Senior School Parent Handbook

2024/25

“Pupils develop the balanced set of values and characteristics required for future individual success and to play a full part in the wider community.”

Welcome to King’s Senior School

At King’s, we pride ourselves on delivering an education which provides our pupils with the academic skills and personal characteristics required for future success. At the heart of this is an inclusive community which offers excellent, individual pastoral care.

Academic study at King’s offers every student a broad curriculum, engaging lessons and personalised tuition from enthusiastic and dedicated staff. Small class sizes give our subject specialists plenty of opportunity to ensure that all students can participate actively in class and build their confidence.

Our expectations are high. We track each student’s progress by personal observation and by regular assessment using nationally recognised testing schemes. We believe firmly that every child has something valuable to offer and it is that unique gift in every child, which should be nurtured. This is reinforced by King’s culture of parental involvement that encourages school and home to work and act together.

This booklet has been written to give you an overview of life in King’s Senior School. Please contact your child’s Tutor or refer to the school website if you have any queries.

We have a long tradition of cross-curricular project work in which departments combine forces to give students a stimulating learning experience. Projects like these develop both their independent study and teamwork abilities.

First day routine

You will receive information confirming arrangements for your first day. Each pupil must bring the following with them:

 A backpack

 A pencil case containing:

• Plain navy blue or black bag with no large logos

• Pen with black ink

• Red pen

• Pencils, Sharpener and Eraser

• Colouring pencils (not felt-tips)

• Ruler (30 cm)

• Glue stick

• Round-ended scissors

• Protractor

• Pair of Compasses

• Casio Scientific Calculator (the fx85 model is suitable for First and Second Form or the fx991 will be suitable up to GCSE and beyond)

Water fountains are located around the school and all pupils have access to water with lunch. We suggest all pupils bring a water bottle with them to school each day.

Everyone will be provided with a timetable, a calendar, a prep diary and issued with a locker. Pupils joining First Form will be issued a locker key. Pupils joining Second Form (Y8) or above will need to bring in a combination padlock with a loop diameter of 6mm.

Textbooks and exercise books will be issued by subject teachers during lessons.

Some parents may be considering purchasing laptops for their children. We only require this as a school for Third Form (Y9) pupils and above who are required to bring in a laptop. However, for those who are considering doing this, we

thought it pertinent to provide some advice. We would like to emphasise that all the platforms we are using can be accessed with just a web browser and an internet connection so there is no need to spend lots of money on any device. The device should be portable but maintain a decent size screen (11 inches minimum) with a keyboard that is comfortable to type on. It should also have a good battery life. We have partnered with the company Hardsoft to support the financing of a laptop. The company allow you to pay monthly towards a device which is fully insured against accidental damage or loss. Please use the link here if it is of interest: https://www. hardsoftcomputers.co.uk/digital-learning-at-kings-school/

School buses run every day during term time. Tutors will ensure that pupils know where to go in the afternoon to catch buses home.

“Every pupil has talents and strengths to be nurtured. Our outstanding pastoral care, challenging academic curriculum and range of co-curricular activities inspires each pupil to discover their potential.”

The Pastoral System

Mrs Phillips, the Deputy Head (Pastoral), is responsible for pupil well-being and overseeing the work of the pastoral staff. She works closely with the Heads of Middle and Upper School, Heads of Year, the Welfare Team and Mrs Tyer, the Well-being Mentor.

All pupils are placed in a mixed ability Tutor Group with the Tutor playing a key role in overseeing, guiding and encouraging the pupils in all that they do. The Tutor is the first link with home; parents should feel that they can contact their child’s Tutor at any time, on any matter. We see education as a partnership, which involves pupils, parents and teachers working together and we often refer to this as ‘The Golden Triangle’. Parents are given the opportunity, early in the Michaelmas Term, to come into School for a parent-tutor

evening which also includes a presentation by the Head of Year on the overview of the year, as well as the chance to meet your child’s Tutor and other parents.

The Heads of Middle and Upper School carry significant responsibility for Pupil Development, including wellbeing, academic achievement and co-curricular involvement. Tutors are supported by the Head of Year, whose role is to ensure that standards of pastoral care, academic guidance and discipline are maintained across each year group. Mrs Tyer, our Well-being Mentor, works in school four days a week. She is able to see pupils for weekly one to one appointments, should they require a little extra pastoral support. The appointments with Mrs Tyer are confidential.

