Exciting curriculum innovations.
‘We have recently carried out a detailed analysis of the educational experience that our children receive and this has helped inform the plan for the future which will see us continue to deliver excellence. We are very aware that as our society develops educational needs change and we believe that these changes will enable us to improve further the experience and opportunities for our children.’ enthused Andrew Carter, the Headmaster.
Bespoke preparation for Kent Test 100 % pass rate in 2014
Choice will form a significant part of the renewed offer - with the opportunity for parents to opt for specific preparation for the Kent Test within curriculum time. In recent years over 80% of our children have been offered places for local grammar schools. Recruitment for Kent College Senior School is so positive that we can offer parents a full range of transfer options at the end of year six. These classes will focus on the skills required to approach non/verbal reasoning tests as well as the English and Maths papers of the Kent Test, allowing pupils to become familiar with what is required.
Accelerated learning
Extra lessons in sports, music, art or drama to develop individual talents and prepare for scholarships to senior school will be offered alongside test preparation: the opportunity to choose options can be made termly so that each individual may focus on one area or improve across a full range over time. Over 50% of our students regularly receive scholarships upon entrance to independent senior schools.
Specialist teachers are shared across the Junior and Senior parts of Kent College in Modern Languages and ICT and courses beginning in Y5 may culminate in a completed GCSE in Y9 - an age range when learning capacity in these key areas is optimal.
Flexible Support focused on the individual
Each junior year group will consist of two classes with ability sets being used for the teaching of Maths and English: in years three to five in Maths and English children will be placed according to their ability rather than their age, further ensuring that each child is taught according to their needs. These settings will feature small class sizes and will be reviewed regularly to enable the children to move through the sets appropriately. Year six will have two sets for each subject area and will be taught in a single year group to help them prepare for the challenge of senior school life.
Hitting the High Notes
Music and the expressive arts remain a major strength of the school - with specialist teaching and a full range of visiting instrumental teachers. There are accomplished infant and junior choirs, and a full junior school orchestra. The Kent College Choristers are twice winners of the top prize in the National Festival of Music for Youth and are again in the National finals of BBC Choir of the Year. Recent tours have taken them to cathedrals in Salzberg and Venice. Dance performances are a regular feature and recent dramatic productions include Godspell and Bugsy Malone.
Going for Gold
A fine reputation continues in a full range of sporting activities, with all of pupils encouraged to get fully involved. Excellent facilities and specialist teaching in hockey, football, cricket, tennis, netball, gymnastics, cross country and athletics enable the school to thrive in all areas. Kent College Junior School boasts a full fixtures programme, tours in all major sports as well as hosting major athletics and cross-country events. Our recent trophies include: football league winners; county hockey champions; national hockey semi-finalists; county level athletes and national cross-country medallists!
‘Wrap around’ activities programme
A full range of clubs and activities is available from farming to science and computing to design. Children regularly stay for after school clubs (or to be supervised doing homework) until 6pm and can be dropped off in the morning from 8am. This flexibility along with plans to extend holiday programmes to cover up to 50 weeks per year is a welcome complement to busy family life.
Financial Help
Kent College Junior School offers means tested Exhibitions for excellence and potential in Academic Achievement, Art, Music, Sport and Drama from the age of 8.
