King's St Alban's Information for Parents 2021-22

Information for Parents

Shaped

by King’s #ShapedByKing’s | ksw.org.uk

An independent co-educational day school | ksw.org.uk 2-11

As a mother, I have found having my children at St Alban’s an absolute pleasure. Both my children have enjoyed and been educated very well at St Alban’s – I think they know this! I know they have both been given an excellent start in life and memories to treasure.

KSA Parent

The King’s passion Within the King’s Foundation, our passion is for excellent, all-round education; encompassing wonderful pastoral care, academic excellence and enriching character development in life beyond the classroom. We provide an education which develops a love of learning, a curiosity about the world and a commitment to be the best possible version of themselves.

We want every child to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience at each stage of their school life and to leave school as balanced and confident individuals, thoroughly equipped for what lies ahead.

Fantastic facilities and excellent teaching staff. The school has a warm and friendly buzz. Learning is fun here and children are encouraged to try new things, and make the most of every opportunity.

KSA Parent

Our aims are: 1. To foster a love of learning • So that every pupil fulfils his or her academic potential.

• So that teachers and pupils pursue excellence in teaching and learning.

• So that our pupils develop a love of learning, both individually and with others, and acquire a wide range of learning skills.

• So that we create an environment in which pupils are confident in their ability and increasingly ready to take responsibility for their own learning.

2. To provide a nurturing environment and wonderful pastoral care • So that every pupil receives excellent pastoral care within an ethos of tolerance, spiritual awareness and mutual respect rooted in Christian values.

• So that pupils develop relationships with peers and adults in a way that prepares them for life beyond school.

• So that pupils acquire a sense of responsibility and selfdiscipline.

• So that pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities for leadership and the management of others.

• So that we can work closely with parents to ensure they are well-informed of their child’s progress and we can work together as effectively as possible in the best interests of the pupils.

• So that we ensure good continuity of care between the Prep and Senior Schools.

3. To support with personal and social development • So that our pupils participate in a variety of physical activities and experience a sense of well-being and self-confidence that arises from good health and fitness.

• So that our pupils benefit from a comprehensive personal and social education that helps them to lead happy and fulfilling lives.

• So that our pupils learn the value of teamwork and the importance of mutual support within and across year groups.

• So that our pupils develop a moral, spiritual and aesthetic awareness that makes them receptive to the world around them, bringing with it a sense of wonder and openness to the most important ideas in our own and other cultures.

4. To provide character enriching activities beyond the classroom.

• So that we provide a varied range of activities beyond the curriculum.

• So that pupils discover and develop their own skills and interests at school in preparation for adult life.

• So that all pupils can be adventurous and participate in a range of activities, appreciating the rewards of teamwork.

• So that all pupils can be given the opportunity for personal achievement and fulfilment in a way befitting their own aspirations.

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General Information

Entrance Procedure

Entry and Registration

If you would like your child to join King’s St Alban’s. the first step is to register via our online admissions, Open Apply.

Pre-Preparatory Department Entrance to King’s St Alban’s for children between the ages of 4 and 7 is based on a morning spent in school, by arrangement. All pupils in their final year in Pre-Prep will be required to take the same entrance tests as external candidates for entry to the Prep School at age 7, but on a qualifying rather than a competitive basis.

Pre-Preparatory Department (Reception to Year 2) Upon receipt of your Registration and fee we will be able to give an immediate indication of the likelihood of a place being available in Pre-Prep. For those children joining Reception in September, we offer a number of informal events where the children can familiarise themselves with their new classroom and get to know their teacher.

For children who have already begun school elsewhere and are joining the Pre-Preparatory Department in Year 1 or Year 2, we will arrange for them to come and spend a morning in school prior to their move.

Prep School (Years 3 to 6) Places in the Prep School are offered subject to satisfactory performance in our entrance tests. Upon receipt of your Registration and fee, we will contact you regarding opportunities to visit, in order to allow your child to become familiar with the school and some of the staff. This will allow them to dispel the inevitable nerves associated with new surroundings and put them at ease in time for the entrance tests.

For those families who have not registered in time for the entrance tests in February, individual examinations can be arranged at a mutually convenient time, subject to places still being available.

Visit the school Literature alone can only convey a taste of the atmosphere at any school and so we make available a number of opportunities for you to visit us and to get a better picture of the learning environment at King’s St Alban’s.

We hold several Open Events throughout the year but welcome visits to the school by appointment outside these dates. If you visit us on a normal school day you can enjoy a “fly on the wall” view of life in the classroom. You will be shown around by pupils from our Year 6, meet the teachers and then have the chance to talk to the Head. Please contact the Registrar in order to book an appointment.

Prep School Entry for children between the ages of 7 and 10 is by means of an examination held in February for admission in the following September. The great majority of those who enter the King’s Prep Schools will proceed to the Senior School. All pupils in their final year at the King’s Prep Schools are required to take the same entrance examination as external candidates for entry to the Senior School at 11, but on a qualifying rather than a competitive basis.