School Communication

How to contact us

At some point during your child’s time at King’s, it is likely that you will want to discuss a particular matter with the School. Open communication between parents and the School is encouraged and is essential to our successful partnership. Your child’s Tutor should be your first point of contact with the School, whether that is by letter, e-mail or telephone call. Email addresses for all staff can be found on the school website.

How we will contact you

Depending on the nature of the matter, the school will contact you using a range of communication channels - letter, email, telephone or text message.

My School Portal

As a guide, if you e-mail during the working week, you should expect a response within 48 hours. This will allow a member of staff to look into your concern. We have an email etiquette within the school, that staff do not send emails after 7pm or at weekends. Please also remember that our teaching staff are not in School during holidays, so it is recommended that you contact the School Reception outside of term time.

My School Portal is a secure and sophisticated platform that collates all student information and data in one place for staff, parents and guardians. It will allow you to get an overview of your child’s activities in school, including grade cards, attendance reports, letters about trips, clubs and activities and school communications all in one convenient App. The login details will be given to you at the start of term.

Website

The School website contains important and useful information about School life and is updated regularly. The ‘lock’ icon in the bottom left corner of each page takes you to Parent Information pages with the School calendar, staff contact details, school policies, term dates, uniform lists and much more and is a great starting point for any queries you may have.

School Telephone

School Reception 01452 337337

Medical Centre 01452 337318

(for pupil medical queries or in an emergency only)

Email office@thekingsschool.co.uk

Absence Line 01452 337306

Pick Up/Drop off Routine

Children can be dropped off in the Palace Courtyard in Pitt Street in the mornings. At the end of the day, the Paddock becomes very congested, so we suggest you arrange to pick up your child from an alternative location close to the school.

If you are unable to collect your child at the end of the day, the Library is open until 5.45pm.

Daily Timetable

8.25am School Opens

8.35am - 8.45am Registration

8.50am - 9.05am Chapel

9.10am - 10.00am Period 1

10.05am - 10.55am Period 2

10.55am - 11.15am Break

11.20am - 12.10pm Period 3

12.15pm - 1.05pm Period 4

1.05pm - 2.15pm Lunch

2.15pm Afternoon Registration

2.20pm - 3.15pm Period 5

3.20pm - 4.10pm Period 6

School buses leave at 4.25pm each day

Lessons are distributed over a two-week period; the weeks are designated as A and B, these are marked clearly in the school calendar and pupil prep diaries. It must be stressed that pupils may have school commitments such as fixtures, practices and rehearsals, which may go on beyond the normal school day. These commitments are likely to involve attendance on Saturdays. Requests for missing such occasions should be given in writing at least a week in advance and should be submitted to the School Office by email (office@thekingsschool.co.uk).

Classlist

All King’s parents are invited to sign up to the Classlist App when their child starts at King’s. Classlist helps parents connect and stay in the loop with what’s happening in School. It is secure, GDPR-compliant, with clear community guidelines.

This is a parent-to-parent app which allows you to communicate with parents throughout the school, as well as with those parents just in your child’s class, about school and non-school related activities. For example, buying and selling items in the Marketplace, organising meet-ups and birthday parties, booking holiday camps and being involved with the King’s parent association, KSPA, who actively use it to publicise events and request help.

“Our aim is for pupils to become happy, confident and kind individuals and they are encouraged to develop characteristics such as aspiration, integrity, creativity, inclusivity, reflection, resilience and independence.”

Term Dates 2024/25

Michaelmas Term 2024

Term Starts Thursday 5th September

Half Term Starts Saturday 19th October

Half Term Ends Sunday 3rd November

Term Ends Friday 13th December

Lent Term 2025

Term Starts Tuesday 7th January

Half Term Starts Saturday 15th February

Half Term Ends Sunday 23rd February

Term Ends Thursday 10th April

Trinity Term 2025

Term Starts Monday 28th April

Half Term Starts Saturday 24th May

Half Term Ends Monday 2nd June

Term Ends Thursday 10th July

“Our pupils develop the skills and understanding to thrive and be happy in a rapidly changing world.”

Attendance at School

At the King’s School, we believe excellent attendance and punctuality are vital in helping pupils to achieve their best. They should be at school, on time and ready to learn, every day that the school is open, unless the reason for absence is unavoidable. All research shows that students who attend well, achieve well. The government has laid down guidelines which they expect school pupils to achieve in terms of attendance. King’s expects 100% attendance, but we require above 95%. There are a variety of reasons for children missing school.

