King's School Rochester - Mini Prospectus - Preparatory School

There’s one motto we live by at King’s, and that’s simply ‘Work hard, play hard and look after each other’ no matter what age you are...

Welcome to KING’S SCHOOL ROCHESTER

King’s Preparatory School is a stimulating, purposeful and caring community, within which children are able to discover their talents and develop as well-rounded and thoughtful individuals.

Our broad and balanced curriculum enables children to build towards excellent academic achievement, whilst ensuring that their broader skills of communication, teamwork and leadership are explored through the sporting, musical, dramatic and extracurricular opportunities available.

The Preparatory School is large enough to provide an exciting range of opportunities with excellent facilities, but small enough to foster a nurturing and caring atmosphere. Our Christian community welcomes children from a wide variety of backgrounds and faiths, and as a Cathedral Choir School our aim is that all pupils will grow happily in their understanding, knowledge and confidence, underpinned by the positive values which shape our School.

My talented Staff and I will do all that we can to see that your child settles quickly, and fully embraces life in the Preparatory School; we look forward to welcoming you.

Tom Morgan Head of King’s Preparatory School

VALUES & ETHOS

The latest “Excellent in all areas” ISI inspection rating is a testament to the warm and nurturing ethos of our School.

Outstanding specialist teaching, small class sizes and individual care and guidance enable all pupils to prosper in both their academic and personal development.

We teach our pupils the importance of charting their own course, and the value of discovering their inner passions. To have a sense of purpose and self-awareness are vital character traits for success in today’s fast-changing and sometimes challenging world.

Academic, sporting, dramatic and musical experiences permeate the curriculum, and

whether it is by experiencing the wonder of music in the Cathedral or learning teamwork on the sports pitch, pupils at King’s develop into polite, well-rounded individuals.

During their time in the Preparatory School our pupils become enquiring, ambitious and conscientious, and generations of parents have delighted in the real sense of achievement their children have experienced here. We take great pride in the fact that our young people finish Year 8 furnished with the skills and experiences to forge happy and successful lives.

PASTORAL CARE

Small class sizes and our high pupil-staff ratio creates more one-on-one contact time.

At King’s the caring atmosphere of mutual respect permeates all aspects of daily school life. We know pupils respond when their individual needs and concerns are addressed quickly and effectively.

Individual well-being is something we take very seriously and promote actively. We have a designated Well-being Centre, where a qualified counsellor runs group well-being sessions for all pupils as well as individual counselling sessions for those who need a little extra support. Our Well-being Centre is the hub for our school-wide well-being activities.

Pupils throughout the school follow a PSHEE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) programme, with teaching and learning based around Personal, Social and Emotional Development. In the Preparatory School, the first point of contact for our pupils is their form tutor who has oversight of their progress. In addition to this, the Headmaster, Deputy Pastoral, Deputy Academic, Medical Centre and Chaplain are also available to pupils and parents at any time.

A broad & innovative CURRICULUM

We provide a stimulating and progressive curriculum in preparation for future academic success at GCSE and A Level, whilst equipping our pupils for life in a fast-changing and globalised world.

From the start of the Preparatory School in Year 4, all of our pupils are taught by subject specialists who have extensive knowledge and experience within their given subject field. We are also fortunate in having dedicated learning facilities to support subjects. For example, Art and Design lessons take place in our superb Art Studio, Drama in our purpose built Drama Studio, and Science is taught in our fully equipped labs. This differs from the traditional set up in primary schools, where there is normally one teacher for all subjects and only one learning environment.

At King’s our broad curriculum focuses on educating rather than testing. We believe in giving our pupils a broad education and our pupils do not sit Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests (SATs). This enables us to have a wide range of subjects and allows us to teach additional topics such as life skills.

We maintain a strong emphasis on language education, building upon the foundation laid during our Pre-Preparatory School years. In Year 4, our pupils continue with French, and in Year 7, they are introduced to Spanish. At this point, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are introduced as separate disciplines, along with the opportunity to explore Latin.

In Years 7 and 8, our pupils follow the King's Diploma programme. Through innovative enquiry days and a focus on sustainability, our pupils tackle authentic real-world problems. This approach nurtures informed, empathetic, and self-aware citizens equipped with the skills sought after by both industry and universities.

The Preparatory School curriculum aims to excite and extend the intellect of every pupil, all the while striving to build confidence and self-esteem. We want our children to develop strong academic skills, and grow into kind, caring and respectful young adults.

Prep. (Homework) at King's

We think that giving children homework is a great way to encourage independent learning, as well as helping to consolidate the learning pupils do in the classroom. The amount of homework that the pupils receive increases as they move through the School and is carefully balanced.

