Dear Parent/Guardian +

Your son/daughter should have received their GCSE results. In cases where it is felt that an injustice has been done and an unexpectedly low grade awarded, it is possible to request an `Review of marking’. Candidates’ parents are required by the boards to pay fees for this service and money is refunded if the review is upheld. Costs can be between £37.00 and £50.00 per subject and are very rarely upheld, so parents and candidates are strongly advised to ask the opinion of the teaching staff about this before requesting an Enquiry. Having consulted subject teaching staff, it is the responsibility of parents to then make direct contact with Mrs Harris, Exams Officer. The board procedures require the Enquiry be initiated by the School and not by the parents.

Requests for such Enquiries regarding GCSEs should be made after School opens for the Autumn Term on Wednesday 4 September and no later than Friday 13 September.

We would like to invite you to a Presentation Evening to celebrate the success of the leaving Year 11 and to see GCSE certificates and prizes awarded. The Evening will take place on Thursday 28 November in the Sports Hall beginning at 7.00pm. Due to the formal nature of the evening it is requested that the pupils attend in smart dress.

On the night, we intend to seat parents with pupils in their respective tutor groups. To reserve seats for your family, please complete the on-line reply slip by Friday 13 September using the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PresentationEveningYr11 .Unfortunately, it will not be possible to present certificates and prizes to pupils who attend the evening without prior notification.

Certificates for those pupils who are unable to attend will be posted via recorded delivery if you paid £2 to cover postage costs. Please be aware that, in line with JCQ procedures, we will only store GCSE certificates for a period of 12 months; after this date they will be returned to the exam boards.

If your son/daughter would like to join the Kings’ School Alumni contact list to ensure that he/she is kept up to date with Kings’ School news and events, please can we ask that they provide us with details via the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/alumniregister .

We would like to take this opportunity again to thank you for the support that you have given to Kings’ school during your child’s time with us. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Thursday 28 November.

Yours faithfully

Mr A Chainey Mrs N Harris

Head of Year 11 Exams Officer

 

Dear Parents/Guardians

Happy new (school) year! I hope that you and your whole family have had good summer breaks and that your daughter/son is excited about the new school year.

I would like to say a particular welcome to the families of our newest pupils, in Year 7 and elsewhere. I hope that your son/daughter has settled in quickly and is already enjoying being at school. I am looking forward to meeting you soon and I hope that our partnership with you will be very fruitful.

This is a particularly exciting September because we are also welcoming pupils from Osborne School for the first time – “OsKings” is up and running! I hope that OsKings pupils and their parents will soon feel entirely at home in the Kings’ School family.

As well as the new pupils, several new adults have started with us this September. Miss Doubleday joins us as Deputy Head of PE and we also welcome Mrs Baker to Latin, Mrs Baker and Mr Davis to English, Miss Evans, Mrs Hunt and Mr Winterton to Science, Mr Miles and Mr Howe to Maths, Mrs Mackay to RE and Mr Osborne to PE.

Mrs Thompson joins us as a new Cover Supervisor, Mrs Priya and Miss Clarke are new to the Pupil Support team while Mrs Berry and Mrs Carrick join as Science Technicians. We welcome Mrs Cooper and Miss Ferris to the kitchen team.

Our “School Direct” trainees this year are Mr Beale, Miss Broughton, Miss Cadle-Hartridge, Mr Connolly, Mr Giddens, Mr Huffer, Mrs Roser and Mr Lewis.

Never wishing to miss an opportunity, I would like to add that the application window for teacher training with the Winchester Teaching School Alliance will shortly open for next September – you can find out more by contacting Maggi Edwards, our Teaching School Coordinator, on 01962 861161 or via email on enquiries@wtsa.info – please see the attached flier.