Whilst some absences may be unavoidable, we would ask that you support us in ensuring your child’s attendance meets both the school and the government’s expectations.

If your child is not well enough to come into school, parents should contact the school, in person or by phone (on dedicated absence line – 01452 337306) before 09:10 on the first day of absence, and every day thereafter.

Holidays

Being present in school every day is a key expectation of our pupils. There is a direct correlation between attendance and academic achievement. Parents do not have the right to take a child out of school during term time, including the overlap with the beginning or end of term. The term dates are available to parents on the website and in the school calendar at least a year in advance. By law, parents must ask in writing for prior permission for their child to miss school.

If the Headteacher grants a leave request, it is for him to determine the length of time that a pupil can be away from school. Authorised leave will not be granted for the purpose of a family holiday. The Headteacher is only able to authorise leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. The Regulations do not allow the school to give retrospective approval after a holiday has been taken.

Please visit our website to read our full Attendance Policy.

Lunch and Tuck Shop

Our menus rotate every three weeks to provide pupils with a range of healthy and delicious options to choose from.

The lunch menus can be found on the website.

All pupils must attend lunch at a specific time according to a rota. Early lunch passes are also issued for those on a later lunch sitting to attend activities.

Tuck shop

The King’s School Tuck Shop is open to all Senior School pupils at break time. There is a great range of hot, cold and home-made food available every day. It is a cashless system which is easy to top up through an online account. You will also be able to see payment and transaction history as well as the spending habits of your child. A maximum spend limit per day is also available, if necessary. Any lost cards will incur a £1 charge. Full set up information and a tuck shop card will be given to your child when they start at King’s.

Prep (Homework)

Prep forms a significant part of our academic routine. It is the way pupils learn to work on their own and it enables them to consolidate one lesson and prepare for the next.

In setting prep for pupils we try to provide a realistic amount each night, taking into account that the children will still be getting used to a far more demanding work routine during the day. They may be tired in the evenings and will need to go to bed at a reasonable time, as well as having opportunities for family commitments. About one hour’s prep is expected, five evenings per week.

Prep is set according to a structured timetable with two/three subjects per night. We use “Microsoft Teams Assignments” (part of Office 365) which allows teachers to ensure all pupils are clear on the details of prep and any deadlines. Parents are able to see a list of what has been set via My School Portal.

Sparx: Maths Homework Platform

Sparx is an exciting online platform which offers every student a personalised maths homework, designed to both challenge them appropriately while addressing their own personal difficulties and misconceptions. Students in First to Fifth Form will be completing their Maths homework with Sparx Maths. Students in Fourth and Fifth Form will also get additional written prep based on past exam paper questions as part of their ongoing revision.

Sparx personalises each child’s homework , creating a weekly set of questions tailored to their level of understanding and learning pace. The questions are designed to be achievable whilst offering the stretch that learners need to make progress. Each week, topics are set by your child’s Maths teacher and will make up the majority of the homework questions. Questions from previous topics will also be included in the homework so that students can keep practising the skills they have learned.

We hope you agree that Sparx will play an exciting and important role in helping your child’s understanding, success and confidence in maths to grow. More detailed information can be read in the document ‘ Top Tips for Parents’ which can be found HERE

Reports and Assessments

The Deputy Head (Academic), is responsible for all academic matters, including reporting and assessment. Heads of Departments are responsible for the delivery of the curriculum in their departments. Tutors and Heads of Years monitor both academic progress, pastoral issues and co-curricular participation for their tutees.

Why have Assessments?

Regular assessment of pupils’ work forms an integral part of teaching and learning at King’s. The purpose of making assessments is summarised as follows:

For the use of parents

• To be kept informed of the progress, strengths and weaknesses of their children.

• To give information which can be discussed with tutors and subject teachers.

• To help decide how to support children’s work at home.

For the use of pupils

• To give information on how teachers feel pupils are progressing.

• To provide encouragement or a warning that improvement is needed.

• To enable pupils to discuss their work with parents, tutor and subject teachers.

Grading Industry

• Ambitious • Engaged • Inconsistent • Disengaged

To achieve a performance descriptor, a student must display at least four of the listed criteria.

Performance Descriptor Advice home: How can you support your child?

