The Kingsley School - Mini Guide

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An independent day school for girls and boys aged 3-18

WELCOME TO THE MOST EXCITING JOURNEY OF YOUR LIFE

Why is it that the great majority of families who look around our school register for a place?

Is it the familiar family feel, or the unusual combination of kindness and ambition that is evident in every aspect of life here?

Or is it the pupils themselves who are shaped and empowered by this hidden gem of a school?

SHOOT FOR THE MOON

When you come to look around The Kingsley School, in the heart of Leamington Spa (and with a very particular heart of its own), be sure to speak to some of our pupils who have become ambassadors – evangelists even – for us and our way of educating.

For a start, you will be talking to pupils who are aiming for high reach universities requiring outstanding academic grades. Yes, they will achieve their qualifications, but never at the expense of human qualities and values.

FLYING COLOURS

DESTINATION ANYWHERE

These qualities are often referred to by employers as ‘soft skills’ and yet today these skills are hard currency when it comes to landing your chosen career.

We foster both academic and emotional intelligence. One without the other will not suffice; both are crucial.

Then you will find something that is difficult to explain at first sight. Our school is highly diverse in its intake – we are known for being inclusive, not frighteningly selective at the point of entry. And yet...

REACH FOR THE STARS

LAUNCHPAD FOR DISCOVERY

...our pupils excel. Academically we make a big difference.

You will want to know how that happens. Well, it is not magic, (although that is how some parents describe it), but recognition.

It is understanding that before children can perform to the best of their ability, before they can achieve to the heights of their potential, they must be recognised as individuals, with their very own set of strengths, weaknesses, hopes and fears.

CHOCKS AWAY

Our school will tailor its entire endeavour to pupils’ individual needs. We listen and we act.

Time and again we hear parents tell us they knew that once they had found the right school for their child, they would take off and, lo and behold, this is exactly what has happened at Kingsley. We see it all the time – children find their wings here.

Indeed we say ‘Learn. To fly.’ Our homely, down-to-earth environment is the perfect launchpad for stellar performance.

WHERE YOU FLY TO IS UP TO YOU

We have always been ready to take pupils who are still in the process of finding themselves.

We know that as soon as a young person finds one thing that they are good at, they quickly discover more things.

The atmosphere here encourages effort and determination, with the result that becoming good at things becomes a habit. It is not so much about how good you are now, but about how good you could be. At Kingsley, every milestone, every minor miracle, every moment counts.

It is an error of our times to equate high stress with high academic achievement. This is not so and need not be so.

Our children, our students will find themselves here. They will find what they are good at and, crucially, what they enjoy. That is the recipe for university entrance and of course, for life.

You may not believe that this is how our school works so successfully. Come and see us. Then you will.

FLYING HIGH

“(Pupils) have confidence in the support available from all staff, including the pastoral team and counsellor.”

ISI Report 2023

PASTORAL CARE

We are renowned for the care and attention we give to our pupils, putting their wellbeing – individually and collectively – at the heart of our school.

This creates confidence and self-belief, making for a happy, safe, enriching and respectful community, where the highest standards are achieved both inside and outside the classroom. Girls and boys who feel known and valued learn best, work cooperatively, and have high academic and social aspirations.

As a co-educational through-school, older pupils mentor younger pupils. The school has an active house system, enabling different year groups to work together in a variety of endeavours. These include fundraising activities, supporting local and global charities.

In addition to our expertise in supporting girls, we have significant expertise in supporting boys. Members of our senior team have recent co-educational experience and we can also draw on the expertise of our colleagues at Warwick School, with its fine tradition of educating boys, as well as the wider Foundation.

In Prep, class teachers support pupils and are available for parents to speak to on a daily basis. In the Senior School and Sixth Form, dedicated Heads of Year oversee academic tracking and target-setting. They also work with individual pupils when they need support, either academically or for personal reasons.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

We are academically, but not frighteningly, selective. We accept girls and boys who have the desire to learn and the potential to excel.

Year after year, our pupils achieve outstanding results and leave for a wide range of higher education destinations which illustrate their diversity of skills and interests.

Students flourish in our flexible, caring environment where every child is treated as an individual and their unique capabilities are encouraged. We aim to foster a growth mind-set in pupils, reinforcing the view that effort and attitude are key to high achievement, and that being brave and taking risks is a necessary part of that learning process.

Just as with our pastoral programme, our pupils benefit from the expertise of exceptional staff who are highly experienced in enabling the best possible outcomes in a range of settings: girls, boys, and co-education.

