Year 7–305 |
Year 8–300 |
Year 9–300 |
Year 10–294 |
Year 11-300 |
2. Aims
- To enable all learners to have high expectations and realise their goals and aspirations.
- To nurture relationships that develop self esteem, self knowledge and respect for others.
- To empower every learner with the confidence, skills and knowledge to embrace the opportunities our changing world offers. | Top of Page |
3. Specialist School Status - Performing Arts
The school has been designated Specialist Status in Performing Arts. We see this status as an opportunity to nurture creativity across the curriculum. We want all lessons to actively engage pupils and make them think creatively and where possible socially about solving problems. Performing Arts at the school is a strength in its own right. The Kingstone School Band has played all over Europe and we are very proud of the high quality productions that we stage, however, it should be stressed that we are not a fame academy! We use our status to strengthen what we offer, right across the curriculum. | Top of Page |
4. Accommodation and Resources
Most subject areas are suited and we make the most of the accommodation that we have. In the last few years interactive whiteboards have been fitted in all relevant teaching bases and new IT suites have been added to upgrade facilities, however, it would be fair to say that accommodation at the school is an issue. There are now eleven science laboratories, seven ICT rooms and a variety of specialist Technology rooms. The accommodation also includes two assembly halls, two gymnasia, a wide range of specialist rooms and a brand new sports centre. The Library and Resources centre includes a wide variety of audio-visual and computer facilities, as well as an impressive book stock.
Barnsley has been successful with a bid for ‘Building Schools for the Future’ monies and is to be included in wave three of the scheme. This ambitious bid centres on the development of a number of new build Advanced Learning Centres, the first of which will open in 2009.
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5. Staffing and Management Structure
There are currently approximately 100 full time teachers, 40 in the administrative team and over 50 in the Learning Support team that includes teaching assistants, school meals supervisors, medical, technical and caretaking staff. We foresee further support staff being employed to reduce teacher workload on administrative tasks.
The teaching staff are grouped into curricular areas: principally English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Modern Foreign Languages, the Humanities and Creative Arts. The work of subject team leaders is currently co-ordinated by Deputy Head – Teaching.
Pastoral Care is based on a year system led by Deputy Head – Learning, who co-ordinates the work of five Heads of Year and Link Tutors. Staff Development has featured prominently at all management levels in recent years and we have in place a significant programme of staff development aimed at both teaching and non-teaching staff. This work is co-ordinated by the Assistant Headteacher – Staff Development, who is also responsible for ITT and NQTs.
The Senior Leadership Group is made up of The Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher – Teaching, Deputy Headteacher – Learning, Assistant Headteacher – Staff Development ,Assistant Headteacher - Specialism and Community, Assistant Headteacher – Assessment and Reporting and Director of Performing Arts and Extended Services. The Senior Management Team is made up of all of the above along with the, Strategic Co-ordinator for ICT, Business and Finance Director (Non-teacher) and Facilities Manager (Non- teacher).
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6. Curriculum
Like all state schools, Kingstone offers programmes of study in National Curriculum Key Stage 3 subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, French, Art, Music and PE. In addition, pupils’ areas of experience include IT, and Dance. The school operates a five, one hour lesson, day on a fortnightly cycle. In Year 7 Geography, RE, Drama, PHSE, History and IT are taught through Cultural Studies, and using a child centred, active pedagogical approach. This continues into Year 8 with a course called Curriculum for Confidence which sees the teaching of PHSE, Drama and RE through a similar approach.
The Key Stage 4 programme is complex and has been significantly revised in recent years. An options sheet has been appended to these notes, which provides the clearest explanation of what we offer at KS4.
A wide range of courses are offered within an entitlement framework. This framework ensures that all pupils gain a broad and balanced curriculum, but also ensures that they have the opportunity to specialise. All pupils must study English, Mathematics and Science as well as Religion and Society. This course builds on the humanising ethos that we are so proud of at Kingstone. It covers the NC requirements for RE and Citizenship and is taught in such a way as to nurture high level ICT skills.
