The Edwardian 2025 by King Edward's School, Bath

the Edwardian

Headmaster’s Welcome

Throughout my 20 years at King Edward’s, I have often referred to our pupils as ‘Renaissance children’, combining as they do intellectual curiosity, cultural and moral awareness, creativity, innovation and a thirst for knowledge with physical dexterity and a wide range of impressive practical skills. This certainly feels in marked contrast to my own school days, which mostly involved studying and playing football, with a spot of cricket to shake things up in the summer. Whilst those were nonetheless memorable times for me, today’s generations seem to take so much more in their stride, throwing themselves into sport, music, drama, art, creative writing, debating, outdoor pursuits and adventures, CCF, clubs, societies, charitable endeavour, horizon broadening trips and activities and much more besides. Indeed, I am most times in quiet awe of just how much our pupils get up to and just how impressively they do so, genuinely embracing the spirit of the advice that I give to each of them on arrival in Year 7 to make the most of all the opportunities that will come their way.

As always, this year’s Edwardian magazine wonderfully captures that spirit in both words and pictures, reflecting the colourful panoply of engagement and enterprise that marks a year in the life of King Edward’s. And seemingly also, as always, that year has again been bookmarked by outstanding academic success – including record breaking GCSE results and a Sunday Times ranking as the top performing co-educational independent school

in the South West for the third year running – and another vibrant Activities Week, which this year included trips to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Iceland, Marbella, Toulouse and Kenya alongside the usual host of local and UK based activities.

As I write, a wonderful summer is being heralded not just by another glorious spell of sunshine but also by the unusually welcome sounds of disassembling and dismantling, as the nearly decade old M Block is finally retired and removed from its ‘temporary’ home at the end of the netball courts. In its place – well, a hundred or so yards up the hill on the footprint of the old Porter Library – comes the latest addition to our stock of academic and pastoral facilities, the three storey, 14 classroom Thomson Building. Named after our long serving Chair of Governors, this fabulous new home to three departments, several offices, hundreds of lockers and magnificent views from almost every window will mark a wonderful new chapter in the history of King Edward’s. And so, even as we celebrate the end of another fantastic year, our thoughts are already turning in anticipation to the start of the next, and I can say with confidence and no little excitement that there is much to look forward to. In the meantime, I hope that you thoroughly enjoy reading about and reflecting on a most engaging, gladdening and inspiring year that was…

MJ Boden

KES Community

KES Parents, Outreach and Partnerships

It has been another busy year of fundraising and social events for KES Parents, to which parents across all three schools belong and can get involved in. KES Parents welcomed our new parents with a New to Bath KES picnic and drinks receptions where group representatives introduced themselves and the valuable work, they do to help build a vibrant KES community for both parents and children through social events and fundraising.

Cheryl Gilmartin has succeeded Wendy Powney as Chair. Wendy has also been the chief organiser of the ever-popular Christmas Fair which, run in 2024 by Claire Gates, was extremely successful and raised £13,000 for school projects. Other successful events were the Curry and Quiz Night, which was a really fun event, and raised approximately £2K, and the Parents Summer Ball at Cumberwell Park, which was the over 110 parents enjoying ﬁ a live band.

‘The money raised this last year, from all these income streams, means that pupils across all three schools will benefit...’

It should also be added that the sales made from the Nearly New Uniform Shop, run by Cathy Granger and her team of volunteers, also contribute signi which goes towards funding school projects, so a big thank you to Cathy and all parents involved with this.

The money raised this last year, from all these income streams, means that pupils across all three schools will beneﬁt from the new equipment and facilities purchased by the school. The Pre-Prep will enjoy a whole range of resources for the after-school care rooms, updated library books,

construction toys, sensory equipment for the Nursery and outdoor water play activities for Reception. The Junior School have received funds for renovating the greenhouse, Lego education sets, STEM and media equipment, and playground and outdoor learning equipment. The Senior School have new wall maps for Geography, a sustainable and zero waste tuck shop and shed, new music stands and trolley, bows, arrows and bags for the CCF, dry robes for PE/Games, heat press and printer for Art & Photography, particle zoo and Perrin tube for Physics, book boxes for English and a new 1st X1 football kit, as a reward for their super successful season.

Outreach

Hundreds of local pupils in years 5&6 received specialist timetabled Maths and English lessons in our outreach workshops while 250-300 pupils enjoyed Activities Week workshops in Chemistry, Music, DT, Physics, Biology, Sport, English, Art, and Drama. The Music Department and pupil musicians, working alongside Bath Philharmonia, have provided music workshops at St. Martin’s Garden Primary school.

Partnerships

Bath Philharmonia’s valued relationship with KES continued to grow and develop through including varied masterclasses and a side-by-side working weekend. The Pure Practice Physiotherapy Clinic team, led by Sonja Bass, welcomed many pupils, parents and staff with rehabilitation advice, treatments and care. The Theatre Royal and the Egg Theatre remain special partners who provided Year 3 workshop and trip to the Christmas production of ‘Robin Hood’. The Holburne Museum’s ‘Iconic’ exhibition featured works from the giants of 20th century art, including Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, Peter Blake and Pauline Boty. KES pupils visited the gallery and completed related projects. Other schools were contacted to enable their pupils to experience workshops at the Holburne. We also continued to support Cleveland Pools’ education programme though the Pools remain closed. We hope the time to reopen will come soon.

Chapman

Development and Alumni Relations Office Update

The Development and Alumni Relations Office is delighted to share the remarkable progress and achievements that have been made, thanks to the unwavering support of the KES community.

Donations: We are thrilled to announce that donations and pledges to date have reached an impressive total of £140,000. This generous support is instrumental in enhancing the educational experience for our pupils,

funding our means-tested Bursary Programme as well as other vital projects and ensuring the continued growth and success of our School.

The Bursary Programme ensures that young people with the potential to thrive at KES can do so, regardless of their ﬁnancial circumstances. Pupils like Molly, a current Bursary Award Holder in Year 12 who said, “Bursaries take out the ﬁnancial worry and makes the rest possible. I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed to the Bursary Fund here at King Edward’s School. Please believe me, it makes a difference.”

Additionally, donations have funded travel awards for our older pupils, enabling them to broaden their horizons and gain valuable experiences, including a trip to Germany to take part in the International Astronomical Youth Camp and a Spanish course in Valencia. We have also been able to purchase new musical instruments for pupils exploring their musical talents at the Junior School.

Engaging Alumni Events: We hosted ﬁve events for Old Edwardians in Bath and London, where over 250 of our former pupils attended, providing a wonderful opportunity for reconnecting, networking and celebrating the shared heritage of our School.

Careers Support: Over 100 OEs and parents have generously given their time and expertise to support the School’s Careers Programme. They delivered insightful talks to our pupils, shared their professional journeys and offered invaluable advice. Many have opened their workplaces to offer work experience opportunities, providing our pupils with a glimpse into various career paths and helping them gain practical skills.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed. We look forward to building on this momentum and achieving even greater success in the months ahead. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our School.

If you would like to discuss offering your support, please contact Alison Heyes, Development Director on 01225 464313 or email at a.heyes@kesbath.com

A Heyes

Art & Photography

More than ever, our Art and Photography end of year show demonstrated the exciting breadth of work from the Art and Photography department. Our year 7 pupils explored identity, abstraction and pop art, Year 8s have engaged with themes of still life, portraiture and organic forms while Year 9 investigated experimental approaches to drawing and created card sculptures inspired by animals. GCSE and A level pupils impressed everyone with some excellent work showing personal and engaged enquiries into topics ranging from street art to Dante’s Inferno. This year we ran a series of life drawing sessions for A level pupils that gave them the opportunity to draw the human form and experiment with a range of media and techniques.

Following the success of last year’s Bath School’s Exhibition, we celebrated another showcase of artwork from across the city. The walls at Burdall’s Yard were ﬁlled with pieces from 12 Bath schools and it was wonderful to work with other Art departments in the planning and organisation of the event.

The school’s involvement with the Holburne Museum gave us the opportunity to take pupils to see their fantastic ‘Iconic’ exhibition. With the gallery space to ourselves, we got a personal introduction from the exhibition’s curators. Pupils explored the museum, drew and took photos.

Pupils found Joshua Donkor’s solo show inspirational, and

we were delighted to welcome the artist to KES to give a talk and open our end of year exhibition. We returned to the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museums in Oxford for our GCSE trip and the impressive range of work in these collections provided an excellent starting point to pupil’s projects. A level Art and Photography pupils explored the Spring term sights and galleries of Lisbon during our 6th Form residential. Over four days, we managed to pack in six galleries and museums as well as experience the beautiful architecture of the city.

E Hume-Smith

Above: 1. Jacob Sze

2. Amy Middlebrough

3. Lachlan Britton

4. Isabella Shepherd

5. Oli Ford

6. Hannah Elliot 7. Izzy Beardwell

Above:

1. Raff Wells

2. Lachlan Britton

3. Matilda Leigh

4. Finlay Porter 5. Ian Korzuch 6. Fiona Baines

7.Ava Foyle

Business Studies & Economics

As the academic year draws to a close, the Economics and Business Department reflects on a period marked by innovation, academic success, and a deepening of collaborative spirit.

One of the most transformative developments this year has been the introduction of personal devices for Year 12 as their primary mode of working. This forward-thinking initiative has modernised the learning environment, enabling students to work more independently and flexibly. The integration of digital tools has enhanced research, collaboration, and presentation skills – equipping our sixth formers with the digital fluency essential for success in higher education and the modern workplace.

This year Mrs Dias stepped into the role of Joint Head of Department, bringing a wealth of experience and a calm, strategic approach to leadership. Her support and her collaborative leadership style has helped foster a strong sense of unity. I will be forever grateful to Mrs Dias for her help, good humour and counsel this past academic year.

Mr Blake began his first full academic year as a permanent member of the department, having successfully completed his Early Career Teacher (ECT) years. His energy, insight, and commitment to student progress have made a significant impact, and we look forward to his continued contributions in the years ahead.

Our A Level Economics and Business results, along with GCSE Business results, were once again very pleasing. We extend our warmest congratulations to all students who sat external public examinations this year. Their hard work, resilience, and determination have been truly commendable.

Economics in Action –Warwick University

The ‘Economics in Action’ conference at the prestigious University of Warwick was an ideal chance for A-Level Economists to bridge theoretical knowledge with contemporary economic realities. Classroom concepts were translated into real-world policy and practice through a series of thought-provoking lectures, discussions, and narratives delivered by leading academics and industry professionals. Among the most captivating speakers was Stephen Davies, whose exploration of the macroeconomic challenges confronting the next UK government was both insightful and provocative. He posited that the UK is grappling with issues more commonly associated with developing economies – a perspective that challenged conventional assumptions and sparked lively debate.

Ayeisha Thomas-Smith’s session examined the continued relevance of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

We are particularly proud that an increasing number of our students continue to progress to top UK and US universities, pursuing degrees in Economics, Business, and related disciplines. The department takes great pride in the small but meaningful role it plays in helping students realise their ambitions. Mrs Salako and Mrs Dias led universitybased trips for Years 12 and 13 offering students valuable insights into academic life. Next academic year we plan to expand our trip provision and further connect classroom learning with real-world application.

The KES Christmas Fair was once again a resounding success, with enthusiastic participation from Year 9 EBU students and the newly founded Tycoon Club. The event showcased the creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial flair that are hallmarks of our department.

In a particularly exciting development, two Year 12 students, Ben Powell and Danny McKenzie, launched and ran a Year 7 Economics Club. This initiative has been well attended and has sparked lively debates on topics such as demand and supply, stock markets, and the impact of Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Their leadership and initiative exemplify the department’s ethos of student-led learning and peer engagement.

Together, these developments have helped shape a department that is forward-thinking, student-centred, and academically ambitious. As we look ahead, we remain committed to nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and enterprise in every student who walks through our doors.

Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and success.

G Butterworth

as a measure of economic success. Her call to consider alternative indicators – such as wellbeing, happiness, and environmental sustainability – encouraged us to think more holistically about economic progress. This broadened perspective has since enriched our analytical approach, fostering more nuanced and original thinking in our written work.

The visit offered a valuable glimpse into university life. From attending talks in grand lecture theatres to exploring the vibrant campus environment, we gained a tangible sense of what it means to study economics at a leading institution. The trip deepened our understanding of economics as a living discipline and underscored the importance of critical inquiry and open-mindedness. Thank you to Mrs Salako for organising the visit and to Mrs Dias for her guidance and support throughout the day, helping us navigate complex topics with clarity and confidence.

Danny McKenzie Y12

KES Christmas Fair 2024: A Sparkling Start to the Season

Before a single advent calendar door had been opened, the magic of Christmas had already arrived at KES. On Saturday 30th November, the much-anticipated KES Christmas Fair 2024 lit up the school with festive cheer and entrepreneurial spirit.

Our talented Year 9 Economics and Business students had been hard at work throughout the autumn term – planning, producing, and pitching their ideas in the hopes of securing one of the highly sought-after stalls to showcase their seasonal creations.

The recently refurbished sports hall, now boasting the stunning new KES Sports Balcony, was transformed into a winter wonderland. This year, for the ﬁrst time, the fair extended beyond the hall into the library and Wessex

Building, where a certain Mr S. Claus could be found spreading early Christmas cheer and handing out gifts. Meanwhile, visitors were treated to coffee and cake, adding a cosy touch to the festive atmosphere.

Our Year 9 groups truly outdid themselves. From candles and fudge to sweets and cookie mix jars, the range of products on offer was not only beautifully designed and packaged but also cleverly marketed. These budding entrepreneurs gave even the most seasoned business professionals a run for their money – competing, as it were, tooth to jowl with those plotting the next Amazon-style brownie empire!

With limited time and resources, our students once again ﬁlled the hall with joy, creativity, and entrepreneurial flair. A huge congratulations to the brilliantly named teams:

A Jar Full of Joy

Coco Christmas

Holly Jolly

Sweet Things

The Christmas Candle Co Oh Fudge!

Wick and Wonder

You did yourselves – and your peers – proud.

And finally, a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful KES parents, who stayed up late sourcing that elusive final ingredient or whose homes were filled with the scent of “Gingerbread Glow” and “Cinnamon & Snowflakes” candles. We salute you!

Here’s to another magical KES Christmas Fair – roll on 2025!

G Butterworth

CLASSICS

The arrival of Mr Smith from King’s Gloucester and my arrival from Dulwich College into the well-established department has heralded great change. We have wholeheartedly embraced the colourful Suburani textbooks, densely packed with rich stories based about a punchy group of Subura citizens and enough mythological and historical content to satisfy the most avid Percy Jackson fan.

Year 7 have considered life from the poor side of Rome. They built Roman blocks of flats (insulae) on Minecraft and Lego, investigated the Roman toilet experience and explored ancient world religions and the Roman custom of enslavement, as well as the myth of Theseus and the minotaur. Year 8 focused on Roman Britain featured in an

episode of our KES Publica podcast and brought to life through a trip to Bath’s Aquae Sulis organised by Mr Feeney where they handled Roman artefacts and investigated the remains. Next year, Year 9 will have two classes of enthusiastic Classicists in the challenging Latin and Greek course alongside our Roman enthusiasts in the Latin class.

Mr Burns’ Classics Lecture Club has enjoyed talks ranging from Ben Brown’s “Cato vs. Caesar, a deathmatch for Rome”, an insightful talk on the differing politics, ethics, and characters of these two rivals, Alex’ Dolan’s well researched overview on the purpose of the ancient Olympics, Elijah Fraser’s enjoyable talk on the myths and realities of Roman gladiators, and Juliette Withey’s look into agriculture in ancient Greece.

Our Year 12 and 13 Classicists ventured to The Royal High listening for lectures on Greek and Roman epic and Greek Theatre led by Dr. Naomi Scott from the Department of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Bristol. Her insights into the composition of Homer’s epics were invaluable for our A level Classical Civilisation students and we all learned something about the physical performance of Greek theatre, including the magnificent contraptions and costumes Dr. Scott believes them to have had, especially in the performance of comedy.

Mr Burns and Mr Feeney have also continued to inspire and amuse legions of KES pupils, family and friends through the KES Publica podcast. This year’s offering included discussions (and arguments…) about Virgil, Sparta, and the rise of the emperor Augustus and his use of propaganda. We also had the annual appearance of KES pupils, this year Ben Brown and Ray Roberton, asking questions they have long yearned to have answered, such as what Helen of Troy would order at the bar, and which is better, Greek or Latin?

E Greenbury

Computer Science

The Computer Science department has been busy and productive and built upon the outstanding work of Miss Murch and Mrs. James in previous years. Year 9 students have followed a slightly modified curriculum with a greater emphasis on programming in Python, designed to ease their transition into GCSE studies. Meanwhile, in Year

12, we have introduced C# as the primary programming language for the A Level in Computer Science and devoted more time to teaching students an Object-Oriented Design methodology. This approach aims to make the NEA more manageable while providing a smooth transition to the study of Computer Science at university.

In February, Southwest Police ran a Cyber Workshop for the school’s Year 10 computer scientists. Students took part in a simulated attack and used computer forensics skills to find out what had happened and how to fix it. They had an enjoyable day developing new skills and seeing the application of Computer Science in Industry and Society.

‘...developing new skills and seeing the application of Computer Science...’

Competition-wise, we await results for our three teams who entered the Raspberry Pi Coolest Projects Competition focused on making tech for good, and the six teams who entered the Cyber Explorers Cup. One team reached the finals of the Cyber Security Competition at UWE; although they didn’t win this year, they are keen to win next year. In April, Mrs. Murch organized ‘The Coding Challenge,’ where 202 pupils took part during lesson time, completing a range of tough coding challenges. Despite the difficulty of the tasks, 26 students achieved perfect scores!

