Broad and unconfined...

As an independent school, Kingsmead’s programmes of study provide an education which can be broader and deeper than schools whose study is confined to the National Curriculum. The Kingsmead curriculum is influenced by the NC, but never restricted by it.

Academically, our most able students are challenged and extended, and those who need support are given all the help they need. The subject-specific nature of the post-11 curriculum reflects the needs of our students, and the evolving nature of the school. Science teaching includes single-subject options. There is an excellent Design Technology room in the new Centenary Building. Each year group is different… and at Kingsmead the GCSE options are reviewed annually to ensure that these changing needs are met.

All our students benefit from extensive sporting options, including a large gymnasium and our own heated indoor swimming pool. The 20-acre campus includes eight acres of playing-fields for girls’ and boys’ team sports, and we have an extensive fixture list with the other leading independent schools in the region.

Opportunities abound for music, be it through learning an instrument, singing in the choir or playing in the orchestra; each year brings many opportunities to play in public at concerts, musicals or worship services.

There is ample occasion, too, for cultural, moral and spiritual exploration through assembly presentations and clubs which provide a forum for discussion and the exchange of ideas and opinions.

With the extra curricular clubs on offer as well, we are convinced that Kingsmead provides the most complete, rounded and holistic education available in Wirral.

Homework

Kingsmead has a policy of setting written homework each night, and has high expectations of the standard of the completed work. Parents are warmly encouraged to share those expectations!

However, there are times when written homework is not set for curricular reasons, for example if pupils are learning or revising for tests or examinations. In these situations the pupils will be made aware of the reading or learning they are expected to do.

In addition, as a busy school, on certain days there may be priorities which make it more difficult for pupils to complete all the expected homework. A student may have the opportunity to represent the school regionally or even nationally at sport; there may be practice times for an upcoming concert, choir work for a service or ceremony, or rehearsals for a show. We believe that such opportunities are a vital part of a rounded education.

If a parent does not feel their child has brought home a full evening’s homework, we recommend they encourage their children to visit and use the following helpful websites. These sites contain recommended work programmes as well as website addresses where further relevant and meaningful work can be found.

Year 7, 8 and 9 should go to
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize

whilst Year 10 and 11 should use
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize