PROSPECTUS
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KEW COLLEGE
HELLO AND WELCOME
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Choosing your child’s school is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make on their behalf. We’ve prepared this brochure to give you a flavour of what we have to offer, and help you decide whether we’re the right choice for your child. But since printed words and pictures only tell part of the Kew College story, we always recommend that you come and see our wonderful school for yourself. Ours is a vibrant, active school community, full of life, energy and colour which you can only fully appreciate when you’re here. Who we are and what we do is best represented by the children themselves. They are our greatest ambassadors: respectful, responsible, hard-working, fun-loving and well-rounded individuals, with a strong sense of their own worth and talents, and those of others. They’re also blessed with a humility, maturity and graciousness beyond their years.
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
Welcome to Kew College.
We believe Kew College offers children the best possible start in life, fostering skills and attitudes that will stay with them long after they’ve left us. It’s our privilege and pleasure to be part of their lives.
Marianne Austin Head Teacher
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ABOUT OUR SCHOOL Founded in 1927, and on its current site since 1953, Kew College is a nonselective, family-orientated school for girls and boys from Nursery to Year 6. More importantly, we’re a happy, friendly and caring community where children, parents and staff are united by a shared set of values we call The Kew College Way. Written by the children themselves, it’s a mark both of the trust we place in our pupils, and the commitment and enthusiasm they bring to every aspect of school life. Our academic record is outstanding, while our caring approach and supportive atmosphere help every child to grow in confidence and find their place in the world.
KEW COLLEGE | UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
OUR MISSION At Kew College, we aim to: •
Provide our children with a broad, well-balanced and enriching educational experience at a high level;
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Create a friendly, caring environment that is relaxed but purposeful, in which our children can feel happy and staff and pupils enjoy working with each other;
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Encourage our children to do their best at all times, ensure they feel valued, and celebrate their achievements;
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Actively promote the fundamental values of individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance;
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Instil a sense of commitment, responsibility and respect for others, the value of co-operation and tolerance of all difference;
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Equip our children with the appropriate skills for the next stage in their education, and a healthy self–esteem and confidence to make their own informed choices.
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Each child’s development is closely monitored by their teachers. Progress in all learning areas is continuously assessed. Regular contact with parents or carers allows the development of a strong homeschool partnership, with the shared goal of giving our children a rich, varied and
happy experience during their early school years. Teachers are available to speak to parents before and after school and informal meetings can be made as required. We hold Parents’ Evenings and send reports home every term.
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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
F A C I L I T I E S / T E A C H I N G S TA F F / C O M M U N I C AT I O N
“The teaching and school philosophy is very much focused on helping each child to achieve their best in a happy environment. As parents, we really couldn’t ask for more.” The Stewart family
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KEW COLLEGE | UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
PA STO R A L C A R E Our Pastoral Curriculum underpins everything we do at Kew College. Each class has a weekly lesson in which they discuss friendships, behaviour issues and any other concerns in an open, respectful and trusting atmosphere. In what we call our ‘hidden’ pastoral curriculum, we work as a team to ensure all children are listened to and feel valued. The mutual respect between staff and pupils is perfectly exemplified by our School Council, where elected representatives from each
class put forward suggestions to improve the school: many of these ideas are put into practice. The strong sense of community at Kew College is enhanced by our governors and parents, all of whom are fully committed to the school’s ethos and values, and work tirelessly on its behalf. It is this cooperation and bond between everyone in our school community that makes Kew College such a happy, successful and popular school.
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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
Just as important, though, are the broader ‘life lessons’ that children gain at this early stage. Ours is a happy, inclusive school, where children naturally absorb the principles of friendship, caring for and respecting each other, working together and accepting that everyone is different. It is something you’ll see throughout Kew College - and what makes us truly special.
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
Everything we do in Nursery and Kindergarten is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, which encourages children’s curiosity and independence, and gives them the confidence to blossom. Teaching focuses on three Prime areas - Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, and Physical Development – to provide the ‘building blocks’ for their future learning. Through circle times, story-times, play, music, dance, ICT, arts and crafts, drama, cookery and PE, we explore the four Specific areas
of Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Art & Design. These are designed to give children the skills and knowledge they’ll need throughout their school career, and on into adult life. Children spend most of their time with their class teacher, with specialist staff providing weekly sessions in Dance, French, Gymnastics, ICT, Music, Music and Movement and PE.