Ambitious

• Fully prepared, on time and equipped to face all learning challenges.

• Completes independent work and homework.

• Actively seeks out and takes action on feedback.

• Often takes lesson content further and shows initiative.

• Offers new ideas.

• Takes control of their own learning.

• Always willing to discuss and answer questions.

• Frequently asks relevant, thought-provoking questions.

• Supports the learning of others.

Engaged

• Fully prepared, on time and equipped to face all learning challenges.

• Completes independent work and homework.

• Always thinking and engaging with class activities.

• Responds proactively to feedback.

• Shows they are actively listening to their teacher and their peers.

• Regularly willing to discuss and answer questions.

• Seeks clarification when unsure.

• Encourage them to attend Academic Enrichment sessions and take advantage of high-level academic content such as University Lectures.

• Enable creativity and exploration of subjects outside of the curriculum.

• Visit museums, art galleries, theatres etc. Discuss what you see.

• Discuss aspirations and set ambitious goals together.

• Watch, read, and discuss current affairs together to promote critical thinking and link their learning to the wider world.

• Encourage your child to attend a range of extra-curricular activities.

• Ask your child open-ended questions about what they are studying in school.

• Discuss aspirations and set ambitious goals together.

• Watch, read, and discuss current affairs together to promote critical thinking and link their learning to the wider world.

Performance Descriptor

Inconsistent

• Mostly fully equipped and on time.

• Mostly completes teacher-set homework.

• Does not actively seek to contribute to lessons, but answers questions when asked.

• Work is completed, but not always to the best of their ability.

• Needs prompting to develop their work to improve.

• Does not seek clarification when unsure.

Disengaged

• Often not fully prepared, equipped or on time.

• Needs many prompts to start and complete work.

• Work is often incomplete, including homework.

• Distracts the learning of others.

• Does not always follow instructions.

• Avoids participating in lessons.

• Often gives up when asked a question.

• Sanctions have been given for poor standards and parents have been informed.

General advice to support your child:

Advice home: How can you support your child?

• Ask your child about what they are studying in school and what questions they answered.

• Ask to see your child’s schoolwork regularly.

• Discuss aspirations and set goals.

• Discuss with your child their progress and ways to improve.

• Have a copy of your child’s timetable and help them to organise their equipment the night before.

• Have a routine and quiet space for homework.

• Monitor work set on Microsoft Teams.

• Discuss aspirations and set goals.

• If your child is on report, monitor it daily and have regular conversations with them, their tutor and Head of Year.

• Reward your child for a positive report.

• Encourage regular reading and writing of different types of texts, both fiction and non-fiction. Have reading material out at home and let your child see you reading.

• Encourage resilience; when they fail or struggle, keep trying.

• Encourage your child to complete work to the best of their ability and on time

Achievement

• Excellent • Good • Satisfactory • Finding Difficulties

Excellent A pupil will produce very good work over the assessment period measured by the criteria of the departmental marking policy and will achieve results which compare very favourably with the rest of the year group at King’s

Good A pupil’s work will be of a good standard as measured by the departmental marking policy and will achieve results which are well in line with the expectations of the majority of the year group

Satisfactory A pupil will be achieving a satisfactory standard overall and, although slightly below average for the year group, will be recording results generally in line with age-related expectations

Finding Difficulties A pupil will be finding difficulties with work and over the assessment period will be working some way below the average achievement of the year group at King’s

GCSE and A-Level (‘working at’ grades)

Pupils get a ‘working at’ grade from the end of the February Half-Term in Fourth Form and Lower Sixth. This ‘working at’ grade is then included in each subsequent grading cycle. ‘Working at’ grades include the full range of results with pupils able to achieve a 9 if they are performing very highly.

A ‘working at’ grade is based on concrete evidence from the term. Report reflection is used for pupils to continue to be positive with raising their level – if a pupil is getting all ‘ambitious’ for their industry then their working at grade is likely to be towards the highest grade they could be achieving and vice versa if their industry is ‘disengaged’.

Reporting Assessment Grades to Parents

The principal method of reporting assessment grades to parents is on the subject reports, which are written once a year.

At each half term, where a pupil is not receiving either a full report or a parents’ evening, they take home an assessment record sheet with details of their assessments. These sheets also contain brief written tutor comments when they are issued at the end of a term.

