Aspiration – Resilience – Community
Welcome Aspiration • Resilience • Community
These are exciting times for Quintin Kynaston: multi-million-pound new buildings, a clear trend of raising standards and a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities make this a great place to learn. Our mission statement – Developing the best in every student – is at the heart of all that we do. As well as placing a strong focus on academic achievement, we are committed to developing all aspects of the young people in our care, giving them the confidence and skills required for a secure future. Our vision is underpinned by our three core values: Aspiration, Resilience and Community. Staff at QK work tirelessly to promote equality of opportunity, encouraging students of all abilities to aim high – in their studies and their creative and sporting endeavours. A careful balance of challenge and support builds resilience, both in the classroom and beyond. We foster an ethos of care for one another and take pride in being a diverse yet cohesive community. This prospectus can give only a glimpse of life at QK so we invite you to visit during the school day to experience for yourself the momentum with which we are moving forward together. Alex Atherton, Headteacher
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“The senior leadership team, led by an experienced and visionary headteacher, has increased the academy’s capacity to improve quickly.” Ofsted SEPTEMBER 2014
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Aspiration Setting high standards Investment in state-of-the-art facilities has provided an inspiring and vibrant place for learning. We set high standards of behaviour and expect students to respond positively to the many opportunities open to them. Our brand-new buildings feature interactive workshops and labs, performing arts studios, multipurpose sports halls, ICT rooms, a MAC suite, a spacious auditorium with stage and a new Sixth Form block. The Library / QK Hub - located at the heart of the school – boasts not only a wide range of books but also provision for online independent learning with iPads, Chromebooks and an IT suite. Outside, the grounds provide extensive recreational spaces including basketball courts and a floodlit, all-weather multi-purpose pitch. We are committed to maintaining a secure environment at QK, in which enjoyment of learning motivates our young people to raise their aspirations. To this end, our behaviour policy requires students be Ready, Respectful and Safe. They are expected to take a responsible and active part in their own education and our new reward system supports the high attendance, hard work and good behaviour that lead to achievement. Our ethos of supportive discipline – along with pride in our uniform – helps to ensure that QK is a community in which every child can thrive.
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“ Students show good attitudes to their learning and behave well because staff have high expectations of work and behaviour.” Ofsted SEPTEMBER 2014
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Aspiration Securing future success
Through building transferable skills and maintaining strong links with influential corporate partners, we provide students with a springboard to success in higher education, apprenticeships and employment. Our broad and balanced curriculum – supported by a variety of digital resources – meets the needs of individual learners through a wide range of academic and vocational courses. Our dedicated staff go the extra mile to provide inspirational teaching and tailored support. As a result, the overwhelming majority of Year 11s stay on to join our Sixth Form and many students are successful in gaining places at leading universities or jobs within their chosen career. Our Head of Corporate Liaison and Work-related Learning provides personalised careers guidance from Year 9 and students can undertake work experience in Years 10 and 12. They have access to a wealth of employment, apprenticeship and higher education information in the Careers Resource Centre, along with interactive careers software. In collaboration with outside agencies, we arrange a number of careers events and visits to colleges and universities. QK is proud to have built a large network of business supporters – our Corporate Advisory Board – that include global leaders in engineering, law, finance, management and the creative industries. Partners such as the BBC, Ernst & Young, Lloyds Bank and Saatchi & Saatchi help to enhance students’ employability through work placements, professional mentoring, internships and ‘guru’ lectures. 6 | Quintin Kynaston
“ The academy’s attentiveness to working with corporate organisations and the excellent careers guidance ensure that students are well prepared for the next stage of their life.” Ofsted SEPTEMBER 2014
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Resilience Stretching and supporting By setting challenging targets, closely monitoring achievement and providing support where necessary, we help students to become resilient learners who make the best possible progress. We get to know our young people really well so that we can employ strategies that engage each individual. Through regular assessment and feedback, all students have a clear understanding of their targets, with parents updated through reports and parents’ evenings. Homework plays a vital role, developing the independence and motivation that will benefit students at university or in the workplace. As an inclusive school, QK is committed to ensuring that every student achieves his or her potential, irrespective of any barriers to learning that may exist. We therefore provide a variety of interventions to support less ableor more vulnerable students, offered mostlythrough our Student Support Faculty. We are also proud of the increasing number of top grades achieved at both GCSE and A level. Our view is that Gifted and Talented students have their own needs which must be met for them to succeed. In addition,we have an alternative on-site provision – theA spire programme – to cater for Key Stage 4students who experience difficulties in copingwithin a mainstream environment.