T Collins

Design & Technology

Innovation, Creativity, and Real-World Design

It’s been an exciting year where all students engaged in a wide range of creative, skill-building, and real-world design experiences. Year 7 students were introduced to Design and Technology by creating vibrant, monster-inspired pens which honed their time management and CAD and CAM skills. Year 8 students explored Bauhaus design and designed and created their own homage to the movement in cushion form. Year 9 students completed Art Deco, Raymond Templier-inspired personalised paperweights with a variety of casting techniques such as pewter and resin casting.

Next year will see a major revamp and Year 9 will begin with an architecture themed project, followed by a 3D printing task that builds on their established CAD and CAM skills. Year 10 will start with a skills-based learning phase to build conﬁdence and technical ability before launching into a user-centred design project to identify real world needs and develop meaningful solutions. The year will ﬁnish with a mini-NEA (Non-Exam Assessment), encouraging independent thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and laying a strong foundation for Year 11.

GCSE and A-Level students tackled a wide range of clientfocused projects, with inclusivity, innovation, empathy and sustainability at the heart of their work. Highlights include an automatic pill dispenser using electronics and a custombuilt app, a tool to measure and insert cricket flags at the

correct distance, a custom jar opener with interchangeable attachments to assist the elderly and a fun and engaging suncream applicator to encourage younger children to apply sunscreen.

Our trips have included a Year 8 visit to Cadbury World, while students in Years 10 to 13 explored the V&A Museum, gaining valuable insight into both historical and contemporary design practices.

‘...inclusivity, innovation, empathy and sustainability at the heart of their work.’

At school, the Textiles Club, led by the ever-creative Mrs Flay, has continued to thrive for Year 8-11 students who have produced everything from clothing to accessories and is a hub for budding designers. Several teams entered the F1 in Schools competition this year, participating in the Entry Class, with one team winning Best Pit Display. Next year, we’re excited to take things further as students step up to compete in the Development Class, showcasing their engineering and teamwork skills on a bigger scale. We’re also thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new Air Modelling Club, which will be led by Mr Hutchings. We can’t wait to see the models take shape.

M Roy

Cadbury World Trip

The Cadbury World Trip was an exhilarating adventure in Birmingham at the world-famous Cadbury factory. The tour started with a 4D short movie in their immersive theatre where the chairs shook with the screen! In the ‘Bournville Experience’, we explored what it was like to be a real chocolatier! Learning about the history of Cadbury and seeing how the chocolate was made was a very fascinating treat. After that, we headed to their ‘Aztec Jungle’ to discover the origins of chocolate itself. Through trees and tropical waterfalls, we found ourselves on a chocolate-making quest whilst veering on their brand-new ride! From making our own chocolate shapes to journeying through time, this adventure was a once in a lifetime day and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

Phoebe Whittock 8G

D&T Club

I have really enjoyed Y7 DT club because we made wooden toy race cars. We began by watching ‘Wacky Races’ TV Show for inspiration to design and map out what our cars would look like. We each drew our designs onto a block of wood. Then we sawed our wood down to the shape of our cars. To begin with, we asked for permission to use all the equipment but after a while, we soon learned how to use the sanders and saws safely and got to work.

Joshua Marsden and Finlay Gibson

F1 in Schools

Well done to the Year 7, Year 8, and Year 9 students who participated in the entry class F1 in Schools regional finals competition this year. This event challenged our teams to design and build a car powered by a CO2 canister to race on a track. The competition was about more than just speed; it required creativity, teamwork, and innovation.

Each team also created a pit display, branded items and a portfolio showcasing their journey, which they presented to a panel of judges. Out of the 40 teams competing in the Southwest regional finals ‘Petrol Heads’ earned the award for Best Pit Display, beating development class and professional class teams. This is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and ingenuity. Well done!

M Roy

V&A trip

At the V&A in London, we got to see many pieces of artwork and other cool things. I liked the jewellery section because the set-up and lighting made the whole room sparkle. I was impressed by Beyoncé’s “papillon ring” that was covered in diamonds with a mechanism that moved it like a real butterfly when she moved her finger. In the contemporary design area, we saw things like the first Dyson vacuum cleaner and the boxed flat pack home. It was inspiring for our school projects, for example the disaster relief designs related to our own disaster relief design.

The V&A also featured different products from different eras around the world. I took inspiration for my current project and for products I could design in the future and how I could make them functional. My favourite room in the museum was the ‘Design 1900- Now’, as it had lots of interesting products which will help influence me with future designs.

Molly Gault & Amity James, 6th form

What an exciting and full year it has been in the Drama department!

GCSE and A-level pupils once again received outstanding grades in summer examinations. In our A-level cohort 100% of the students gained A*-B in their certificates. At GCSE 60% of our group achieved Level 8 or 9 and 100% of the group received Levels 6-9. A fantastic result for all those involved in preparing and producing this exam work!

We started this academic year with a fantastic trip to see Wonderboy at the Bristol Old Vic which was followed throughout the year by some other exciting shows including student favourite, Play On, a swinging jazz musical with music by Duke Ellington. We also had some interesting and creative pieces performed in the Autumn term GCSE devised exams that examined a wide range of topics. From sexism to the consequences of our choices in life, they were mature, challenging, and engaging pieces of work. We finished Autumn with an incredible performance of Macbeth from our pupils in Years10-13, an exciting and sophisticated showcase of their acting talent.

In Spring, A-level pupils had a chance to shine in the Devised and Scripted performance work. We enjoyed mature and emotional work from electrically charged plays such as The Crucible and Streetcar Named Desire and then revelled in the hilarity of work influenced by Emma Rice exploring the lighter Famous Five and Robin Hood tales. We were very proud of the cohort and their commitment to producing such creative work. Year 7 produced a joyful

all involved! They then expertly moved on to performances from Fantastic Mr Fox for the interform competition, with Year 8 also performing from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – both competitions were full of laughter, silliness, and a lot of talent!

The Summer Term brought more joy to the school community as we headed down to the river and forest to watch Wind in the Willows, performed by Years 8&9. There was so much laughter and creativity on display throughout the rehearsal process for this fabulous show. The pupils in all year groups worked with great passion on the summer exam work, showing a great sense of teamwork as they prepared to perform their exam pieces. We were also excited to launch ‘Theatre Experience’ in Activities Week this year, in which pupils explored all aspects of Theatre, did a Mask workshop, a Musical Theatre workshop and took a trip to London for workshops and 2 shows, My Neighbour Totoro and Les Misérables; such fantastic opportunities rounding off a creative and inspiring year of Drama.

LAMDA

All our 50 LAMDA students passed their exams and 82% achieved high Distinctions in this year’s stellar exams. We especially celebrate our sixth formers who have been taking LAMDA lessons at school for many years, all of whom received grade 8 Distinctions! We are extremely proud of Ava Ubogu,

Freddie Sefton-Moore, Roman Bradford, Silas Collins, Ariana Moayedi, Oscar Lowton, Ricky Jiang, George Stanton, Noah Murray, Ned Holdsworth and Mabel Everett-Heath. The standard of these actors was so high that the LAMDA teachers said it felt like teaching Drama School students. They are surely destined to walk the Olivier Awards’ red carpet.

D Tamblyn

‘The stage illuminated by a purple light as the brutal murder ensued....’

Macbeth:

Something Wicked (-ly Good) This Way Comes

An eerie soundtrack and a faint red mist filled the Wroughton Theatre, a warning of the blood and magic to come in the KES production of Macbeth. Empty door frames foreshadowed the multiple protagonists’ appearances, but first thunder and lightning and witches. Every line the 7 KES witches uttered was steeped in contempt, but it was when all (Isla Stafford, Krys Cooper, Wren Cook, Wren Man, Emily Gibson, Rebecca Jellis and Iris Rostom) shared the famous “Double double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble” that the magic happened as terrifying chief witch (Cassie Milton) & co surrounded Banquo and Macbeth.

“Double double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble...”

From injured Captain Barnaby Frith’s opening monologue to Donalbain (Albie Beresford), Lennox (Alice Cochran) and Fleance (Theo Fallon) interventions in the main characters’ soliloquies, the cast was energetic, masterful, and passionate in their portrayals. The blind casting added extra texture and depth with Banquo (Freya Palmer), and Macduff (Imogen Luker) particularly laudable. King Duncan’s nervous portrayal (Joseph Walker) contrasted with Macbeth’s (Roman Bradford) suave confidence in the face of the King’s dramatic murder.

The two female Scottish thanes complemented the time-shift staging of directors Mrs Bird and Mr Thomas that mixed of medieval, 90s and modern timescales. In a demonstration of masterful proxemics, three door frames contained one Macbeth each while the upper stage corresponding frames held three Lady Macbeths. Time bent as practical, 90s Macbeths (Roman Bradford and Morven Boyd) spoke face-to-face in Door 1 while behind Door 2 a forceful medieval Lady Macbeth turned her back on husband (Zoe Young and Oscar Lowton). Door 3 held the sympathetic version of the modern Macbeths (Silas Collins and Beth Ritchie) who sat embracing, at times speaking in unison.

Banquo’s death at the hands of shady assassins (Oscar Farrar and Lola Clayphan) was truly terrifying as stabbing and shouting juxtaposed with a calm track of Scottish string-music. Later, Lady Macduff (Juliette G-H) and her child (Kenzie Davies-Young) stand in the foreground. The stage illuminated by a purple light as the brutal murder ensued, underscored by those spooky Scottish strings. After, Macduff and Prince Malcom (Ray Robertson) dialogue over Lady Macduff’s strewn body. Ross (Beth Fear) delivers news of the family’s murder accompanied by an ear-piercing screech that mirrors Ross’s inner pain.

Cue sleepwalking Lady Macbeth where Molly Gault’s Gentlewoman and Ella Jones’ doctor took the stage. In came the very soldierly Niamh Evans and Bert Scotland along with impressive appearances by Ian Korzuch and Eca Nedelea and furious fight scenes (Ned Holdsworth and Ricky Jiang as Siward and Angus) before the evershocking death of Macbeth at the hands of Macduff. In the bespoke frightening finale, a newly-coronated Malcom was surrounded by witches chanting “hail!”

Benjamin Brown Y13

in the

TheWind Willows

Audiences were swept into the vibrant world of colour, chaos, and creaturely charm for the Year 8&9 production of The Wind in the Willows, an unmistakeably joyful production that epitomised the best of comedy balanced with tension and action. From the explosive opening dance of the Riverbank crew (Edith Holladay, Georgie Evans, Apphia Barker, Evie Wright-Cain, Eliana Colley-Priest, Harry Hampson-Gilbert, Tom Penning-Rowsell, George Gilding) skilfully led by Sophie McBride and choreographed by Amity James and Millie Knudsen, to the prosaic dramatic proclamation of Badger (George Thomas and Jack Holton) “I knew his father, I knew his grandfather...” which anticipated the moment where the magistrate (Gilbert Wilkes) connected with Badger over their mutual friendship with Toad’s uncle, it’s clear the well-loved tale is ever-present.

Enter Mrs Otter (emphatically portrayed by Lucy Small) who tearfully revealed that her son (Portly Otter, played by Alex Hourston) has disappeared at the hands of the mysterious ‘them.’ The ominous Wild Wooders (Scarlett Winstanley, Aurora DeChair, Reggie Morley, Blythe Jellis, Bea Bremner, Delia Stoica, Alice Carr, Ruby Taylor, Malini Hall, and Poppy Scotland) added swagger with their Peaky Blinders-inspired Chief Weasel (Beau Bruce and Catherine Mattingly). The creative use of props, sound, and lighting enhanced moments of self-referential hilarity by players like the two Dobbins (Tommy Mawer and Zac Dore) showing The Wind in the Willows cast was never short of comic moments.

The pivotal and challenging role of Toad was charismatically bought to life by Tom Burt and Hector Wells, who both delivered West End worthy performances! Toad and his fellow characters, Mole (Minnie Peregrine-Jones and Eloise Bruce-Payne) and Ratty (Sophie Osborn and James Everard) really embodied everything good about the play: conflicting personalities navigating their friendship through adventure!

A stand-out moment for me, however, was the court scene when the Magistrate, Gilbert Wilkes, clerks Benji Howlett and Robin O’Connor, and James Fairthorne’s policeman playfully added some anti-Toad bias and wisecracks at kangaroo courts: the crosscourt animosity between the Riverbankers and their Wild Wood counterparts worked brilliantly. The choreography was a marvel. Wren Cook, Imogen Luker and Morven Boyd each created brilliant rhythmic dance sequences and the washerwomans’s brilliant jig presented a vast contrast to the exciting animalistic

number of Ratty’s rowing dance. The pack-like mentality of the Wild Wooders’ chillingly menacing dance number to ‘Chelsea Dagger’ had the crowd booing while the “People of the Heath” (Jasmine Evans, Eliza Bodey, Elkie Hum, Liv Pope, Robyn Nunn, Wilfred Wells, Emily Street and Eloise Andrews) led by Niall Campbell’s Zelda offered exceptional moments of comedy and choreography.

‘...a well-crafted and unapologetically entertaining production by such a talented group of people.’

Mrs Stevens-Craig and Mrs Bird should be delighted as the directorial team behind what was a well-crafted and unapologetically entertaining production by such a talented group of people.

Benjamin Brown Y13

‘The Wind in the Willows cast was never short of comic moments.’

Meet the GREEKS

Vibrant lights, a shimmering glitter backdrop and energising music provided an exciting sensory experience for Y7 to mix the stories of Ancient Greece with Disco of the 1970s in ‘Meet the Ancient Greeks’.

The minimalistic, symbolic representation of Greek architecture contrasted with big colour-changing letters flashing ‘Olympus’ at the top of the stage. As the play began, the stage flooded with the whole cast dressed expertly by the creative team in exuberant costumes, crimped hair, gold head pieces and sparkly trousers. The expressive and in-sync choreography mirrored the pop music to create a vibrant and flamboyant atmosphere. It was truly an Extravaganza Eleganza where every cast member radiated confidence and hit strong poses with attitude and sass. The dance routines introduced each new act with an authentic ‘70s feel, allowing audience members to clap along and feel the groove of each nostalgic dance hit.

Grace Catton, 6th form

‘It’s a great bonding opportunity as well as a wonderful confidence boost.’

Mrs Tamblyn and I were thrilled with the success of the 38-strong cast of Y7s in ‘Meet the Ancient Greeks’. The cast were energetic, charismatic, fun, and the feedback from parents was overwhelming. It’s a great bonding opportunity as well as a wonderful confidence boost. All who auditioned got a speaking and acting role and they came together as an ensemble, bringing the best out of one another. Well done the Ancient Greeks!

G Kavanagh

English

If I had to choose a moment which epitomised what we aim to promote in English, it would be the 5-minute reading Flash Mob to celebrate this year’s World Book Day in March. Would it just be a couple of English teachers clutching copies of their favourite books while everyone hurried past them to lunch? But no – for those 5 minutes hundreds of students descended on the piazza in front of the library, from Sixth Form to Year 7, all with one thing in common: the desire to stand up publicly and declare their allegiance to ‘uniquely portable magic.’

This year we have offered students more opportunities than ever to extend their experience of literature beyond the classroom and the curriculum. Our theatre trips included ‘The Duchess of Malﬁ’ in London, ‘Hamlet’ in Stratford and ‘The Merchant of Venice’ at Bath’s Theatre Royal and, even closer to home, screening the RSC’s innovative 2024 production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ for Year 11s allowing students to experience their set texts brought vibrantly to life. There’s nothing like those post-production conversations when students truly understand the interpretative possibilities of texts or get carried along with the plays’ themes, enraged by the injustice of Shylock’s predicament or devastated by the demise of a tragic hero. There’s an exciting Autumn 2025 in store with 200 of our GCSE students signed up to see Aaron Sorkin’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’.

Our calendar heaved with literary events from Catherine Bruton’s return to inspire Year 7s with her creative workshop in cooperation with the Library (prompting one parent to report their child wrote stories for days after), to the privilege of welcoming back multi-award winning writer John Hodge to talk about his career and production of Flatpack at the Rondo theatre, while Year 13 were treated to a send-off before study leave with a talk by Stephen Lowden on ‘Hamlet’. Dr Rawstorne introduced ‘Books and Brownies’ to Year 7 where our Sixth Formers shared their reading recommendations with younger students.

Creative Writing Club remains a staple of our lunchtime offerings, and our external judges have been impressed with the quality of writing of students who enter our annual Poetry, Journalism and Short Story competitions. Autumn term will herald the publication of our annual Anthology, a decade-old showcase of the year’s talented young writers. In external competitions, a team of Year 6-8 students came third in the regional heat of the National Reading Champions Quiz and 5 students were placed in their categories in the Mid Somerset Festival, with Ben Jones taking ﬁrst place in the year 10 and 11 Short Story category. We also look forward to hearing how Tom Burt progresses following the selection of his script in a writing competition at The Egg Theatre.

Z Kayacan

Hamlet at the RSC

Set on the deck of mid 20th Century warship, tipping and shaking as the drama took place, the claustrophobic atmosphere of ‘Hamlet’, an English literature A-level text, drew out outstanding performances. Elliot Levey’s comedically foolish portrayal of Polonius was the perfect tonic to Jared Harris’ brutish Claudius. Luke Thallon as Hamlet brought a youthful vigour whilst frequently engaging with the audience, playing off Levey’s unending charisma.

Despite the comedic bursts of the play, the dark undertones remained pertinent. Choosing to highlight the action within 24 hours via a digital clock, linking to Aristotle’s classical unities of both time and place, foreboding danger often felt imminent. Ultimately, following several deaths, the play ends with a highly choreographed grappling between Hamlet and Laertes.

The play certainly would not have been complete without its unimaginable end. Simply impossible to describe, the stage tipped so much to resemble a ship capsizing, all characters slid into the dark waves a smidge from the front row. Whilst this choice ending prompted discussion, the apt conclusion symbolising the end of the Danish crown is something we won’t forget in the exam hall.

Ned Holdsworth Y13

Merchant of Venice 1936

Tracy-Ann Obermann’s performance at Bath’s Theatre Royal of ‘The Merchant of Venice 1936’ created a whole new spin on the original Shakespeare play. The brute antisemitism was controversial set against the human horrors of recent history. Shylock is at times utterly cruel, but it is hard to dislike her. As a woman and single mother, any previous anger or hate for Shylock melts away, leaving sympathy and pity instead. Her losses seem magnified, evoking a sense of damage and sadness.