Parents’ Evenings

Parent-Tutor Evenings are arranged early in the Michaelmas Term to enable parents to establish contact with their child’s new Tutor and Head of Year. First Form parents meet with Tutors to check that their children have settled in well. Lower Sixth Form parents meet with teachers in the Lent Term to discuss how the A Level courses are developing.

Full Parents’ Evenings take place throughout the year, generally at a time relevant to the key academic markers, e.g. after Mock Exams, or when options choices need to be made.

School Tests and Examinations

Ongoing assessment is supplemented by formal departmental tests and end of year examinations. Year groups below the Fifth Form have school examinations in the Trinity Term. Fifth Form have their trial exams at the end of the Michaelmas Term and Upper Sixth have trial examinations in the Lent Term. The Lower Sixth take formal progress tests in the Lent Term and school examinations just before the May half-term.

Commendations and Awards

At King’s, we encourage the establishment of good teacher/pupil relationships and support for the school’s values through a system of rewards and sanctions which are designed to promote a calm and disciplined learning environment. Our system of rewards includes:

 Verbal praise and written praise for good work.

 Academic Commendations for effort and achievement, which are celebrated in the form room, year group and in the House; these lead to Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates being awarded each term.

 Tutor commendations for contributions to the school community.

 Annual subject and year group prizes.

 Posting examples of excellent work in art/design, sports, and drama and concert achievements on the school’s website, so that the community can celebrate success.

 ‘Combat of the Pen’ Award for excellent work by a student in the Sixth Form.

 Reports to parents, which are worded to be as constructive as possible.

Educational Support

Pupils with specific Learning Difficulties will be able to attend Learning Skills Lessons within the normal timetable, by arrangement with the Deputy Head (Academic) and the Head of Learning Skills. Lessons in small groups usually take place instead of French. These sessions are designed to support an individual pupil’s way of working and enable them to achieve their best in each lesson. Revision skills and strategies are also covered in these lessons.

Sanctions

Sanctions are graded in severity and are used to respond to the offending behaviour. Once the sanction has been satisfactorily served, i.e. the pupil has accepted responsibility for their actions, then this is the end of the matter. Please see the ‘Behaviour Management & Exclusion Policy’ on our website for more information on our behaviour management ladder.

Ethos on Bullying

The King’s School Anti-bullying Policy and Bullying Charter were formulated by pupils and staff at all levels of the School, a full copy of the policy can be found on the School’s website. The following points are a summary of our ethos:

1. Every pupil at King’s has the right to enjoy his or her learning and leisure time free from intimidation.

2. Our school community will not tolerate unkind actions or remarks directly, indirectly or online, even when these were not intended to hurt.

3. To stand by whilst someone else is being bullied is to support bullying.

4. Pupils should support each other by reporting all instances of bullying to a member of staff or a responsible senior pupil.

5. Bullying will always be taken seriously.

Dealing with Worries

Advice to pupils on dealing with worries:

When is a worry a problem?

When you feel it is.

What can worrying do?

Worrying has negative effects on how we feel. If something is making you:

• unhappy or

• unable to concentrate properly on your work or

• lose interest in the activities and hobbies you enjoy or

• lose sleep or

• change your eating patterns or

• have difficult relationships with friends and family

then you are probably best to try and get some help.

What is the best way to deal with a worry?

Most people find that the best way to deal with something that is worrying them is to get some advice and information from a person or organisation that knows all about the thing that is worrying you most. It can often be handled confidentially. If you are in some kind of danger, you will be helped and only the people who need to know will get involved.

How can it help?

The old proverb ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ is quite true, provided you share it with the right person. Talking about it with someone who is experienced in dealing with this sort of thing can give you some new ways to deal with it.

Who can I talk to?

An adult who you trust to have your best interests at heart can be a good place to start as they will point you in the right direction! Your Tutor, Head of Year or any teacher in the School will always be willing to help. You can also talk to our Well-being Mentor Mrs Tyer or our School Nurses (Mrs Balding, Mrs Griffiths or Mrs Hann). Peer Mentors, a Sixth Former who has volunteered for training in listening to concerns, can also be good to chat to - there is information about each mentor in the basement corridor.

