The King’s School
2 The King’s School Prospectus
Welcome to The King’s School We appreciate that choosing the right school for your child is a very important decision. The right education is vital in providing them with the skills and qualifications they need for a happy and successful future. Headteacher We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our school. There are many opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom and much of what we do goes well beyond the formal taught curriculum, making The King's School a very special place to study. The academic emphasis and outstanding enrichment programme continues into our very strong Sixth Form provision. The school has a strong track record of academic success and has been one of the highest performing schools in the South West for many years. This success is rooted in a firm belief in high quality teaching within an environment built on the positive relationships that exist between students, parents, and staff. We welcome visits from prospective students and their families. It is always a pleasure to show visitors around the school and seeing us at work is the ideal way to decide upon King’s suitability for your child. The King’s School has a long and proud history that can be traced back to a fourteenth century choir school, which was replaced in 1545 by Henry VIII and renamed ‘The King’s School’. Today it is a school that has a very strong sense of community and an underlying ethos of ‘Achievement for All’, which permeates every element of school life and is reflected in our mixed ability approach to teaching, strong pastoral care and the inclusive nature of the school. 3 Mr R Gammon
Achievement for All The successes of the whole school community are celebrated and the progress that students make is a significant focus of our formal rewards system. We also take the time to recognise and celebrate the achievements of students within our local community, providing a genuine opportunity for students to shine. ‘Achievement for All’ is the foundation for all our decisions and it is a shared ethos amongst students and staff. This ethos translates into every day experiences for students that are memorable and character building. Our teachers are experts at providing the depth of study necessary for the brightest students to be stretched and inspired whilst supporting those that face specific challenges in the classroom in order for every student to achieve their very best. We also complement classroom experiences with a broad enrichment offer for those that wish to take their learning further. Our fundamental purpose is to inspire every young person to achieve their best possible academic and personal outcomes within a highly supportive and challenging school community. “Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about all aspects of the school’s provision. One parent’s view echoed that of many, ‘The school is fantastic.” OFSTED, 2025 4 The King’s School Prospectus The school’s commitment to ‘Achievement for All’ makes King’s a cohesive and inclusive community in which every child has the opportunity to flourish. We recognise that every child is unique and precious. We see it as our responsibility to unlock the potential in our students and to give them experiences within, and beyond, the taught curriculum that allow them to develop into confident and articulate young people.
“Our children are learning to navigate friendships, explore new ideas and study in a setting that mirrors the world they live in… they build invaluable social skills here, working and spending time alongside others from a wide range of social backgrounds.” PARENT 5 Our Vision and Values Our core values are: Achievement, Creativity, Integrity, Respect, and Resilience We embrace diversity, respect difference and celebrate the unique characters of our individual students and staff. We use the depth that comes from our diversity to build on the culture of high achievement in our school. We work with young people in our community to raise their aspirations and achievement. With our success rooted in The King’s School’s rich history, we respond to the present and look to the future. We place all young people at the heart of our decision-making, ensuring everyone has access to excellence in teaching and learning with a rich curriculum tailored to meet their needs and aspirations. 5
“A mindbogglingly good, state comprehensive. Proving that consistent, well-managed, wellresourced, well-delivered and kind education for all can, and does, make a difference to a community.” THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE, 2025 6 The King’s School Prospectus
“The school has very high aspirations for pupils to develop socially, emotionally and academically.” OFSTED, 2025 Achievement At The King’s School we are passionate about achievement for all. Students’ experiences are deliberately designed to give space for them to be inspired and develop inquisitive minds and the school’s highly encouraging and aspirational environment enables students to flourish and make strong progress. We believe that learning takes place within and beyond the classroom. We expect all students to treat our classrooms and the school site as calm and purposeful places of learning, in which study takes place. As a result, the behaviour of our students is exemplary. The quality of teaching is outstanding. Students reap the benefit of being taught by experienced subject specialists who are passionate about both their own subject and also inspiring students to find their own passions. As a consequence, students produce work to the best of their ability, setting themselves high standards and personal goals for improvement. We encourage students to make the best use of their talents, time, and resources and they take pride in their own achievements and the achievements of others. Our climate of high expectations complements the nurturing and respectful ethos of the school. 7
8 The King’s School Prospectus Creativity We recognise the importance of students being critically aware, imaginative, and adaptable. We want our students to work independently and as part of a team to solve problems by being inventive and enterprising. We are proud of the successes of our students in a wide range of sporting activities, both individual and team based. We value the cultural opportunities that trips and visits provide. Areas such as the performing arts and design and technology feature highly and we cherish the opportunities for performance and creativity that these subjects provide. In order to develop students’ creativity, we provide many memorable and profound moments within the classroom through a carefully designed and broad curriculum delivered by subject experts. We also celebrate learning that takes place outside the classroom and believe that every experience should add value to a student’s education. We place enrichment opportunities at the heart of school life. Students are involved in a rich variety of activities outside of normal lessons. Students of all abilities and backgrounds gain memorable experiences and develop the relationships with other students and staff that support the successful day to day running of the school. “Parents literally glow with the thrill of having this wonderful school on their doorstep.” PARENT
“…we believe that both [our children] have developed in to rounded individuals with an appreciation for life and a recognition of the positive start they have both received through the opportunities afforded them, and as a result have developed a confidence now to move forward positively and with excitement to the next stage of their lives. All that we wished for as parents.” PARENT 9