Exam results

As it turned out, the class of 2019 (and their teachers) did really well! The headlines are:

 86% achieved what are now called “the basics” (4s or better in both English and Maths)  82% achieved at least 4 in English, Maths and three other subjects  68% achieved at least 5 in English and Maths  92% achieved at least 4 in English, with 82% achieving at least a 5  88% achieved at least 4 in Maths, with 73% achieving at least a 5  31% achieved at least 5 7+ GCSEs

We will be doing lots of additional analysis to learn what we can from the results in all subjects.

Uniform

Our pupils look splendidly smart this September – congratulations to them and many thanks to you for supporting them (and us).

You may remember that we introduced trousers for girls one year ago. We said then that, from this September, all pupils (boys and girls) must be wearing official school trousers purchased from the school shop. Many thanks for your support with this, too.

School closure/staff training day

Please remember that the school will be closed to pupils on Wednesday 18 September.

Governors’ surveys

The Vice-Chair of Governors writes:

We would very much like to thank you for taking the time to complete our questionnaire at parents’ evenings last year, your views and comments are very important to us.

The results are extremely positive as we would anticipate from our excellent school; however, with your support, we are committed to moving forward and strive to improve further.

You have highlighted two main areas for further investigation – the way in which you communicate with the school and receive prompt responses, and the school’s effectiveness in tackling bullying. Although the number of concerns remains very low, it is important to us that every child is happy at Kings’ and these areas of focus will be priorities in the year ahead.

All other comments received via the questionnaires will be followed up by the relevant governing body committee. The information will remain anonymous; if you have an issue relating specifically to your child, please contact the school directly.

On the issue of communication, Mr Leeming adds:

In the “free text” section of the survey forms, one or two parents mentioned their frustration at the school not returning calls. With this in mind, we are setting up a special, dedicated email address for you to use if we do not respond in a timely fashion. If you need to chase up an enquiry, please email:

replyfollowup@kings-winchester.hants.sch.uk

The linked member of the Senior Leadership Team will then follow your enquiry up for you.

Remember, we have these guidelines:

Contacting School We want to be as helpful as possible, as quickly as possible. Please follow the guidance below.

Whom to contact 1. Pupil absence – Email: pupilabsence@kings-winchester.hants.sch.uk Pupil Absence Text: 01962 600028 2. General welfare and pastoral enquiries – Tutor Questions about specific subjects – Subject Teacher 3.Serious welfare and pastoral issues – Head of Year Serious subject-specific issues – Head of Subject 4. Issues that cannot be resolved at levels 2 or 3 – linked member of the Senior Leadership Team

How to contact them Phone the school on 01962 861161 or email kings.school@kings-winchester.hants.sch.uk.

What should happen
We aim to respond to telephone messages and emails within two school days (although part-time colleagues may take a little longer than this).

“Show Your Appreciation Scheme”

Governors set up this lovely arrangement last year. We hope that the staff team tries hard and does a great job and we know that many parents are very grateful – the idea of the scheme is that parents provide “thank-you” prizes which are randomly allocated to one of the adults in the school. It helps to reinforce our ‘Una Laborantes’ spirit – every member of the Kings’ School team has an equal chance of winning.

Many, many thanks to all the kind parents who said “thank you” to school staff by donating a prize last year. This scheme is a real morale-booster – the “draw” is eagerly anticipated and the winners are always absolutely delighted.

Of course, we depend on a steady supply of prizes. If you are feeling grateful for something the school has done for your son or daughter, please do consider dropping a gift off at Reception. It can be anything from a box of chocolates, a voucher for a pub meal to an afternoon of free DIY!

KSA meetings
The very wonderful Kings’ School Association will be working hard this year. They organise wonderful social events; they help out at parents’ evenings and concerts; they also raise money to support the school, most recently providing funding towards the Eco Rocket. Taking an active part in the KSA is a great way to get to know the school better. We are always looking for enthusiastic parents to join our friendly team. Their first 2 meetings this term are on Wednesday 25th September and our AGM on 14th October. Both meetings start at 5.30pm and will be held in the Library. All parents are most welcome.
We would also like to encourage you to ‘save the date’ for the excellent Quiz Night run by the KSA, which this year will be on Friday 15th November. Tickets will go on sale for this very popular event at the start of November and we look forward to seeing many of you there.