SETTLING IN

Our top priority is for all new joiners to feel at home whilst at School. A happy child means a happy learner.

Being a small school, with small class sizes, creates an intimate, friendly experience where everybody knows and supports one another. Children settle in quickly and soon feel valued as important members of the school community. From the start, everyone is encouraged to take part in the many activities and events that happen every week, and this really helps pupils settle in to school life.

Each year we run a Familiarisation Day where all year groups move up a year for one day. They are also joined by the children who are joining King’s

from other schools in September. This includes Year 3 pupils coming up from the Pre-Preparatory School to experience Year 4 - an important opportunity to help with the transition into the Preparatory School.

Those joining the School from elsewhere are given a buddy and each new pupil will receive a friendly welcoming letter before they arrive. Once here, their buddy will show them around the School, and help them to make friends and settle in.

Tracking Progress at King’s

It’s really important to us that each child gets the best out of their education. To support this, pupils in the Preparatory School sit end of year exams, the number of which increases as the pupils move through the School. Pupils also take progress tests to ensure that they are making expected progress.

MUSIC

Music

King’s provides the unique opportunity for pupils to become choristers of Rochester Cathedral from Years 4 to 8, and in addition to this prestigious opportunity, our musical offerings are diverse and versatile. Pupils can engage in a wide array of fantastic ensembles including choirs, orchestra, rock band, wind and brass band.

Thanks to our extensive team of subject specialist and peripatetic music teachers, we are able to teach all orchestral instruments, drum kit, guitar (acoustic and electric), piano and voice.

Alongside our daily music making we run an impressive programme of regular musical events, which includes workshops with professional musicians. Many pupils gain confidence by participating in our frequent formal and informal concerts, and some even progress to performing solos in the Cathedral.

Our Christmas and Summer concerts, held in the School Hall and celebration services in the Cathedral, are truly exceptional and incredibly popular occasions. The entire Prep School community - including staff! - get involved in the House Music competitions.

DRAMA

Skills pupils learn in Drama provide the bedrock for their future success in life.

Many pupils eagerly take the stage in front of large audiences with our muchadmired Prep School musicals and plays. The dramatic and performing arts curriculum is seamlessly integrated with the co-curricular program, ensuring a cohesive experience for those aspiring to perform on the larger school stage.

Weekly Drama classes, workshops and school drama productions provide numerous opportunities for all our pupils to develop their creativity and acquire valuable performance skills. Class and year group performances are also held, and each pupil has the opportunity to perform in their class assembly.

LAMDA Acting and Public Speaking coaching and examinations are offered to all pupils, building confident communication skills and public speaking abilities. Additionally, there are regular opportunities for pupils to read in our Cathedral Services.

To broaden horizons and enhance creativity, we organise regular visits to professional theatre productions and offer the opportunity to partake in practical workshops conducted by professional theatre companies such as Trestle Mask Company and the Unicorn Theatre.

is a cornerstone of life at King’s with countless opportunities for pupils of all abilities to get involved.

ART & DESIGN

The Art and Design department is buzzing with creativity and inspiration.

The creativity of young minds is extraordinary, and it is a privilege to nurture the artisitc potential of each and every pupil. Pupils have a strong visual sense, and they love to explore and discover new things.

We teach our pupils history of art and design, and they learn about the different techniques to

Scholarships at King’s

Across music, art, drama , sport and academic, we offer scholarships to those who demonstrate particular skill and ability. Scholarships are awarded into Year 7 to both internal and external candidates. Successful recipients are expected

help them build an in-depth understanding of the breadth of creative and design options. Our project-based approach enables many pupils to achieve a level of artistic skill beyond their age. We take art and design teaching beyond the National Curriculum, and this lays the foundation for future success at GCSE and A Level.

to contribute not just to the area of their award but also to the general activity of the Preparatory School. Further information on scholarships is available on our website, within the Admissions section, or by contacting our Admissions team.

School Rochester

SPORT

Our exceptional seasonal sports programme gives pupils at least four hours of games lessons each week.

Sport is a truly dynamic and fun experience at King’s. Pupils throw themselves enthusiastically into our enriching programme of activities, building their confidence and ability to work as part of a team. All children benefit from expert specialist sports coaching, and this is vital to support each pupil, regardless of individual ability or level of experience. There are numerous opportunities to represent and compete for the School both as part of a team or as an individual and have fun!

Co-Curricular CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

Our diverse co-curricular options are impressive and naturally complement the immersive educational programme.

Pupils benefit from many opportunities to take part in a variety of activities. Our children are encouraged to broaden and extend their skills of communication, teamwork and leadership. Clubs available include: Art, Athletics, Ballet, Chess, Cricket, DT, Ecology and Gardening, Film Club, Hockey, LAMDA, Lego, Maths, Minecraft, Needlecraft, Netball, Photography, Puzzle Club, Rugby, Running, Soccer and Swimming.