The bleak backgrounds of Belmont and Shylock’s house show how desperate and unforgiving fascism is, even for the rich and powerful. Portia was a rich socialite especially cold to Jews channeling the aspirational Nazi wife, while Antonio and his petty followers represent the blackshirts, a fascist party influencing Britain in World War II.

The end of the play hints at the Battle of Cable Street, with smashed glass and off-stage sounds. It is a righteous ending for a play filled with disappointment and sorrow, giving the Jews well-deserved justice for their grievance.

Honor Atkinson 8K

Reviewed

Reviewed is our student-run online magazine that aims to share student articles and non-fiction pieces, allowing new voices to be heard on a range of topics. We have published opinions on everything from artificial intelligence and heavymetal albums to Formula One racing. Non-fiction is a section of creative literature that simultaneously underpins society and our understanding of it yet also gets neglected in favour of different forms of creative media, but Reviewed exists to inspire students to share opinions, raise their voices and develop their writing ability. The VLE has become a battleground for written debates, with articles written and inspired by previous ones, and to further inspiration. The editorial team (thanks to an OE Activity Grant) has created bimonthly topical competitions, with prompts to get gears turning and begin the creative process. Submissions are welcomed with open arms, then edited and published as soon as we can. We hope Reviewed will enhance and enrich our community with different perspectives and points of view.

Rosie McMorris Y12

Geography

The academic year started with a super set of examination results which enabled many of our Year 13 students to progress to some excellent Universities to continue their study of Geography. Our Year 11 students also produced top results, with most students achieving their best GCSE grade in Geography. As you will be aware, whilst exam results are very important, there is far more to the Geography Department than this!

The first half of the autumn term sees an ideal time for fieldtrips – usually the weather is kind! We introduced a new fieldtrip to South Wales with the year 11 geographers. Here they measured changes along the course of the River Ogmore, with its source in a most spectacular setting and our final site in which we merely observed the changed channel shape was at Ogmore by the Sea. With an overnight stay in Cardiff Bay, we then

visited Bristol Harbourside, enjoying a boat trip before gathering some data to illustrate changes.

Year 7 pupils visited many different parts of Bath, as they investigated what gives Bath its identity, with Year 12 students studying the changing place of Cardiff Bay. More recently the Year 12s undertook their residential trip to Margam as they embark on their NEAs, and just as study leave started, the Year 8s visited the South Coast, with a particular highlight being the boat trip to Old Harry Rocks and the seal that was lounging in the sun on the beach at Durdle Door.

This has been another busy year and, as ever, I would like to thank my fellow Geography colleagues for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the geographical education of our pupils.

Dr J Knight

‘...a particular highlight being the boat trip to Old Harry Rocks and the seal that was lounging in the sun on the beach at Durdle Door.’

Learning for Life

The fortnightly Learning for Life lesson delivered by tutors in their form groups continues to inform and engage pupils on matters that pertain to life and health, both in and out of school. Whether teaching British Sign Language to the Year 7 pupils, or leading a discussion with Year 10 on what a healthy relationship looks like, tutors facilitate sessions that are relevant, timely and discursive.

I have been thrilled to see the way in which parents at KES have actively engaged in the LFL programme this year by attending our termly talks pertaining to raising young people in an ever-changing world. The year started with a talk from Iain Mahony called ‘What About the Boys?’ which engaged with issues around purpose, identity and masculinity. Isa Robinson then spoke to parents about ‘Food and Self Esteem’ where she encouraged parents to openly challenge ‘diet culture’ with their children and not fall prey to media messages around using food for reward. Leo Powell visited in March to deliver a talk on County Lines - his hard-hitting message was well received by parents who were keen to learn more about the issue. Leo also spoke to pupils in Year 9-12, using role play to bring the subject alive prompting a Year 10 pupil to say, ‘I came away feeling more equipped to practically navigate certain situations and with a better understanding of County Lines in general.’

The year ended with a pupil panel I led called ‘Reclaiming Childhood’, which aimed to tackle concerns around devices. It was great to see parents sharing honest anecdotes about their experiences and considering how to practically reestablish an offline world for their children. One parent said, ‘I think it is great that KES offers these talks and is not afraid

to tackle and raise the profile of harder subjects. Thank you for normalising these things which otherwise kids and their parents might find harder to discuss.’

We will shortly be announcing next year’s LFL Parent Talks – hope to see many of you there!

H Dawes

History & Politics

History & Politics has enjoyed another busy year of cocurricular activities and core work in the classroom. This year’s Year 13 politicians took part in a full mock election last July, before the new crop of Year 12s benefitted from visiting the Houses of Parliament and Supreme Court in October. Talks by Lord Sumption, retired Supreme Court Judge, and a special US election breakfast – chomping on bacon pancake stacks as the live results were rolling inrounded off a great year in which the buzz of national and global politics has increased interest in the subject.

In History, we started with the annual Year 7 trip to Chepstow, before venturing to Toppings to hear about ‘Britain’s revolutionary decade – the 1650s’ and Richard Evans on the Nazi regime (useful for A Level Coursework). 45 GCSE students went on the trip to Berlin in December, which was full of highlights, with students mixing the serious (visits to Sachsenhausen Camp and the Wannsee conference house) with fun (sadly seeing Eisbären Berlin succumb to defeat on the ice hockey rink).

P Ford

Maths

Maths Feast

Year 10 journeyed to Hayesﬁeld School in March for a Maths Feast. The team of Jemimah Barker, Laura Cannock, Edward Griffin and Isaac Hung performed extremely well throughout four rounds of problem-solving and ﬁnished in a very respectable second place overall having won 3 of the 4 rounds.

T Hooper

Maths Lectures

Year 12 mathematicians attended the Maths Inspiration Lectures at Bath Forum to learn how aspects of school mathematics manifest in everyday life. It was hosted by Aoife Hunt, a Computing and Mathematics professor at the University of Greenwich. She is a leading specialist in the modelling of people’s movement and crowd flow within large venues and events such as Wembley, the O2 and London Stadium.

The lectures included ‘Numbers in the News’ by mathematician and communicator Zoe Griffiths. Her organisation ‘Think Maths’ specialises in worldwide schools’ visits and workshops. Paul Shepherd, Professor at the

University of Bath, has worked on the design of many high-profile buildings including Arsenal’s Emirates stadium, Dublin’s Lansdowne Road and even the London Olympics stadium and his ‘Simply the Best’ lecture highlighted how experts use maths seen in the natural world to make efficient and beautiful structures. Ben Sparks, a mathematician, musician and author finished the series with ‘The Sacred Geometry of Chance’ impressed us with his talk on chance and consequences of gambling, via poker and actual betting.

All in all, it was an eye-opening afternoon reflecting how the maths we learn in the classroom can be applied to the real world.

Ricky Jiang Y12

UKMT Challenges 2024–2025

Senior Maths

What is the hundreds digit of the largest six-digit palindromic number that is divisible by 18?

This was just one of the 25 questions that 161 of our best Mathematicians had to try to answer, while taking part in the Senior Maths Challenge, back on 1st October.

Only 40% of entries nationally get awarded a certificate. Of our 161 entries, 60 students were awarded the bronze certificate, 31 got silvers. The gold proved to be more elusive this year, and the highest certificate was only awarded to 10 of our students listed below. Hannah Blacker was also the recipient of the cup for the highest score in the school.

Hannah Blacker Gold

Edward Blackwall Gold

Charlotte Lang Gold

Jonas Mak Gold

Lewis Guan Gold

Lawrence Moore Gold

Rowan Peregrine-Jones Gold

Ben Manon Gold

Joseph Pagnamenta Gold

Toby Donohue Gold

Note: the answer to the question is 1

R Pagnamenta

Intermediate Maths

Mr Pagnamenta took our team of four from years 8&9 to Sidcot School for the UKMT Team Maths Challenge. We used teamwork, problem-solving and lots of maths to complete various questions with varying amounts of difficulty in four rounds. Our team skills were tested in the group round of 10 questions. In the cross-number round, we worked as pairs to solve a cross word made of numbers while in the shuttle, each answer was needed to solve the next question. Finally came the relay, where we had to run to get the questions. We performed well but with so many talented competitors, we ﬁnished 7th out of 19 schools. We have all taken a lot away from it and we would thoroughly like to do it again as we had an amazing time.

James Rutherford 9M and Jack Barrington 9G

Junior Maths

Exactly 100 of our top Mathematicians from years 7, 8 and the Junior School took part in the 2025 Junior Maths Challenge, a national problemsolving competition. An amazing 83 pupils scored gold, silver or bronze certificates and 17 awarded the top gold award. This is the first year that the trophy for best in school was split three ways with three year 8 pupils; Theo, William and Kai, all getting 24 out of the 25 questions correct. Scoring 129 out of a possible 135 is the highest score we have had in the JMC for over 10 years and all three have qualified for the Junior Maths Olympiad later in the term. Well done to everyone involved.

Gold Certificates

R Pagnamenta

MFL Spanish

Malaga Immersion Trip

The Málaga immersion trip for Y10 & 11 pupils, led by the wonderful Mrs McPherson and Mrs Charlton, began with an early flight and a smooth landing into this beautiful area of Spain. Our hotel was a beautiful, old converted Spanish convent from which we could explore the town, enjoy churros, and relax at the beach.

The trip aims to improve our Spanish and deepen our understanding of the local culture, so each day has Spanish lessons before heading for tapas and touring Málaga’s historic city centre with our guide, Ignacio who showed us the Alcazaba fortress, the Picasso Museum and the stunning Cathedral of Málaga. Day 3 was an incredible trip to Granada to visit the amazing Alhambra fortress and palace.

Back in Málaga, we saw fascinating art at the Pompidou Gallery and concluded with a Flamenco dancing workshop – a fun and lively way to end a wonderful journey. Everyone had an amazing time, and I am grateful to the school for offering us such a fantastic opportunity.

Rohan Garner Y10

Churros

Let’s be honest – no one enjoys a speaking exam. However, in the Spanish department, we had the opportunity to attend lunchtime speaking lessons with the lovely Spanish-speaking assistant, Maria. With her help, the exam was “pan comido”! During the exam, we were accompanied by Guillermo del Toro, the Spanish Department’s beloved toy bull. After the exam, it was off to Casa De Tapas.

Given that we had been learning about traditional Spanish dishes in our lessons, going for churros felt very ﬁtting. We took part in mini-quizzes and games, and, of course, ate churros. The quizzes were a lot of fun: we learned about the history of churros, decoded a hidden message, and played Sra Charlton’s famous Alphabet Game.

Juliette Gooberman-Hill & Aleena Jahanzab Y11

Pen Pals

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to write to a student in Pamplona, Spain! It was an amazing way to practice my Spanish writing skills and learn about Spanish students. Sharing experiences with someone from another country is incredibly meaningful. Through our letters, I’ve gained insights into Spanish culture, school life, and even some local traditions. I am really looking forward to exchanging more letters with my pen pal in the future and perhaps even visiting Pamplona one day!

Rosette Shaji Y7

A big thank you to the KES Senior school!

I have been incredibly fortunate to work as a Spanish Language Assistant for the last 2 years at KES. I have loved being part of the Modern Language Department and the school community. Seeing the students grow and thrive has been incredible, and I feel very lucky for having had the chance to play a small part in their journey. Learning languages is an incredible skill that opens doors to new cultures, experiences and opportunities.

I am thankful for the opportunities I have had here and the skills I have developed. This experience will deﬁnitely help in my future career! My trips to Bath are coming to an end but both KES and Bath will always hold a special place in my heart.

Thank you to my colleagues and the entire school staff for their support and hard work. It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside such a dedicated and passionate team.

Gracias a todos, María Martinez

Spanish Club

The weekly Spanish club offers Lower and Middle School students a fantastic opportunity to immerse themselves in Hispanic culture. Whether you’re studying Spanish or simply curious, everyone is welcome to join in the fun! We play games, learn about festival days, help prepare and sample delicious Spanish dishes, and do crafting.

Students enjoy learning new words and ideas through songs, ﬁlms, and conversations with our incredible Spanish prefects. The Spanish club provides a taste of what you might experience on school trips to Spain and offers insights into the GCSE and A-level courses.

G McPherson

Y13 Traitors

Onatti Play

“Primera Cita” (First Date), told the story of two teens, María and Carlos who are preparing for their ﬁrst date and performed entirely in Spanish for students from Years 8, 9, and 10. The interactive performance allowed us to practice our listening skills and apply the vocabulary we have learned so far. It was fantastic to see that we could easily follow the plot and understand all the jokes! The play was very funny, and I even got the chance to go up on stage!

Adam Miller Y10

For Year 13 students facing the brunt of A-levels, ‘Traitors Kespaña’ quickly became a staple of our Monday Spanish lessons and a highlight of the week. Conversations soon revolved around proving our loyalty and sharing suspicions. Sra Gil portrayed Claudia Winkleman with brilliance, a touch of brutality, and commendable wit – though with slightly less fake tan and tweed!

Each week, we eagerly awaited to ﬁnd out if we’d been murdered, received a shield, or even been recruited. ‘Traitors Kespaña’ provided a welcome break from the stresses of A-levels and UCAS applications. It’s a tradition I hope continues for all Year 13 Spanish students!

Joseph Walker, 6th form and recruited traitor

MFL German

Flammkuchen

In the Autumn term, Mr. Ferguson, Mrs. Jones, and Lina accompanied our Year 10 German students to the Junior School to prepare and cook a delicious German specialty: Flammkuchen (Flame cake). This dish, often found at Christmas markets across Germany, is a low-prep, quick, and delicious meal similar to pizza.

Following a recipe from the Great British Bake Off’s Jürgen Krauss, Year 10 students worked on kneading and rolling out the dough, then spread Crème fraîche on their bases. They had the opportunity to choose their toppings, whether opting for traditional bacon lardons, onion slices, and black pepper, or selecting a mix of their preferred vegetables.

As the photos show, the students were delighted with their creations and thoroughly enjoyed experiencing a taste of German culture! It was just like being at a Weihnachtsmarkt!

We sincerely hope that the students have had the chance to demonstrate their new cooking skills by preparing a Flammkuchen for their family!

Dear Reader,

It seems impossible to put this year into words. So please, if you will, excuse this meagre text and imagine a nice, creative, well-written one about how grateful I am for the opportunity, how much I will cherish the memories made and how much this year has had an impact on me. I wish I could write about how much I am going to miss all the amazing people I met and how I hope to see them all again in the future, but that would make me very sad, so I am not going to do that.

Instead, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to all the genuinely inspiring kids I met, the teachers and staff that helped me feel so very welcome in this country and the friends I made along the way. You are amazing!

With love,

Lina Luster, German Language Assistant

Onatti Play

At the start of April, we were once again visited by the Onatti Theatre company and their wonderful actors, who put on the play entitled ‘Auf dem Campingplatz’ (On the campsite) for our Year 7 to 10 pupils. The play is speciﬁcally targeted at 11 to 16-year-old pupils learning German and means that the vocabulary and story are fully accessible to all. Throughout the laughs, the story involves two friends who go camping, one who is very experienced and one who has never been camping before, which results in some real confusion!

Complete with audience participation from some of our wonderful pupils, the show was a hit for all involved and we are extremely grateful to the KES parents who covered the cost of this play.

C Ferguson

MFL French

Vive la Chandeleur!

We were very lucky to have the opportunity to make crepes around the day of ‘La Chandeleur’ with our A level French class. We went to the Junior school and learnt how to make the perfect crêpes with the help of Miss Saban. We made the crêpes following a traditional French recipe, expanding our knowledge of French vocabulary whilst having fun. It was a great experience, and my favorite part was flipping them once they were half cooked. Once we had cooked them, we were able to enjoy the crêpe, choosing from classic toppings like sugar and lemon or Nutella and strawberries.

Abi Whittock 6th form

Career Talk

Duncan Roxburgh, Old Edwardian, was live on TEAMS from the French Alps to talk to us about his career in languages. Duncan spoke about career options after doing a language at A-Level and how studying multiple languages can put you above other people and make you look better when applying for jobs. It was also useful to hear about how a year abroad at university would work and how spending time living and working in Spain and France

French Immersion Trip

benefitted him when finding jobs. I enjoyed hearing about his job where he uses French, Spanish and English daily with colleagues and clients. I also learned a bit more about language courses at university which was helpful because that is something that I have thought about.

Larissa Dimov Y11

Sète was beautiful with a clear sky and a fantastic hotel encircled by trees right on the beach! Everyday there was a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, which was deliciously French. The staff were kind, helpful and extremely patient with all our efforts to order our food in French. Every day we had classes for 3 hours in the morning with brilliant teachers. These lessons built up my confidence with speaking in French and finding practical solutions when there were gaps in communication.

Apart from lessons, we explored tiny fairytale villages, shopping in busy Montpellier and seeing many picturesque sights. It was the perfect opportunity to utilise some key French phrases. My personal favourite was: “je voudrais une crêpe s’il vous plaît”.

Au revoir to KES pupils from whom I’ve learnt many new words, cultural differences and values that I will be glad to share with my pupils in France. Thank you to every staff member working in the Language Department with whom I shared many great moments. I will miss the cheerful but studious ambiance and warmth.

My best friend and I achieved our goal of making a French friend. We have stayed in touch with a lovely group of French girls who we chat to in French. Although I cannot truly illustrate how wonderful this trip was, I thoroughly recommend it, no matter your ability in French.

By Wren Cook Y10

As a future English teacher in France, I cannot say how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to live in Bath and experience the English culture and new ways of teaching. I hope to return with some pupils in the future to discover such a lovely city.

Manon Gauthier, French Language Assistant

Music

‘Climb ev’ry mountain...’ sang Julie Andrews! We continue to make fabulous progress on our journey up our aspirational musical mountain: after last year’s dizzying heights, it is lovely to pause and reflect on this year’s sustained ascent while we ‘follow ev’ry (musical) rainbow’!