St Swithun’s Lectures

Pupils, parents and staff at King’s School are warmly invited to our first lecture of the term on Thursday 26 September at 7.30pm in Harvey Hall
SAILING TO SUCCESS – an evening with British sailing’s golden girl, Helena Lucas MBE

Helena made history by claiming 2.4mR Paralympic gold at London 2012, becoming the first ever female winner of the male dominated Paralympic class and Britain’s first ever Paralympic sailing gold medallist.
Helena then went on to campaign for Rio on a quest for her second gold medal. She was the first athlete to be selected for Team GB and after a hard fought week battling on the waters of Rio was in gold medal position going into the last race. However, she unfortunately picked up a plastic bag on her rudder, costing her the gold medal and having to settle for Bronze.
Helena has won numerous medals at World Championships over her sailing career and has been nominated by World Sailing for Sailor of the Year twice. She was awarded the MBE in 2013 for her services to sailing and has a unique story to tell; she was also the only female competing in the 2.4mR class in London 2012 and has also campaigned in both Olympic and Paralympic classes.

Harvey Hall – main auditorium ADMISSION FREE Please book by emailing lectures@stswithuns.com

Term Dates and Parent Calendar

The following link here will provide you with both our Parent Calendar and term dates for the next academic year.

Extra curricular programme

As you know, we are proud of the extra-curricular opportunities we offer. The precise schedule changes all the time – this will be available on the website and emailed out shortly. I hope that you will have a moment to have a look at it and to encourage your daughter/son to take part.

PE extra-curricular opportunities – please see attachment.

BEE activities (Autumn 1) – please see attachment

Reminders to Year 11 pupils

This is a last call to our 2019 leavers for: a) prom photos taken by Mr Fletcher – these will be available to order via his website until the end of September; b) confirmation that if they will be attending our Presentation Evening on 28 November – we hope they will – we are missing them already!

House Events 2019-20 Our Heads of Houses write: The events we run throughout the year will be on Thursdays after school starting at 3:30pm and finishing on average at 4.30pm – please see the full list below. Pupils will need PE kit for the sporting events (other than Kings Got Tough but information about this one will be communicated via tutors). We would love every pupil in the school to attend at least three events this year. It really is a forum of fun and a great community for both new and established pupils to find new friends. For parents new to our school community, all pupils are split into four ‘Houses’ (Godwin, Tudor, Norman and Stuart). Each House is awarded points for placement and attendance per event, which go towards the House Cup competition (awarded during Sports Day). The current reigning House champions are Tudor House after a fantastic double win last year. We have a brilliant new strategy for all pupils to sign in for the activities so come along and have a go…!!

House Events 2019-2020
House Photography open for entries (Deadline for submission 15th Oct) 12th Sept Dodgeball Yr7 & 8 19th Sept Dodgeball Yr9 & 10 26th Sept Football / Netball 7&8 (Top field/Sarum courts) 3rd Oct Football / Netball 9&10 (Top field/Sarum courts) 10th Oct House Karaoke (Tower) 17th Oct Rugby Yr 7 & 8 (Bottom field) 24th Oct Rugby Yr 9 & 10 HALF TERM 7th Nov Benchball Yr 7 & 8 14th Nov Benchball Year 9 & 10 21st Nov Hockey Yr 7 & 8 (ATP) 28th Nov Hockey Yr 9 & 10 2nd – 6th Dec Swimming year 7&8 and 9&10 (During Periods 1-3) (Swimming Pool) 25th Nov House Christmas Card Competition open for entries (Deadline for submission 10th Dec) 12th Dec House Quiz (Gym) CHRISTMAS BREAK 6th – 10th Jan House Bake Off Sign Up 16th Jan House Bake Off (Godwin and Norman Houses) 23rd Jan House Bake Off (Stuart and Tudor Houses) 30th Jan House Animation 6th Feb House Countdown (Rm 26) HALF TERM 27th Feb House Basketball Yr 7 & 8 5th Mar House Basketball Yr 9 & 10 5th Mar House Reading Begins (Ends 4th Apr) 12th Mar Kings’ Got Tough 19th Mar House Science 26th Mar Spelling Bee (Gym) 30th Mar Sign up for Kings’ Got Talent EASTER BREAK 20th April Sign up for Kings’ Got Talent 27th April – 1st May Kings’ Got Talent Auditions (lunchtimes) 7th May Softball Whole School (ATP) 14th May Kings’ Got Talent Final
21st May Volleyball (all years) HALF TERM 4th June Rounders Whole School (Top field) 11th June Quidditch Whole School (Middle field) 18th June *Proposed* Sports Day 25th June Summer Games Whole School (Middle field)