“Pupils achieve excellent skills, knowledge and understanding, evident in their high levels of success in public examinations.”

ISI Report 2023

“Pupils enjoy feeling that they are part of something bigger than themselves, such as the cast of a play, or a choir, or a house competing for athletic prizes.”

ISI Report 2023

CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

Be it in music, sport, drama, outdoor pursuits, or academic enrichment – we have a fine tradition of nurturing the diverse talents of our pupil community.

Alongside tuition in the performing arts, pupils interested in music and drama have access to multiple opportunities to meet, practice and perform. Each year, we offer a wide variety of local and international trips, from London’s West End to the fjords of Norway. For those seeking adventure, the World Challenge and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award schemes provide excitement and character development in equal measure.

We recognise that mental and physical fitness go hand in hand; pupils are encouraged to get involved in a wide variety of sporting disciplines, leading to thriving sports teams and success in skiing, martial arts, gymnastics, cricket, rugby and more. Our Talented Athlete Programme supports our top performers to achieve their absolute best.

From September 2024, Kingsley pupils in Year 9 and above will enjoy Friday Afternoon Activities with the Warwick Schools Foundation, offering an even wider range of co-curricular clubs and activities.

ROUND SQUARE

We are proud to be a Round Square School – part of a vibrant network of 230 like-minded schools in over 50 countries.

Our Round Square membership brings with it many opportunities to connect and collaborate with students and teachers across the globe, learning about each other’s countries and cultures. Kingsley students and staff have attended international conferences in Canada, India, Belfast and Kenya, hearing from well-known and respected speakers, taking part in community projects and even completing a mini-marathon with a famous Indian blade runner!

Round Square schools share a commitment to character education and experiential learning built around six themes or IDEALS: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service. These IDEALS underpin a discovery network, which supports schools in developing and structuring holistic programmes that build character, competencies and life skills.

Our Round Square Awards and Round Square Diploma give all Kingsley students the opportunity to engage with a wide range of enriching activities and events. We have also launched a series of Round Square Talks featuring high-profile guest speakers from organisations such as Amnesty International and the United Nations Association.

Internationalism

We discover and embrace similarities and differences between cultures and nationalities, promoting understanding, tolerance and respect

Democracy

We believe in equality, fairness, justice and selfdiscipline, and take personal responsibility for doing what is right for the greater good.

Environmentalism

We take the time to understand our place in the universe, the forces that shape our surroundings and the impact we have.

“The School has a distinctive ethos of mutual respect and there is a clear sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions.”

ISI Report 2023

Adventure

We push ourselves beyond our percieved limits, cross boundaries and discover that we are capable of more than we thought possible

Leadership

We recognise that successful leaders are driven by a desire to be of service to others - to nurture, guide, develop and empower them to improve and succeed.

Service

We celebrate personal, social and ethical development through practical experience that brings sustainable support and benefit to others.

8BILLIONIDEAS

We’re excited about our partnership with awardwinning 8billionideas, whose mission is to give every student the skills and belief to change the world.

8billionideas delivers future-focused workshops and challenges that encourage entrepreneurship, digital fluency and collaboration. Pupils also gain an understanding of the journey from innovative idea to final product. This whole school programme, from Prep to Sixth Form, includes special activity events, an enrichment curriculum course, year group focus days, and community outreach initiatives. The result is a school environment where pupils understand that taking risks and making mistakes is a crucial part of the learning process. They learn to value the ideas and opinions of others and to celebrate each other’s success.

“We work to provide young people with vital skills that will lead them to happiness and fulfilment throughout their lives.”

8billionideas

FOUNDATION+

Being part of a group of schools creates opportunities for pupils to come together, offering an even greater range of activities and experiences for all.

Our pupils work together across the Warwick Schools Foundation in areas such as music, pupil conferences, guest speaker programmes and charity fundraising. Kingsley pupils also benefit from the use of Foundation facilities, including the Bridge House Theatre for drama and musical productions.

Musicians can play in a full Symphony Orchestra, performing major orchestral repertoire, of a scale and standard simply not possible for a single school. The Foundation’s Instrumental Programme gives all Year 7 pupils the opportunity to learn a new instrument.

At Sixth Form level, Kingsley pupils have access to dedicated support for Oxbridge preparation as well as specialist university pathways. The Global Universities Programme is a fantastic opportunity to gain one-to-one support on overseas university applications.