Interview: Kings College

Q&A with King’s College School, Wimbledon

Tell us a little about the history of the school. King’s was founded by royal charter in 1829 as the junior department of King’s College London, and was originally located in Strand. During the early Victorian period, the school grew in numbers and reputation. Teachers included the artist John Sell Cotman and the poet Gabriele Rossetti, who taught Italian (his son, the famous Dante Gabriel Rossetti, joined King’s in 1837). King’s was progressive in its curriculum and appointed its first science master in 1855, at a time where very few schools taught science. In 1897, King’s moved to its present site in Wimbledon and the junior school opened on the same campus in 1912.

Southside, Wimbledon Common, London SW19 4TT 020 8255 5300/ www.kcs.org.uk/ hmjssec@kcs.org.uk

Are there any specific attributes for which the school is most renowned? The school is very forward-thinking school and committed to ongoing development. In 2010 the sixth form became co-educational and we admit around 50 girls each year. We prepare sixth formers for both the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) and A Levels. Since September 2016, King’s has admitted boys aged eleven directly into the senior school. This has increased access for a wider range of parental backgrounds and we have raised significant bursary funds to support the 11+ senior school entry. The school is known for its academic outcomes, but when pupils and parents leave the school they often remark on the outstanding pastoral care. Our house and tutor system means that every pupil is afforded very personalised care, and is really known and cared for as an individual. Pupils have a strong say in the development of the school, and have been heavily involved in steering the evolution of our pastoral programmes. In the past year there has been a particular focus on events celebrating equality and diversity, and every year pupils will coordinate a number of charitable projects.

What aspect of the school are you most proud of? Our community partnerships programme is exceptionally important to us, and over 400 pupils in the lower fifth (year 10) and above volunteer their Friday afternoons to helping the community. They work with seven maintained secondary schools and sixth forms in the Wimbledon independent state-school partnership in addition to working with 25 other maintained schools. They also teach ICT and art lessons at nearby libraries and host afternoon tea for local elderly residents. Not only does this help those in our local community, but it also provides King’s pupils with meaningful opportunities to understand what is happening beyond our school gates. We also run a varied and highly successful co-curricular programme; pupils take part in over 100 clubs and societies throughout the week, a number of which are pupil-led. Such activities form a fundamental and essential part of a King’s education. Past pupils often comment that these have tremendous significance in shaping who they are whilst they are at the school and long after they have left.

What words of encouragement would you give to a family who are considering getting in touch? King’s is an inspirational place located in one of the most attractive and peaceful partsof London on the south side of Wimbledon Common. Our overarching aim is to encourage and nurture the strength of character and personal development of all our pupils. There is no typical “King’s boy” or “King’s girl”: we want pupils to develop their own interests and forge their own paths as they move through our school.

What is your favourite thing about working at Kings College every day? Our pupils are academically ambitious and really enjoy their learning – this is obviously very attractive to any teacher! However, it is probably the remarkably warm, inclusive and supportive atmosphere which I enjoy most. The school culture really is one of kindness, openness and mutual support: every day pupils and colleagues go the extra mile to help each other to achieve their best.