Kingsmead School

KINGSMEAD

KINGSMEAD

SCHOOL

SCHOOL

KINGSMEAD SCHOOL Bertram Drive, Hoylake, Wirral CH47 0LL

AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

+44 (0) 151 632 3156 international@kingsmeadschool.com www.kingsmeadschool.com

A traditional British education

BDC801

Experience a traditional British education I am proud and honoured to be the Headmaster of Kingsmead School and an ambassador for all that we have to offer.

At Kingsmead, we have a long tradition of welcoming, nurturing and educating children from across the world who join our Kingsmead “family�.

Those who want their children to sample a

British education choose us because of our reputation for excellence and the individual attention we give each child here. Every child visiting Kingsmead, whether just for a few days or for several years, is warmly welcomed by the pupils and the staff - and all are helped to make the most of the many opportunities we offer.

Welcome to this prospectus.

I hope you find it - and our lovely school - inspiring.

Mark Gibbons Headteacher

www.kingsmeadschool.com ~ 1

A modern International School - in the best traditions Founded in 1904, Kingsmead School is an independent school on the tip of the Wirral peninsula in the northwest of England.

We welcome pupils from all corners of the world, with overseas boarders being accepted between the age of 9 - 16. (In September 2018 this age will rise to 18 and we will offer additional study courses for the International Baccalaureate).

includes several of the school’s original VIctorian buildings as well as a state-of-the-art modern senior block. We have extensive playing fields, an indoor heated swimming pool, a sports hall, theatre/cinema, music/drama room, computer suite, science laboratories and tennis court.

There are many peaceful study areas and the international boarders’ accommodation is on-campus in the homely and comfortable Meadway Cottages and Watts House.

Kingsmead is an old British “family” school where, over the years, successive generations of the same family have been educated; many of our distinguished alumni retain lifelong connections with us. This continuity greatly strengthens the values and traditions which make Kingsmead such an exceptional place.

Our facilities are excellent: the 23 acre campus

2 ~ www.kingsmeadschool.com

www.kingsmeadschool.com ~ 3

Overseas pupils join us for periods of as little as one term to several years. Kingsmead’s caring ethos is widely praised and newcomers integrate quickly, are happy and thrive. Where needed, we have specialist support for pupils who are studying English as a second language.

Alongside our excellent pastoral care and specialised support, Kingsmead is renowned for helping all its pupils make the most of their academic and creative gifts. We accept children of all abilities and our efforts areconsistently rewarded - we produce the best public examination results among all-ability schools in our area of England.

Our strong links with leading multi-national businesses and organisations allow us to offer a huge range of outside-theclassroom experiences for our pupils, from factory visits and cultural trips to watching - and sometimes taking part in competitive sport!

4 ~ www.kingsmeadschool.com

www.kingsmeadschool.com ~ 5

Beyond the pursuit of academe, activities outside the curriculum are equally varied and enriching.

There are several international championship golf courses nearby, unsurprisingly, golf features regularly! There are many other outdoor pursuits available, from hiking and orienteering in north Wales to assault courses, climbing and archery nearer to home.

6 ~ www.kingsmeadschool.com

For those children who prefer less physical pursuits we provide many opportunities to explore different styles of music, dance, art and craftwork.

And for all, cultural excursions and city visits abound.

Kingsmead short visits From Spring 2018, Kingsmead is opening its doors for short educational and cultural visits, giving students the opportunity to spend a few days experiencing a taste of independent education in this remarkable region of England.

Each visit can last from a few days to a fortnight, and allows children to experience many different versions of England at the same time. Historic Wirral has a mass of ‘world-firsts’ to discover, as well as lovely countryside and internationallysignificant wildlife. Less than an hour away are the two major cultural centres of Liverpool and Manchester, the Roman city of Chester, and the beautiful Snowdonia National Park across the

8 ~ www.kingsmeadschool.com

River Dee in North Wales.

Most importantly, though, our visitors sample all aspects a typical school year in a traditional British independent boarding school. They join one of the three Kingsmead ‘houses’, attend school assemblies and undertake curriculumbased studies supported by a variety of exciting trips and excursions. Competitive team-based activities (a major element of life at Kingsmead) combine serious learning with great fun.