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Your child’s first experiences of school can shape their entire education and life beyond. It’s a huge responsibility - but while we take it incredibly seriously, we never let that get in the way of the children’s enjoyment!
KEW COLLEGE
S TA RT I N G O U T - N U R S E RY A N D K I N D E RG A RT E N
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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
At this crucial stage, we are helping children develop personal qualities that will carry them through school and on into later life: concentration, listening and empathy, perseverance, resilience, independence, initiative and risk-taking. We also encourage children to think for themselves, work both independently and in groups, and start taking responsibility for their own learning.
Alongside the core subjects, the Year 1 and 2 curriculum includes Critical Thinking, which focuses on specific skills in analysis and reasoning that children can apply to all their learning. While most subjects are taught by the class teacher, children benefit from specialist teachers for Art, Dance, French, Games, Gymnastics, ICT, Library and Music. Year 2 also swim from the Summer Term.
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
Reading is at the heart of Years 1 and 2. Children have regular individual, group and class reading sessions, and discover both fiction and non-fiction as they progress through our excellent Reading Scheme. They also visit the school library every week.
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Our Infant House builds on all the children have learned in EYFS, and introduces them to more formal ways of teaching and learning. Children are with their class teacher for most of the week, allowing them to develop real trust and mutual understanding.
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T H E P E R F E C T F O U N D AT I O N YEARS 1 AND 2
“Our children always look forward to going to school and love to talk to us about what they are learning there.� The Holland Family
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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS | KEW COLLEGE
MOVING ON UP – YEARS 3-6 Small class sizes, excellent facilities, a positive, supportive environment and exceptional teaching are the hallmarks of our Junior House at Kew College. Over their four Junior years, children experience a broad, balanced curriculum, centred on the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science. It’s designed so that by the time they reach Year 6, our children have reached (or exceeded) the required National Curriculum levels, and are fully prepared to sit entrance exams for senior school. To this end, more lessons are taught by subject specialists, and our pupils continue to develop the Critical Thinking skills they started learning in the Infant House. Wherever your child excels, be it academically, musically, artistically, athletically or socially, we help them achieve their full potential. In any areas they find more difficult, or come less naturally to them, we provide the help and encouragement they need. This may include one-to-one support where appropriate,
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or assistance in our Learning Support Department: in these cases, we maintain open discussions with parents every step of the way. We are lucky to have a fantastic team of Teaching Assistants working alongside our class teachers in each Year group, helping to maintain a high ratio of adults to children. Under our House System, introduced from Year 2, children are placed in one of four Houses – Condor, Eagle, Hawk and Osprey – that will be their ‘home’ throughout their time at Kew College. Each has two House Captains (a girl and a boy) elected by their peers. Children can earn House Points for effort and improvement, politeness, thoughtfulness to others, good behaviour, helpfulness, environmental awareness and following ‘The Kew College Way’. On Friday afternoons, House Club events provide an excellent opportunity for children to socialise across all year groups. At the end of the year, the House with the highest total lifts the coveted House Cup: Houses also compete for top honours at Sports Day and the Junior House Swimming Gala.
KEW COLLEGE | UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
Wherever your child excels, be it academically, musically, artistically, athletically or socially, we will help them achieve their full potential.
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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS | KEW COLLEGE
A N E V E N T F U L E D U C AT I O N There’s always something going on at Kew College. These are just some of the annual highlights you and your children can look forward to: S P O RTS Every summer, we hold our annual Sports Day, which involves all children from Nursery to Year 6, at the University of Westminster Playing Fields in Chiswick. Children from Years 3 to 6 also have a chance to compete at our Swimming Gala at Chiswick New Pools. To finish off a long Autumn Term, Years 3 to 6 take part in a netball and football tournament for The Rudolph Cup, while Year 2 enjoy our festive-themed Jingle Bell Races. There are also numerous sporting fixtures against other schools, and charity fundraising events with a sporting theme.
MUSIC The Junior House Spring Music Concert features recorder groups, strings, the wind band and the brass ensemble, as well as the school choirs, Beatz Club, instrumental and vocal soloists and small singing groups. F O U N D E R ’ S D AY Every March, we celebrate Founder’s Day, to commemorate Mrs Hamilton-Spry, who gifted the school and its buildings to our charitable trust in 1985. She bought the school in 1953 from the original founder, Mrs Ellen Upton, who started out in rooms over a shop in Kew Village in 1927. Founder’s Day is an off-curriculum day in school, with children given an opportunity to enjoy new experiences and activities that extend and challenge them, as well as providing immense enjoyment.