The Wellbeing Hub

Creating an environment that nurtures pupil mental health and wellbeing is a key priority for us at King’s. To help us do this, we have invested in The Wellbeing Hub, developed by child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing experts, Teen Tips. The Wellbeing Hub is an interactive online portal, and an invaluable source of information and support for our whole school community. All Senior School parents have free access to The Wellbeing Hub for Parents, giving them training, weekly updated resources, a Q&A Library, access to specialist support, free webinars from expert speakers and more. Pupils in the Senior School also have access to The Wellbeing Hub, grouped via their age ranges ie for those aged 10+, 13+ and 16+ with resources tailored specifically to support them with their mental health and wellbeing.

You will find all the information and links for registering and accessing The Wellbeing Hub HERE .

If you have any specific queries about access, please contact the team at info@teentips.co.uk

PSHE

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme makes a significant contribution to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development, their behaviour and safety and the school’s statutory responsibility to promote pupils’ wellbeing. PSHE equips pupils with the knowledge, understanding, skills and strategies required to live healthy, safe, productive, capable, responsible and balanced lives; this also includes sex and relationship education. It encourages them to be enterprising and supports them in making effective transitions, positive learning and career choices and in achieving economic well-being. A critical component of PSHE is providing opportunities for children and young people to reflect on and clarify their own values and attitudes and explore the complex and sometimes conflicting range of values and attitudes they encounter now and in the future.

The overarching aim for PSHE education is to provide pupils with:

• accurate and relevant knowledge

• opportunities to turn that knowledge into personal understanding

• opportunities to explore, clarify and if necessary challenge, their own and others’ values, attitudes, beliefs, rights and responsibilities

• the skills and strategies they need in order to live healthy, safe, fulfilling, responsible and balanced lives.

We welcome the expertise of visiting speakers and positively encourage the active participation of parents. Although we retain the flexibility to alter our planned programme in order to react to particular occasions and events, whenever possible we liaise with other subjects to adopt a cross-curricular approach.

Security and Possessions

Money and Valuables

Pupils should not bring large sums of cash or valuable items into School. Any items are brought in at their own risk and it is recommended that they are kept on their person, or in a locked locker or handed in for safe keeping at the Palace Office. Items of value, e.g. watches, should be handed to staff before the start of a PE or Games lesson.

Lost Property

All belongings should be clearly marked with the pupil’s name so that mislaid items can be returned. Lost property is stored in the Palace Office.

Lockers and Locker Rooms

All pupils have the option of a locker. In First Form (Year 7) a key is provided. In Second Form (Year 8) and above pupils will need to bring in a combination padlock with a loop diameter of 6mm. There are bag racks provided for each year group for games bags to be stored when not in use.

Bags

The only place that bags should be left is on a bag rack in the locker room (or inside a locker); this is not only for reasons of security but also for the safety of others.

Musical Instruments

Space is provided for the safe storage of these in the Music School. They should be placed there upon arriving in School in the morning (clearly marked with tutor group and name).

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones can be brought to school but they must be handed in to their tutor in the morning and collected during afternoon registration.

Security Cameras

Security cameras operate in the locker rooms and basement corridor and other places around the School where signs indicate they are present. They are not used for 24-hour surveillance.

Music at King’s

Instrumental/Singing Lessons

Individual music lessons are given by our team of visiting music teachers throughout the week. Lessons are usually held in the Music School. Many teachers will visit King’s on a particular day or days each week. Most of them are only at King’s for the duration of their teaching. Each instrumental or singing lesson normally lasts half an hour. In common with most schools, the majority of our music lessons work on a rotation system. This requires a pupil to miss part of an academic lesson in order to attend a music lesson, but the lesson time changes each week. In the case of Sixth Formers, lesson times are fixed to coincide with Study Periods or free time after school. In special cases, fixed times can sometimes be arranged for pupils other than Sixth Formers, before school, during break, at lunchtimes or after school, but this very much depends on the availability of the teacher and the flexibility of their timetable and this option cannot be guaranteed.

Pupils should email academic staff at least 48hrs in advance to ask for permission to be absent from their lesson in order to attend a music lesson.

Musical Instruments

There are many hire/buy schemes run by music shops and these are often the best way forward. In this scheme, the pupil hires a particular instrument from a shop. If after a set time (usually six months) the pupil decides not to continue, the instrument is handed back and no further payments are made. If the pupil decides to keep the instrument, then the money already paid goes towards the purchase price. Parents are in all cases strongly advised to consult the teacher before buying any instrument as they have the expertise to assess the quality and suitability of the instrument. In addition, violins, violas, cellos and guitars come in different sizes to suit the size and stretch of the pupil. Only a teacher can advise on this.