“Through the curriculum, pupils’ characters are shaped exceptionally well.” OFSTED, 2025 Integrity Mixed age tutor groups are arranged within the house system leading to a sense of community, acceptance and respect for one another. The form tutor is a key person in a student’s experience of school life. The tutor monitors the academic and personal development of their tutees and provides an invaluable link between home and school. Student voice is a real strength of the school. We are very proud of our elected School Parliament, led by the Head Prefects, which ensures that the student body has a voice in the strategic direction and day to day decision making in the school. Our house system underpins the life of the school and students value the opportunities for leadership and participation that it provides. Inter-house competitions and challenges are battled with passion and pride, providing several highlights in the school calendar. Integrity is at the heart of school life. We place a strong emphasis on developing character which in turn means that students have the courage to do what is right. Our pastoral system celebrates when students make decisions that reflect who they are and what they believe whilst they assess the impact of their own actions and what this means for others. Students are taught to be kind and considerate members of the school community. 10 The King’s School Prospectus
11 “There is a strong focus on the extracurricular here with a vast range of clubs on offer during the hour-long lunch break and after school…” THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE, 2025
12 The King’s School Prospectus “Pupils’ behaviour both in lessons and around the school is exemplary. They are very well motivated to learn and achieve." OFSTED, 2025
13 The school has a large number of specialist teaching spaces and recreational space that can be enjoyed by the whole community. We ask students to respect the school buildings, facilities, and surrounding environment, understanding that this is beneficial to the whole school community. Strong relationships between students and staff are valued features of King’s. and we ask students to demonstrate genuine respect for themselves and others at school, at home and in their communities. King’s provides a safe and calm environment in which young people can learn, work, play and grow up together. We use every opportunity to foster a positive community ethos, with shared values. All of our students and staff are very proud of the school community they have helped to create. Mutual respect is integral to the success of the school. Students value each other as members of the school community. We teach students to display good manners at all times and this is rolemodelled by adults. We recognise that others will have different points of view and beliefs and provide opportunities for these to be explored together. Respect
“…I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire school staff. Your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to the students' well-being and education have not gone unnoticed. I have seen first-hand the positive impact you make on our children's lives, instilling in them not just academic knowledge but also important values and life skills.” PARENT Resilience It is important to us that students are equipped to achieve well, cope with change, and develop healthy behaviours; this gives them the ability to ‘bounce back’. A highlight for many of our students and staff is ‘Project Week’. During this week, students select activities from a wide and varied list, to tailor the week to their own choosing. Project Week opens up many options for students and is a wonderful end to the academic year. We place engagement, opportunity, and academic success at the heart of school life. Students are involved in a rich variety of activities outside of normal lessons. Students of all abilities and backgrounds gain memorable experiences and develop the relationships with other students and staff that support the successful day to day running of the school. 14 The King’s School Prospectus
“Notable praise for the year 6 induction programme, where the new cohort spends a sample week at the school in the summer term, avoiding a nerve-filled autumn transition.” THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE, 2025 15
“King’s is what our state education should look like, a true community school doing the absolute best for every child that attends.” PARENT 16 The King’s School Prospectus
“There is a really strong sense of community here,' said one. 'You feel it every day in the tutor sessions and it’s strengthened by our hugely competitive house system. You really are part of a team.” STUDENT 17
18 The King’s School Prospectus “The pastoral support for pupils is very strong. Routinely, staff go ‘above and beyond’ to support pupils and their families.” OFSTED, 2025
Join our Community We are unique in offering Year 6 students joining us in September a week at the school in July. ‘Induction Week’ is critical in building students’ confidence so that they start with us in September already understanding the values and ethos of the school, knowing students and staff and ready to learn. A visit from a pastoral leader during Year 6 gives opportunities for discussion about the things that students are looking forward to and those things that they may worry about. We recognise that making a successful transition between schools is critical for students and their families. At King’s we really invest in this process and our students join the school ready to learn and take advantage of the new opportunities available to them. Our Year 7 transition programme starts from a very early age as we work closely with our local primary schools to provide experiences for students that help them to learn and feel comfortable in our school community. This is demonstrated in our commitment to organise and host many of the sporting and academic opportunities that your child experienced at primary school. 19 Once offered a place at King’s, the more formal transition is organised in such a way to ensure that we get to know you and your child as quickly as possible. For students that require additional help to settle, this is provided by our pastoral team who will work closely with the student and their family and tailor the support as required.
“The sixth-form curriculum is exceptionally well-structured, enabling students to learn very well. Sixth-form students are extremely positive about the quality of education and the strong pastoral support they receive.” OFSTED 2025 Many of our leavers move on to world leading universities, apprenticeships and employment and are successful there and beyond. With independence comes responsibility. We expect our Sixth Formers to take part in the wider life of the school, something that they enjoy immensely. There are a number of excellent opportunities to develop their skills as leaders including mentoring and teaching alongside our experienced staff. Students at this stage in their school career are excellent role models for younger students, sharing their knowledge and experience with them. The Sixth Form experience at King’s is a special one. We offer a wide range of traditional and academic A levels, taught in small classes by subject experts, centred around our vibrant Sixth Form Centre. The school’s ethos of challenge and support is amplified in the Sixth Form, and forms an excellent bridge between school and university or the world of work. Just as we take great care over the transition at age 11, we work hard to prepare students for transition into post 16 study and then beyond. We know our students well, and therefore the care and support they receive in the Sixth Form is very personalised. 20 The King’s School Prospectus
“Inclusion is literally the heart and soul of this school, modelled very strongly by the staff and sixth formers.” PARENT 21
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t: 01404 812982 www.thekings.devon.sch.uk e: office@thekings.devon.sch.uk The King’s School, Cadhay Lane, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1RA Achievement for All The King’s School FOUNDED 1545
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