The Kings School Prospectus 2019/2020

KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

AN EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL – OFSTED

ROMSEY ROAD WINCHESTER HAMPSHIRE SO22 5PN

www.kings-winchester.hants.sch.uk

KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

FROM THE HEADTEACHER

Kings’ is an oversubscribed, happy and successful valued; and by a determination that each one of us
11-16 Community School with around 1700 pupils, will become the very best person that we can be.
serving the city of Winchester and the surrounding
area. It has been judged as “Outstanding” by It is a tremendous privilege
OFSTED on 4 consecutive occasions, most recently to be the headteacher of any
in 2014. school and I am delighted and
proud in equal measure to
We take great pride in the very high standards have been entrusted with the
achieved by our pupils – they leave us as happy, well- responsibility of leading Kings’.
qualified, confident and well-motivated young citizens I hope that you will agree that
and we are delighted that so many go on to excel in it is a fantastic place for young
local sixth-forms and colleges and at university. people to learn and develop and that, having read
this prospectus, you will want to visit us and see
As a school, we are motivated by a sense of it for yourself.
the moral seriousness of what schools do; by a
conviction that education, while important, should Matthew Leeming
also be fun; by a belief that schools should be
inclusive families in which everyone is equally Headteacher

01

WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK

“Teaching is consistently of a very high quality. “By any standards an outstanding school – if UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER
Teachers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic all state schools were as good as this, the
about their subjects. They know their students HMC would be a much slimmer body.”
very well and continually challenge them to
achieve their best.” GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

OFSTED

02

03 KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

PASTORAL CARE WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK

We are absolutely committed to the principle that every child matters, every day. We pride ourselves in
placing a strong emphasis on the concept of the school as a family, where we recognise the importance
of the individual, but at the same time are sympathetic and understanding of the needs of others.

We recognise that youngsters arrive with a wide range of experiences, aptitudes and abilities. We
work closely with the junior schools to make sure that we get to know our pupils well – we have a
comprehensive transition programme, including activities during the summer holiday, and every
pupil comes to Kings’ to spend the day with us during the summer term of Year 6.

Each pupil is a member of a Tutor Group of approximately 30 pupils under the care and co-ordination
of a Head of Year, Deputy Head of Year and pastoral support staff, alongside their tutor. The group
(Head of Year, tutor and pupils) stay together through Years 7 to 11 and this continuity leads to greater
understanding and support. The tutor is the first point of contact for parents and has oversight of each
tutee’s welfare and progress. All pastoral staff are pleased to see parents at any mutually convenient
time should there be any issues or matters you wish to discuss.

Our Head of Year 7 arranges the tutor groups to meet learning needs, so that no Year 7 pupil feels
isolated, and is able to learn unhindered. The tutor group meets with their tutor twice every day
for registration periods.

Frequent assemblies reinforce the sense of the school as a community and help individuals feel
that they belong. They also provide opportunities for moral teaching and the celebration of success
of individuals and groups.

Senior pupils, too, play their part in supporting younger pupils by assisting in tutor groups and acting
as peer mentors.

In recent years the school has recognised that our young people are moving into a world which is
changing fast and is, in many ways, significantly more challenging than the one we adults remember.
As a response, the school has developed a team of people with a range of specific skills who are
well-positioned to provide support and guidance for our pupils’ welfare.

“No time is wasted in managing behaviour “That’s what education means – to be able to UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER
because students know exactly how the do what you have never done before.”
school expects them to behave. There are
very few exclusions from school and the very GEORGE HERBERT PALMER
small number of students who have difficulty
in managing their behaviour are effectively
supported so that they can succeed.”

OFSTED

04

KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

PASTORAL

PEER SUPPORT “Students report that there is hardly any bullying
Peer Support is a scheme that provides an opportunity in school and, if it does happen, it is dealt with
for pupils to turn to their peers if they have worries or immediately and effectively. They have a good
need to seek advice. Kings’ has a well-trained team of understanding of different kinds of bullying, such
Peer Supporters, easily identifiable by green badges. as cyber or homophobic bullying. They talk with
These pupils are accessible, will arrange meetings and pride about the way the school community values
organise “drop in sessions”. The Peer Supporters have every individual.”
been trained to:
OFSTED
Listen sympathetically to pupils’ concerns.
“I always felt incredibly safe and cared for, both as
Help in situations involving bullying. a pupil and as a member of staff.”