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“ Students are regularly assessed and closely monitored to ensure they remain on track.� Ofsted SEPTEMBER 2014
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Resilience Building character Developing resilience also extends to extra-curricular activities, through which we nurture the problem-solving skills, self-assurance and strength of character that give students a competitive edge in university and employment applications. A wide range of challenging opportunities is used to enhance personal development at QK. Beginning with the annual Year 7 residential trip to an outdoor pursuits centre and continuing through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, we foster a spirit of adventure to develop confidence, initiative and collaboration. Achievements in all aspects of school life are recognised through our reward system, assemblies and presentations, as well as the Jack Petchey Award Scheme. Regular enrichment days – when the normal timetable is suspended – allow everyone to take part in a variety of stimulating activities. As well as welcoming speakers from business, the arts and charities to share their passion and inspire students, we make the most of our central London location to provide additional opportunities for educational visits. The chance to explore important topics – such as relationships, healthy lifestyles and careers – in tutor groups or workshops led by outside experts allows our young people to develop the skills they need to deal with a variety of situations and make positive life choices.
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“ Provision for students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strength.” Ofsted SEPTEMBER 2014
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Community Working together We promote an ethos of mutual respect in which students, staff and families collaborate to enhance both achievement and enjoyment.
Staff are committed to providing excellent pastoral care to underpin academic progress. Concern for students’ wellbeing begins with transition – staff visit our feeder primary schools, invite Year 6 pupils to the ‘Headstart’ taster day and welcome Year 7s exclusively on the first day of the school year to help them settle in. Through strong links with local primaries and initiatives such as the Playground Pals scheme – in which Year 9s make lunchtime visits – many new students are already familiar with QK. The Director of Learning for each year group is responsible for students’ progress and wellbeing, with Tutors providing daily support and mentoring. Weekly year group assemblies – with input from students, staff and visitors – promote a sense of family and shared values. We provide a breakfast club and the QK Diner – which uses biometric technology to minimise queues –offers nutritious meals, with options suitable for religious observance. Families form an important part of our community and we value their feedback through Parent Voice. Our young people contribute to the development of QK through Student Voice activities, with some being elected by their peers to serve on the School Council and others honing their leadership skills through roles such as Head Girl, Head Boy and Prefect.
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“ Students are mature and very much involved in the wider life of the academy as mentors to younger students and as prefects.� Ofsted SEPTEMBER 2014
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Community Enjoying opportunities An exciting range of creative and sporting activities helps to develop students’ skills, while educational visits deepen their understanding of the world.
Our excellent new facilities are used effectively to build teamwork, perseverance and fitness in a wide range of team games and individual sports. There are many opportunities for students to develop and showcase their sporting, creative and musical talents including lunchtime and after-school clubs, inter-school matches, the flagship production at Christmas and our summer concert. Music tuition is available in a variety of instruments and students enjoy forming their own ensembles and bands. We even have our own farm with chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits and goats that students enjoy caring for. Through a wide range of enriching opportunities including day visits to London and Paris. We encourage our young people to develop their confidence and broaden their outlook in ways that will help them to thrive in the world beyond Quintin Kynaston.
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“Students, as ambassadors living in a diverse community, connect very well with each other.� Ofsted SEPTEMBER 2014
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Marlborough Hill London NW8 0NL Tel: (+44) 020 7722 8141
www.qk.org.uk follow us @QKynaston /QKynaston