Late bus
I am pleased to confirm that we have been able to hold the price of the Late Bus service at £3.
Carol Service
A date for your diaries – our Kings’ School Carol Service will take place in Winchester Cathedral at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10th December. This is the most wonderful occasion and is never (quite) full – do come – I am sure you will not regret it!

Every year, a group of parents, staff and friends of Kings’ School form a choir to sing a couple of carols at the event. Rehearsals will take place on Tuesday evenings throughout November in the school hall, from 7.30 – 8.40pm. If you would like to take part, an application form and further information regarding repertoire etc. will be available online before the end of September.

Orchestra

Our school orchestra meets weekly in the hall after school with Mr Langridge; it is open to pupils of grade 3 standard and above and is always welcoming new members. Rehearsals take place on Wednesdays after school. A number of pupils also play in local orchestras that meet on a Wednesday evening; rehearsals will finish a little earlier than last year to allow sufficient time for pupils to have a break and get to their respective rehearsals.

General Reminders

If you want to request authorised absence (for a sporting event, for instance), please write to me. Please be aware that we do not authorise absence for holidays.

If your child is absent because they are unwell, please notify us as soon as possible, either by text (to 01962 600028), by email (pupilabsence@kings-winchester.hants.sch.uk) or by phone (01962 861161 option 1).

If you have any urgent enquiry or message, please phone the school rather than using the email system.

Important dates Wednesday 18 September Open Evening Thursday 19 September Open Morning Friday 20 September Open Morning Monday 23 September Y7, 9 & 11 individual school photos Wednesday 25 September Careers Fayre Evening Thursday 26 September Iceland Information Parents Meeting Evening Monday 30 September Year 7 Meet the Tutor Evening 5 – 7pm Tuesday 8 October Open Morning Tuesday 8 October Internet Safety Evening Thursday 10 October Y11 Study Skills Information Evening Wednesday 23 October Y10 Academic Information Evening
28 October – 1 November HALF TERM Wednesday 6 November Year 7 Parent Information Evening Friday 15 November KSA Quiz Night Wednesday 27 November Kings’ Christmas Cracker Thursday 28 November GCSE Presentation Evening Tuesday 10 December Kings’ Carol Service, Winchester Cathedral Friday 20 December Half Day closure before Christmas Holidays

Yours faithfully

Mr M Leeming Headteacher

Many congratulations to all our 2019 leavers on their exam results.

Headteacher Matthew Leeming said:

“It is always delightful to see young people we know to be well-motivated and determined become well-qualified as well! They have worked very hard – as a rule, I would say that the teenagers we work with today are even more conscientious than their predecessors were. The staff deserve great credit too – I am lucky to work with such a skilful and committed group of professionals.”

Of 329 pupils:

86% achieved at least 4 in English and Maths (and also in three other subjects; equivalent to the old 5+A*-C including English and Maths measure)

68% achieved at least 5 in English and Maths

92% achieved at least 4 in English, with 82% achieving at least a 5

88% achieved at least 4 in Maths, with 73% achieving at least a 5

Please click on the links below for more information

Summer Reading Challenge

Example of Book Reviews

 

It is never easy as a teacher being made aware that one of our pupils has become seriously ill. It is even worse when you hear the word Cancer. Having said that can you imagine being the person that has been told this when you are just 14 years old? Could you imagine being the parents of that child? Everyone would hope that it is not a message they hear in their lifetime, but if you did, what support is out there especially for our children.

