Kingsmead School

Kingsmead identifies Cathy May as its SENCO.

“Ms Cathy May - SENCO - CMay@kingsmead.org”

Teachers plan lessons around varied learning needs so that all students are included and can progress.

“Teaching staff are made aware of the variety of learning needs and plan lessons to ensure all are included and make progress accordingly”

Ms G Clare is named as the designated safeguarding lead and Deputy Headteacher.

“Ms G Clare - Designated Safety Lead / Deputy Headteacher”

The school states a full commitment to safeguarding and has procedures to identify and support students vulnerable to radicalisation or extremist views.

“Kingsmead School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its students. Every member of staff recognises that safeguarding against radicalisation and extremism is no different to safeguarding against any other vulnerability in today’s society. Our Safeguarding and Prevent Policy sets out our beliefs, strategies and procedures to protect vulnerable individuals from being radicalised or exposed to extremist views, by identifying who they are and promptly providing them with support.”

Kingsmead holds specialist status in performing and visual arts.

“Kingsmead School officially achieved specialist status in the Performing and Visual Arts in September 2006.”

The school specialises in Performing and Visual Arts and may select 10% of students for aptitude and commitment in Art, Drama, Music and Dance.

“Kingsmead School is a Specialist School in the Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) and is able to select 10% of students based on their aptitude in Art, Drama, Music and Dance, their ability to develop their skills in these subjects and their commitment to these subjects.”

Pupils visit universities and participate in workshops to identify courses suited to their aspirations and aptitudes.

“Visits to universities and participation in workshops encourage pupils to aim for courses most closely matching their career aspirations and aptitudes.”

Careers guidance includes help preparing CVs, personal statements, and applications to support progression.

“This includes a program of careers guidance including assistance with preparing CVs, personal statements and applications, which supports progression to next steps.”

The school motto is ‘Practise to Perfect’.

“As for how we do this, it can be summed up by our school motto: ‘Practise to Perfect’.”

The school seeks to cultivate courage, nurture, collaboration and rigour.

“We expect to see courage, nurture, collaboration and rigour reflected in their actions.”

Sixth-form pupils can select three or four A levels from 27 subjects, including 11 facilitating subjects.

“Kingsmead Sixth Form offers pupils the scope to select a program of 3 or 4 A levels from a broad range of 27 subjects, including 11 facilitating subjects.”

The sixth-form curriculum includes enrichment intended to prepare pupils for university or professional careers.

“The curriculum extends to a rich menu of enrichment activities as part of our Readiness Curriculum, which further prepare pupils for a university course or professional career.”

A-level entry requires a GCSE average point score of at least 5 and grades 5 or above in English and mathematics.

“A Levels - GCSE Average Point Score = 5+ and English and Maths at grade 5 or above”

The combined A-level and BTEC pathway requires a GCSE average point score of 4.6–4.9.

“Combined A Level and BTEC - GCSE Average Point Score = 4.6 - 4.9”

Named student destinations include the University of Cambridge for Economics and the University of Oxford for History and Politics.

“- University of Cambridge Economics - University of Essex Criminology with Criminal Law, Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience - University of Greenwich Accounting and Finance - University of Hertfordshire Criminal Justice and Criminology, Education, Accounting with European Language (French, German, Spanish), Biomedical Science, Psychology, Business Economics - University of Kent Mathematics - University of Oxford History and Politics”

Students are encouraged to strengthen university applications through extracurricular activities, work experience, taster courses, summer schools, internships and access programmes.

“The best thing you can do now is build up your extra circular activities and work experience opportunities in the lead up to sending off applications. Get involved with things at school and take advantage of the hundreds of opportunities we advertise to you. Examples include: taster courses, summer schools, involvement with the Sutton trust, realising opportunities, K+, pathways to law programmes, internships and more!”

The school reports GCSE progress in the top 15% nationally.

“Top 15% GCSE Progress Nationally”

Exam progress outcomes have usually ranked in the top 30% nationally at ages 16 and 18, while 2017 A Level outcomes ranked in the top 4%.

“Our exam outcomes have usually been in the top 30% nationally for progress, both at 16 and 18 years old, and in 2017 the A Level outcomes put us in the top 4% nationally.”