in Music, Sport, Performing Arts and Outdoor Pursuits 1.2. We seek out partnerships with other local organisations to support our aim for excellence in all areas of co-curricular provision

PRIORITY 3: SERVE THE COMMUNITY

Background

At Kingswood we believe our young people should learn to live and serve within a richly diverse community of people. We think it is vital that they appreciate the community they live in and contribute positively to its culture and atmosphere. It is also vital that our pupils understand that Kingswood exists within a local and global context and that service to this wider community is all part of a full and holistic education. We believe an attitude of service leads to humility and kindness, and ultimately helps our pupils become people who will make a full and positive contribution to society.

Community and Service

1.1. We actively foster a spirit of service both within and beyond the Kingswood community 1.2. We offer opportunities for all pupils to develop as global citizens through a coherent programme of field visits, trips, tours and exchanges

1.3. Our partnerships strategy links our pupils with other young people, both locally and around the world

1.4. Our chaplaincy work gives expression to our Christian values, providing opportunities for leadership, service and spiritual growth

Alumni Relations

1.1. We are a connected family of past and present pupils, parents, staff and governors who thrive in each other’s company and support our mission to offer our pupils lifechanging opportunities

1.2. We intentionally foster relationships via a vibrant events and communications programme for parents (current and past), governors (current and past), grandparents, the wider business community and Old Kingswoodians

1.3. Our careers guidance programme leverages a global network of Old Kingswoodians, parents (both past and present) and industry partners to help our pupils with advice, guidance, work placement opportunities and networking links

How do we serve the community?

PRIORITY 4: LIVE SUSTAINABLY

Background

Kingswood School has declared a climate emergency and is aiming to be operating as a carbon neutral organisation by 2030. Education about sustainable human living should be a vital component of our pastoral and academic curricula. We aim to operate in a sustainable fashion, mindful of resource consumption as well as how we might leverage green technologies to make the school more efficient.

We aim to be a healthy non-profit organisation that operates well within its means, using financial surpluses to further our education mission whilst also maintaining and enhancing the physical infrastructure for future generations. We are fully engaged as an Associated School within the Methodist Independent Schools Trust.

Holding to the principle of supported individual accountability, we recognise the reciprocal relationship between employer and employee. We will provide support and resources to make our vision a reality, together with the clearsighted leadership to translate strategic aims into meaningful objectives. We encourage our people to take an active role in our strategy, supporting them to progress our ambitions by taking accountability for their work whilst helping others to achieve their goals.

How do we live sustainably? Stewardship

1.1. We aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030; we continually review our systems and practices to ensure optimum efficiency and environmental sustainability

1.2. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals will be woven into our academic and co-curricula

1.3. Our Governors and Senior Leadership Team offer strong, stable and visible leadership supported by excellent middle managers with clear responsibility for delivery against well-defined job descriptions

1.4 We run our Foundation as a social enterprise, supporting local businesses

Business

1.1. We aim to provide the best possible physical environment at reasonable cost

1.2. We are financially strong and resilient, generating surpluses each year allowing us to make long-term investment decisions in pursuit of our aims

1.3. We have an ambitious campus master plan which prioritises future facilities, optimises our land asset allocation, while accelerating the revitalisation of our historic spaces

1.4. Kingswood Enterprises takes a strategic approach to leveraging our brand and increasing revenue

“

We encourage our people to take an active role in our strategy.”

MAJOR PROJECTS PLAN

It is a priority to ensure that our historic site and listed buildings receive the investment and care needed to protect them for future generations, while also providing funds for projects of the future.

Protecting and improving the Fabric, Facilities and Infrastructure of the school

We provide resources to response, as well as planned, maintenance. A programme of refurbishment of existing facilities and grounds has been agreed and our dedicated maintenance team are working towards increasing service level targets.

A routine capital expenditure budget is provided to allow for small projects including:

• Maintaining the fabric of the boarding houses to a high level (e.g Summer 22 refurbishment of Summerhill House and Summer 23 planned refurbishment of Fonthill House)

• Re-surfacing of the Astro pitch in the Pavilion

• Repair and renew the Art and Music department façades

• Improving the fabric of our classrooms

• Installing EV charging points on campus

• Installing Photo voltaic cells on Ferens and Sports Hall roofs

• Replace Summerhill Mansion roof

The value of major capital projects over the last 10 years exceeds £15m.