KES Music produced a second consecutive Bath Young Musician of the Year winner; sent two more Year 13 musicians to study Music at Oxford and The Royal Northern College of Music; our choirs returned from the Mid-Somerset Festival competitions with 2 trophies from 3 classes; celebrated an outstanding 12th annual Orchestral Gala Concert alongside our professional partners Bath Philharmonia in the Guildhall in a stunning concert entitled ‘Home’; served a spinetingling soloists’ concert in the Holburne Museum and a Music Marathon at school presenting a wide array of musical talent from all year groups; held an uplifting KES Unite (KES Soul) charity event in the Wroughton Theatre; hosted our usual 5 instrumental masterclasses - one with BBC Young Musician of the Year winner, Laura van der Heijden - as well as our first DJ masterclass; not to mention ‘best ever’ performances by our 90+ strong choristers supported by instrumentalists in Bath Abbey for the KES Carol Service and an exciting Founder’s Day Service just around the corner - you’d be forgiven for asking what comes next?

‘If only my words could enable you to hear the incredible music...’

If only my words could enable you to hear the incredible music, and feel the waves of emotion that myself, the KES pupils and staff have experienced in this year’s live performances! It has been breath-taking watching our young musicians perform at an ever-increasing level of maturity and technical facility. Please read the following pages where pupils reflect on their lasting musical experiences and memories, and jump onto our X KES Music feed (@KESBATHMusic) to get a feel for just how extraordinary the level of music making our pupils are now reaching. I hope by experiencing some of the exciting, extensive, stylistically wide-ranging, stretching and above all highly entertaining repertoire our soloists, orchestras and bands have produced, it will help communicate our KES musicians’ focus, precision, but above all joy, emotional connection and polished performance etiquette, right across the ability range.

With over 475 instrumental and vocal lessons, 20+ Senior School ensemble rehearsals, inspirational composing and music tech clubs, all happening each week, not to mention over 50 performance opportunities a year, stunning partnerships with Bath Philharmonia and Bath Abbey, and a blossoming new educational community music outreach programme, it doesn’t all happen without an incredibly talented, committed and inspirational Specialist, Academic and Support KES Music Team. Thank you to all the staff, pupils and parents who have supported this year’s exciting programme, and yes, there are further towering musical peaks and glorious rainbows to explore in the 2025-2026 KES Music Calendar. I hope you will take part and enjoy them with us!

R Drury

Percussion Masterclass

My main instrument is drums, and I was lucky enough to attend the Bath Philharmonia Percussion Masterclass with professional drummer Alex Lupo, who gave me valuable feedback and advice. I took part in KES Senior Singers, KES Steel, KESOO, Percussion Ensemble and enjoyed the Music Marathon and the Extravaganza Concert. I think my musicianship has improved this year, and I can’t wait for another year of music!

Ned Wilkes Y7

Jess Gillam with Bath Phil

As a KES musician and saxophonist, one highlight this year has been to watch a rehearsal from the very talented saxophonist Jess Gillam. As well as playing for the sax ensemble, I’ve been able to progress my skills massively and display them at the RUH. I aim to continue making music, especially in the genre of jazz fusion.

Leo Mayhew Y10

Junior School Music Week

Opportunities have been endless in the Music Department. KES 24, KES soul and KES Senior Singers have shaped me into the young musician that I am. I can now read written music and have been a music mentor. The experience has projected joy into my life and my passion is limitless thanks to KES music.

Beth Fear Y13

Upper Strings Masterclass

Two years after starting violin, I played in the Upper Strings Masterclass. I was nervous but it was nice to play with more experienced players. I am a representative and lead Violinist of KES Open Orchestra. I was very pleased with my Grade 8 Piano exam, receiving Distinction this year. Autumn Colours was my ﬁrst major performance at KES and I enjoyed it. I love Classical, Pop and soul music, varying from J.S Bach to MJ!

Hikki Wakatsuki-Hobbs Y7

KES Steel

I joined KES Steel last year and play bass pan. There are ﬁve pans, and I have to move quickly for all my notes on the bass line. I am also the only bass brass player in Senior Orchestra, so playing with three professionals in the Gala Concert was incredibly inspiring, as I was able to perfect certain rhythms that had previously been difficult thanks to their help. I also sing bass in KES 24!

Edward Griffinl Y10

St. Mary’s Bathwick

I have enjoyed the many amazing musical opportunities as a violinist and a singer at school in KES24 and Senior Singers, and as a Bath Abbey Chorister. I took part in different concerts and recitals, like the St Mary’s lunchtime recitals which I particularly enjoyed. One of my personal highlights was receiving an offer to read Music at Oxford with a choral scholarship, which is an exciting way to continue my musical journey.

Isla Byrne Y13

KES Senior Singers

KES senior singers, KES 24 and KES MEN all competed in the Mid Somerset Festival and both KES MEN and KES 24 won a category. I was proud to be in all 3 choirs and found it a brilliant day of music. I am also learning percussion skills in KES Steel which is great fun and will be useful as I start GCSE Music next year.

Jacob Hill Y9

KES Extravaganza

Being a member of Clarinet Ensemble, Senior Singers, Senior Orchestra and KES Wind is a lot of fun and provides an excellent experience of group music. A highlight was the Extravaganza Concert involving 14 groups and over 150 musicians which showcased an exciting mix of musical styles including modern and traditional. Bath Guildhall provided a grand venue for a special collaboration between KES Senior Orchestra, KES Wind and Bath Philharmonia giving an electrical performance of ‘Our House’.

Eliana Colleypriest Y9

‘It is amazing to be at a school where I can discuss my musical ventures with people who share my aspirations...’

Bath Young Musician of the Year 2025

It was very special to perform at the Gala, and working on Invisible Ballet alongside Mr Boden has given me a brilliant new perspective on the music that I play. It is amazing to be at a school where I can discuss my musical ventures with people who share my aspirations. Former KES musicians’ advice helped me through my conservatoire applications and even helped me win Bath Young Musician of the Year 2025.

Edward Blackwall Y13

Christmas Fayre

I am in KESOO, Intermediate Flute Ensemble and KES Wind. I performed in the senior school carol service, KES gala concert, Spring Colours concert, in school assemblies and at the Christmas fayre. Performing at the Christmas fayre helped boost everyone’s jolly Christmas spirit and playing to a friendly audience helped boost my conﬁdence. Playing in a range of ensembles has helped me understand more about other instruments and opened me up to more amazing and exciting opportunities like the Harmony music project.

Morven Kemp Y7

Musical Theatre Showcase

Since starting sixth form, music has been a creative escape from academic pressures. I take private singing lessons at KES, helping me prepare for graded exams with support from inspiring teachers. I formed a girl band that performed at Year 11 prom and successfully auditioned for KES Soul. Musical theatre is my favourite genre, so I’ve loved performing in school plays and the new Musical Theatre Showcase –sharing my voice alongside others who love it just as much.

Beth Ritchie Y12

DJ Masterclass

The DJ masterclass was great; everyone had lots of fun watching how DJs mix their music and use their equipment. We got to hear music that the DJ had produced herself and everyone got the chance to ask questions about techniques and how to use the DJ equipment.

Harry Hampson-Gilbert Y8

KES Music Marathon 2024

In October 2024, almost 100 musicians (including pupils and staff) took to the stage to raise money for the KES Charity, Moving Mountains Trust. Kept in check by an enormous digital clock and a gong, pupils performed one minute of music in quick succession. Including strings, woodwind, brass, percussion & vocals from performers in year 5 to 13 & beyond, it was an unforgettable night!

Alice Boden Y8

Holburne Soloists’ Concert

I am so grateful I was able to perform at the Holburne Soloists’ Concert, especially as I am in my ﬁnal year at KES. My piece was light-hearted and energetic, giving me the opportunity to demonstrate my range as a choral singer. It was lovely to perform in front of my family, friends, and teachers, some of whom hadn’t heard me sing for years, and some who had never heard me sing before.

Hester Poole Y13

Joe Bruce-Payne Y11

KES Brass at the RUH

Remembrance Day

I currently play trumpet in the KES Soul and Senior Orchestra ensembles and have played in concerts such as the recent KES Unite concert in the past year, a highlight for me. I feel that KES has helped me to progress by pushing me to excel through opportunities like the playing the Last Post on Remembrance Day. I have really enjoyed participating in the Music Technology club and KES Soul this year.

Eddie Durant Y10

KES Unite

Music at KES is incredibly rewarding, from the multitude of opportunities afforded to me by the department I’ve had many unforgettable memories and have been left in good stead for my future musical endeavours. My fondest KES memories will be this year’s performances being backed by a full Orchestra in the Gala concert and my own jazz band at the Unite Concert, while the Holburne Soloists concert was a great opportunity to showcase my prowess as a solo player.

Harry Hocking Y13

KES Carol Service

Bath Abbey is an incredible venue to perform in and the experience of singing the solo line in The Three Kings will remain one of my best musical memories at KES. It was a fantastic and often frantic ﬁnal year, but very rewarding to see my efforts both on bass clarinet and in singing culminate in several memorable concerts – and a couple of trophies too! The music department have been key in my music over the past few years and will be into the future.

Ed Goodwin Y13

Gala Concert

I was honoured to be offered the incredible opportunity to play my ﬁrst piano concerto alongside Bath Philharmonia. It proved to be one of my most enjoyable moments so far in my KES music career! From the relaxed Autumn Colours concerts to the more formal and prestigious Holburne Soloist’s Concert, there are brilliant performance opportunities that I always look forward to.

Ryan Cheung Y12

Hamilton Trip

At the Handel & Hendrix Museum, we explored two music legends under one roof – Handel’s Georgian rooms where he once composed masterpieces, a live harpsichord demonstration, and Hendrix’s colourful 1960s flat ﬁlled with rock history and fun costumes. After a sunny stroll through London, we reached my favourite place – the theatre. Hamilton is pure genius, every movement and lyric polished and flawless, leaving us all in awe. As someone who lives and breathes musical theatre, seeing such talent on stage is inspiring and this trip reminded me exactly why I love what I do.

Becky Baxter Y10

Concert

I thoroughly enjoyed performing as a guest at the unforgettable KES Gala Concert. It was a new and exciting experience playing alongside professional musicians. The opportunity challenged and inspired me, and I’m grateful to have been part of such a high-quality musical event.

Callum McBride Y12

Gala

Psychology

As part of our A-Level Psychology studies, we visited Shepton Mallet Prison, a historic site that offered insights into the minds of criminals and the intricacies of the justice system. The trip was both educational and immersive, offering lots of history, forensic study, and hands-on experiences.

The tour guided us through the prison’s eerie cells and execution sites, providing a glimpse into the harsh conditions faced by inmates. One of the most fascinating parts of the tour was learning about the notorious Kray twins, who were held there briefly. Their story highlighted to us key themes in forensic psychology, such as the role of upbringing, personality traits, and societal factors in criminal behaviour. The Krays’ charisma and ability to manipulate others also highlighted the concept of social influence, one of our Year 1 topics. Their reputation as “celebrity criminals” reflected how authority, fear, and group dynamics can shape public perception and loyalty, even in the context of criminality.

The escape room activity, set in one of the prison cells, challenged us to think critically under pressure, much like forensic psychologists analysing crime scenes or criminal behaviour. It was a practical way to understand problemsolving, decision-making, and teamwork, all of which are essential skills in psychological work. This experience tied directly into our studies. It emphasised conformity, obedience and group behaviour - key concepts when analysing criminal organisations or prison environments.

The trip offered us a deeper appreciation of how psychological theories apply to real-life scenarios bridging the gap between textbook learning and real-life. Overall, Shepton Mallet Prison provided a unique lens into the world of psychology, enhancing our understanding of criminal behaviour and the powerful role of social influence in shaping actions and attitudes.

Isla Stafford and Ava Morley, 6th form

‘The trip offered us a deeper appreciation of how psychological theories apply to real-life scenarios bridging the gap between textbook learning and real-life.’

RS & Philosophy

The Religious Studies and Philosophy Department offered a vibrant and thought-provoking academic year filled with exploration, dialogue, and achievement. From academic visits to national competitions, our pupils engaged deeply with the big questions of belief, ethics, and human identity – we are indeed ‘Always Exploring.’

Year 7 pupils began with a survey of animistic and totemistic religious practices before exploring the key similarities and differences between the three Abrahamic religions. This culminated in a visit to the Bristol Hebrew Congregation’s Synagogue where pupils had a unique opportunity to witness Jewish worship and community life firsthand, guided by a member of the congregation for a valuable real world learning experience.

Year 8 delved into the rich traditions of Eastern religions, studying Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. A highlight during Remembrance Day was learning about the oftenoverlooked contributions of Sikh soldiers in both World Wars. Through stories, artefacts, and reflective writing, pupils honoured the bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers, connecting historical events with contemporary values of courage and service.

Uri Winterstein from the Holocaust Educational Trust gave a powerful and moving session to Year 9. As a survivor educator, he shared personal testimonies that brought the horrors and lessons of the Holocaust to life, fostering empathy and historical awareness. Later in the year, a lecture from Glenn Smith, an expert in Artificial Intelligence, sparked lively debate about the ethical implications of AI, from machine consciousness to the future of work and human identity.

Year 10 students visited the Orthodox Church of St. John of Kronstadt in Bath, where they explored the rich symbolism, liturgy, and theology of Eastern Christianity. They spoke to both a priest and a nun about their practices and ethical standpoints, thus deepening their appreciation for the diversity within the Christian tradition and encouraged thoughtful comparisons with other denominations in the curriculum.

Alice Kwan, A level Philosophy pupil, won a commendation in the prestigious Cambridge Centre for Animal Rights essay competition, securing a monetary prize for the school. Her nuanced exploration of ethical treatment of animals and the philosophical underpinnings of rights theory impressed the judges and brought pride to the department.

Philosothon UK, a national debating competition that celebrates philosophical inquiry and collaborative thinking, encouraged pupils to tackle complex questions with clarity and compassion, demonstrating both critical thinking and respectful dialogue. Our own Socrates Club, a hub for student-led discussion, featured debates on the school’s use of social media platforms, the ethics of organ donation, and the value of leadership in today’s world. The club remains a space for understanding through open inquiry.

The Religious Studies and Philosophy Department remains committed to nurturing curiosity, compassion, and critical thinking. Whether through sacred spaces, scholarly essays, or spirited debate, our students continue to explore what it means to live thoughtfully and ethically in a complex world.

M Buswell

Science: Biology

Discovery, Dissection, and Delicious Data

From edible models to DNA analysis, the Biology Department has had a thrilling year packed with handson learning, scientific exploration, and a healthy dose of creativity.

Who says science can’t be delicious? KES students brought biology to life and to the taste buds, with edible models that made complex concepts more accessible and fun. The muscle sliding filament theory was transformed into a sugary spectacle, while Oreos became a statistical tool in a lesson on standard deviation. These innovative approaches not only made learning memorable but also sparked curiosity and amusement across the classroom.

Whether designing intricate cell models or dissecting locusts, students embraced the mess and magic of biology. These tactile experiences deepened their understanding of structure and function and gave them a real sense of what it means to be a biologist.

Year 13 took their learning beyond the classroom with a residential trip to Leeson House, where they honed their ecology practical skills in the field.

At a DNA Workshop at We the Curious, students extracted and analyzed their own DNA to determine who carried the TAS2R38 gene, responsible for tasting the bitter compound phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). For most, it was their first time using micropipettes, performing PCR, and running gel electrophoresis – an unforgettable introduction to molecular biology.

Year 12 explored the future of biotech during a visit to Innotive-dx in Bath where they delved into careers in microbiology, quality assurance, and tech startups, and even got a sneak peek inside a working lab.

KES Science Week 2025 was a roaring success, with popup dissections for Years 7 and 8 led by our enthusiastic Year 12 MedSoc students. The week featured a skeleton treasure hunt around the Senior School site, blending fun with anatomical learning in a way that had everyone racing to find femurs and fibulas.

Year 12 took part in the prestigious Biology Olympiad, earning one silver and three bronze awards –congratulations to Rajarshi Roy for his outstanding silver award. Year 10 impressed in the Biology Challenge, achieving fabulous results that reflect their hard work and passion for the subject.

This year marked our first entry into the Cambridge Biology Challenge, with four Year 12 teams stepping up to the plate. This national competition pushes students to think deeply and creatively about the kinds of questions posed at Cambridge interviews. Each month, a new question is revealed, ranging from “Does behaviour fossilise?” to “Pick an aspect of winter and discuss it from a biological perspective.” Teams have a month to respond in any format they choose, from posters to podcasts to videos.

One particularly inventive team has written and performed a song for each round and is currently sitting 5th on the national leaderboard. You might even catch their reindeer-themed video on YouTube! www.youtube.com/@BioBeatsSACPE

A Baker

Science: Chemistry

Science Live 2025

The Chemistry department took our GCSE students to the Forum in Bath for Science Live 2025. It was an excellent opportunity for students to see and hear ﬁve of Britain’s top scientists, all working at the cutting edge of their specialisms right on our doorstep!

The whole of Year 10 were treated to lectures from Prof Andrea Sella on ‘How the zebra got its stripes’ the Chemistry of pattern formation, Prof Jim Al-Khalili on Time travel, Prof Sophie Scott on the Neuroscience of laughter, Dr Kate Lancaster Nuclear discussing how nuclear fusion (rather than nuclear ﬁssion) may one day play a key role in solving our energy problems, and Dr Giles Yeo explaining the science of obesity and the truth about diets. Each of these world-class scientists spoke with passion and demonstrated that science really does offer solutions for many of the world’s great problems.

Science Live aims to generate greater enthusiasm for science amongst GCSE pupils, and that was certainly the case for Year 10, who were, as usual, a credit to KES, asking interesting questions and discussing their favourite lecture of the day. The day also involved top tips on examination success from an experienced science examiner.