Give friendly advice. LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANT

Pass on information if further help is required.

05

06 UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK

07 KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

ETHOS WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK

BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE
We are immensely proud of our pupils’ behaviour; visitors to the school consistently
comment on how kind, sensible and polite they are.

At Kings’ good behaviour, consideration and respect for others are essential for effective
teaching and learning. We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our pupils; in
return, the pupils can expect to be provided with a pleasant, happy and safe environment in
which to work, develop and thrive.

Part of any pupil’s development is learning where and why boundaries, guidelines and rules
exist. They therefore need to know what the consequences will be if those boundaries
are pushed or rules broken. Although we will always try to work with parents and pupils,
we operate a very clear discipline policy. If this code is not observed, then fair but firm
sanctions are imposed; these may include detention, isolation and temporary exclusion.
In extreme cases pupils may be permanently excluded from school. Permanent exclusion
may be used when a pupil breaches Kings’ School’s zero tolerance towards drug abuse and
violent behaviour. Governors are always involved in the decision to permanently exclude a
pupil. Parents will, of course, be informed of their rights if this is to be the case.

UNIFORM
All pupils attending Kings’ are required to wear the correct school uniform – this is a vital
part of our ethos and we are strict about it. The school uniform has been designed so that it is
simple, clear, practical and easily obtainable from the school uniform shop on the premises.

We do not allow pupils to display extremes of fashion. This is particularly the case with
inappropriate hairstyles.

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY
We know from long experience that there is a very close connection between academic
progress and good attendance. We expect our pupils to be extremely punctual and to aim
for 100% attendance; we do not give permission for holidays in term-time.

When a pupil is unavoidably absent parents are requested to telephone the school and to
provide an absence note on their return. Unexplained absences will be followed up by a text
message or a telephone call home.

“It is good to know we have in Hampshire “Behaviour in lessons and around the UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER
schools such as Kings’ that are as good as school is outstanding. Students show high
any in the Country” levels of respect and courtesy to each other
and to adults. They feel very safe in school.”
COUNCILLOR ROY PERRY,
LEADER OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL OFSTED

08

09 KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

ETHOS WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK

POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER
We encourage pupils to apply for a wide variety of positions of responsibility within the school, including:

Prefects – at the end of Year 10, pupils apply for the positions of Senior Prefects and Prefects.
Applications from Senior Prefects are then invited for the positions of Head Girl, Head Boy and their
Deputies. Candidates for these prestigious positions are then interviewed by the Headteacher and
Head of Year.

House Captains
Librarians
Technicians
Sports Council
School Council
Year Council

THE HOUSE SYSTEM
On entry into Kings’ pupils are allocated to a House in which they remain for their whole school career.
The House names all have a royal connection:

Godwin
Norman
Stuart
Tudor

Inter-house competitions and activities are organised across academic, sporting, musical and social
spheres. The House System also underpins our certificated reward system.

House Captains are appointed in Year 11 via an application and interview process, to help organise
events and encourage participation. These are ably-supported by a House Council comprising of
pupils from each Tutor Group.

“Students and teachers are immensely proud
of their school. They comment on the happy
and buzzing community in which everyone is
encouraged and supported to do their very best.”
OFSTED

“The behaviour of students is outstanding.
They enjoy their learning and want to do as
well as they can. Their attitudes to learning
are exceptionally positive.”
OFSTED

10

11 KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

ETHOS WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK

We are convinced that education is a partnership between pupils, their parents and the school. We aim
to work as closely as we can with parents and to involve them in every aspect of their own children’s
progress and in the life of the school.

Parents are invited to come to school to discuss their children’s progress at least once a year. There
are full reports every year and summary reports each term. We also run an extensive and growing
programme of information events for parents.

We send parents a thrice-termly electronic newsletter (by email) and also offer a text-message
reminder service.

Parents are encouraged to contact the school at any time throughout the year whenever they have a
question or when they are worried about any aspect of their children’s progress or welfare.

“Students’ achievement is excellent. They “Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER
make outstanding progress. The standards seen and thinking what nobody has thought.”
they reach in their GCSE examinations,
including in English and in mathematics, are ALBERT VON SZENT-GYORYI
considerably higher than average.”

