Kingdown School Prospectus

a S p o r t s C o l l e g eK INGDOWN COMMUNITY S CHOOL

An outstanding schoolOfsted 2008

Five Houses, One Community

2 Kingdown Community School

WELCOME TO KINGDOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

“The school community…provide[s]… learningexperiences that liftaspirations, build confidenceand bring tremendousenjoyment to learning andenable students to makeoutstanding progress.”HMI 2008

The choice of secondary school is oneof the most important decisionsparents have to make and the followingpages will give you a flavour of theculture and ethos at Kingdown tosupport you in this difficult decision.

Kingdown is a forward thinking andinnovative school with strongtraditional values. We take ourresponsibility for educating youngpeople seriously and are very proud oftheir achievements.

At Kingdown each child is valued andnurtured; we make sure they arehappy, feel safe, enjoy learning, workwith rigour and enthusiasm and makea unique contribution to the life of theschool. We firmly believe that ‘everychild matters’ and work in partnershipwith parents to ensure that eachpupil’s gifts and talents areencouraged and recognised.

Our expectations are very high and thisshould be reflected in our studentsappearance, attitudes and behaviour.

We know we are moulding the citizensof the future and will encourage themto care for one another, be honest andrespectful. We want them to have asense of pride and belonging in beingpart of our school community.

Our last OFSTED Report (March 2008)graded us as ‘Outstanding’ and statedthat: ‘All members of the schoolcommunity do everything in their powerto provide each and every student withthe right learning experiences that liftaspirations, build confidence and bringtremendous enjoyment to learning andenable students to make outstandingprogress’

Kingdown is an exceptional school andI look forward to welcoming you andyour son/daughter in the near future.

Sara EdwardsHeadteacher

3A Sports College

CARE, SAFE, NURTURINGOUR AIM IS TO PROVIDE A CARING, SAFE AND

CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING ANDTO NURTURE THE TALENTS OF ALL OUR CHILDREN

SPORTING PRIDEAT KINGDOWN

Making effective learning the mostimportant purpose of the schoolAt Kingdown we have highexpectations of our pupils, whatevertheir ability or background. We have astrong Special Needs Faculty boostedby a large number of teachingassistants, trained to work withindividual or small groups of pupils tosupport their learning and a seniormember of staff co-ordinating our Gifted and Talented provision.

Providing a safe and challenging environment for learning Children learn best in an environmentwhere they are cared for and valued.Our House system and verticaltutoring allows every child to shineand to feel special, even in a largeschool. The tutor group forms the‘family base’ for pupils where theyhave a sense of belonging andcontinuity. The Tutor is your first portof call if you have any worries orconcerns, otherwise the relevant Headof House will be available to talkto you.

Nurturing the sporting talents of young people of all abilitiesAs a Specialist Sports College westrongly encourage participation in avariety of physical activities to supporta healthy lifestyle. We work closelywith our feeder primary schools toenable and extend their PE and Sportprovision so that pupils come toKingdown with the skills andmotivation they need. With excellentfacilities, including a swimming pooland an all-weather sports pitch,together with a team of committedand enthusiastic staff, all pupils canparticipate and enjoy PE and Sport.We encourage competition andleadership through our House system.


SPECIALIST SPORTS COLLEGEWE AIM TO NURTURE THE SPORTING TALENTS OFYOUNG PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES SO THAT THEY

CAN TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR PERFORMANCE

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TEACHING AND LEARNINGAT KINGDOWN

Kingdown Community School pridesitself on the quality of teaching andlearning.

Through high quality teaching we aim tostretch all learners to stimulateimagination, creativity and confidenceand provide the foundation for lifelonglearning.

Teachers at Kingdown CommunitySchool are extremely committed,planning of lessons is always thoroughand effective in meeting the needs of allpupils. Good use is made of theschool’s four – part lesson structureensuring that a lively introduction isfollowed by opportunities for activeparticipation by all pupils and furtheropportunities to consolidate learning.