We have been humbled by the support that is offered by the Piam Brown Ward in Southampton Hospital and we had the privilege of visiting them and seeing first-hand the outstanding work that they do. Incredibly, and sadly, NHS money only provides for the treatment of the children in their care, everything else, literally everything else, has to come from charitable donations. It was our honour as Kings’ School to raise money on their behalf as a huge thank you to care and provision that they provide and have provided.

Through donations over time they now have a play room, a teaching room and relaxing room (with a Juke Box), a living room with sofas and a dining table for families to sit together when a child is too ill to be at home and a small kitchen for parents to cook real meals in and make tea and coffee. It was our honour to present the cheque to Piam Brown Ward this week. Donations can still be made via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kings-school Congratulations to all involved and thanks to all who donated.

Money has now reached a whopping £7009.40!!!

Please click here to view a short video

 

 

 

Are you interested in a career in teaching?

School Direct teacher training positions in Winchester

School Direct is an innovative school based training route into the teaching profession. Winchester Teaching School Alliance, working with The University of Winchester, is pleased to be able to offer School Direct teacher training places commencing in September 2019.

These placements are available in a number of the city’s schools with both primary and secondary positions offered. Subjects we offer are listed below:

• Primary: School Direct (tuition fee) Primary posts.
•  Secondary: School Direct (tuition fee) posts in Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design & Technology, Drama, English, Food, Geography, History, Languages, Maths, Music, PE, Physics, R.S.For further information on training to teaching with WTSA and to search for courses please visit www.gov.uk/guidance/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses-in-england

 

In order to apply for any of the above positions, please visit www.ucas.com/ucas/teacher-training

For further information, call Maggi Edwards on 01962 861161 or email enquiries@wtsa.info

Dear Parents/Guardians,

You may know that we have been welcoming groups of pupils from Osborne Special School (for pupils with moderate learning difficulties) since the start of September. They have been joining the Year 10 and 11 college groups for PSHEE and it has gone exceptionally well. Our friends at Osborne would now like to take this idea a bit further.

Osborne has a couple of problems. It is very successful, very popular and very cramped. They need to increase their number on roll, but they have no space on which to build. They are also aware that many of their higher-attaining pupils find the post-16 transition to mainstream quite scary.

They would like to re-locate a small class of Year 10 pupils (up to 9 or 10) and a small class of Year 11 pupils (likewise) onto our site. They would remain Osborne pupils for most purposes – they would be taught by Osborne staff  and their exam results would belong to Osborne. However, socially, they would aim to become Kings’ pupils, wearing our uniform and mingling with our pupils at lunchtime. One or two might join our pupils for a handful of lessons, on a very limited basis.

We would dearly like to tap into Osborne expertise, especially with our own low attainers, both in KS4 but also in Y7. We also think that “an Osborne annex” would be very positive for our ethos.

Our current thinking is that from September 2019, we will provide two classrooms at the far end of Bradbury Block for them. Three or four Osborne staff would be permanently based with us, looking after about 20 of their Key Stage 4 pupils. If it goes well, we would hope to do some building work and give (well, rent) them something more permanent in September 2020. At that point (or, maybe, sooner) we would also aim to provide some level of expert Osborne input for up to 10 of our own pupils.

To be clear, this would make no difference to our number-on-roll, to our exam results, or our budget. Kings’ class sizes would be unaffected, except that some individual Osborne pupils might join us for the odd lesson and some individual Kings’ pupils might be accommodated by the Osborne staff for the odd lesson.

We think this is a really exciting opportunity for both schools; I will include updates about it in my regular newsletters.

Yours faithfully,

Matthew Leeming

Head Teacher