Everyone who brings their instrument to school should leave it in one of the Practice Rooms in the Music School. Although there is a security lock on the Music School door and the building is staffed throughout the day, it must be stressed that, whilst we take all reasonable care of instruments, we cannot guarantee their safety and they are left entirely at the owner’s risk. You are strongly advised not to leave an instrument at school overnight or during the holidays.

Choirs, Ensembles and Orchestras

A wide range of corporate music making takes place at King’s and all musicians are encouraged to take part in Choirs, Ensembles and Orchestras, according to their ability. Playing or singing in a group is a rewarding experience and it brings to fruition all the hard work put into practice. Regular concerts are given and King’s musicians are much in demand for entertainment outside the school. Foreign tours take place from time to time.

Absences from Music Lessons

Visiting music teachers are paid for the time during which they are at school. If a pupil misses a lesson, the lesson is normally charged for. However, if a pupil is ill or cannot attend the lesson for any reason, the teacher should be notified. Wherever possible, teachers will always try to rearrange a lesson for pupils who have been absent owing to illness.

Reports

Every instrumental teacher writes a report on each pupil at the end of the Michaelmas and Trinity Terms. These are included in the School Report. Progress reports at other times can be arranged through the Director of Music. The Director of Music is always happy to talk about any aspect of your child’s progress.

Booking Music Lessons for your child

Tuition is offered on Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet/Cornet, Flugel Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano, Organ, Guitar (Classical and Electric, including Bass Guitar), Drum Kit or Singing. Lessons can be booked prior to your child starting school.

It is usually possible to give more than ten lessons in the Michaelmas Term, but this is balanced by a shorter Lent Term and exams in the Summer Term. The average number of music lessons in the school year will be about 30. Half a term’s notice is required if music lessons are to cease.

Insurance for Instruments

In common with all other schools, our insurance policy does not cover pupils’ instruments. Please ensure that your child’s instruments are covered in your insurance policy.

Sport at King’s

‘We aim to create an environment that all pupils have the opportunity to excel in sport and to foster a culture of playing with pride, passion and commitment when representing the school teams’ Director of Sport

Sport is genuinely for all at King’s, enabling every pupil to enjoy its benefits. Our aim is to instil in each pupil a positive and lasting interest in physical activity in terms of its contribution to health and the enjoyment of sport at competitive and social levels. It is hoped that each student will leave King’s confident that they can enter a Sports Club knowing how to conduct themselves both on and off the field.

To ensure that all students find an activity they enjoy, we support a wide range of sports played at excellent facilities.

Throughout the academic year, we organise a full programme of inter-school matches during the week and at weekends. King’s has built a strong reputation for sporting success at these fixtures.

PE staff and coaches, who are specialists in their fields, teach all of our students. For high achievers in sport, we offer pupils our Gifted and Talented programme which helps to provide our best young sportsmen and women the start they need to further their sporting careers.

It is hoped that pupils see it as an honour to represent the school and it is our expectation that should a pupil be selected to represent the school in a match, that they should be committed. We appreciate parental support with this and welcome you to spectate at both home and away matches.

All of our Sports fixtures, team lists and results are on the King’s dedicated Sports App (SOCS Sport) and parents will be given access to this when their child starts at King’s.

Drama at King’s

King’s is renowned for its outstanding productions. From Shakespeare to Grease, the varied programme of Drama at King’s has something to interest every pupil. Our major productions are combined with House Drama Competitions, and GCSE Drama and A Level Theatre Studies and we have excellent performance facilities at King’s including our new Black Box Theatre, the Ivor Gurney Hall and an amphitheatre in Dulverton Gardens.

LAMDA’s performance examinations use drama to develop self-confidence, physical presence and a strong speaking voice. These are key skills, which are encouraged at King’s and the courses, offered to individuals or small groups, are:

• Communication: Speaking Verse and Prose

• Communication: Speaking in Public

• Performance: Acting

• Performance: Musical Theatre

For pupils who would like extra tuition, we also offer LAMDA lessons led by experienced LAMDA teachers.

Lessons will take place during the school day on a rotation basis, to ensure that pupils do not miss the same class each week. A lesson timetable will be created by the LAMDA teachers and shared with parents. If your child would like LAMDA lessons please speak to a Drama teacher or email office@thekingsschool.co.uk .