Our curriculum is designed to fulfil theneeds and aspirations of every youngperson. We offer:• An exciting KS3 curriculum, based on learning skills essential for life long learning.• A broad and balanced range of academic qualifications, with the most able studying some GCSEs in Year 9/10.• Specific dyslexic teaching, extra

support in class and small groupteaching for pupils with particularlearning difficulties. “Fast tracklearning routes exist forthe gifted and talented students,alongside a good range of vocationalopportunities, and high qualitysupport for students with learningdifficulties and/or disabilities” (Ofsted2008).

• High quality, high status vocational routes of learning which give youngpeople real choice and opportunity.

• A Learning to Learn course at KS3 which “is very effective in enablingpupils to develop their learning skillsand become independent learners”(Ofsted 2008).

• Adapted curriculum programmes, incorporating work experiencealongside days in school to equipyoung people with skills for futureemployment. “The school’s specialiststatus as a sports and vocationalcollege, and the drive and energy ofsenior leaders and governors, havebeen highly instrumental in extendingthe breadth of educationalopportunities” (Ofsted 2008).

• A variety of AS, A2 and Vocational ALevel courses. “The excellent educational provision …continues intothis outstanding sixth form” (Ofsted2008).

“Teaching andLearning areoutstanding…most lessons aregood and someoutstanding” Ofsted 2008


7A Sports College

ACADEMIC FOCUSMAKING EFFECTIVE LEARNING THE MOST

IMPORTANT PURPOSE OF THE SCHOOL

We have a strong sporting reputation with highlysuccessful teams throughout the age range and inmany sports – football, rugby, hockey, netball,basketball, tennis, rounders, cricket, athletics,swimming, trampolining and gymnastics. Largenumbers of students take up the opportunity torepresent the school with a number going on toachieve county and national honours.

SPORT FOR LIFEAT KINGDOWN


We offer a variety of coachingprogrammes including archery, TaeKwon-do, trampolining, tennis and sub-aqua. Young people also have theopportunity to obtain coaching andrefereeing qualifications in a numberof sports.

The school has been awardedSportsmark 2008 which celebratesexceptional delivery within the nationalschool sport strategy and demonstratesthe hard work and commitment of theSports College staff and our youngsportsmen and women.

9A Sports College

HEALTHY SCHOOLS’ AWARD 2008“STUDENTS HAVE AN EXCELLENT KNOWLEDGE OF

HOW TO LEAD HEALTHY LIVES” OFSTED 2008

The Performing ArtsThere are many clubs at lunchtime andafter school in the Performing Artsblock, these include choir, keyboards,recorder, orchestra, string, dance (viaour own company ‘Wildfire’) and drama.

Our annual school productions andconcerts are a wonderful opportunityfor students to show the skills theyhave been developing at the above andin lessons. Many pupils also havemusic lessons during the school day ina wide variety of instruments. Theschool has successfully regainedArtsmark Gold this year whichcelebrates the hard work andcommitment of the Performing andVisual Arts staff and young artists.

Activities and ClubsThere are over 90 extra-curricularactivities offered throughout the yearfor every taste and age, including awide variety of sports, Astronomy,dance, drama, pottery, choir, band,Christian Union, public speaking,Warhammer, and many, many others.

In order to encourage pupils to stay toan activity there are late buses acrosstown and to the villages three nights aweek.

The Student VoiceOur students are our greatestambassadors and we want them tohave a real say in the day to day life atKingdown including decisions aboutthe curriculum on offer and how wespend our budget. Through the manystudents councils, school, house,sport, arts etc students can and domake a significant contribution to therunning of our school. The schoolcouncil has a rather large budget todispose of and they can effect changefrom inside the classroom to theoutside school community throughtheir decisions.

Many of our students act as mentorsto younger students and to Year 6pupils in our feeder primary schools.This support is well received andmakes us a much safer and happiercommunity. Our sixth formers are rolemodels to younger students and welike to think they are their ‘heroes’.

Broadening HorizonsDuring their school careers, many ofour students take the opportunity to goon countless theatre trips, visit artgalleries, learn water sports in Spainor the south of France, enjoy abusiness trip to Euro Disney, visit Parison an Art trip and experience WorldChallenge expeditions to destinationssuch as Peru, Africa and China throughthe Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

A Week of Work ExperienceAll our students undertake a weekswork experience in Year 10 althoughincreasingly work experience formspart of the KS4 curriculum through ourvocational courses.