Fees and charges School fees are charged in advance and, if paid termly, are due on or before the first day of term. Alternatively, fees may, by arrangement, be paid either in monthly instalments or by depositing lump sums in advance. Details of both options are available from the Bursary. Credit card payment of fees is accepted.

School fees include all books.

Pre-Preparatory Department Year Group

King’s St Alban’s per term

Reception

£2,538

Year One

£2,822

Year Two

£2,918

Prep School Year Group

King’s St Alban’s per term

Year Three

£3,129

Year Four

£4,180

Year Five

£4,370

Year Six

£4,593

In the case of late payment, the Governors reserve the right to make a surcharge, composed of simple interest calculated at a rate of 1% of the outstanding balance per month.

Please follow the link below to see the menu on our school website. www.ksw.org.uk/school-meals

Scholarships and bursaries Merit based scholarships may be offered to outstanding candidates from Year 4 upwards with a maximum of 10% offered in Year Four and capped at 20% in Year Five and Six. Scholarships are only to be offered with a firm commitment that the pupils will progress to senior school, and if they are offered a place in the senior school and do not accept it then any scholarship received will be repayable to the school. These awards are tenable only in the Prep School (further scholarships are available at the Senior School).

Means tested bursaries are available from Year Five onwards again with the firm commitment that pupils will progress to senior school.

All requests for bursary support must be directed to Director of Finance in the first instance.

Sibling reductions A reduction in fees of 10% for a third child and 15% for a fourth child is allowed when three or more siblings are pupils at King’s Foundation together.

School lunches

Reception - Year 2 £154 per term

Year 3 - Year 6 £213 per term Our lunches are healthy, varied and offer choice; vegetarian options are available each day. Children in the Prep School take lunch in the Dining Hall, situated on the Senior School campus, whilst those in the Pre-Preparatory Department eat in their own hall with a simpler menu.

A breakfast service is also available. Children can be taken to the Dining Hall at 8.00 am, where they choose from a cooked breakfast, toast, cereal or fruit. The cost for this is added to the termly bill in arrears, giving parents the option to use this service on an ad-hoc basis if required.

Children may bring a healthy snack to school to eat at morning break. You may also arrange for them to have milk each day at a small cost.

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Uniform School uniform, as published in the clothes list, must be worn during term-time as directed. Every effort is made to keep the list to a reasonable minimum.

not covered by the school insurance. Parents are therefore advised to make their own arrangements for the cover, which can often be obtained for a nominal premium as an extension to an existing householder’s policy.

The school uniform is sold online at Schoolblazer (schoolblazer.com) and school sports kit is sold online at tacklebag.co.uk/schools

Withdrawal A full term’s notice must be given in writing before the removal of a pupil. Failing such notice, the full fees for the ensuing term must be paid.

Insurance Although everything possible is done to ensure the health and safety of pupils whilst at school or engaged in school activities, the Governors cannot accept legal liability for sickness or accident, nor can fees be remitted in the event of absence through these or other causes. Should parents desire any form of insurance against accident or sickness they are advised to consult their own insurers.

The essential items that pupils need in connection with official school activities are insured by the school against fire and burglary while on the school premises, but their other personal effects are

No child may be absent from school for any reason other than illness without previous permission from the Head. The Head has the right to require parents to withdraw their son or daughter from the school at any time if he considers this to be in the best interests of the pupil concerned or of the school as a whole.

Travelling to King’s St Alban’s At King’s St Alban’s, many children travel to and/or from school by train, coach or bus. At the end of the school day, a duty member of staff escorts children to the main coach departure points. It is often possible to link younger children with older, more seasoned travellers - this can be reassuring, especially in the early days until they gain confidence.

Services organised by King’s

Public transport

Minibus/Transport Network We offer minibus and coach services to make it as easy as possible for pupils to travel to school. These are fulfilled by King’s minibuses and driven by King’s employed minibus drivers, our partnered Taxi company Severn Taxis, or our partnered coach company, Commandery Coaches. All vehicles will be driven by a network of qualified and DBS checked drivers.

Travelling By Train The school is a short walk along the central pedestrian precinct from Worcester Foregate Street station. Train companies offer discounts on season tickets bought in advance. There are trains which fit conveniently for the school day on the: • Oxford line (Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore). • Hereford line (Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link). • Birmingham line (Droitwich, Hartlebury, Kidderminster, Blakedown, Hagley, Stourbridge, Lye, Cradley Heath, Barnt Green). Discounted student rail season tickets to Worcester can be purchased online from West Midlands Railways via www.travelseasontickets.com/students.

For more information on our pricing structure and to reserve a place on one of our routes, please contact our transport team via transport@ksw.org.uk.

Travelling By Bus First (0800 587 7381) and Diamond Bus Company (0121 557 7337), operate a range of bus services throughout the area to Worcester city centre. Find out more and view relevant timetables www. worcestershiregov.org.uk/bustimetables.

Travelling By Coach Some of the more rural areas are well served by local coach company Yarrintons. Details of all of our routes can be found on our website ksw.org.uk/transport-update. If you would like more information, the coach company can be contacted directly on the following telephone number: 01584 881229.