The House System

In the Senior School there are three Houses, Laud, Serlo and Wheeler. Each pupil (and teacher) is assigned to one of these Houses when they arrive in the Senior School.

Pupils are encouraged to get involved in the many House Competitions which occur throughout the year. Pupils compete together for cups in House Chess, House Debating, House Athletics, House Drama and House Music, to name just a few and there is also an Academic Cup awarded on a termly basis, so there is something for everyone. There are points awarded for each competition, with the winning House being presented with The House Cup at the end of the Academic Year.

Each House has at its helm a Head of House (member of staff), House Captains (Sixth Form Students) and House Leaders (representatives from each year group). Leadership, teamwork and enthusiasm unite the pupils in these competitions.

The Houses are also the driving force of fundraising at the school, with each House selecting a charity to support throughout the year.

“King’s prides itself on its thriving House System, which is the perfect environment for pupils to get to know each other across the school.”

Co-curricular Activities

King’s provides a broad and balanced curriculum, and all pupils have the opportunity to develop their interests outside the classroom with a varied programme of co-curricular activities.

There are activities taking place every lunchtime. Some of these are specially targeted at the First and Second Form pupils, while others allow them the opportunity to interact with older pupils. Pupils choose from an extensive list of clubs, which may include arts and crafts, football, running, film, table tennis, dance and textiles. There are opportunities to develop business or computing skills. In addition, a variety of musical activities take place each week, including choirs, orchestra and ensembles. Concerts are held regularly. We expect pupils to take part in at least one co-curricular club each term to develop their skills beyond the classroom.

The School is committed to providing opportunities for outdoor pursuits for all pupils. This forms part of our personal development programme and it begins in the first term of First Form with an activities day. As well as providing a fun, physical challenge, this helps to develop teamwork and peer group relationships and to improve self-confidence. Each Year Group has their own annual trip and in addition there are many other subject-related trips each year.

Academic Enrichment

As well as the many activities and outings organised for whole year groups to attend, we run a special programme of activities designed to extend the more academically able members of the school. The programme enables pupils to explore a wide range of issues and academic disciplines beyond the curriculum, encouraging their intellectual curiosity and ambition and developing their ability to think for themselves.

Pupils are invited to take part in these activities on the basis of academic potential as measured by standardised tests and other departmental assessments but there is flexibility as we do not wish to exclude pupils who have an interest in a particular topic; the composition of groups varies according to the specific subject and topic focus. Our aim is to accommodate all those pupils whose levels of enthusiasm and interest suggest that they might benefit from a particular activity so that we can develop individual potential as fully as possible.

Previous Enrichment activities have included an in-depth analysis of the Mappa Mundi, Architecture, Historical Cookery, Archaeology, a United Nations Debate, Dystopian Fiction, Galilean Moons and Gravitational Waves, Geodesic Domes, Javascript Computer Programming, An Introduction to Arabic, The World on a Plate, The God Delusion and the Art of Flamenco.

All topics promote high levels of debate and spark an interest and enthusiasm, which lasts long after the session is over.

King’s School Parents’ Association

The King’s School Parents’ Association (KSPA) is a parent led group who organise a series of social and fundraising activities throughout the year.

All parents with a child in the Junior or Senior School are warmly invited to activities; this can be by volunteering to help with a single activity or by joining our small committee that oversees the events programme and which meets once each term to plan ahead. Key events held include a Parent Welcome Evening, Christmas Fair, Headmaster’s Quiz and Disco.

Recent fundraising efforts have enabled the KSPA to provide numerous items for both the Junior and Senior Schools, these have included chess sets and clocks, indoor and outdoor play items, play mats, microphones and headsets and backpack covers for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.

The KSPA also host the popular 100 Club, a lottery where subscribers buy numbers which are entered into a monthly prize draw. Details are on the school website or can be obtained from kspa100club@gmail.com.

The KSPA is not a parent-teacher body, it does not represent the views of parents to the school or play any role in the governance of the school. Our focus is to organise a number of in-school activities, primarily for our children but also some from which parents and families can benefit.

All KSPA events are listed in the school calendar, we look forward to welcoming you to an event soon. Being part of the KSPA is a great way to support the school and make friends. If you would like to get involved, please email kspa@thekingsschool.co.uk .

Policies

All school policies are available to view on the school website.