Olympiad 2025

Charlotte Lang and James Baines, both Year 13 pupils, were awarded a spectacular Gold in this year’s RSC Chemistry Olympiad. There were only just over 1300 Golds awarded nationally – quite the achievement!

Their success closely followed by Y13 Silver medallists Jerry Jiang, Laurence Batterbury Magill, Phoebe Oleson, Max Done, Tommy Harding Lee, Zoya Dimov, Fergal Stopforth, Fiona Baines, Issy Beardwell, and Y12 Silver winners Lawrence Moore, Rosie McMorris, and Emily Jensen. Bronze went to Freddie Matthies, James Ruffle, Ben Parsons-Jones, Matylda Sitkiewicz, Dina Krot, Jo Pagnamenta (all Year 12).

Well done and congratulations to all the pupils involved.

M Oehler

Young Analyst Competition

With eager excitement, 44 intrepid Year 12 chemists walked to Bath University for the annual RSC Young Analyst competition. We are used to some lovely laboratories at school, but the undergraduate lab at the University was quite something. After a brief hiatus to allow for missing pieces of apparatus to be located, the 11 teams got to work! There were 3 complex tasks to complete – an iodinethiosulphate titration, some chemical testing and thin layer chromatography were employed to analyse the suitability of an industrial area’s soil before conversion to use as housing.

Group 7 (you know who you are) weren’t the most resilient of analysts and were slow to get started – the exploding burette of iodine probably didn’t help! Group 8 ran up a considerable bill to replace broken glassware and every group had more chemicals on their benches than in their test tubes, but slowly but surely, things started to piece together. It was a fascinating insight into laboratory work at university using a remarkably realistic task. Results were uploaded and write-ups completed – now we wait to see who the winners are.

Thank you to Mr Garner-Richardson for organising things and to all the other staff for their assistance.

Riley Wilson Y12

Science: Physics

KES Physics kicked off their action-packed year with the best exam results in recent years at iGCSE and A level in Summer 2024. At A level, over two-thirds of our students secured an A or A* grade with over 40% securing the top A* grade. Of our 24 students studying Physics at A level this year, nine went on to study Physics-related degrees at university (two at Oxbridge) and eight to study STEMrelated degrees (one at Oxbridge). The iGCSE Physics results were also extraordinary: nearly 90% secured grade 8 or 9.

In Round 1 of this year’s British Physics Olympiad, the most challenging competition which sees participants compete for a place for the British Physics Olympiad Team, Defne Sertoglu and Joe Ronay did outstandingly well to secure a Gold Award, whilst Charlotte Lang and Henry Tanner secured a commendable Silver Award each. In the Year 12 Senior Physics Challenge, the following ﬁve students secured Silver : Joseph Pagnamenta, Olavi Hawkins, Leo Hopkins, Panos Katisimihas, and Lawrence Moore. Our Year 11 students also shone in the Intermediate Physics Challenge: Annabel Roberts and Orlando Bowcott won Gold, and Charles Street a Silver. Congratulations to all our talented physicists!

Interform Physics Fun!

This year marked the exciting inauguration of our Year 7 & 8 students’ favourite, the termly Interform Physics Challenges. Guided and enthused by our brilliant team of Physics Prefects, nearly equal numbers of Lower School girls and boys eagerly participated, showcasing their creativity and engineering skills.

In the Autumn term Year 7 challenge, 7G triumphed with an impressive 74 cm card tower, demonstrating their structural ingenuity. Spring term was equally thrilling, with 7K constructing a paper bridge from a single sheet of paper that supported over 3 kg, earning them the top spot!

During the Autumn term Year 8 challenge, 8L dominated the boat-building competition by crafting a boat from just one sheet of paper, highlighting their innovative approach. In the Spring term, 8J impressed everyone by building

a pendulum clock that measured time to the second, showcasing their precision and craftsmanship.

These competitions not only fostered a spirit of teamwork and creativity but also ignited a passion for physics among our young learners. We eagerly anticipate more incredible feats in the upcoming terms!

Lunch with a Physicist

The annual spring KES Physics “Lunch with a Physicist” careers event, offered nearly 40 students from Years 9 to 12 a unique opportunity to engage with physics professionals. The event brought four distinguished career physicists: Griffin Farrow, a post-doctoral physicist at Cancer Research; Ally Darnton, a material scientist researching new green technologies; Joe Williams, a structural engineer; and Lydia Davidson and Liliana Thompson, both Medical Physicists at RUH Bath.

Students participated in short, informal group chats with each physicist to learn more about the physicists’ work, their passion for their respective ﬁelds, and the paths they took to achieve their careers. The event was structured to repeat these chats with different groups over lunchtime, creating a dynamic and engaging “career speed dating” atmosphere.

The event was a resounding success, fostering curiosity and enthusiasm among our students. The small groups allowed students to ask questions and gain valuable insights into the world of physics. We look forward to hosting similar events in the future, continuing to inspire the next generation of physicists.

‘This event not only enriched our students’ understanding of particle physics but also ignited their passion for the subject. ’

Particle Physics Masterclass at RAL!

Year 12 and 13 students had the rare opportunity to attend a Particle Physics Masterclass at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Harwell, near Oxford. This inperson event was an exciting chance for our 25 sixth form students to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of particle physics at the UK’s version of CERN.

During the highly popular one-day masterclass at RAL, there were talks by leading particle physicists from RAL and CERN who gave insights into cutting-edge research

and discoveries. Students toured one of RAL’s accelerators, witnessing firsthand the technology that drives particle physics experiments. Additionally, they participated in a computer simulation activity to analyse real data, guided by staff from RAL’s Particle Physics department.

This event not only enriched our students’ understanding of particle physics but also ignited their passion for the subject. We are grateful for this unique opportunity and look forward to more such inspiring experiences in the future.

S Richardson

Rugby

As official commentators at Rosslyn Park Sevens, NextGenXV, were quick to applaud the team’s efforts over two days, “After a strong fifteen-a-side season it has felt as though something special has been brewing at KES Bath, at the Howden Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens it came to fruition.

“It is a rare thing to be able to make people that don’t know you proud, but that was the overwhelming sensation from the touchlines – particularly in the ﬁnal against Cheltenham College – as this group of young men showed not just tremendous skill and wonderful play, but also immense bravery, determination, and passion.

“Every single one of them deserves to be incredibly proud of themselves, and the wider school community should be as well, it is a remarkable achievement. School sport is about memory making, and these boys have made one that will last a lifetime.

‘...it is a remarkable achievement.’

“Hats off too to the coaching staff, not least Sean Lilley and John Tidball, who have poured their hearts and souls into this team. A fantastic achievement.”

It’s been another outstanding Rugby season for all the pupils involved. During the Autumn term, the school regularly ﬁelded up to 14 teams across age groups from U12 to 1st XV in the 15-a-side format. This impressive level of participation reflects the dedication and effort of everyone involved in the programme. Faced with another demanding ﬁxture list, I was incredibly proud of the development and progress shown across all age groups.

The Spring term marked the beginning of the 7s season, with each age group participating in two tournaments ahead of the prestigious Rosslyn Park National 7s. Notable highlights include the 1st VII Girls, who remained unbeaten at the Clifton College Festival, and the U14s, who progressed impressively to the second day of competition at Rosslyn Park. Most remarkably, the 1st VII Boys deﬁed

expectations to win the U18 Rosslyn Park Vase, a truly outstanding achievement.

‘...we are immensely proud of the many pupils representing the School...’

On an individual level, we are immensely proud of the many pupils representing the School within the Bath Academy pathway. Noah Murray, Frankie Foster, and Henry Derwent all featured in the U18 team that ﬁnished as runners-up in the Academy League, each earning a starting place in the ﬁnal.

S Lilley

Our younger year girls’ hockey groups put in the work, energy and enthusiasm to commit to technically and tactically improving their game and, with the abundance of talent on hand, the future looks bright. In Years 11, 12 and 13, the school fielded five senior teams when opposition could be found!

The 3rd XI played with a keen competitive spirit typified by victory over Monkton and a dominant performance against Kingswood. The 2nd XI made huge progress with the Year 13s leading the way, displaying gritty, defensive determination and free-flowing offensive play in equal measure. The highlight of their season was undoubtedly a significant and well-deserved 2-0 victory over local rivals Kingswood.

The 1st XI’s tense 3-2 win over Kingswood was one highlight of another successful season topped by an

Girls’ Hockey

It was another busy and exciting season for the KES girls’ hockey teams, littered with excellent performances from all the squads.

impressive run in the Tier 2 National Cup. Excellent victories, against Wells, Dauntsey’s and Royal High, took them to a last 16 home tie against Cheltenham College. The visitors scored a scrappy goal, but KES were unable to fight their way back into the match.

‘...displaying gritty, defensive determination and free-flowing offensive play in equal measure.’

Once again, we said farewell to our Year 13 players who played their final matches for KES. Their commitment, spirit and good humour has set a wonderful example to the younger pupils and will be sorely missed.

P Livesey

‘Their commitment, spirit and good humour has set a wonderful example...’

Ava Shaw –England U16

The boys’ season yet again provided drama, excitement and lots of great hockey. The U12s and U13s showed great commitment to training and a desire to learn, while the U13As proved to be a powerful outfit, winning all but one of their regular season fixtures. The U12 finished as runners-up in the County Tournament before giving an excellent account of themselves at the Regional Finals. The U14 squads enjoyed their first season of full 11 a-side hockey. The boys’ flowing and attacking style allied with determined and tenacious defence. The U14As achieved a second-place finish in the County, and they ended an excellent season 3rd in the West. The U15s showed huge improvement and formed a strong opposition which suggests there is much to be optimistic about as they enter their senior years of hockey at the school.

This year our seniors faced a challenging season. The 3rd XI comprising almost entirely of Year 11s displayed great determination when faced with tough opposition and achieved a ﬁne victory over Monkton. The 2nd XI played some exciting and attacking hockey, helping them claim impressive wins over local rivals Prior Park and Monkton.

The 1st XI got stronger as the season progressed starting with a win over Prior Park followed by impressive work against Wells, before really showing up for the KES Hockey Festival opener, where Seaford College were pushed all the way in a narrow 2-1 loss. Though not what they would have wanted, it was an entertaining and ﬁtting way to say farewell to the Year 13 leavers, who have given so much to KES Hockey over the years.

Earlier this year, KES was extremely proud to announce that two Year 11 pupils, Ava Shaw and Jack Boden, had been selected to represent the England U16 Hockey squads for the 2024-25 season, marking a signiﬁcant milestone in their sporting journeys. Chosen from a highly competitive ﬁeld through the Talent Academy Festival and national assessment camps, Ava and Jack demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and potential. Their selection reflects a huge amount of dedication and commitment and is an inspiration to other young athletes. As they step into the international arena, they are gaining invaluable experience competing against some of the top nations in the world.

P Livesey

Jack Boden –England U16

Boys’ Hockey

Netball

What a remarkable netball season it has been! Working under the ethos ‘ENGAGE, CHALLENGE, and ENJOY’, KES Netball focused on refining core attacking and defensive principles, and developing decision-making, independence and leadership. The season started with the National Schools Competition where U16 and U19 squads qualified for the Regional Finals – a testament to their dedication and hard work. U13s embarked on a memorable tour to Exeter, where they competed successfully and enjoyed a fun and rewarding teambonding experience.

Friday night matches have been a true spectacle where the 1st team showcased their talent in highly contested games. The U11s stepped up to deliver fantastic and inspirational curtain-raiser performances. Weekends have been equally busy, with an impressive 20 squads regularly competing on Saturdays. The dedication to training has been evident, with players refining their skills and achieving results that reflect their perseverance.

Throughout the term, there has been so much to learn, and the progress made has been outstanding. A huge thank you to all the coaches for their passion, guidance, and support, which continue to drive success across the board. We have 7 pupils within the Avon County Academy and 3 pupils training within Vortex Academy. Roami Wilson, Isla Grier, Beth Mawer and Millie Knudsen represent Team Bath in the Athletic Development Centre, Olivia Phillips is training in the Senior Player Development Programme and special mention to Katy Gwilliam, who is in Team Bath’s Junior Player Development Programme and was selected into U17 Welsh National Academy.

R Collett

‘Throughout the term, there has been so much to learn, and the progress made has been outstanding. A huge thank you to all the coaches for their passion, guidance, and support...’

Football

1st X1

The 1st X1 squad have shown resilience, skill, flair, aggression, passion and determination to play the beautiful game, which brings consistent success, great satisfaction and enjoyment for themselves, their coaching staff and the growing number of thrilled spectators.

The team played 14 games, won nine, drew three, and lost two, not to mention the friendlies.

Jamie Robinson scored a perfect hat-trick against Wycliffe, Will Moorhouse scored 6 crucial goals and Oli Ford chipped in with a couple of goals, not to mention the ghost goals of Jeremy Bon! The transfer window in January brought the magic touch of Max Anderman, the aggression of Will Rawstorne, the pace and left foot of Alex Dolan and the guile and movement of youngster Oli LeMaire, who added six goals in just a few games. Captain and midﬁeld general, Elwood Garrett, has consistently rallied the troops by leading from the front. Jacob Sze in year 11 wowed us with his mazy runs and silky skills, and the back four defensive unit, including Virgil Max Done and Rio Matty Rosser, has been a tower of strength who showed a no-nonsense

2nd X1

There have been some consistent performers in 2nd X1 Football Squad – like Dan Hopkins, the captain and ever reliable in midﬁeld rallying the boys when times were tough, and Kail Karthauser, a willing and energetic forward. Oscar Farrar stunned at the ﬁrst win, but the boys struggled.

approach. Well done to our guest star player this season, Ali Stewart, who joined us for the cup games and what a difference he has made; cheers, Ali!

We ﬁnished 23rd out of 245 schools in the UK in the SOCS Performance League, above football schools such as Hampton, Millﬁeld, Harrow and Sevenoaks, and level with Eton College.

To the Cup run – the squad enjoyed 3 superb Somerset Cup victories against St. Katherine’s 5-2, Taunton in the Quarter-final 4-0, and Writhlington in the Semi-Final, 5-3. The opponents in the final were Nailsea School, our toughest challenge of the season. The game did not start well and by half time, KES were losing 4-0. But with more aggression, controlled passing and drive, the boys fought back in the second half with 2 superb goals from Ali Stewart and another from Oli LeMaire. There were chances to level at 4-4, but time ran out and the tie finished 4-3 to Nailsea. KES were runners-up in the U19 Boys’ Football Somerset Cup Final for the first time in their history. Well done!

Results improved in Spring with a narrow loss to Sherborne; a Downside draw and a magniﬁcent win against Sidcot School, with Raheem Gbadamoshi and Stan Thomas netting the goals.

D Chapman Awards

1st X1

Most Improved Player of the Season

Max Done

Player of the Season

Elwood Garrett (captain) and Max Anderman

2nd X1

Most Improved Player of the Season

Ed Killip

Player of the Season

Dan Hopkins

GCSE and A level PE Trip to Bath University

Our Year 10 and 11 GCSE PE students had an elite training day at Bath University where they were guided through Strength and Conditioning, group field-based testing, covering key fitness components of speed, strength, leg power and flexibility. They finished in the laboratory for a treadmill-based VO2 max assessment and a test of aerobic power on a cycle ergometer. The pupils listened to a sports psychology lecture on arousal control before undergoing an ice bath submersion where they could focus on recovery firsthand. GB Swimmer Leah Crisp and Modern Pentathlete Charlie Brown shared personal stories of rigorous training and academic work in a fascinating Q&A.

The A level PE students enjoyed a superb trip to Bath’s new rehabilitation centre, Thrive, that offers natural therapies

and state of the art technology to treat the whole body including a hyperbaric chamber that compliments the AQA speciﬁcation. We all had a go on the Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) chamber that offers several potential beneﬁts for athletes, including faster recovery from injuries, enhanced tissue healing, and improved performance.

Whilst some pupils were in the chambers the other pupils enjoyed the hydromassage beds.

The pupils beneﬁtted greatly from this experience and having the opportunity to experience the facilities ﬁrst hand was excellent. Huge thanks to Thrive for this excellent opportunity.

L Gwilliam

It’s been a glorious summer of cricket at King Edward’s, blessed with sunshine, superb wickets, and a packed calendar of matches for both boys and girls across all age groups.

The Year 7 boys have had a remarkable cricketing start and remain unbeaten at the time of writing. Team cohesion and standout individual performances have contributed to their success while the girls have impressed and shown great promise, winning most of their fixtures. In Year 8, talent continues to shine through. George Timbrell-Wittle notably stepped up to play for the 1st XI – an outstanding achievement. Gordon Dennis produced the innings of the season with a blistering 85. The girls made an excellent run in the National Cup, eventually bowing out to a strong

Cornwall side. Years 9 and 10 have had mixed fortunes, showing clear signs of future strength. A particular highlight was the Year 10 girls pushing a top-tier Taunton side to the final over – a superb team performance.

The senior squads have faced challenges with player availability due to exams and other commitments. Despite this, individual brilliance from Billy Sefton-Moore (65), Alex Dolan (55), and Ellie Payne (50) provided moments of real class. We now look ahead to Cricket Week, where a fullstrength senior side will take on five prestigious fixtures. Sincere thanks go to all staff especially Mr Ellison, Mrs Young (Head of Girls’ Cricket), our incredible catering team, and the tireless grounds staff. We’re also grateful to Bath CC for access to their indoor school, a vital lifeline during the exam season.

Cricket remains a pillar of our summer term, and we are committed to nurturing a lifelong passion for the game in all our pupils.

G Brown

Tennis

Nearly seventy pupils across the year groups have been committed to the after-school tennis club sessions this term, working hard on their all-round technical skills as well as their tactical understanding of match play in singles and doubles. We have had ﬁxtures against RHS, Monkton, Beechen, Kingswood and Prior Park. We also competed in the Avon Tennis league, where our top performers excelled.

