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Published by Kensington Wade School, 2021-10-08 07:01:37

KW Prospectus 2021

Information about Kensington Wade school

Equipping the Future Generation

Welcome to Kensington Wade

Message from the Head

Kensington Wade is the first Prep and learning with the warmth,
School in the United Kingdom to offer vibrancy and richness of a British prep
a bilingual immersive English-Chinese school education. This is delivered
education from ages 3–11. It provides within a nurturing environment
children with a double-first: a first- where children learn to live and work
class prep school education coupled together with respect and tolerance.
with the first bilingual experience, a I am thrilled to be Head of what I
life-changing opportunity to engage consider to be the most exciting school
with and succeed in an interconnected in London. Please come and discover
21st century world. what we have to offer.
Kensington Wade combines the
rigorous Chinese approach to teaching

Suzanne Haigh

Suzanne Haigh
Head Teacher of Kensington Wade

Ofsted Report 2018 Outstanding
Outstanding
Overall effectiveness Outstanding
Effectiveness of leadership and management Outstanding
Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding
Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils
Early years provision

Independent Schools Association Awards 2019

ISA 2019 Prep School Award for Academic
Excellence and Innovation - Finalist

01

02

Introduction to Kensington Wade

Kensington Wade is a selective independent day school for girls and
boys aged 3 to 11, situated in Kensington Olympia, West London.

We are a British preparatory school, preparing our children for entry
into the top senior schools in the country, and also beyond that into
later life by giving them the tools they need to succeed as adults. We
are committed to giving each child an outstanding education where
they can fulfil their potential, whilst developing positive values that
will serve them for the rest of their life.

In addition to providing an excellent academic start in life,
Kensington Wade provides an immersive bilingual English-Chinese
education, giving children three extra advantages:

-- fluency in Mandarin Chinese
a bilingual mindset
- the ability to transfer comfortably between two cultures

Our Aims

We aim to provide an environment where pupils develop:

• A love of learning and enterprise
• Habits of independent thought and a spirit of curiosity
• Biliteral and bicultural skills and understanding
• Personal responsibility, moral integrity, mutual respect and

tolerance

• Kensington Wade actively promotes the fundamental British
values. They underpin everything that we do.

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Bilingual Immersion

The world of the future will need Each subject (other than specialist
people with the ability to operate subjects like Music or PE) is delivered
equally in Eastern and Western in both languages, and children’s
cultures, and Kensington Wade gives progress is monitored through
a head start to young people who informal and formal assessment
will become adults in this new world to ensure their understanding
through fluency in Mandarin Chinese, and mastery of each topic in both
as well as English. languages.

In order to achieve bilingualism and Language immersion takes advantage
biculturalism, the school operates of children’s natural curiosity and
a 50/50 immersive bilingual model: their innate ability to learn languages.
pupils experience the traditional broad Children do not need any knowledge
prep school curriculum with lessons of Chinese (or English, if Chinese is
delivered in either English or Chinese. their first language) before joining
This means that a pupil spends half Kensington Wade.
of their day in the English classroom
with lessons delivered in English, and
the other half of the day in the Chinese
classroom with lessons delivered in
Chinese.

“The knowledge of two
languages is greater than the
sum of its parts,”

Ellen Bialystok and Kenji Hakuta, In Other Words

05

06

Curriculum

The curriculum is based on the breadth of a traditional British
prep school curriculum, with the traditional academic disciplines
including Maths, Science, Literacy, and the Humanities,
complemented by Music, Art and Design, Coding, and a varied P.E
programme. In the Early Years (Nursery and Reception) children
focus on the seven key areas of learning to build a solid foundation to
start Key Stage 1.

Kensington Wade’s curriculum includes not only academic
requirements but also a range of additional activities, incorporating
the ‘hidden curriculum’ where pupils develop an approach to living
and an attitude to learning.

We believe that many of the most important aspects of education
cannot be measured, and nurturing your child’s spiritual, cultural
and moral growth is just as important to us as the academic side
of school life. We encourage kindness, compassion, tolerance and
respect. We aim to win and lose with equal grace and to be quick to
say thank you and well done.