Wirral is such a special place; there is so much to see and do here. Even the climate is blessed, thanks to the twin influences of our westerly aspect and peninsula location which together make us milder than much of the country.

An amazing location...

Wirral is a superb base for parties seeking to experience the widest variety of Britain as possible in a short stay.

Today, we are famous as a golfer’s paradise with 14 courses within the peninsula alone! (Wirral is part of England’s Golf Coast which contains three world-famous Royal Links courses - Royal Liverpool in Hoylake, Royal Birkdale in Southport, the Royal Lytham & St Anne’s in Lancashire).

But Wirral has an amazing history, coastline and countryside to discover too. We have our place in history thanks to our introductions to the world - the first public library, underground rail network, public health services and public park (Central Park in New York was modelled on our

10 ~ www.kingsmeadschool.com

own historic public park in nearby Birkenhead).

Across the Mersey to the east is the worldfamous city port of Liverpool, a European Capital of Culture packed with educational and cultural opportunities. There are many museums, galleries, and interactive educational experiences to enjoy. Less than an hour’s coach trip away is Manchester, another vibrant centre offering a world of different learning experiences.

These two cities are in sharp contract to ancient Chester, a Roman fort now famous for its unique medieval Rows which line each of the four main streets of the city; there is nothing the same anywhere else in the world.

Meanwhile, across the River Dee to the west is the rolling countryside of North Wales and the majestic mountains of Snowdonia. Outdoor pursuits abound here!

© Snowdonia National Park Authority

www.kingsmeadschool.com ~ 11

Kingsmead has everything an educational trip organiser could wish, at our fingertips...

Modern cities, historical sites, extraordinary natural geography, and inter-active learning opportunities delivered by a dynamic, committed team from one of the region’s leading independent schools.

12 ~ www.kingsmeadschool.com

There are several programme options, or parties can design a bespoke programme with the Kingsmead team to meet any specific needs and objectives. Whatever mix is chosen, Kingsmead guarantees an unforgettable and unique experience.

www.kingsmeadschool.com ~ 13

Alumni Over the years, Kingsmead students have gone on to major careers in every field. Some have become captains of industry, many have become leaders and entrepreneurs, others have entered politics and achieved high office, but all have left the school equipped to bring a positive influence on society. Lord Malcolm Bruce, now Baron of Bennachie, enjoyed a high-profile career in politics and public service, and is currently a member of the Privy Council.

Sir Fred Calderwood became a national figure in the worlds of business as well as politics, and became a member of the European Parliament, Philip Mould, OBE, is an esteemed international art expert and TV personality.

Nicola Horlick achieved fame as a multimillionaire businesswoman (dubbed ‘Superwoman’ by the media!) while Kingsmead was chosen by the Beatles’ John Lennon as the right place for his son Julian...

Among the many other students whose outstanding achievements have given them a national profile are Professor John Meek, Keith Weed and Daily Telegraph columnist Glenda Cooper. In the wider school community, Kingsmead has welcomed the children of Olympic Gold Medallist and TV commentator Chris Boardman and legendary Liverpool FC striker Ian Rush.

Visitors to the school from the world of sport have included international football manager and ex-Everton player Bryan Hamilton, soccer star and now Olympique Marseilles scout while Georges Santos, as well as the now Liverpool FC goalkeeping coach, John Achterberg, and Zimbabwe test cricketer Henry Olonga. Like Henry, Football Association Chairman Geoff Thompson, a noted Speech Day principal guest at the annual end of year celebration.

www.kingsmeadschool.com ~ 15

Kingsmead School’s strategic location Kingsmead is situated in the village of Hoylake on the tip of the Wirral peninsula.

The school’s local station, a five minute walk from the campus, offers a fast rail connection to the centre of Liverpool (under 25 minutes). The beach is just a five minute walk in the opposite direction.

Roman Chester is 30 minutes away by road.

Both Manchester (an hour’s drive away) and Liverpool have international airports and Birkenhead’s ferry port provides a fast sailing to Ireland.

All city images © VisitEngland

16 ~ www.kingsmeadschool.com

Southport

Manchester Liverpool WIRRAL NORTH WALES

Chester