Junior School Prospectus

Welcome to King’s

Did you have fun at school?

I want all our pupils to look back on their time at King’s College Junior School and answer this question with a resounding ‘yes’. Our teachers work hard to ensure that life here - in the classroom and outside - is stimulating and exciting. This is why we are looking for children who are bright, curious and interested in the world around them, who can rise to the challenges we offer and have fun.

Education is not just about academic subjects and co-curricular activities - it is also about values. There is a simple saying which contains a great deal of truth: it is nice to be important, but more important to be nice. We want our pupils to be kind, honest, inclusive, patient and brave. The result is excellent relationships between our pupils and those responsible for them. We have talented pupils, inspiring teachers and first-class facilities but I have no doubt that it is the quality of the relationships which is the defining characteristic of the school.

It is a real privilege and a very considerable responsibility to be involved in educating young people. If you are thinking that we might be right for your child, I hope that this prospectus gives you a flavour of the school and that you will come for a tour. I will be delighted to take you around and give you the opportunity to meet pupils and staff.

WELCOME

Mr Ted Headmaster,LougherKing’s College Junior School

Rushmere years 3-4

Academic

Pupils study a broad curriculum throughout their time in the junior school. In Rushmere (years 3 and 4), they are taught by their form teacher for the majority of their subjects with specialist teachers for Art, Music and Sport. The pupils are bright and we strive to provide them with teaching which is genuinely challenging and develops their understanding of concepts and skills in a range of subjects.

They study English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies and Philosophy, Art, Technology, Music, Computing, Drama, PSHE, PE and Games and Think Tank. The curriculum is planned carefully by the Rushmere teachers who work closely together under the leadership of the Head of Rushmere who is also a year 4 form teacher.

At this stage in their education, the pupils are given no more than 30 minutes of homework each evening. They write this down in their homework diary and there is space for parents to send notes to their child’s form teacher who will look at the diary each day. This ensures that there is the opportunity for regular communication between home and school on both academic and pastoral matters.

RUSHMERE

Rushmere years 3-4

Pastoral

Rushmere is a safe, caring and stimulating environment where each pupil feels valued and can build positive foundations for learning. For the children in Rushmere, the form teacher is central to their pastoral care. We spend much of the first half term settling the year 3 pupils into their new school (including a team building day where they can get to know each other less formally). The form teachers work under the overall leadership of the Head of Rushmere who provides them, the pupils and their parents with additional advice and guidance.

On transfer to year 4, all existing pupils are mixed into different classes, as is the case throughout the school. There is a buddy system for the new pupils: an established member of the form takes responsibility for each new pupil and shows them the ropes. Early in the term, a similar team building day offers another fun opportunity for all the pupils to get to know each other. Rushmere is the base for the pupils in years 3 and 4 and there they have their own playground and dining hall. They are encouraged, however, to play a part in the wider life life of the school.

There are four houses in the junior school and pupils join a house as soon as they enter the school. In addition to the daily school assemblies, there are regular house assemblies, which provide an opportunity for pupils in all year groups to meet and get to know each other in these slightly smaller gatherings. Their house is important to the them and they strive to win the various house competitions and the overall house cup, which is presented to the winning house captain in the final assembly of the year.

RUSHMERE

“The school has been the perfect environment for my son to develop and learn.”Parent

Priory years 5-6

Academic

In Priory (years 5-6), pupils are taught by specialist subject teachers throughout. They begin French in year 5 and Latin in year 6. They are set for French and Mathematics in year 6. In year 5, the pupils undertake a one-year course studying the History Of The English Language and pupils in Year 6 start Design and Engineering.

Pupils transfer to the senior school at the end of year 6 without having to take another qualifying examination. They are considered for senior school academic scholarships on the basis of their work throughout the year, the end-of-year assessments in year 6 and an

interview with a senior school teacher. Senior school scholarships are also available for music and sport from the start of year 7 and there are opportunities for pupils to be assessed for art and drama scholarships in year 8 at the same time as those joining at 13+.

ISI Inspection (2022)

“Pupils attain at levels well in advance of age expectations by the time they leave the school.”

Priory years 5-6

Pastoral

Whilst Priory pupils are taught by specialist subject teachers, it is their form teacher who has overall responsibility for their academic and pastoral well-being. If parents have concerns about any aspect of their child’s development, they should first contact the form teacher. The form teacher sees their pupils every morning in the form room, which is where they keep their books. Form teachers help them to organise their daily lives as well as supporting them through pastoral difficulties, should the need arise.

Forms are reorganised each year to encourage all pupils to mix across year groups and to ensure that new pupils never have to break into established social groups. Buddies help the newcomers settle into the school and we are proud that they quickly feel at home here. There is also a Head of Year for years 5 and 6. This senior teacher oversees

the work of the form teachers in Priory, has overall responsibility for monitoring the pupils’ pastoral and academic development and works with them, their teachers and the parents to deal with any problems or difficulties which might arise.

“The children feel at home” Parent

Additional support

The Learning Enrichment (LE) department at King’s aims to enable all pupils to achieve their learning potential, regardless of their level of need. The department places a strong focus on building pupils’ self-esteem and confidence by helping them to recognise their own strengths, while also supporting them to develop in other areas. Specialist teachers in the department provide one-to-one support for pupils throughout the school, which may be on a short-term or long-term basis, depending on the pupil’s needs. This may include supporting pupils with less conventional learning styles, helping those having difficulties in a particular subject, or assisting those who have been affected by a period of absence.

