King's College School, Cambridge

Not to be confused with King's College, Cambridge.
For the school in Wimbledon, London, see King's College School.
King's College School
Established 1441
Type Independent preparatory day and boarding
Choral foundation school
Religion Church of England
Headmaster Nicholas Robinson
Chair of Governors Prof Robert Foley
Founder Henry VI of England
Location West Road
Cambridge
CB3 9DN
England
DfE number 873/6000
DfE URN 110911 Tables
Students 425 (2015)
Gender Co-educational
Ages 4–13
Website www.kcs.cambs.sch.uk

King's College School is a coeducational independent preparatory school in Cambridge, England, situated on West Road off Grange Road, west of the city centre. It was founded to educate the choristers in the King's College Choir during the 15th century. Although no longer located on College grounds, it remains an integral part of the Chapel's musical tradition and is still governed by and receives some funding from the College.

History

King's College School was founded in 1441 by King Henry VI to educate the sixteen choristers who sing the services in the college chapel. The school is an integral part of King’s College. The school governors are appointed by King’s College and include both a number of King’s fellows and those recruited from beyond the college. It moved to its current site in 1878. From 1976 girls were admitted, and as the school expanded, it opened a pre-preparatory department.[1]

Curriculum

Pupils are taught Art, Design and Technology, Classics, English, Geography, History, ICT, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Religious Education, Physical Education and Science.

Boarding

The boarding programme is open only to boys. Choristers are full boarders while other boys return home for the weekend.[2]

Extracurricular activities

Music

King's College School has had a strong tradition in music due to its heritage as a choral foundation school. The sixteen choirboys of the college choir audition at about age 7 (Year 2). Those who successfully pass will gain scholarships to study at the school.[3] The choir features annually in the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service held in the college chapel and broadcast live on BBC Radio.[4]

Other pupils have the opportunity to join the two chamber choirs, jazz ensemble and orchestra.[5]

Alumni

Heads

The following men have served as head teachers at the school since 1878 when it relocated to its present site in West Road:[7]

Recent developments

2014 ISI Inspection

In November 2014 the school had a full integrated ISI Inspection. The school was awarded the grade ‘excellent’ in all 9 categories. In the report the word excellent is used 51 times.

2010 ISI Inspection

In February 2010 the school had a full ISI standard inspection with all areas praised as either ‘good’, ‘highly successful’ or ‘excellent’.

2009 ISI Inspection

In 2009 the school faced an emergency unannounced Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection following complaints from a parent.[8][9] On 30 October 2009, the School was served with a Statutory Notice to produce an Action Plan. The Times Educational Supplement reported that the ISI had found shortcomings in the school's security and recruitment procedures, and that '[the inspection] described its anti-bullying, child protection and discipline policies as "inadequate in various areas"'. In particular, the school's designated child protection officer was no longer employed there.

Freedom of Information Act

Following a ruling by the Information Commissioner in October 2010, the school is subject to the Freedom of Information Act. This is believed to be the first case where a private school has been determined to be subject to the Freedom of Information Act.[10]

In a series of Decision Notices, the Information Commissioner ruled that the school should be considered as part of King's College and therefore subject to the Freedom of Information Act.[11]

References

  1. ↑ School History
  2. ↑ Boarding
  3. ↑ "Chorister recruitment". kings.cam.ac.uk.
  4. ↑ "A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols". kings.cam.ac.uk.
  5. ↑ Music Department
  6. ↑ "Cellist Guy Johnston: "When music works it's magic and speaks to the soul"". Cambridge News. 15 May 2014.
  7. ↑ http://www.ofchoristers.net/Chapters/CambridgeKingsCollege.htm Web accessible article on the school's history by Anne Page, B. mus (b 1920)
  8. ↑ Sian Griffiths and Jack Grimston (13 December 2009). "King’s College school gets chorus of criticism". The Times. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  9. ↑ Stephen Exley (23 January 2010). "Professor makes pledge to 'repair damage' at school". Cambridge News. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  10. ↑ Stephen Exley (19 November 2010). "Choirboys' school tried to 'conceal' protection lapses". Times Educational Supplement. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  11. ↑ 2009 Freedom of Information Act Ruling

External links

Coordinates: 52°12′14″N 0°06′23″E / 52.2039°N 0.1065°E / 52.2039; 0.1065

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