This takes place at a wide range oflocal and not-so-local workplacesincluding businesses, banks, primaryschools, offices and veterinarysurgeries. The opportunity toexperience a working environment firsthand is invariably a valuable one.

In the sixth form many of our studentsengage in work experience as part oftheir courses or take the opportunity ofallocated time to increase theirexperience of the world of work.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIESAT KINGDOWN


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OFSTED 2008STUDENTS VALUE GREATLY THE VAST RANGE OFEXTRA OPPORTUNITIES THE SCHOOL PROVIDESBEYOND LESSONS IN A FULL PROGRAMME OF

CLUBS, ACTIVITIES, TRIPS AND VISITS

PERSONALISED LEARNING

EVERY CHILD MATTERS TO US AND WETRY TO PERSONALISE THE LEARNING

FOR ALL STUDENTS

Louis enjoys the academicsubjects. He is taking PEand French GCSE in Year10. This will give him timeto concentrate on English,Maths, Physics, Chemistry,Biology, and General Studiesin Year 11.

Louis plans to study A levelsand then go to University.

Patience enjoys thepractical and creativesubjects. She is studyingEnglish, Maths, DoubleScience, PE, GeneralStudies, French, Textilesand Expressive Arts. Shespends more time inExpressive Arts than in anyother subject.

Patience plans to continuewith Expressive Arts intoSixth Form and eventuallybecome an actress.

Lauren recently won a placein the Finals of the Hair andBeauty Industry AuthorityNational Awards. Laurenstudies Hair and Beauty inthe Options Salon here atKingdown and is also partof the Hairdressing YoungApprentice Programme atWiltshire College.

Lauren also works one daya week at Beautopia inWestbury. She comes backto school to study English,Maths and Science.

Chris greatly enjoys sportand is lucky enough tospend half his timetablestudying his favouritesubject through PE GCSEand Young Apprentice inSports Leisure. He alsostudies Maths, English andScience.

Chris plans to study BTECSport in the Sixth Form andeventually work in theSports Industry

LouisAcademic Focus

PatienceExpressive Arts

ChrisSports Leisure

LaurenHair and Beauty


PARENTS AS PARTNERS

A child’s success dependson a partnership betweenschool and home. Effectivecommunication is the key tothis partnership. The weeklynewsletter keeps parentsinformed about what ishappening at Kingdownwhile the student’s personalorganiser provides an easyway for parents to contactthe school and for teachersto contact home.

HomeworkAll our students throughout Key stages3, 4 and the sixth form will be sethomework in the subjects they arestudying. It is the teacher’sresponsibility to set homework; it is thestudent’s responsibility with supportfrom their parents to ensure that thehomework is completed to a highstandard.

ReportsAll parents receive 3 reports a year.Each report covers effort, organisation,homework, behaviour and attainment ineach subject as well as giving anestimated National Curriculum level orexam grade as appropriate.

Awards Assemblies‘Catch the children doing somethinggood and reward them for it’ is theunwritten motto of Kingdown School. Tocelebrate the success of our studentswe hold 3 Awards Assemblies a year foreach group.

Parent VoiceAlongside our thriving PTA we have aParent Forum where important topicssuch as reports, homework andcurriculum changes are discussed.

SUPPORTING AND SHOWING AN INTEREST INYOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE

MOST VALUABLE THINGS YOU CAN DO FORYOUR CHILDREN

13A Sports College

It is a privilegeto watch ourstudents growfrom nervouseleven year oldsinto confidentwell-roundedadults.

At Kingdown weopen doors forour students andteach them notonly to becomesuccessful butalso people ofworth.


OUR PUPILSAT KINGDOWN

OUR PUPILS JOIN US AS CHILDREN... AND LEAVE US AS ADULTS

Woodcock Road Warminster Wiltshire BA12 9DRTel 01985 215551 Fax 01985 224211 Email [email protected]

www.kingdown.wilts.sch.uk


Woodcock Road Warminster Wiltshire BA12 9DRTel 01985 215551 | Fax 01985 224211 | Email [email protected]

www.kingdown.wilts.sch.uk


Kingdown School Prospectus

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