OFSTED

12

KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

CURRICULUM

We are proud of the fabulous academic achievements of our pupils. They leave us with highly impressive
qualifications and the skills and characteristics they need to succeed in higher and further education and
in the workplace. We know that many of our pupils intend to go on to university and our curriculum is
designed to support this journey. We also know that some pupils will prefer a more vocational route – we
aim to offer a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum that caters for individual needs and gives
pupils opportunities to fulfil their potential.

KEY STAGE 3 - YEARS 7 TO 9 KEY STAGE 4 - YEARS 10 TO 11
All pupils are tested on entry to Kings’ and The vast majority of our pupils then study for
are placed in attainment sets in most subjects 10 academic GCSEs. Pathways are introduced
within the first half-term of Year 7. The National through our Options Programme at Key Stage 4.
Curriculum is taught with the individual in mind. Each pathway offers the core subjects of English,
All pupils follow a core curriculum which includes Mathematics, Science, Personal Social and Health
a specific focus on Business subjects, taught Education and also Physical Education.
within a framework of enterprise, employability
and careers based opportunities. Option choices are then available in a very wide
variety of subjects and courses, culminating in
In Year 7 all pupils will study one of the following GCSE and Vocational qualifications. Strong links
foreign languages: French, Italian, Spanish or with local schools and colleges provide us with the
German. By Year 8 the most successful linguists opportunities to study an exciting range of subjects
are offered a second language: French, Spanish, “off-site”. Work placements can also be arranged
Latin, German or Italian. to support an adapted curriculum.

13

WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS We are delighted to have close links with UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER
Pupils with special educational needs are well Osborne Special School (for children with
supported both within and outside the curriculum. moderate learning difficulties). Pupils from
Much of the support is undertaken in class by Osborne spend time with us during Years 10
Learning Support Assistants. Additional support and 11 to help them prepare for education in
is offered by small group work and on an individual mainstream colleges.
basis through withdrawal sessions.
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be
Literacy and numeracy skills programmes and those who cannot read and write, but those
supervised homework clubs are provided. At Key who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”
Stage 4 vocational, work skills courses and work
related learning experiences are offered. ALVIN TOFFLER

Kings’ is a designated school for pupils with physical “The very wide range of subjects, together
disabilities. Consequently, we are exceptionally well with exciting additional activities, promotes
resourced to ensure that pupils are fully included students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural
and integrated into the mainstream education of the development exceptionally well.”
school. Our staff are very well trained to enable the OFSTED
pupils to succeed within a happy, caring and truly
supportive environment. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the
lighting of a fire.”

WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS

14

15 KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

CURRICULUM WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
We are particularly proud of our fantastic range of wider curricular opportunities and extra-curricular
activities – both after school and during school holidays. All of these make a significant contribution
to the well balanced education and holistic well-being of our pupils.
Some of the activities are listed below:

Trips, both day and residential, are organised to support the curriculum.
Exchange visits are an integral part of our Foreign Languages provision.
Activity holidays – e.g. water sports, skiing, outdoor pursuits.
Sports tours and a full programme of fixtures both locally and nationally.
A wide variety of interest clubs.
House competitions and events.
Musical activities - ranging from individual performances to large orchestras.
Drama productions.
Pupil-run businesses.
Enterprise and Employability Days.
Pupils work with local community groups.
End of year Activities Days.
Work Experience and Mock Interviews.
An extensive community programme running through our Sports Centre.
Our pupils actively fund-raise throughout the year supporting local, national and international charities.

“Relationships are fostered exceedingly well “A school does not achieve this sort of culture UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER
so that students work highly effectively together. accidentally. There was a great sense from the
They ask each other questions, listen well students and staff of belonging, of having the
to each other and help one another to think opportunity to get it wrong and still be accepted
more deeply.” and of genuine care.”

OFSTED LOCAL AUTHORITY REPORT, APRIL 2015

16

17 KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

CURRICULUM WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK

PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND ECONOMIC EDUCATION (PSHEE)
Kings’ has achieved Platinum Sportsmark, Healthy Schools and Green Flag status. In consultation
with pupils we are constantly reviewing our menus, working environments and our lifestyles.

We provide a coherent programme of Health Education that includes Sex and Relationship Education.
Within the sexual health education programme facts are presented and issues considered within a
clear, moral framework. The sessions are run by a team of teachers and health professionals. A
programme of study has been devised to support and complement that provision.