Kensington Wade alumni will first and foremost be prepared for
entry to the leading British independent senior schools at age 11 or
13, and the curriculum is devised and will be delivered with this in
mind.

“The most exciting school in the country.”

Sir Anthony Seldon

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Early Years Curriculum (Age 3 to 5)

We believe that the early years of children to be exposed to both
a child’s education are the most languages for equal amounts of
important and we aim to provide a time. This environment imitates how
warm, but stimulating environment children learned their first language
where every child can flourish and – new vocabulary is introduced in an
develop the vital skills that will be with everyday context, within a secure,
them for the rest of their lives. engaging and supportive community.

Nursery and Reception classes follow Kensington Wade children learn
the Early Years Foundation Framework, within a stimulating environment,
covering the seven areas of learning: which encourages them to work and
1) Communication and language; 2) play in a variety of ways. The teachers
Physical development; 3) Personal, support this learning, giving children
social and emotional development; the opportunity to investigate and
4) Literacy 5) Mathematics; 6) build on their interests and extend
Understanding the world; and 7) their knowledge and skills. This is
Expressive arts and design. achieved through a range of real-
This is delivered through our bilingual life experiences, including regular
immersion programme allowing educational visits.

“Despite being a new school
with ambitious ideas,
Kensington Wade has answered
all my previous doubts and
exceeded all my expectations.”

A Kensington Wade Parent

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Prep School Curriculum (Age 5 to 11)

The curriculum is founded on a traditional British prep school model
with high expectations of attainment, and children will be prepared
fully for entrance exams to leading senior schools.
Pupils learn the following subjects: English, Chinese, Mathematics,
Science, Geography, History, Philosophy and Theology, Computing,
Art & Design, Music, Physical Education, and PSHE.
All subjects are taught in both English and Chinese to ensure
children master vocabulary in both languages and topics are
presented systematically to ensure the children’s knowledge and
understanding progresses steadily throughout their time with us.
Our teachers encourage each pupil to take part in discussion and
debate, experience the joy of discovery, hone sophisticated practical
experimental skills, become independent in reading and research
and see the relation between what we learn in the classroom and
everyday life.

The Best of Both Worlds

The curriculum is based on the breadth of a traditional British prep school
curriculum. However, there are some changes in content as outlined below:
1. The school’s Mathematics curriculum from Y1-6 is based on the Shanghai
approach to teaching mathematics (also called the Mastery Approach).
2. Mandarin Chinese lessons will replace the learning of another modern foreign
language up to Y5. There is an option to learn another language in Y6 or as an
extra-curricular activity.
3. As well as celebrating other cultural events during the year, there will be a
particular focus on British and Chinese cultural events, e.g The Mid-Autumn
Festival, Christmas.

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Extra-Curricular Activities

School life at Kensington Wade includes a range of extra-curricular
clubs, designed to enhance and complement the school curriculum,
which provide ample opportunities for pupils to participate in a
range of physical, artistic, and creative activities.
Many activities take place after school or at lunchtimes, including
Gymnastics, Coding, Drama, Yoga, Chess, Ballet, Art, Chinese,
Spanish club, Chinese percussion, Instrumental Ensemble and Choir.
Breakfast club is available from 07:30-08:15 for children aged 4 and
above, and after-school care is available until 18:15.
For more information on our extra-curricular activities, please see the
current extra-curricular clubs schedule.

“A unique and inspirational
school ... Parents are
overwhelmingly happy with all
aspects of the school’s work.”

Ofsted report, 2018

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Admissions

The earliest that your child can join KW’s Nursery is at the start
of the term that they turn three. Places may also be available in
other year groups so please contact the school on 020 3096 2888 or
[email protected] to discuss your application.
External 4+ and 7+ assessments for additional places in our
Reception and Year Three cohorts take place in January each year.
7+ scholarships are awarded for exceptional academic, musical and
sporting talent. Assessments for occasional vacancies in other year
groups take place during the Spring Term each year.
In order to apply for a place for your child, please complete an
application form at www.kensingtonwade.com/application-form.
After receiving your application form, we will invite you and your
child for a one-to-one assessment/stay and play session two terms
before their applied start date, for example in the January before they
start in September.
Following this, your child may be offered a place or put on a waiting
list. If your child has been offered a place, the place will be confirmed
following receipt of a deposit.