Charlie Stone, George Benson, Fergal McKerr, Yaroslav Kazakov, Mehmet Buyukkardes, Gordon Dennes and Xander Wright represented the school in the U13s, coming second to a strong side from BGS, Beechen Cliff and QEH. It was their last match where they showed true grit and determination and beat Collegiate 8 points to 4, proving their hard work paid off. The U15 boys’ team of Will Powell, Tiger Huang, Rory Webb and Andy Wang produced some strong performances in the Avon League with two wins over Monkton and Ralph Allen.

Swimming

Kingswood hosted a friendly gala twice this year in which twenty Year 7s competed multiple times as individuals and as a team. We also attended the Monkton invitational gala in April with both Year 7 and 8 swimmers, alongside the Year 5s and 6s. Polly Bateman qualiﬁed for regionals with her backstroke with two consideration times: 35.31 secs in the 50 backstroke and 1:16.98 in the 100 backstroke. Phoebe Blacker was selected for the Somerset County Development

Cross Country

There were an impressive 61 entries in the BANES schools’ round of the XC this year, with 8 qualifying to represent BANES at the Avon County round. Lucy Gamble, a year young for her age group, competed at the National XC Championships in West Sussex and Jasmine Fry was ﬁrst reserve. We entered the Kingswood Cross Challenge

Table Tennis

The U13 girls had a great win against Royal High in a nailbiting set of matches which resulted in a 10 -8 tie-break shoot out. This was mirrored in the game against Redmaids’ which also saw us take home the points followed by sad losses to Clifton College (8-4) and Collegiate (8-4). Well done to Irmak Tuna, Jess Shackell, Maya Lunn and Sienna Hoornik who had represented the team.

Our U15 Girls team of Milla Hemley, Livvy Palmer, Jennifer Chen- Coniglio and Ali Brain had two convincing wins against Monkton Combe and Royal High both ﬁnishing 10 -2 before losing to Hayesﬁeld 4-8.

We’re delighted to see participation remains high and tennis has been accessible and enjoyable for all. Many thanks to all the KES coaches and also to Tom and Connor - our two professional coaches from Lansdown Tennis Club.

Tennis Awards 2025

Year Girls Tennis Boys Tennis

7 Irmak Tuna Gus Harris

8 Maya Lunn Fergal McKerr

9 Jennifer Chen-Coniglio Rory Taylor

10 Livvy Palmer Will Powell

L Young

Programme that selects the best 56 swimmers aged 12-14 in the County to provide additional coaching support over nine training days at Millﬁeld. Hunter Borthwick had a successful end to his Somerset County swimming, winning bronze in the 50m freestyle in 32.07secs! He also won the U46kg category in January’s West Midland Open Judo competition in Wolverhampton.

individual and relay races, which was a superb experience for the 20 Year 7 runners who held their own against a strong ﬁeld which included the Year 8s as well! Running Club continued all year with a wonderful mix of Year 7-13 pupils showing the commitment, talent and range of role models we are lucky to have.

Ms Young took a senior team of 8 boys to Kingswood to play in a friendly tournament, which was a return to an old tradition. The pupils had a fantastic time, some of them competed in the same tournament when they were in Year 8!

Athletics

For the ﬁrst time, KES competed in the ESSA Avon Athletics in May. Twenty-four boys and girls from Year 7 and 8 competed twice for their team to help secure as many points as possible across all athletics disciplines and multiple athletes competed for the school in the BANES athletics in May.

K Trump

Sports Day

Sports Dinner

The 39th KES Annual Sports Dinner was held at the beautiful Cumberwell Golf Club in early May. This formal occasion brought together senior pupils, parents, and staff to celebrate the sporting achievements of the past year and to honour our outstanding sportsmen and women with prestigious awards.

There were eloquent and heartfelt speeches from our team captains that reflected on their season’s journey – highlighting their successes and the growth and development of their squads.

It was a truly memorable night, marked by a record number of award nominations from our Year 13 cohort –a testament to the depth of talent across a wide range of sports at KES.

L Gwilliam

This year’s award winners were as follows:

Sportswoman of the Year: Ava Ubogu

Sportsman of the Year: Noah Murray and Henry Derwent

Female Sports Personality: Sophie Lyons

Male Sports Personality: Oscar Lowton

Lang Jones Award for Sporting Spirit: Alﬁe Staddon, Nell Harris and Jasper Stephenson

Recognition of Sporting Excellence:

Netball: Liv Phillips

Rugby: Frankie Foster, Noah Murray and Henry Derwent

Football: Ali Stewart

GB Para-Alpine ski racer: Hester Poole

Ski Trip 2025

Upon arriving at La Plagne, we received all our ski equipment, ate, and quickly fell asleep through travel exhaustion. Next day, the fun began. Ski gear on – we hit the piste before breaking for lunch and getting back to skiing.

We split into groups for the evening activities of restaurant or shopping ending with regrouping in the Salon Saphir, our small common room, for a huge, chaotic, and hilarious game of cards. Wednesday, we had a rest from skiing and had a brilliant scavenger hunt that had us running around the village like mad searching for answers before an evening French-themed quiz.

Thursday’s skiing included a packed lunch up the mountain. It was a wondrous sight, a sea of mountains, dusted with snow and stretching as far as the eye could see. We were truly on top of the world. Thursday night we bid adieu sadly but with style at a disco where everyone danced the night away. We completed our skiing on Friday, collected our badges, cleaned, packed and set off for Lyon and home to the UK.

G Wilkes

Activities Week

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme continues to thrive at KES with almost 200 pupils embarking on an award this year.

In February ninety-three pupils attended our annual presentation evening to receive their bronze or silver award and enjoyed listening to some excellent talks given by our year 13 gold award students.

Seven OE’s were invited to receive their Gold Award at Buckingham Palace Gardens in May and thirteen more have completed their Gold award this year, among these are ten current year 13 pupils. It is a rare and commendable feat for students to complete the Gold Award before leaving school and we celebrate those who have done just that. Congratulations to Luis Campbell, Rebecca Emptage, Jeremy Hewett, Patrick Hewett, Martha Honeybone, Peter Smith, Luana Sasarman, Alfie Staddon, Phoebe Oleson and Sophie Lyons who will be invited to Buckingham Palace in the New Year.

This year two of our year 12 gold participants started the DofE Young Leaders Programme, enabling them to take a leading role in promoting, guiding and mentoring younger DofE participants at KES. After completing an extensive training programme our two young leaders have been fully involved in supporting the bronze award.

Bronze

risen to the challenge of taking on increased responsibility, and have developed positive rapport with young and old members of their local community.

Our Bronze participants have thrown themselves into their awards this year and have been busy learning new skills, getting ﬁtter and

volunteering. Whilst many pupils choose to help within school with clubs for younger year groups, or at the junior school, others choose online options such as Zooniverse and others venture into the wider Bath community. Assessor reports talk of how our pupils have grown in conﬁdence,

Training for the expedition began in April. The routes were long, the weather hot and the teams learnt a lot about navigation, camp craft, what to pack, what not to pack and foot care. They were well prepared for their qualifying expedition on the Marlborough Downs in June and the lessons learnt during the training clearly paid off.

Many thanks to Wild Country Consultants who organise our Gold expeditions and Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team who organise our Silver and Bronze expeditions. A massive thank you also to the many dedicated KES staff who gave up their weekends,

Mr Hutchings, for all his work with the year 10 pupils and to Mrs Baker for guiding and supporting the Gold Award participants.

Dr A Fewel

Silver

It has been an absolute privilege running the Silver DofE programme this year, with 34 Year 10 pupils taking on the challenge. At Silver we have

canoeing as the mode of transport, and their practice expedition was a two-day transit from Bathampton to Hilperton and back, with the assessed expedition taking in the beautiful River Wye from Hereford to Symonds Yat over the course of three days.

The training days on the canal at Bathampton, and at Westbury Sailing club, introduced the pupils to the skills required for successful paddling and steering of the canoe, as well as what to do it they capsize. The four groups of merry paddlers worked well to make the practice expedition

a total success; I could not have asked for a more pleasant and cheerful bunch of adventurers. Many thanks go all the staff who have provided enthusiastic support.

A Hutchings

Gold

The journey to Gold is no small undertaking. Pupils embarking on the award have demonstrated exceptional commitment across volunteering, skills

development, physical and residential experiences. Volunteering efforts have included supporting local sports and community groups such as Parkrun and the Bath Rugby Foundation; initiatives that not only foster teamwork, resilience, and communication but also make a meaningful impact on the wider community.

Ten Tors

The 10 Tors 2025 campaign began when the Year 10 and 12 students travelled to Wales for a weekend on the Brecon Beacons, focusing mainly on mountain navigation. The February weather was superb, with clear blue skies and excellent visibility giving clear views of nearly all the chain stretching off towards Pen y Fan. Our focus switched to Dartmoor, pushing our distances across the challenging terrain. The teams showed excellent navigation skills, real determination and strong team spirit, boding well for the main event in Okehampton.

The residential section included an enriching array of experiences: from a flute camp and a language course in Valencia, to theatre training at NYMT in London, a journalism course at Nottingham University and a marine biology camp with the Field Studies Council

This summer, 42 pupils completed their practice expedition in the Brecon Beacons, with 29 going on to tackle the ﬁnal expedition in Snowdonia. Their route took them across the breathtaking Eryri National Park, including ascents of Moel Siabod and Glyder Fach.

Popular camp food choices included flattened brioches, Nutella wraps, and the ever-reliable (if slightly soggy) trail mix. Over three nights of camping and daily hikes averaging 20km, pupils took in stunning views of Llyn Ogwen and the surrounding area.

Many groups navigated their routes with skill and precision, even ﬁnding time for a quick game of water bottle cricket.

Twelve pupils unable to attend the Activities Week expedition will complete their journey later this summer under the guidance of Wild Country, while ﬁve more will ﬁnish their Gold Awards externally before the year’s end. Well done to all involved, a true testament to the adventurous spirit of KES!

A Baker

teams disappeared off over the horizon following the first leg routes exactly as planned.

Both teams quickly settled towards the front of the pack of teams on their respective routes. The Year 10s were the only team on their route who managed to make it through a critical check point at Standon Farm in the early evening. As a result, they were able to camp a whole leg ahead of all the other teams. This enabled them to finish first and very early on Sunday morning. The Year 12s bravely battled blisters and the warm conditions and managed to pitch their wild camp below Kes Tor on the east side of the moor. They struck camp before 5.00 a.m. and navigated well to arrive in camp a highly creditable 2nd on their route, amongst the very earliest 45-mile teams to finish overall.

All the students who took part in training as well as those that were eventually selected for the final teams showed excellent progress in their mountain craft over the year and were a credit to the school. Well done, to all involved!

The traditional 5a.m. alarm call of Chariots of Fire being played over the base camp Tannoy kicked off the Saturday morning of 10 Tors 2025. Full of porridge, our two teams made their way to the hillside start area to see the parachute display and listen to the Chief of the General Staff’s address. The Year 12 team faced a tough 45-mile anticlockwise route whilst the Year 10s basked in a clockwise 35-mile one which would take in several familiar locations from their training. After an initial stampede for positions on the two main tracks out of camp, the KES

R Lang

CCF

CCF Quasquicentennial

King Edward’s School Bath Combined Cadet Force has a long and proud history dating back to its inception in 1900. Initially known as the Officer Training Corps and formed to prepare young men for the Boer War, it has evolved over time into a modern contingent which offers unrivalled opportunities to pupils from King Edward’s School and Beechen Cliff School. The Contingent has grown significantly in recent years, to around 120 cadets and 12 staff.

This year’s training programme had cadets taking part in Fieldcraft exercises, Range days, Skill at Arms, First Aid and Signals training. Year 10s consolidated their skills and knowledge, before completing the MOI promotional course this August with the introduction of Exercise Future Leader. Archery has been added to our syllabus and several of our staff completed their Archery Leader Award during the Spring term. A grant from the CCFA charity, with additional funding from the school, has allowed us to replace an old building to provide much needed extra storage.

Our Corps of Drums has also increased in number and breadth, to the point where it is now known as “the Band & Drums”. Cadets attended biannual National Music Camps at Altcar and Otterburn, where many of the more experienced drummers seized the opportunity to learn a second instrument, taking on the challenge of the bugle, the tenor horn or the B flat marching flute. In February, French horn player, LCpl Laura Cannock, was delighted to represent King Edward’s at the 25th Anniversary Rorke’s Drift Concert in Brecon and she has recently been selected to play at the Household Division Military Music Spectacular on Horse Guards Parade this summer.

As we say farewell to our Senior cadets in Year 13, CSM George Dias-Whyard, CSgt James Baines, Sgt Meg Aitken and Cpl Eric Chi, we look forward to welcoming the newly enrolled Year 9 cadets in September as they begin their cadet experience.

Capt C Jones

‘...a modern contingent which offers unrivalled opportunities to pupils from King Edward’s School...’

Clubs & Societies

Environmental Action Group: Saving the Planet (One Snack at a Time)

This year, the Environmental Action Group has been buzzing with activity – and not just from the bees we’re trying to attract!

We trialled snacks for our zero-waste tuck shop (strictly no plastic, but plenty of crunch) which was a roaring success. Who knew saving the planet could be so tasty?

We also got our hands dirty – literally – planting seeds for flowers and edible goodies. Sadly, we forgot the minor detail of watering them during a heatwave. RIP, little seedlings. You tried; we failed.

Chess Club

The atmosphere of Chess Club each year depends hugely on its members. This year, a dedicated group of Year 8 boys brought a ﬁery sense of competition each week, and I thank them for their energy and passion. It was also a place to drop in for a friendly game and a chat for some older students, and even some staff.

I personally love the ﬁrst part of the year, where all the games are for fun and the students get to do fun things like play

On the biodiversity front, we’ve been plotting ways to make the North Road site and Bathampton playing ﬁelds more wildlife friendly. Think wildflowers, bug hotels, and maybe a hedgehog spa (okay, maybe not that last one).

We also enjoyed a ﬁercely competitive quiz (turns out, we do know our compost from our landﬁll), and we’re now deep in discussions about making the tuck shop permanent. Location? Shed style? Who’s in charge? All very serious business.

So, if you like snacks, nature, and saving the world (or just want to water plants occasionally), come join us!

K Simonds

together against chess bots and play wacky chess variants. However, when the annual tournament starts and things get serious, it is always nice to see a new crop of chess enthusiasts come out of the woodwork to throw their hat into the ring.

This year’s tournament was very hotly contested, with no clear winner for a long time. Nevertheless, congratulations this time go to Digby Frith in Year 9, who came ﬁrst in a group of eleven competitors, with some very close runners-up!

Thank you to all those who came to Chess Club even once this year, and I hope it continues to go from strength to strength.

M Riordan

Crafting Confidence: A Year of Creativity at the Textiles Club

It’s been a vibrant and rewarding year for the Textiles Club. Among many highlights, one particularly proud moment came when a passionate Year 8 student penned a compelling proposal to the OE Committee. Their articulate and enthusiastic pitch secured funding through the annual Clubs and Societies Award – an achievement that not only showcased initiative but also opened the door to one of the club’s most ambitious projects yet.

With the new funding, students embarked on the intricate task of designing and constructing faux fur

animal hoods. This wasn’t just a fun fashion statement –it was a deep dive into advanced garment construction techniques. Working with challenging materials like faux fur and fleece, members pushed their sewing skills to new heights, navigating the complexities of texture, stretch, and structure. The result? A collection of whimsical, wearable creations that students are rightfully proud of.

Looking ahead, September promises the return of the ever-popular “Trashion, Fashion” challenge – a celebration of sustainability and style that invites students to reimagine waste as wearable art. Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or a curious newcomer, Textiles Club is ready to welcome you.

R Flay

Debating

The third year of competitive British Parliamentary Debating at KES has brought unprecedented success. Barnaby Frith and Lucy Mac Donnell broke from a highly competitive Oxford regional round to represent the school at the Finals’ Day, held at the Oxford Union in March, where they performed very creditably. At the Cambridge competition, we were one of only two schools in the entire world to have three teams qualify for Finals’ Day at

Running Club

A dedicated group of eager runners laced up their trainers for our weekly Running Club. Come rain or shine (and downpours!), our pupils and staff have embraced the challenge of exploring the beautiful –and often hilly – routes around Bath.

From fresh-faced Year 7s taking their first strides, to our now super-speedy Sixth Formers leading the pack, it’s been brilliant to see such a wide range of runners getting involved. Staff participation has also been strong, adding to the club’s friendly and inclusive atmosphere.

Badminton Club

Badminton Club has gone from strength to strength this year, growing from one court of keen players to filling the entire sports hall. It’s been fantastic to see so many pupils getting involved, from complete beginners to more experienced players.

This year, we focused not only on match play but also on learning the basics of key shots: the smash, clear, and drop shot. Alongside the technical work, we made time for fun badminton games, with “Round the World” proving to be a universal favourite!

the Cambridge Union. Barnaby Frith (again), Atlas Brookes, Penny Wright, Raimi Jabbour, Ryan Cheung and Amelie Highfield all performed with distinction. The Debating Club, which meets weekly for Seniors and fortnightly for Juniors, is in excellent health but always welcomes new members! Thanks to HAD and JMR for their support.

P Ford

We’ve faced the usual running club obstacles – including the occasional territorial swan guarding the towpath – but nothing has dampened our spirits. In fact, enthusiasm was so high this year that we expanded the club in the summer term, adding Wednesday lunchtime runs to our regular Mondays.

We’re proud of everything our runners have achieved this year and look forward to welcoming even more members next year. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just looking for a fun way to stay active, Running Club is the place to be!

A Smith

Mr Haynes continued to impress with sharp skills and court coverage, while Mr Smith – despite not having picked up a racket in 15 years – made a, in his own mind, triumphant return to the sport.

We’ve seen some excellent players join the club, showing great potential and enthusiasm. We’re excited to see how they develop and hope to welcome them – and many more – back on court next year.

A Smith

Tycoon Club Enterprise Challenge

This year, our school was buzzing with entrepreneurial energy thanks to the Tycoon Enterprise Challenge – a dynamic weekly lunchtime club that turned ideas into action and students into business leaders.