A Drug and Alcohol Education programme is also delivered in a similar way.

Our programmes have the full support of the governing and parent bodies. Further information on
this programme is available on request.

The Citizenship programme is complemented by work in subject areas e.g. Religious Studies, History,
Geography, Drama, Business and Enterprise. Pupils have the opportunity to practise citizenship
skills by taking on active roles of responsibility within the school.

We are particularly proud of obtaining Investors in Careers status. Pupils benefit from a
comprehensive programme of careers education and also of careers advice and guidance.

“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER
mind with an open one.”

MALCOLM S FORBES

“The genuine and unaffectedly warm welcome
I an all other candidates were afforded by the
children and staff was special and clearly reflects
the caring ethos that imbues the school”

CANDIDATE FOR DEPUTY HEADTEACHER POSITION

18

19 KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

KINGS’ SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (KSA) WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK

We want to encourage parents to feel that they are part of the Kings’ family – the Kings’ School UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER
Association is a great way to get involved.
All parents and staff are automatically members of the KSA. The committee meetings are held
regularly. The KSA supports educational, cultural, sporting and social events and arranges fund-
raising activities throughout the school. The money raised provides financial assistance for facilities
not normally supplied by the Local Authority. The committee is extremely generous of its time, energy
and commitment towards the school.

GOVERNORS

The school is supported by a highly-committed Governing Body. Many Governors are also parents
and they play a vital role, holding the school leadership team to account and providing additional
insight and expertise. The Full Governing Body meets twice each term and there are also a number
of specialised committees, overseeing different aspects of school life.
“Education is a companion which no misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy
can alienate, no despotism can enslave. At home, a friend; abroad, an introduction; in solitude,
solace; and in society, an ornament. It chastens vice, it guides virtue, it gives at once grace and
government to genius. Without is, what is man? A splendid slave, a reasoning savage.”
JOSEPH ADDISON

20

KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER ADMISSIONS

Kings’ School is a popular and over-subscribed school. It has a Published Admission
Number (PAN) of 336 pupils in each year. We have a Kings’ School Admissions Policy
which is consistent with the Admissions Policy of Hampshire County Council. Copies
of the full Admissions Policy are available from the school and from:

The Admissions Team
Children’s Services Department
Hampshire County Council
The Castle
Winchester
Hants
SO23 8UG

Any parents wishing to see the school “at work” are advised to contact the School
Office for dates and details of the following:

Our annual Open Mornings when Prefects will take visitors on a guided tour of the
school during a normal school day.

Our annual Open Evening when the school will be on display. Staff and pupils will
exhibit work and are keen to show visitors the achievements and activities of the
school.

Parents are welcome to visit the school prior to application when arrangements
will be made for a guided tour and, if requested, a meeting with the Headteacher.

During the Autumn Term of Year 6 the Headteacher will visit linked primary
schools to meet prospective parents and pupils.

KINGS’ SCHOOL CAMPUS CHILBOLTON AVENUE TO WINCHESTEBR30C4I0TY CENTRE

Currently, a “late bus” runs each evening SARUM ROAD
at 5.00 p.m., enabling pupils to attend the ROMSEY ROAD
after school activities.
ROMSEY BADGER STANMBOARTTEELRAYNHEILL
21 FARM ROADTAO3M0930JUNCTION
TO
A3090

11

“Students are very proud of their school. They enjoy their learning and want to do well. They work WWW.KINGS-WINCHESTER.HANTS.SCH.UK
together exceptionally well and help each other to learn.”
OFSTED UNA LABORANTES - WORKING TOGETHER
Thank you for taking the time to read this prospectus. We trust you have found
it informative and helpful. We are incredibly proud of our school community, its
success, achievement, ethos and culture. We hope your child will be joining us.
We look forward to welcoming you to Kings’ School and to…

UNA LABORANTES – WORKING TOGETHER

22

KINGS’ SCHOOL WINCHESTER

ROMSEY ROAD WINCHESTER HAMPSHIRE SO22 5PN

Telephone: 01962 861 161
Fax: 01962 849 224

E-mail: [email protected]
www.kings-winchester.hants.sch.uk

Designed by The Mustard Agency www.themustardagency.com