Pupils are presented with a series of options and the vast majority go on to opt for a Humanities subject, a Technology subject and a Creative Arts subject. They also have a free choice, which enables pupils to take for example Drama and Music or Graphics and Resistant Materials. A small number of pupils undertake NVQ courses and Applied GCSE’s are also available in subjects such as Leisure and Tourism. More able students have the opportunity to study ICT at Advanced Supplementary Level and we are keen to develop the range of Level 3 courses that we offer.
One group do not take standard options but instead follow an Alternative Curriculum that sees them, for example, undertaking City and Guild workshop based qualifications.
All pupils in Year 10 undertake Work Experience and Enrichment (non-timetable) days, are used to explore Careers and Health Education.
Pupils with learning difficulties are catered for by Special Needs provision, particularly in English and Mathematics, but a family group of pupils with severe learning problems is withdrawn, as needed, from other lessons.
PHSE is taught through the arts by a specialist team in Key Stage 3.
The last full Ofsted inspection was in June, 2007 and described as ‘a good school with significant strengths.’ English was inspected in May of 2006 and described as ‘Outstanding.’
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7. Pupil Care
The school is organised for pastoral purposes into Year Groups. On entry in Year 7, pupils are allocated to a mixed-ability form. The Heads of Year work alongside link tutors (non teachers) and with a form tutor team, which in turn is responsible for the general welfare of each pupil. This tutor team is at the heart of our pastoral system. In Year 7, apart
from Mathematics, Science and Technology, lessons are taught in Forms and these remain as cohesive groups for pastoral purposes throughout the school. From Year 8, a progressive increase in subject setting takes place. The work of Form Tutors and Year Heads is supported by senior staff, who liaise closely with relevant external support agencies where necessary.
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8. Pupil Achievement
Baseline testing clearly indicates we could do more to add value to achievement through Key Stage 3. This has become a key priority for us. We are confident that we do add significant value in KS4.
Most recent results are as follows:-
- 2003 42.5% 5+ A* - C 94% 1+ A* - G
- 2004 48.5% 5+ A* - C 94.1% 1+ A* - G
- 2005 47% 5+ A* - C 96.3% 1+ A* - G
- 2006 50% 5+ A* - C 97% 1+ A* - G
- 2007 57% 5+ A* - C 99% 1+ A* - G
We have a well-established commendation system, where pupils are encouraged to achieve higher standards by increased effort in academic work. This commendation system also rewards contribution to school life. We have a ‘Celebration of Achievement Day’ to maintain the profile of success. Progress is monitored regularly by internal assessments and reported to parents at key times for each year group. Parents are welcomed, not only at specific consultation evenings, but also on an individual basis if they have matters of immediate concern. Progress Review Days where pupils and their parents have meetings with form tutors, take place in Years 7, 8, 10 and 11. In Year 9, we have an Options Day, where pupils and parents discuss their Year 10 courses.
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9. Extra Curricular Activities and School Achievements
The school has an excellent reputation for sporting achievements and our teams regularly win local cup competitions and top local leagues. There are numerous after-school activities and clubs, and we have many visits that go both locally and abroad. We have established a particularly strong tradition in Music and Performing Arts, with major productions and concerts, a regular feature in our events’ calendar. | Top of Page |
10. Community Links and the Parents’ Association
The school has strong links with the local community through a wide variety of activities. These include charity and fund raising events. The Parents’ Association is an important feature of school life for both fund-raising and broadening contact with parents generally. We also run music lessons for the wider community on a Saturday morning via ‘Majors and Minors.’
In September, 2004 we opened Kingpins Nursery, a forty-two place nursery which as well as providing a service to the local community is also aimed at those who teach and work at Kingstone. Places at the nursery are available to staff at the school on a term time only basis, which means a substantial saving for those with children aged 0 to 5.
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11. A personal message from the Head
The ethos of the school is based firmly on the principle that people work best where they feel secure. Consequently, we work purposefully to maintain a caring, yet disciplined atmosphere. Within this framework, young people are encouraged to mature as individuals and to take greater responsibility for the part they play as members of our school community. Our overriding aim is to encourage a positive learning experience through the active co-operation of staff, parents and young people.
I hope this brief outline of the school gives you some insight into a school of which we are justifiably proud. Kingstone is a wonderful place to work. We look forward to hearing from you.
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M.K. MILBURN
revised September, 2007 |