The club became a hive of innovation and ambition for the seven enthusiastic groups. Of these, five teams successfully crafted compelling business plans and secured start-up loans from the prestigious Peter Jones Foundation, giving them the green light to launch their very own ventures.

The inspiring variety of businesses included one who dove into the world of high-performance tech, designing bespoke gaming computers tailored to the needs of serious gamers. Another group tapped into the tactile trend with 3D-printed fidget toys and custom decorations, blending creativity with cutting-edge technology. Each business reflected the students’ passions, skills, and entrepreneurial flair.

But the challenge wasn’t just about making money – though profits were certainly made. It was about experiencing the real-world thrill of entrepreneurship: brainstorming ideas, pitching to investors, managing budgets, marketing products, and learning from every success and setback.

Students walked away with a deeper understanding of what it takes to run a business. They developed confidence, teamwork, and resilience – skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom.

The Tycoon Enterprise Challenge proved that with the right support and a spark of creativity, young people can achieve incredible things. Here’s to the next generation of business tycoons – bold, brilliant, and already making their mark.

A Salako

Careers

The Careers programme made the most of our talented Old Edwardians, including Seb Valentine (Crisis and Negotiation), Mathias Folkesson-Church (Raising Commercial Awareness), and Harry Morgan who led a Physiotherapy Masterclass for GCSE and A level PE pupils. Career talks extended through Year 7 with a visit from Jo McLean, a Vet Anatomist, and Glenn Smith from Fueld A1 who spoke to a wider audience on his challenging field.

A dedicated Careers Day for Years 7-10 provided a different focus for each year, designed to help the pupils understand the many careers and how to make the most of their own skillsets and the opportunities. The Year 9 day focused on Modern Foreign Languages and featured input from Atbin Moayedi (OE) and Julia Marshall-Wessendorff, the Headmaster and current A-level Spanish pupil Aidan O’Mahoney (Y12). Questions came from Mr Ferguson (Head of MFL) and Aidan about the importance of languages, their use and what doors they can open. Year 8 pupils, conversely, were given a deep dive into the world of ‘Crime and Punishment’ where16 of our Year 12 Future Lawyers volunteered to lead the Year 8s in a ‘Mock Trial’ designed to give insight into the Crown Court for both. Magistrate Martin Grixoni (OE) and lawyers Louise Evans, Sonal Khimji and Anna Maxwell then gave an overview of their work before meeting with our Year 8s in smaller groups, to allow them to really interrogate a life in the legal field.

Our inaugural Year 12 Mentoring Evening featured over forty professionals who provided the students with unprecedented access to their expertise. The feedback from this event was excellent, with both professionals

MFL Careers Day

MFL careers day began with guest speakers who spoke about languages and how they link to our future careers. Even though they had different experiences, their message was the same: languages are important and useful in the wider world. There were many different languages activities, such as an interactive treasure hunt around school where we used French, German, and Spanish, and others to work out clues, an interesting Q&A with experienced linguists, fun yet challenging

and pupils gaining connections, confidence and coaching throughout. Nearly 100 pupils from Year 12 will undertake work experience opportunities across the country, including the International Dispute Resolution Centre, PWC, Rebel Law Limited, Buro Happold, Lloyds Banking Group Ltd, Saffery, Richardson Swift, The Good Economy and many other companies.

We are pleased to invite both Pulse CSI and Junior Saunders back to our Year 7 and Year 10 days respectively, following excellent reviews. We congratulate Yanal Abulrub (EY) and Zahra Miller (AstraZeneca) in Year 13 who have both received multiple offers of Degree Apprenticeships from top National firms this year. Both pupils recommend work experience as well as soft skills and social networking via LinkedIn and in person. For more information on Degree Apprenticeships, please contact Mrs Rees-Roberts.

We are very grateful to all the ongoing support we receive from Old Edwardians, current and past parents and the local and wider community. We are always keen to make new connections and explore Career opportunities for our pupils so if you would be interested in participating as a speaker, mentor or via work experience, please contact careers@kesbath.com.

J Rees-Roberts

linguistic puzzles from the UK Linguistic Olympiad, and ﬁnally a chance to design and market a new languages app to pitch to a set of judges. To ﬁnish the day, we designed a language learning app in our groups which we had to present to our year group. Overall, it was a fun and challenging day, in which we used many different skills and problem-solving techniques.

Rachel, Georgia and Delia Y9

Charities

King Edward’s School Raises an Incredible £25,000 for Charity in 2025!

We’re thrilled to announce that King Edward’s School have hit our target by raising an outstanding £25,000 for charity in 2025 – a testament to the generosity, creativity, and community spirit of our pupils, staff, and families – thanks to a packed calendar of charitable events including the ever-popular cake sales and non-uniform days, to the high-energy Music Marathon, interform competitions and KES Unite concert. Highlights of the year included: Reindeer Run, KES Hat Sale, Carol Service Collection, Charity Netball Match, the daring Dorothy House Zip Line Challenge, Bath Half Marathon participation and a variety of student-led initiatives in support of Moving Mountains Kenya. We’re ending the

Community Service

Our 6th Form students have, once again, participated enthusiastically in our Community Service Programme.

We have had high numbers of volunteers for our placements in schools and care homes. Pupils regularly participate in activities such as, helping to improve the reading skills of primary aged children, helping with Art, English ICT, Maths and Science lessons. Our partner institutions have been delighted with the support that our 6th Formers have provided and are always keen for pupils to return at the start of each term. They have

year with a literal splash with our ﬁrst-ever ‘Ice the Teacher’ challenge, promising a fun, lively and amusing ﬁnale to our fundraising efforts!

In addition to raising funds, we’ve also supported our local community through Foodbank collections and generous clothes & book donations to Mentoring Plus. We have also launched the Young Ambassadors Programme with CHSW. At the end of June, 34 pupils & 6 staff embark on a 3-week camping trip to Kenya. Pupils will work with the charity and see ﬁrsthand where the money we raise is used and what an incredible difference it makes to the lives of many.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone in the KES community. Your enthusiasm, kindness, and commitment have made a real difference to a wide range of fantastic causes.

Z B Lascelles

given their time willingly to help members of our local community, and this is very much appreciated by all concerned. Our pupils also beneﬁt hugely from their placements, both in terms of the work experience they gain and the connections they make with children and older people. This year, one of our pupils undertook some research at a care home and this informed a project that she was doing in her Psychology A Level. Another pupil formed such a good relationship with a class that they were disappointed if he was not there!

Well done to all those who participated in this year’s programme. Many thanks and goodbye to the members of Year 13 who have been excellent ambassadors for the school. I look forward to welcoming a new group of keen volunteers in September.

E Grainger

Prizes 2024

Year 7 Prizes

Art

Biology

Chemistry

Computing

Design and Technology

Drama

English

French

Geography

German

History

Latin

Mathematics

Music

Physics

Religious Studies

Spanish

Form Prizes:

7G Form Prize

7H Form Prize

7J Form Prize

7K Form Prize

7L Form Prize

7M Form Prize

Year 8 Prizes

Art

Biology

Chemistry

Computing

Design and Technology

Drama

English

French

Geography

German

History

Latin

Mathematics

Music

Physics

Religious Studies

The Aon Prize for Spanish

Form Prizes:

8G Form Prize

8H Form Prize

8J Form Prize

8K Form Prize

8L Form Prize

8M Form Prize

Year 9 Prizes

Art

Biology

Chemistry

Computing

Design and Technology

Drama

Economics and Business Studies

English

Tacita Burton

Edith Holladay

Rory Shaw

Sakura Salmon

Apphia Barker

Ava Gilmartin

Natalie Clifford

Lucy Gamble

William Hang

Leonardo Crane

Beau Bruce

Theo Bevan

Penny Hutchings

Beau Bruce

Szabolcs Szigethy

Jacob Robinson

Poppy Scotland

Ruby Taylor

Alex Hourston

Amelia Delatour

Harry Williams

Pheobe Whittock

Delia Stoica

Jack Barrington

Viola Jauss

Tyler Davies-Young

Annabel Graham

Gilbert Wilkes

Eve Marsden

Emma Thompson

Ned Henman

Peggy Marshall

Jack Holton

Lottie Rickards

James Rutherford

Sophie Osborn

Jack Barrington

Tom Bateman

Zack Arosio

Charlie Moir

Rachel Norgate

Emily Laville

Toby Moorhouse

Lucy Small

Georgia Gale

Malin Peregrine-Jones

Rohan Garner

Raman Shur

Laura Cannock

Tiger Huang

Kit Baxter

Fleur Hagan

Jemimah Barker

French

Geography

German

History

Latin

Latin and Greek

Mathematics

Music

Physics

Religious Studies

The Aon Prize for Spanish

Form Prizes:

9G Form Prize

9H Form Prize

9J Form Prize

9K Form Prize

9L Form Prize

9M Form Prize

Milla Hemley

William Powell

Andy Wang

Nameeta Nandeibam

Shlok Uplenchwar

Henry Lacey

Isaac Hung

George Cheshire

Jemimah Barker

Eleanor Wilton

Henry Lacey

Ben Jones

May Catton

Rea Zeng

Daniel Thomas

Alice Gilbert

Thomas Stratford

Lower and Middle School Special Prizes

Simon Wee Cup for Most Improved Year 7 Hockey Player

Weeks Cup for Lower School Drama

The Smith Prize for Cricket

Year 10 Prizes

Jamie Payne

Wren Cook

George Timbrell-Whittle

Art Isabela Johnson-Burzaco

Biology

Chemistry

Computer Science

Design Technology

Drama

Economics and Business Studies

English

French

The Gordon Dobie Memorial Prize for Geography

German

History

The Ewart Willett Prize for Latin

Latin and Greek

Mathematics

Music

Physical Education (Academic)

Physics

Religious Studies

The Aon Prize for Spanish

Form Prizes:

10H Form Prize

10J Form Prize

10K Form Prize

10L Form Prize

Barnaby Frith

Ben Evans

Danny Wilson

Joe Bruce-Payne

Rosa Franks

Demyd Gorbachov

Clemmie Westwater

Larissa Dimov

Ben Evans

Jack Boden

Ottoline Asbury

Isabella Gale

Annabel Howlett

Ava Shaw

Evie Shepperdson

Alexander Moss

Ava Shaw

May Comer

Amy Middlebrough

Katy Gwilliam

Aryna Gorbachova

Amelia Holdcroft

Georgia Jones

10M Form Prize Wren Man

Year 11 Prizes

The Milburn Prize for Art

The Andrew White Prize for Biology

The Russett Prize for Business Studies and Economics

The Symons Prize for Chemistry

Combined Science

Computer Science

The Ridyard Prize for DT

Drama

Emily Willis

Sara Stoica

Matilda Shore

Rosie McMorris

Beatrice Davies

Rajarshi Roy

Jasper Sutcliffe

Imogen Luker

English Language

The Cawsey Prize for English Literature

Lydia Fearon

Bethan Mawer

The Symons Prize for French Tanis Meroni-Clark

The Rutherford Prize for Geography

The Symons Prize for German

Classical Greek

The Carter Prize for History

Ali Aljawabra

James Foster

Alex Dolan

Polly Waddington

The Symons Prize for Latin Panos Katsimihas

The Withy Prize for Mathematics

The Milburn Prize for Music

The Worrall Prize for Physics

Physical Education (Academic)

The Milburn Prize for Religious Studies

The Aon Prize for Spanish

The Roberts Prize for Effort

All Round Academic Performance

Joseph Pagnamenta

Indira Pandit

Leo Hopkins

Aidan O’Mahony

Alisa Shaji

Ben Manon

Matilda Shore

Alex Dolan

Lily Griffiths

Emily Jensen

Rosie McMorris

The Award for Academic Achievement at GCSE Leo Hopkins

The Award for Academic Achievement at GCSE Panos Katsimihas

The Award for Academic Achievement at GCSE Joseph Pagnamenta

The Award for Academic Achievement at GCSE Indira Pandit

The Award for Academic Achievement at GCSE

Upper School Prizes

Green Cup for Progress in Instrumental Music

The Jefcoate Harbutt Prize for CCF

Year 12 Prizes

The Cork Prize for Art

The Russell Prize for Biology

The Warrender Prize for Business Studies

The Russell Prize for Chemistry

Classical Civilisation

Computer Science

Drama

The Bennett Prize for Economics

Electronics

English Language

The Hodgson Prize for English Literature

The Milburn Prize for French

The Milburn Prize for Geography

The Pulsford Prize for German

Greek

Sara Stoica

Tim Byers

Isabella Shepherd

Fiona Baines

Darius Stevens

Charlotte Lang

Megan Power

Hannah Blacker

Megan Power

Ariana Moayedi

Alex Tagent

Jerry Jiang

Defne Sertoglu

Edie Osmond

Maddy Bobin

Josha Todd-Mooneeram

Max Anderman

Finlay Porter

Luis Campbell

The Bang Prize for History Isla Byrne

The Russell Prize for Latin

The Russell Prize for Mathematics

The Jim Harris Memorial Prize for Further Mathematics

The Edmund White Prize for Music

Philosophy

Photography

Physical Education (Academic)

The Russell Prize for Physics

Politics

Psychology

The Francis Prize for Religious Studies

The Aon Prize for Spanish

The Former Parents’ Prize for Technology (DT)

Year 13 Prizes

The Milburn Prize for Art

The Tuttell Prize for Biology

The Hayes Prize for Business Studies

The Tuttell Prize for Chemistry

Classical Civilisation

Meg Aitken

James Baines

John Yan

Edward Blackwall

Milo Hum

Olivia Phillips

Alex Hearn

Alex Tagent

Joseph Walker

Rosie Boyd

Olivia McGladdery

Ava Foyle

Elanor Fraser

Nicolas Toke-Nichols

Orla Rostom

Rory Berry

Luc Hocknell

Freddie Russell

Computer Science Fergus Bell

Drama Lily Chapman

The Black Prize for Design Technology Miles Addenbrooke

The Bayliss Silcox Prize for Economics Jay Desai

English Language

The Brodrick Prize for English Literature

Edie Bourne-Jones

Eleanor Martin

The Thring Prize for French Tom Scott-Ashe

The Turner Prize for Geography Nina Lewis

The Thring Prize for German

Archie Maggs

The Carrington Prize for History Abigail Baxter

The Symons Prize for Latin Elise Withey

The Finch Cup for Latin and Greek Owen Williams

The Withy Prize for Mathematics

Henry Jones

The Kenwood Prize for Further Mathematics Alex Lake

The John Brown Prize for Music Bethan Cheshire

Philosophy Abigail Baxter

Photography Ollie Chapman

The Price Prize for Physics Hattie Emmett

Politics Saﬁa Opie

Psychology Samantha Hughes

The Francis Prize for Religious Studies Grace Burn

The Aon Prize for Spanish Clotilde Motel

The Buckingham Cup for Sport Studies Samantha Hughes

The Don Bateman Prize for Field Studies Toby Swale

Special Prizes

The Morant Prize for Outstanding All Round Academic Performance Owen Williams

The Morant Prize for Outstanding All Round Academic Performance Elise Withey

All Round Academic Performance Hattie Emmett

All Round Academic Performance Dotty Hodge

All Round Academic Performance Nalini Nandeibam

All Round Academic Performance Izzy Reid

The Kenwood Millennium Prize for Academic Excellence Fergus Bell

The Kenwood Millennium Prize for Academic Excellence Ben Maclean

The Kenwood Millennium Prize for Academic Excellence Luc Hocknell

The Kenwood Millennium Prize for Academic Excellence George Lowrie

Stanley Hardy Prize for Presentation Theodore Spaliviero-Shaw

The Jubilee Prize for Academic Effort Jacob Coutts

The Laurence Cook Prize for Endeavour Zak Ubogu

The Dr Roy Holman Prize for Captain of Rugby Ben Sim

The Dr Roy Holman Prize for Captain of Rugby Henry Jones

The Peter Sheppard Prize for Services to Rugby Alex Knight

The Harvey Cup for Excellence in the Performing Arts Neve Riley

The Lombard Trophy for Enterprise and Initiative Georgia-mae Tan

The Benbow Trophy for Service to the Community Harry Tweedale

The Mead Sixth Form Prize for Philanthropy Grace Blackwell

The Wilmot Prize for Community Service India Andrew

The Sword of Honour Owen Williams

The White Cup for Cricketer of the Year George Epsley

The Holbeche Prize for Boys’ Hockey Ben Maclean

The Holbeche Prize for Netball Amber Tiley

The Holbeche Prize for Girls’ Hockey Dotty Hodge

The Lang Jones Prize for Sporting Spirit Jonty Manners-Bell

The Lang Jones Prize for Sporting Spirit Megan Pike

The Amos Prize for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts Festival Dotty Hodge

The Maunder Prize for Contribution to E.A.G Joe Johnson

The Tim Laney Prize for Outdoor Adventure William Avent

The IFS Student Investor Prize for Business and Economics Jacob Mlang’a

The Quill Prize for Creative Writing Patrick Hewett

The Stocks Prize for Head Prefects Jay Desai

The Stocks Prize for Head Prefects Orla Rostom

Independence Day

Tim Burroughs

When Tim Burroughs joined King Edward’s School almost three decades ago in 1996, Dolly the Sheep had recently emerged into the public eye, England had suffered Three Lions Euros heartbreak, Oasis had just played to an audience of around 250,000 people at Knebworth and the UK No. 1 single was ‘Wannabe’ by the Spice Girls. 30 years of hurt has since become nearly 60 (for the men, at least), and Liam and Noel have successfully buried hatchets in a triumphant return to the stage. During all that time, Tim has quietly gone about acquiring iconic status in a rather more understated manner, embracing and embodying many valuable strands of longevity along the way and ensuring that he leaves his own remarkable KES legacy.

In Tim’s original letter of application for the post of Teacher of History at King Edward’s back in those fevered, halcyon days, he highlighted the importance of an “emphasis on academic excellence, achieving good results and producing competent historians”, and I think it is fair to say that Tim has more than lived up to that mantra during his time here. He ﬁnished by stating “I am ambitious and so am now looking for a post which provides new challenges, with which I can broaden my experience so as to aim to become an effective Head of Department in the future.” That was what he wanted, what he really, really wanted ….