DRAMA B O O K D AY At the end of the Autumn Term, each EYFS and Infant House class performs its own Christmas Play, while Junior House children hold their Christmas Carol Service in St Anne’s Church. The Summer Plays are an annual highlight, with children from all year groups working alongside class teachers and our Head of Music to create truly spectacular productions. For Year 6, the Leavers’ Play provides a fitting, memorable and very moving end to their time at Kew College. CHARITY Children take an active part in our fundraising work. Each year, each House presents a charity, chosen by the children themselves, to the Junior House, staff, Kew College Friends (KCF) and governors, with the final choice decided democratically in an election. Pupils then raise money through cake sales, mufti days in school, other functions and events and through their own activities outside school. 14
We celebrate Book Day every year with an off-curriculum timetable to immerse ourselves in the joy of reading and related activities such as author events, the Big Read and reading with the younger years. OT H E R S U B J E C T D AY S Throughout the year, we run specialist days when the whole school timetable is devoted to a single subject, such as History, Art, or Science. These are great opportunities for children to study different aspects of these important subjects, above and beyond the requirements of the curriculum.
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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS | KEW COLLEGE
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM We offer children an enormous range of after-school clubs and activities. As well as fostering existing passions and talents in areas like music, sport and drama, we encourage all our children to try new things and test their own boundaries. Some of the clubs open to children in Years 1 and 2 include: A RTS A N D C R A F TS CRAFTS HANDBALL JAZZ DANCE LEGO LITTLE GOLFERS SOFT TENNIS AND ACTIVE KIDS Once they reach Junior House, children can also take part in: CHESS D E B AT I N G D I G I TA L P H O T O G R A P H Y A N D D E S I G N DRAMA FENCING ICT CLUB MTECH - MUSIC TECHNOLOGY R A S P B E R RY P I KUDO CLUB S E W C R E AT I V E TA B L E T E N N I S TOUCH TYPING Music is central to life at Kew College, and we have a wide range of ensembles for all abilities, including: B E AT Z C L U B JAZZ AND POP CHOIR KEW ROCK BAND JUNIOR VOCAL GROUP KEW WIND BAND KEW STRINGS KEYBOARD CLUB KO O L T U N E S RECORDER GROUPS YO U N G VO I C E S
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KEW COLLEGE
TRIPS AND RESIDENTIAL VISITS
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Children in Year 6 have two residential visits. In the Autumn Term, there’s an unforgettable ‘back to nature’ experience with Bushcraft in Oxfordshire. On the two-night trip, children build campfires, sleep in shelters they’ve built themselves, and make and cook their own food. In the Summer Term, they spend a memorable week at Château de la Baudonnière in Normandy, immersing themselves in French life and culture. Other trips include the Houses of Parliament, theatre and Junior Citizen.
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
We like to take children out of the classroom and into the real world as often as we can. We’re lucky enough to have some fantastic opportunities right on our doorstep including, of course, Kew Gardens - but we also travel across London and further afield in search of new and enriching experiences for our children. The EYFS children enjoy trips to Bockett’s Farm, Odds Farm, the Wetlands Centre and Birdworld. Years 1 and 2 have been to Chiltern Open Air Museum, Florence Nightingale Museum, Gunnersbury House Museum, London Zoo, Painshill Park and the Buddhist Temple. Year 3 pupils have visited the National Gallery, St Paul’s Cathedral, Fishbourne Palace near Chichester and make a one-night residential trip to PGL. In Year 4, children undertake a two-night residential trip to Bowles Activity Centre in East Sussex, while in Year 5, they enjoy a one-night visit to Home Farm, Beaulieu in Hampshire in the Autumn Term and a weekend experiencing Tudor life at Hooke Court in Dorset.
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The Senior Management Team is in charge of the school’s day-to-day running. The Team comprises the Head and six members of staff, each responsible for specific areas. OUR GOVERNORS The Governors oversee the school’s strategic plans ensuring that everything from the fee structure to the Safeguarding and Health and Safety Policy serves the school’s best interests. The Governors meet at least once a term.
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
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Kew College is a community built on the energy and enthusiasm of our staff, parents and governors. Their tireless efforts and unswerving commitment to our ethos and values, have made us the happy, successful and caring school you see today.