Pupils with a diagnosed difficulty or condition (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ASD, etc.) are also provided with specific support in developing strategies to overcome any barriers to their learning. Furthermore, small group sessions are also offered to some pupils – focusing on a variety of areas such as spelling, handwriting or revision skills. The LE department also works closely with classroom teachers to support them in differentiating for the individual needs of pupils in their lessons to ensure that all pupils are given the best opportunities to achieve their potential.

“The quality of pupils’ personal development is excellent.”

ISI Inspection (2022)

Sport at King’s

The PE and Games programme is firmly based on inclusion. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum to enthuse every pupil regardless of their individual talent and skill. Our major sports are rugby, football and cricket and we also run an extensive programme in many other sports including hockey, tennis, athletics, table tennis, water polo, swimming and golf.

Competitive fixtures are played against other schools in all major sports and in many others too, and we also compete at national and regional events. Within the school, we hold house competitions in all the major sports, and all pupils are given the opportunity to represent their school in many sports. Through PE and Games we aim to foster within our pupils an understanding of the benefits of exercise and how it links to a healthy lifestyle.

Celebrating the Arts

There is a remarkable passion for the creative and performing arts in the junior school and we provide a versatile curriculum for the pupils to develop skills and explore different interests. Art is taught in the purpose-built studios of the Reeve School, where drawing, painting, printmaking and 3D design, as well as ceramics, mixed media and digital processes are developed. Projects are inspired by contemporary art practice, art history and the rich heritage of different cultures in order to foster aesthetic awareness and understanding.

Also housed in the Reeve School is Design and Engineering, where pupils can explore their practical creativity. Projects cover a wide range of topics, including how to use tools safely, Computer-Aided Design and 3D printing, as well as working with wood, metals and plastics. We have four purpose-built workshops and a versatile multimedia space, which provides access to computers and practical equipment.

In Rushmere, pupils learn a strong foundation in ICT skills such as the development of multimedia presentations, spreadsheet modelling, effective internet searching and touch typing, with an introduction to computing concepts such as programming and coding structures.

Upon moving into Priory, this knowledge is reinforced with activities that include making movies, audio manipulation and animations alongside a greater emphasis on computing, involving computing theory, HTML coding and programming using the Python programming language.

“This is the school for anyone with a son looking for a challenge.” Talk Education (2022)

Celebrating the Arts

The Drama curriculum is designed to offer all pupils the opportunities to express themselves confidently, whilst learning a range of skills. Topics include writing, performing, improvisation and role play. We offer co-curricular groups such as the debating society, an annual public speaking competition and form assemblies, which give the pupils a chance to perform in front of the whole school. Both Rushmere and Priory put on an annual production, with opportunities for pupils to be involved in the technical side of the theatre, too. LAMDA examinations are also available.

Music is an essential part of our pupils’ education and is given a prominent place in school life. Our aim is to encourage the enjoyment of music and music-making in all our pupils, to use music to build self-confidence and social skills, and to provide top-quality tuition to nurture musical talent. Outside

of academic lessons, we have a wide range of ensembles and groups and we encourage pupils to have instrumental or vocal tuition with one of our many specialist visiting music teachers.

There are several performance opportunities within the school and beyond, including regular informal concerts, chamber music concerts, showcase concerts, house music competitions, music festivals, school services, assemblies and overseas tours. AT

Facilities at King’s

King’s is fortunate to have a range of exceptional facilities in which students and teachers can practise and demonstrate their passions.

In 2010, the school began an extensive masterplan to enhance these facilities, completing the final project in 2019. The sports pavilion at Kingsway, the school’s main playing fields, was officially opened in 2011, alongside the school’s two all-weather pitches. The facility provides a fitting accommodation to home and visiting sports teams and includes well-equipped changing rooms and a dining hall for post-game catering.

Our state-of-the-art music school was opened in April 2018. This impressive addition to the school campus includes four music and specialist classrooms, 16 individual practice rooms, performance spaces and a magnificent concert hall that can accommodate an audience of 200 alongside a 70-piece orchestra.

In 2019, an extensive infrastructure enhancement to the school’s sporting facilities was completed. As part of the project, we opened a new sports centre that exists alongside the original sports hall on the main site. It includes a six-court sports hall measuring over 25m x 36m, a six-lane 25m indoor swimming pool, a gym, a strength and conditioning suite, an aerobics studio and an exercise area.

Co-Curricular Life

This is a very busy school and we take considerable pride in the range of co-curricular activities available to the pupils. There is a great deal of sport, music and drama but there are also many clubs and societies. These include chess, computing, craft club, gardening and Lego. These co-curricular activities are important because they develop the pupils’ wider interests, stimulate their intellects and provide them with purposeful leisure pursuits.

We hope that you have enjoyed reading this prospectus and that you now have a clearer picture of our school. If you would like further information or a tour of the school with the Headmaster, do feel free to make contact with us. Mrs Suzanne Richards, the Headmaster’s PA and admissions registrar, will be happy to help you.

“King’s gets the best out of the boys. I always got a sense that difference is celebrated.”Parent