These have included:

MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS

Year Description Value

2015 Hall boarding house build £2.4m

2017 Middle boarding house extension £1.8m

2019 Prep School and Garden Nursery build £8.0m

2020 Library and Dining room structural repairs £1.0m

2022 Beaconfield house refurbishment £1.2m

MINOR CAPITAL WORKS

Year Description Value

2016 Sixth Form Dining area £100k

2021 Pegasus project –classrooms and reception £437k

2021 Garden Nursery extension into High Vinnalls £100k

2022 Association café £104k

2022 Patch all weather surface £116k

KINGSWOOD 275: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE SIXTH FORM

To mark our 275th Anniversary in 2023, The Kingswood 275 Campaign is fundraising to deliver three priorities. We need your help to raise the £2.75m needed to deliver these plans:

1. Sixth Form

Transformational Bursaries

“

£750,000 £750,000 £150,000

As we approach our 275th anniversary in 2023, we continue to draw on the inspiration from John Wesley’s words, renewing our commitment to expanding the access to life-changing education to more pupils.

Old Kingswoodian, Tony Deyes, shared he was supporting the bursary fund ‘by offering a Sixth Form place at Kingswood to pupils who have the potential but not the means to benefit from it. The transformational bursary fund enhances the School’s inclusivity still further, and to everyone’s advantage.’ Surrounded by talented young people from every socio-economic background, Kingswood pupils work together, united in the desire to achieve excellence both inside and outside the classroom, supported by first rate teaching and facilities.

Thanks to the generous support of the Baines Family, the Quadstar Foundation and those members of our community donating to the 10 for 1 Bursary Fund, we have nine pupils on roll in receipt of transformational bursaries.

The Quadstar foundation is dedicated to supporting educational opportunities for pupils both at home and abroad. Kingswood has embraced and supported our desire to help these pupils flourish. Our first Quadstar pupil has thrown herself into the school community and embraced all the opportunities that Kingswood has to offer.”

Nick Butcher, Founder and Chair of the Quadstar Foundation

For further details, please contact the Development Director on +44 (0)1225 734399 or gpapenfus@kingwood.bath.sch.uk

2. Kingswood Cookery School

(in partnership with Leiths School of Food and Wine)

CAMPAIGN TARGET RAISED AS AT JUNE 2022 TO BE RAISED

£1,000,000 £230,000 £770,000

Becoming a Leiths Academy school will bring a market leader in cookery education to Bath, offering pupils the chance to complete the prestigious Level 3 certificate in Professional Cookery as well as a Life Skills introduction to confident cooking.

It will provide a distinctive opportunity for outreach, sharing a state of the art facility with our current partner St Marks, and beyond, as well as a range of commercial opportunities such as cookery courses and supper clubs, which will support our ongoing community offerings.

Food and drink has a very high profile in Bath, the West Country and indeed the UK, and

Kingswood Cookery will be a significant strategic move for the benefit of our pupils, parents and the local community.

The importance of knowing how to cook on a budget, using fresh ingredients, as well as the benefits of cooking and sharing a meal with others is now accepted as a bedrock of our society, with benefits to mind and body. Learning to cook is an essential life skill that we should all possess.

Our vision is to offer:

• Enrichment and co-curricular cookery for current pupils in Years 6-13 and the local community

• Leiths certified cookery courses

• Commercial courses to parents, Old Kingswoodians and the wider public in evenings and school holidays

3. The Dixon

A Sixth Form Centre for the future

£2,500,000 £1,500,000 £1,000,000

Although much loved by pupils in the Sixth Form, The Dixon, opened in 1970, no longer meets the needs of a modern Sixth Form.

Our vision is to transform the Dixon from a series of small studies designed for boarders’ prep time, into a contemporary, more open plan environment.

Refurbishment plans have been built with the input from current pupils and our ‘critical friend’, Old Kingswoodian Kate Meigneux, (a residential and commercial architectural garden and interior designer). These plans include:

• Reconfiguring the existing layout to provide a range of different study spaces within the

existing floor plans, allowing for collaborative working and group seminars that facilitate a pre-university experience

• Increased capacity without extending the building

• Improved external appearance via a new skin, refurbished windows and a light-filled atrium

The Dixon building remains structurally sound and, consistent with our pathway to net zero sustainability strategy, our plans are to transform rather than replace the building.

Kingswood Senior School Lansdown Road • Bath • BA1 5RG • UK

Admissions

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