KEW COLLEGE
M A N A G E M E N T, G O V E R N A N C E A N D O U R PA R E N T B O DY
K E W CO LLEG E F RI E N DS ( KC F ) Run by parents, KCF organises social events throughout the year, raising funds for the school and our nominated charity. Through its incredible efforts and generosity, KCF has provided everything from books, iPads and PA equipment to a new school mini-bus, the Hall piano and a clavinova! KCF is managed by a Committee including a representative from each year group.
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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS | KEW COLLEGE
ADMISSIONS Kew College is a non-selective school. We have one morning and one afternoon Nursery class - Nursery Red and Nursery Yellow. We recommend you register your child for Nursery as soon as possible; you can register them from birth. We give priority to registered siblings and children of former pupils; however, demand is such that we cannot guarantee a place even if you are registered. Our Open Mornings in June and September, for parents with children registered for the next calendar year, are part of the admissions process, so it is important that you attend one of them. You are welcome to visit us at other times by arrangement with the Registrar. We offer places in the Autumn Term in the year prior to entry. Once you receive an offer, you will be asked for a deposit equal to half of the termly fees for the main school to secure your place. This will be reimbursed when your child leaves Kew College. To make an application, please complete a Registration Form, and send it with your registration fee of £75 per child (non-refundable) to the Registrar, who can provide further information about the school. Occasional places are available further up the school and all requests should be made in person to the Registrar.
“The academic achievements speak for themselves but Kew College also focuses on extra-curricular activities, an important preparation for secondary school.” The Heaney Family 20
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W H AT T H E C H I L D R E N S AY “I’ve loved every minute I’ve been at Kew College and couldn’t imagine being at any other school,” Luke Year 6 “Although I’m excited about going to my secondary school, I don’t want to leave Kew College as it has been like my second home,” Emily Year 6 “My life at Kew College has always been happy and exciting,” Eve Year 6 “Our teachers are great as they are good fun and they care. They make the lessons really interesting,” Max Year 6
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W H AT T H E PA R E N T S S AY
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“This is our 10th year as a Kew College family. Both of our boys joined the school in the Nursery at the age of 3 and have flourished in the nurturing and caring environment the school provides. We chose Kew College after being shown around by very impressive Year 6 pupils when Lachlan was a baby. The children were all confident, articulate, well mannered, and thoroughly nice kids who were comfortable in the company of adults. Both of our boys have thrived at Kew College and always raced enthusiastically into school each day. The teaching and school philosophy is very much focused on helping each child to achieve their best in a happy environment. As parents, we really couldn’t ask for more.” The Hughes family have four children, all of whom have attended Kew College. Helena is now at university having finished at Latymer Upper, Sophie is currently at Latymer in the Upper Sixth, Jamie is at St Paul’s School and Georgie has just moved to Ibstock School.
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF 3 TO 11 YEAR OLDS
The Stewart family has two children who have attended or are currently at Kew College. Angus is in Year 4 and Lachlan now attends Westminster School.
“We have been associated with Kew College for some 15 years and I still remember my astonishment at how engaged the children were in a truly inspirational Maths lesson when I was first shown round the school. The school had a very friendly feel and the Year 6 guides were articulate and confident. I knew it would be a great place to send my children. Over the years, it has developed the facilities and extra-curricular activities tremendously, so in our view, it just gets better and better. My children have felt fully supported in their studies and well prepared to move on to senior school. They look back fondly on their Kew College years and I know Georgie will be very sad to leave this year.” The Ahmed family have four girls. Their eldest girl has now transferred at 11+ to St Pauls and the three younger girls remain at Kew College. “There is something for every child – whether it is academic study, creativity, music or sport. The support we have had from the school has been fantastic, particularly through the common entrance exams. We have children with differing abilities and personalities but Kew College has provided support and education for all of them. Every child at this school is unique, but one thing that every child here has in common is that he or she will leave strengthened by their experience at Kew College.” The Holland family have three children who have attended or are currently at Kew College. Louis is in Year 3, Eleanor is in Year 6 and Marilys has moved on to Surbiton High School. “The excellent teaching staff at Kew College and the small class sizes provide a wonderfully friendly and nurturing educational environment. Our children always look forward to going to school and love to talk to us about what they are learning there.”
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PROSPECTUS
Kew College 24 - 26 Cumberland Road, Kew, Surrey, TW9 3HQ T: +44 (0)20 8940 2039 F: +44 (0)20 8332 9945 General Enquiries enquiries@kewcollege.com Admissions registrar@kewcollege.com Bursar bursar@kewcollege.com