Academic

Students at King’s will enjoy a challenging education in a lively and friendly atmosphere. We are a non-selective school, and this is an important part of our ethos. We are proud of the way the majority of our students not only fulfil their potential, but in many cases far exceed reasonable expectations about how well they will do. We recognise that not everyone will excel in the classroom, and that some students will be stronger in other areas like sport, music and drama. However, most of our Upper Sixth students win places at universities of their first or second choice each year.

One of the keys to our success is the way we maximise each student’s academic potential. One of the ways we do this is by ensuring pupils are by and large studying the subjects which they enjoy and bring the best out of them. At the start of their careers at King’s, Third Form students study a broad curriculum spanning a total of 18 subjects. Moving into the Fourth Form, students choose to study three optional subjects from a wide choice in addition to the compulsory core subjects at GCSE level. Core subjects of English, Mathematics, French and the Sciences are setted according to ability. The wide choice of AS subjects at Lower Sixth Form is dictated generally by students’ ability.  Tutors are actively involved with parents and students in choosing AS subjects during the penultimate term of the Fifth Form.

To ensure continued academic progress, students have four-weekly assessments of their effort and attainment. Students have twice weekly meetings with their tutors to discuss ways in which they can improve. Commendations and Distinctions are awarded to students who have made a real effort to produce good and excellent pieces of work in that order. For those students deemed not to be working hard enough, there are academic on-report cards, and supervised study periods at Sixth Form.

King's has excellent academic credentials. We achieve a 100% pass rate at A Level, and a high percentages of GCSE grades A*- B. We were recently singled out by the government for our outstanding value added results at A Level, putting us in the top 5% of schools in the country.

We are not complacent about our significant recent successes. We are always looking for ways to improve our results. To this end, we need to continue improving our communications between staff, students and parents. I hope to develop this web in such a way that you are able to access valuable information on many academic aspects of the school. I welcome suggestions.

Anton Kok

Director of Studies