And so, it came to pass – 5 years later in 2001. In between times, Tim had also taught Maths and ICT at KES, led the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, been Internal Examinations Officer and Deputy Examinations Officer and coached and run hockey teams,

Valedictories

which he continued to do for several years afterwards. A year after his appointment as Head of Department, Tim introduced A Level Politics into the curriculum and so technically became the Head of History and Politics whose title has been borne by incumbents since.

So far, so ambitious, in keeping with Tim’s statement of intent in his 1996 letter. In 2007, Tim was also appointed as Senior Sixth Form Tutor, but it was a post that he would only hold for a brief time, because in the same academic year the then Director of Studies – me – was appointed as Headmaster, leaving a vacancy for a post that was retitled as Deputy Head (Academic), the twin to the newly created Deputy Head (Pastoral) post and a new strand in a newly structured SMT. Tim’s successful appointment from nearly a hundred applicants was a thoroughly deserved reflection of his impressive candidature and clear potential to make his mark with this new position. And so began the era of Headmaster Boden, Second Master Horrocks-Taylor and Deputy Heads Losse and Burroughs, colleagues who would be at the heart of that newly structured SMT for over 15 years.

During that time Tim proved to be an outstanding Academic Deputy Head, throwing himself into all that this wide reaching job entails: line managing Heads of Department; managing academic budgets; taking a lead role on teaching and learning, options and admissions, staffing appointments and allocations; overseeing curriculum development, assessment, academic monitoring and reporting; dealing with pupils and parents on academic matters; helping to articulate strategic academic objectives and overseeing academic policies; returning

the census; analysing public examination results; preparing for ISI inspection, reporting to Governors, to name just some of the headline areas. However, what I will remember about Tim’s time in this hugely important post is not necessarily what he did, but how he did it: with rigour, attention to detail, steadfastness and perseverance, but also empathy, creativity, forethought and the obligatory sense of humour – in Tim’s case quite a dry sense of humour - without which you can’t really do the job.

Throughout his KES career, Tim was not just a line manager, professional reviewer and boss to many, he was also a friend, conﬁdant and a kind, thoughtful and supportive colleague. From my perspective –amongst many other very positive qualities and attributes – he was an incredibly committed and very loyal deputy, stepping in to deal with disgruntled parents (rare, of course!) or occasionally displeased colleagues or when investigating complaints, holding the line and invariably defusing matters before they reached the Headmaster. This was a responsibility that he always took on without grumble, with a great sense of fairness and with a clear-sighted understanding of the bigger picture.

And throughout his time as Deputy Head, Tim remained an outstanding teacher of History and Politics: knowledgeable, enthusiastic, rigorous but fair, someone whom the pupils almost always immediately respected and trusted, full of insight, little known facts and curious and entertaining stories, just like a great History teacher should be. Tim has commented that there have been 6 different Heads of History during his 29 years at KES, two before him and

three since, making him number three in that sequence. Those with a keen interest in Tudor history, will understand therefore why he refers to himself as the ‘Jane Seymour’ of that particular pack, the greater pertinence of course being that Jane was the mother of King Edward VI, the founder of our school!

Tim spent just over half of his long career at KES as the Academic Deputy Head, but he spent all of his time here as a fantastic Teacher of History, and so it felt apt that, as he returned fully to that job this past year, having stepped down as Academic Deputy Head at the end of 2023, he also agreed to take on an important role supporting our Archivist, Suzanne Keyte, helping her to embrace and interrogate the past, as historians do.

Tim: thank you for everything that you have done for KES on so many fronts and our very best wishes for your retirement and for the future.

MJ Boden

Abby Kean

Abby joined KES in 2007 as a teacher of Biology. From those early days, it was clear she brought much more than subject knowledge to the classroom; she brought care, energy, and a genuine passion for student wellbeing. Pastoral care quickly became the heart of her role, from being a tutor to Year 7 students to taking on the position of Head of Year 11 where her steady presence and encouragement brought out the best in her students. Beyond the pastoral, Abby was an enthusiastic supporter of other aspects of school life. She coached netball, helped run the Senior Choir, and led Activities Week trips, most notably the unforgettable 2013 Iceland trip. As Chair of the Common Room Committee, she also worked tirelessly to support staff wellbeing and foster collegiality. Abby is now embarking on a new chapter as she leaves teaching to expand her career as a therapist in Bath. Though she’ll be dearly missed at KES, we know her compassion and care will continue to make a difference to many others. Her presence will be greatly missed, and we wish her every success and happiness in her future endeavours.

A Baker

SarahJane McCrorie

SarahJane McCrorie joined King Edward’s in September 2014 from The English International College in Marbella. Her innovative approach to teaching and her support for colleagues and students made her an inspirational presence. As an exceptional Second in Department, she led the Years 9–11 curriculum with vision and precision – revamping schemes of work, introducing fresh content, and ensuring the curriculum remained both rigorous and engaging.

Beyond the classroom, SarahJane founded the much-loved annual Interform Maths Relay, hosted mathematics competitions for local schools, and brought the subject to life through vibrant, educational displays. Her adept use of technology not only enhanced her own teaching but also earned her the role of Learning Champion, where she played a pivotal role in training senior school staff in the effective use of OneNote.

SarahJane was also instrumental in the school’s DofE programme, leading Silver expeditions and pioneering the River Wye canoeing route. She supported Bronze DofE, launched the Crafty Club, and introduced a staff jazz dance club. Her adventurous spirit shone through on the Tanzania trip, and she broadened the Activities Week offering with exciting new ventures, including trips to Venice and pony trekking in Wales.

SarahJane embarks on a new chapter as Head of Mathematics at Witham Hall School in Lincolnshire. We bid farewell with deep gratitude and warmest wishes for her and her family. She leaves behind a legacy of a decade of dedication, innovation, and joy.

R Pagnamenta

Duncan Woods

Beth joined KES in 2018 as our Specialist Netball Coach. Her passion and expertise in netball were instrumental in guiding ﬁve teams to the Regional Netball Finals, and she played a key role in organising numerous tournaments and muchloved weekend netball tours. Over the past seven years, Beth has embraced a variety of roles with characteristic dedication and grace. As a Lower School Form Tutor, her calm, caring, and exceptionally kind nature made her a reassuring presence for Year 7 pupils. Her teaching of PE across both the Senior and Junior Schools has earned her the admiration and affection of students of all ages.

Before going on maternity leave, Beth took on the role of Ten Tors Co-ordinator, successfully organising training weekends and ﬁnalising teams for this prestigious event – all while pregnant with twins. In June 2023, Beth returned to KES in a part-time capacity, balancing her love for teaching with her devotion to her young family. Her time has been marked by professionalism, warmth, and a genuine love for both her subject and her students. She leaves a lasting memory, and we are grateful for all her contributions. We wish her every happiness and success.

L Gwilliam

Michael joined KES as our Intern in 2022 and was quickly invited to become our ﬁrst Music Associate having proved to be a huge asset to the department. He has supported the logistical and administrative aspects of KES Music’s programme and his personal skills as guitarist, composer and talented Music Tech specialist provided new depth for Popular Music students, coursework, and all our events. His Music Tech club has been very popular, with members providing tracks for KES Drama, and his KES Band Workshop initiative has seen several talented bands formed through his introductions and structured rehearsals and Michael also ran KES Chess Club. Michael puts great thought and care into all his projects, from action-packed Music trips to London and Oxford, orchestral concerts, backstage tours, museums and legendary memorabilia collections, to producing exquisitely crafted recordings of KES concerts and our services in Bath Abbey. KES Soul, Baroque/B’Rock Group and Guitar Club have all greatly beneﬁtted from his bass and electric guitar skills. He has also served masterfully as ensemble of KESOO, our Open Orchestra. His departure will be keenly felt and I know the whole team will miss his gentle kindness and expertise.

R Drury

Duncan, former Head of Hockey, returned to KES in 2023 as Specialist Sports Coach. Over the last two years he has had a signiﬁcant impact on the hockey programme and the wider sports provision from Years 3 to 13. He brought a wealth of experience from many years of coaching. He has a meticulous attention to detail, especially when it comes to technical development, promoting focus, determination and a pursuit of consistent improvement. Duncan also delivered a great deal of expertise to the school’s strength and conditioning programme, sharing a passion for developing fundamental movement skills.

Duncan’ s playing career is admirable. As an international he won 90 caps for England and Great Britain, competing in World Cups and winning a bronze medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia. KES pupils have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from someone who has played hockey at the very highest level. Duncan’s professionalism, expertise and dry wit, will be sorely missed, by pupils and colleagues alike. He leaves with our very best wishes, and we will hope to see him on a hockey pitch sometime soon in the future.

P Livesey

Beth Fuller

Michael Riordan

Maria Moon-Park

Since joining the MFL team in 2021, Maria Moon-Park has become a crucial part of everything that happens in KES Modern Languages. Whether it be helping to create eye-catching displays, submitting external examination recordings and paperwork, organising subscriptions, collating data for the overseas trips we run, or any one of a multitude of other difficult and time-consuming administrative tasks, Maria has always met every challenge with a smile and enthusiasm which lights up the MFL office. We are devastated to be losing her, not only for her outstanding administration abilities, but for the unwavering support and friendship she has offered to all of her colleagues around the school. We will miss her infectious positivity, overwhelming generosity (particularly with regards to food!), and willingness to lend a sympathetic and comforting ear to those who need it. We wish her all the very best for her future and hope that she keeps in touch and comes to visit her friends at KES as often as possible. Thank you, vielen Dank, merci beaucoup, and muchas gracias for everything, Maria!

C Ferguson

Lewis Evans

We are so very sad to be losing Lewis Evans from the KES Music Team, but also excited that he is off to explore a new role as a fulltime teacher of Music Technology. Lewis Evans leaves KES Music for a new role as full-time teacher of Music Technology. He has transformed saxophone teaching at King Edward’s into a large, thriving team of pupils, all enraptured by Lewis’s outstanding talent and his enthusiasm, high-energy and deep care for the development of each member of his crew!

Lewis has been a professional and organised colleague, always going the extra mile. Lewis’ fabulous KES Saxophone Ensemble have been Mid-Somerset Festival Competition trophy winners and have been one of our teams working in the community, performing and raising money at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. It is extremely ﬁtting that last year saw one of his proteges, Dotty, win the Bath Young Musician of the Year Competition demonstrating all the same attributes of her great teacher!

R Drury

Tim Gilbert

Tim Gilbert, a hugely talented cellist and teacher, has nurtured a great many young KES cellists and double bass players from beginners to Grade 8 and beyond with care. A highly sought after performer in and beyond Bath, his wonderful, rich, warm and powerful sound on the cello has inspired many through his role teamteaching whole class strings to Year 3. Tim has led the Senior School’s KES Cello Club for many years, bringing together cellists from all abilities to play richly textured arrangements for weekly fun and in our Extravaganza Concerts in the Wroughton Theatre. We will very much miss his great playing, expertise, kindness and warmth as he leaves KES to explore new musical opportunities. Thank you, Tim!

R Drury

New Staff

Alex Smith joins KES as Deputy Head (Academic) from a Senior Deputy role at King’s School in Gloucester and in London. He tried out the world of ﬁnance after gaining a Classics degree from Cambridge, but a love of coaching sport (particularly squash, badminton and running) brought him back to teaching. He moved to Bath with his wife and three children, the eldest two of whom are at KES Junior School and Pre-Prep.

Charlie Zuckert joined KES as a teacher of Music. She and her family have relocated from Lady Eleanor Holles School in London. She, along with her husband, two daughters, two dogs and a tortoise are loving Bath so far, especially all the green space and the sheep! When not playing the clarinet, most of her spare time revolves around running after her girls!

Harvey Manley joined KES to teach Mathematics, which he studied at the University of Manchester. He then moved to London and completed his teacher training at UCL. He recently relocated to Bath and in his spare time he is an avid chess and board games player.

Jonathon Titman joins KES to teach mathematics, having just moved from Oxfordshire. He spends lot of his spare time exploring the city of Bath and surrounding area. As a dilettante of both music and art, he has been making the most of the cultural panoply that Bath has to offer.

Alex Smith

Charlie Zuckert

Harvey Manley

Jonathon Titman

Adele Mayhew joins KES as the administrator in the Sports & PE Department, having moved to the Bath area in the summer from Ascot. She has previously worked as administrator at Gordon’s State Boarding School and Bishopsgate Prep School. Adele is enjoying investigating the local area, travelling, walking and yoga.

David Cass, OE, studied at Exeter before joining the British Army and before becoming an investment banker in London. David and his family returned to Bath where he became a science teacher and worked at Kingdown school in Warminster. David works part-time devoting the rest of his time to working on their listed farmhouse in the countryside.

Ellie Greenbury joins KES as Head of Classics, having taught at Dulwich College for seven years. She trained as an English teacher through Teach First, before escaping back to teach Classics at St Mary’s, Ascot. She enjoys her return to a mixed school and is delighted to be in a city so rich in Roman history. Outside of listening to KES Publica, her interests include running, reading and spending time with her daughter.

Justin Avanell joined KES as an assistant sports coach from Millﬁeld School where he was the rugby graduate, and Prior Park College before that. He attended Prior Park as a student, so he knows KES very well from his time on the sports ﬁeld. When not working, he enjoys watching and playing all sports and spending time with friends and family.

Lucy Budd joins the Maths Department from Monkton Senior School. Prior to that she worked at Bishop Wordsworth’s Boys Grammar School in Salisbury, which included time as Head of Maths. Lucy has also worked at schools in the Southeast and in Brisbane, Australia. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, long walks in the countryside with her dog and being by the sea.

Luke Benedict joins KES as the Head of Sixth Form and a teacher of English, having previously been both an academic and pastoral leader at schools including, The Royal High School in Bath and Trinity School in Croydon. Prior to that he was a journalist and writer for some years, having read English and Philosophy at University. His spare time is consumed by pretending to be a spaceship, a ﬁreman or Postman Pat.

Justin Avanell

Lucy Budd

Luke Benedict

Adele Mayhew

David Cass

Ellie Greenbury

Odette McCarthy has over 25-years’ experience teaching physics in state schools, special education and in the independent sector. Most recently she taught at RHSB, where she thoroughly enjoyed her involvement with the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Outside work, she can often be found on the River Avon, either rowing or coaching new juniors at Avon County Rowing Club or out walking with her crazy collie dog.

Naomi Bateson joins KES as the commercial manager, a role where she hopes to fully utilise the beautiful facilities at school. Her ﬁrst project is a brand-new summer holidays activity club for children. Naomi’s background is in recruitment, speciﬁcally for the education sector, and she has also been an activity leader for children overseas. In her spare time, Naomi loves to hike, visit new restaurants, and check out local live music.

Sally Price joins the English Department having previously been at Westonbirt where she was a housemistress and, most recently, Assistant Head of Sixth Form. With a Masters in medieval and renaissance literature, she loves teaching Shakespeare. Part of her teaching placement was at KES and it has a special place in her heart. With her children in the pre-prep and Junior school (and her husband here as well), she has completed the jigsaw; she’s grateful to be on the KES team!

Ben Ford joined KES in May 2025 as Director of Information Technology. Ben brings over 20-years’ experience in a variety of education settings; most recently at the Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust where he successfully led the transformation of the ICT provision into a professional, centralised service. Ben is a dedicated Scout leader who enjoys kayaking and hillwalking and can often be found paddling on the River Avon or training for long-distance walking challenges with his faithful Labrador.

Tim Hooper spent ﬁfteen years in the state sector teaching mathematics. After ﬁve years at Westonbirt and then Kingswood, he joins KES as Second in Maths. Outside school, he has a keen interest in sport and whilst his participation has decreased as a player, he still enjoys a variety of sports as spectator and occasionally as coach.

Anna joined KES in May 2025 as Director of HR. After an initial degree in Psychology, Anna completed a MSc in Human Resources Development and Consultancy. Anna has held previous senior roles working for the Police, hospitality and healthcare. Anna will be leading on KES’s aim to be the employer of choice in the local education sector. Upcoming projects include digital transformation, wellbeing and pay provision reviews and some key policy updates. In her spare time Anna enjoys spending time with her son.

Odette McCarthy

Sally Price

Tim Hooper

Naomi Bateson

Ben Ford

Anna Ellis

Tony Collins

Tony Collins taught Computer Science in Southeast London, ﬁrst at Bexley Grammar School and later at Eltham College, before relocating to KES. Prior to his teaching career, he worked as a Software Engineer with Marconi Telecoms, writing software for the System X Telephone Exchange. Outside work, he enjoys staying active with Judo and running, and he also has a passion for live music.

Daisie Garland joins the Development and Alumni Relations Office after completing her BA in Education. She has a background in early years education and worked with an American EdTech company providing learning resources to schools. Daisie is excited about supporting fundraising projects at KES and enjoys skiing and travelling and hopes to rekindle her love for playing the saxophone.

Suzanne Keyte joins KES as the school’s ﬁrst professional archivist. Previously, she worked as an archivist at the Houses of Parliament, The Women’s Library, The Tate and she spent eight years as the archivist at the Royal Albert Hall. She moved to Bradford on Avon with her husband four years ago where she is an active member of the Wine Appreciation Society and the WI. Suzanne also enjoys reading, writing and talking about suffragette history and swimming in the river at Farleigh Hungerford.

Daisie Garland

Suzanne Keyte

Credits

Photography: Andy Lloyd, Charlie Matters, Derryn Vranch, David McGirr, Adam Gault, Neil Purcell, Staff and pupils of King Edward’s School

Assistant Editor: Lisa Bowman

Editor: Neil Purcell

Acknowledgements

Cover Image: N Purcell

Cover Image Location: The MAAT Museum, Lisbon

Design: Eatcake Design, Bristol

@KESBath /KESBath KESBath www.kesbath.com