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Involving Parents

Pupils of all ages, abilities and needs are highly confident and self-assured.

They are determind to give their best in all situations, within and beyond the classroom.

Latest ISI Report, 2017

Involving Parents

Holiday Club

We have our own Parents’ Social Group at King’s St Alban’s who host a number of informal, family friendly events throughout the academic year. Historically, events have included a Summer Picnic, a family BBQ, a Halloween Disco and a range of Christmas craft activities for a range of different year groups.

At King’s St Alban’s we offer fun-filled and child-centred Holiday Clubs duing Christmas, Easter and summer holidays, all supervised by King’s School staff. We have a comprehensive range of sporting programmes, academic based activities and themed days designed to motivate and occupy all children. The programme has included ‘African Adventures’, ‘Master Chef’ and ‘Baffling Biology’ along with swimming, ICT and horse-riding.

All parents are welcome to join the Parents’ Social Group and can commit as much or as little time as they are able.

King’s St Alban’s Staff

King’s St Alban’s is a caring community – the teachers, matrons, office and support staff, groundsmen, cleaners and kitchen staff. All these people have looked after my child in various ways and I know she will remember their lessons of kindness, acceptance and friendliness forever.

KSA Parent

King’s St Alban’s Staff

Useful Contacts

Mr R Chapman Mrs L Kilbey Mr D Braithwaite

Head Assistant Head, Pastoral Director of Studies/Year 6

Mrs L Robins Registrar

Miss B Cartwright

Assistant Head, Pre-Prep

Mrs S Sowney School Office

lrobins@ksw.org.uk 01905 363 592 ksa@ksw.org.uk 01905 354 906

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Moving on Our close links with the Senior School ensure smooth progression at 11+. Once children join King’s St Alban’s, the transition to the Senior School is seamless. They move on with a group of friends to a familiar site and to teachers well prepared to receive them, a number of whom they already know.

The King’s Senior School is one of the most highly regarded schools in the region having recently been named in “The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2019” as one of the top independent schools in the country. The school ranked 124th in the national table, an impressive thirty nine places higher than last year and was the leading independent school in Worcestershire. The guide, “Parent Power”, identifies the highest-achieving schools in the UK, ranked by their most recent examination results.

The results speak for themselves!

King’s School, Worcester compared to the National Average

A*/A Grades 2019

2019 A Level results of our students

A*- C

25.5% National Average

87%

A*- B

as reported by Press Association

40%

A*- A A*

69% 40% 13%

EXAMINATION RESULTS: SUMMER 2019 GCSE

A LEVEL

Subject A* A B C D E/U

8/9 7 6/5 4 3 2-U Art 41 9 Biology 53 25 33 4 1 Chemistry 57 19 33 5 2 Chinese 1 1 Classical Civilisation 3 3 14 3 5 1 Design and Technology 24 13 5 1 Drama 7 3 3 English 30 46 38 13 1 1 English Literature 33 49 37 9 1 French 11 9 16 2 3 German 26 10 16 2 Geography 36 18 21 4 History 29 23 15 3 1 1 Latin 23 1 5 Mathematics 68 24 30 6 1 Futher Maths 13 12 16 3 Music 9 4 3 2 Physics 50 22 33 8 2 1 Spanish 20 20 8 3 3 Science: 1 1 6 2 3 1 Science: 2 1 4 2 4 2 Religious Studies 16 7 6 2 1

Subject A* A B C D E/U

Art Pre-U 8 8 Biology 4 12 8 8 12 3 Business 2 5 10 4 3 Chemistry 4 11 11 6 6 3 Classical Civilisation 5 8 5 Computing 1 1 1 1 Drama and Theatre Studies 1 1

Design and Technology 1 1 2 1 Economics 3 8 8 6 2 English Literature 2 1 7 8 2 1 French 1 3 6 2 Further Mathematics 3 3 6 1 1 German 2 1 2 Geography 3 9 8 9 4 1 History 1 7 1 2 1 Latin 1 1 1 Mathematics (MEI) 12 18 10 7 2 3 Music 2 1 3 1 Physical Education 1 2 8 2 2 Physics C/D 3 5 3 3 3 2 Politics 3 7 4 Religious Studies

5 4 Spanish 3 2 1 1 Russian 1 Cumulative % 14 40 68 87 99 100

Cumulative %

22

66

92

97

99

100

I am so very happy with my results – I got three A*s and one A. It means I can take up a place at University College, Oxford to read Biomedical Sciences.

I can’t wait to start.

Former KSA student

ksw.org.uk

www.ksw.org.uk King’s St Alban’s Mill Street Worcester WR1 2NJ t: 01905 354 906 e: ksa@ksw.org.uk

The King’s School, Worcester: A company limited by guarantee, registered in England.

Registered office: 5 College Green, Worcester WR1 2LL. Company No: 4776324. Registered charity No: 1098236.

The information, terms and conditions set out in this prospectus and all occasional papers may be amended from time to time, and their provisions, subject to any such amendments, shall continue to apply for the whole period during which a boy or girl continues to attend the School, irrespective of his or her age.