The majority of clubs and activities are at no extra cost and take place on-site during lunchtime and after school. Swimming takes place in our on-site indoor heated swimming pool.

There are also numerous fun House competitions that take place throughout the year, including House Tiddlywinks and House Conkers.

BOARDING

Boarding at King’s School Rochester is a true home-from-home experience. Our boarding community is small enough so that it has a real family-like atmosphere, where everyone knows one another and feels supported and cared for.

At King's we offer boarding to both domestic and international pupils from Year 7 through to Sixth Form. We have two boarding houses: School House for boys and St Margaret’s House for girls.

Rooms in both boarding houses are light and airy with modern furnishings, and equipped with the latest high-speed, age-appropriately filtered Wi-Fi, meaning that a video call home or quick online game with friends is always an enjoyable experience. Depending on the age-group, boarders have access to either an en-suite or communal bathroom close by.

Both boarding houses have shared common areas that include facilities for making food and playing games, from relaxed card games to console thrillers. This gives many opportunities for making friends and enjoying each other’s company. Boarders in Year 7 and 8 have their own dedicated area in each House called the Prep Suite, for sole use by our Preparatory School pupils.

Our very own Italian chef serves bespoke two course meals with a wide variety of salads at lunch and dinner. The two boarding houses come together every evening for a shared dining experience, a highlight of the school day where pupils and staff share a delicious meal and catch-up on the day’s events.

Each boarder is supported upon arrival with a bespoke induction and familiarisation programme. For international pupils, this includes sessions on British culture and how to excel in a UK classroom setting.

Each House has several staff members on hand including a Head of House, Tutor and a Houseparent to ensure that pastoral support is available 24/7 so that every King’s boarding pupil has a happy and exciting boarding experience.

Before and after SCHOOL CARE

We understand the challenges balancing work with school drop off and pick up times and so we have a wraparound care system that helps support our parents.

Wraparound care is offered to support working parents at a supplementary charge. We have a ‘Breakfast Club’ which runs from 7.30am and playground supervision begins at 8.10am.

‘Prep Club’ is available free of charge from 4.15pm to 5.30pm, for pupils to complete homework ("prep") or do quiet reading. We also offer an ‘After School Supper Club’ which runs each day from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

Thanks to our extensive co-curricular programme, there are also clubs after school most nights. These are emailed to parents on a termly basis.

At King’s, it’s not just our pupils that we care for and supportour parents are always at the forefront of our minds too!

MOVING ON UP

King’s ‘One School’ ethos makes the transition to the Senior School seamless.

What do we mean by King’s ‘One School’ ethos? Essentially the close and natural collaboration between all years and departments creates a stress-free and better experience for our pupils on their journey through the School.

As many of the Preparatory School lessons are taught in parts of the Senior School by Senior School staff, the transition from Preparatory to Senior is seamless. From Years 6, 7 and 8, pupils start to experience more lessons in the Senior

part of the School so they get to know staff and become familiar with the buildings. Teaching staff also work very closely with Heads of Department across all three Schools and they meet regularly to ensure continuity of curriculum and pastoral care.

Although we are always sad to see our pupils go, we are confident they leave us well set to achieve fantastic results in the Senior School and Sixth Form!

FURTHER INFORMATION

We work with families to ensure that the admissions process supports you and your child every step along the way.

To find out more information or to schedule a visit to the School, please contact us on +44 (0) 1634 888590, or email admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk

Visit Us

The best way to get a real sense of the School is to visit us. We offer private tours and taster days during term time and hold two whole school Open Mornings each year.

School Fees

Fees are charged in advance and reviewed annually, with additional charges kept to a minimum. Further information about fees and charges are available on our website within the Admissions section.

Scholarships

King’s School Rochester is pleased to offer a range of scholarships in both the Preparatory School and Senior School to internal and external pupils in Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12. Pupils with a proven talent in sport, music, drama, art or academic attainment are encouraged to apply.

Bursaries

We offer means-tested financial support to pupils who otherwise would be unable to attend. Bursaries may be offered in addition to the award of a scholarship to increase the value of the award.

Our School Day

For more information on admissions, fees, scholarships, bursaries and term dates, scan the QR code...

Parking

Due to the central and historic location of our School, there is very limited parking during drop off and pick up. Instead, if you are arriving by car, there are numerous car parks nearby which can be found at en.parkopedia.co.uk.

Come and experience our School for yourself. Meet our pupils, talk with our staff, and feel the welcoming and inspiring atmosphere that makes King’s School Rochester so unique.