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FAQs

What is the main difference between Approach), which encourages children
Kensington Wade and other prep to develop a deep understanding of core
schools? concepts. Lessons are planned carefully so
We offer an immersive education in that each lesson builds upon the previous
Chinese and English from age 3-11. one (whether delivered in English or
Subjects are taught in both English and Chinese).
Chinese. By learning through instruction
in each language for half of each day, our How do you teach children to read
pupils learn to understand, speak, read English?
and write in both languages fluently. In the Early Years, we use a Phonics
progamme called ‘Read, Write Inc.’ to
Why Chinese? teach children to read, write and spell,
Any immersion programme is beneficial alongside our own reading scheme
for your child, but giving them the ability and leveled books. We assess a child’s
to speak Chinese and understand Chinese attainment from their very first days in
culture gives them a huge advantage school in order to set targets and track
in a world where China will continue to their level of progress.
play an important strategic, political and
economic role. How do you teach children Chinese?
We teach using the ‘Level Chinese’
Furthermore, Mandarin is recognised as reading scheme, which also tracks
the most difficult language for English children’s progress through a graded
speakers to learn as adults, taking up to reading scheme.
four times longer than other languages,
so learning the language as children gives Will my child’s ability in English be
our pupils another major advantage. diminished by only studying it for half
a day?
Is each lesson repeated in Chinese and No – studies indicate that, on average,
English? bilingual children’s English abilities are
No – that would mean the children only on a par with their monolingual peers by
learnt half as much as their counterparts aged 7 and surpass them at age 11. Our
in a traditional classroom. assessment results show that our children
are consistently achieving average scores
How does the mathematics teaching in top 15% in the country in Maths and
work? English, well on track for entry into top
We use the Shanghai approach to senior schools.
mathematics (also called the Mastery
We actually have more teaching time in
Maths and English than at many other
Prep schools.

17

What are the advantages of a dual based on the high standards of a UK prep
language education? school but incorporating good practice
Professor Antonella Sorace, University from Chinese schooling e.g. Shanghai
of Edinburgh, states that research has Mathematics.
shown that bilingualism increases
mental flexibility and creativity as well as How many pupils in a class?
developing increased levels of empathy and 20.
social skills.
What time does school start and finish?
Will my child be at a disadvantage if Gates open from 08:00-08:15, school starts
our family does not speak Mandarin promptly at 08:20. School finishes at 15:30,
Chinese? with optional clubs until 16:00/16:30 and
No – the majority of our pupils after-school care until 18:15. Breakfast club is
are from non-Chinese speaking also available from 07:30.
families. We provide resources to
help you support their learning at What is the youngest age my child can join
home. the school?
Your child can join the school at the start
Do you have specialist teaching? of the term that they turn three, if space is
Yes, for Music, PE, Science, Swimming available, otherwise they may be offered a
place for a later start (see the admissions
and Computing. section on page 15 for more information).

What is the staff to Can they join later than this?
pupil ratio? Yes, as long as there is space.
1:6

What curriculum How much are the fees?
do you follow? Fees for 2021/2022 cohort are:
Nursery and - £6,275 per term
Reception follow - £18,825 per year
the statutory Payments must be made on or before the
first day of term. Fees are inclusive of school
Early Years lunches and school trips.
Foundation
Stage How can I apply for a place for my child?
curriculum, Please complete an application form at
developing www.kensingtonwade.com/application-
form.
the seven
areas of Can I visit the school?
learning. Yes, we arrange school tours on Tuesdays
From and Thursdays during term time. Please
Year 1, visit www.kensingtonwade.com/tour-
booking to arrange your visit.
children
follow the
Kensington
Wade
curriculum

18

We are here

We welcome visits to our
school. If you would like to
book a place on a school tour
please visit
kensingtonwade.com/
tour-booking

Kensington Wade School
205 Warwick Road
London
W14 8PU
Tel: 020 3096 2888
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.kensingtonwade.com


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