Welcome to student support

Mrs C Dunford

Head of ICT

The department is a very creative and dynamic environment with every teacher able to communicate their passion for their subjects. The department consists of four very experienced members of staff who work closely as a team. Business Studies has two dedicated classrooms with 52 laptops. The IT/computer Science teaching is based across four dedicated classrooms, each with 32 computers and two having air-conditioning. The department covers many courses across different exam boards and grading criteria. We offer Business, IT and Computer Science courses at both GCSE and A level. We also have vocational links with both Exeter College and Bicton College where courses are available. At KS3 groups are taught both ICT and computer science in fully mixed ability classrooms, allowing students to make an informed decision at the end of Year 9 for options. At KS4, they can choose the GCSE OCR Computer Science course or the more creative Tech Award in Digital Information Technology. Year 11 are following the Edexcel Certificate in Digital Applications (CiDA) course. In the sixth form, at KS5, we offer the BTEC National Information Technology with a view to offering A level Computer Science in the near future. In the sixth form, as part of the enrichment activities we also run a Digital Enterprise Award.

Mr F Woodhead

Head of TEC

The Design and Technology department at The King’s School provides a valued curriculum from key stage 3 to A level. The team of experienced and qualified teachers and technicians ensure that our students enjoy their learning and achieve success. Our up to date curriculum provides opportunities to develop problem solving, communication, analysis, evaluation, designing and making skills in a creative and practical environment. All classes are taught in mixed ability groups. The Design and Technology department endeavours to provide: An excellent experience within all areas of the department for all students. Real life experiences in their learning where possible. An environment where students feel safe and encouraged to do well. Teaching and learning experiences of a positive nature where staff and pupils work together to achieve common goals. An environment where students are actively encouraged to research independently and question the validity of everyday products. The ability for students to have a voice and feel safe to express their opinions. A culture of creative risk taking with their designs in order to excel. Results in the department are excellent and consistently amongst the very best in the school. In Food & Catering, there are established links with local restaurants and many of our young chefs have won awards and several go on to pursue this as a career. In Design & Technology, the department works across the school and with other departments to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Mrs K Wilding

Head of English

The English department strives to make the study of English and English Literature a thought-provoking experience. At all stages, students are encouraged to explore and engage with literature from a wide range of sources and to respond creatively. There are opportunities for creative writing in lunchtime clubs, theatre trips, visits from touring theatre companies, workshops with renowned authors and we take part in the Budleigh Literary festival every year. We hope to enable students to develop a lasting passion for the subject as well as the functional skills for adult life. We believe that it is essential that every student is allowed to develop as an independent thinker who can confidently work on finding their own voice and express their views effectively. The schemes of work have been tailored to achieve these ends. We are committed to mixed ability teaching and use a variety of active strategies that ensure all students are able to thrive and succeed. High engagement and high challenge in a supportive environment are what you can expect from English lessons at The King’s School.

Mrs C Allan

Head of Expressive Arts

The Expressive Arts department at The King’s School is an exciting and vibrant department, which incorporates a full spectrum of creative subjects including Dance, Drama, Music, Fine Art, Photography, Textile Design, Art Textiles and Media. We aim to deliver a strong relevant curriculum where students are enabled to develop into confident artists, incorporationg cross curricular links. The department is successful in providing a positive learning environment where pupils value and enjoy the arts and achieve their full potential. As a department we provide a variety of extra curricular opportunities to showcase and highlight talent within the school. As well as lunch time and after scool clubs, we provide a range of performance opportunities such as House Dance and House Musical, Whole School production, Carol Service, Dance, Drama and Music showcases, and visual arts events such as Artist Workshops, A Summer Exhibiton ( Art & Technology evening) and House Photography.

Mr N Abbott

Head of Geography

Geography really is at the heart of any curriculum. As a social science, our subject matter incorporates elements of the sciences whilst also encompassing ideas from the other humanities. Rather than borrow from these subjects we underpin them, helping students to understand them by giving them a real, rather than just a theoretical, context. In terms of skills, a modern Geographer is trained to evaluate information and make decisions based on detailed analysis. These abilities make them a vital addition to any organisation. At King’s we start our students down this path right from year 7. With an expert team of specialist Geographers we are able to give our students a fantastic rich diet of diverse, interesting lessons that help them to analyse and evaluate a wide range of information. These skills are vital at GCSE and A Level so lessons reflect the needs of employers as well as the latest examination requirements. In preparation we start students early with fun activities in year 7 like, where to locate Devon’s latest Ice Cream factory! We very much believe in “Achievement for All” and so work is carefully tailored to ensure that students of all abilities make excellent progress. Additionally we draw on the local community to provide us with guest speakers targeted at the students’ areas of academic need and their interests. Representatives from Greenpeace Laboratories, Exeter City Council and the Energy Sector have been amongst our most recent speakers. These not only improve students wider knowledge but also help them to better understand Geography related career paths.

Mrs S Osbond

Head of History

The history department at The King’s School aims to offer students the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the world we live in. By understanding the past students are able to create links to the contemporary world. It encourages independent thinking and informed argument. The Key Stage 3 course covers almost 1000 years of British History from the Norman Conquest to the Present Day. Whilst concentrating on key aspects of national history, the international and local context is also explored. In history, our students will develop their critical thinking skills, developing key arguments and interpreting evidence. As well as developing their written skills, students will have the opportunity to think creatively and independently through presentations, group work and creative projects, which examine different historical events. The department is successful in providing an environment where students feel confident in explaining their judgements, working independently, researching key events and historical figures as well as working well in groups.

Mr R Lunnun

Head of Maths

The Mathematics department at The King’s School strives to provide a varied and, above all, enjoyable experience for our students. This is achieved by teaching well-structured, stimulating and focused lessons in which student behaviour is consistently excellent. All staff are subject specialists, and we are all hugely passionate about teaching our wonderful subject across the age and ability range. Students overwhelmingly enjoy mathematics at The King’s School and often consider it their favourite subject. Students are streamed into one of 4 sets early in Year 7, with lower sets supported by smaller class sizes and additional TA support, and higher sets consistently pushed to achieve the highest levels of mathematical confidence and proficiency. Individual progress is reviewed thoroughly and regularly to ensure that all students are best placed to maximise their progress. Ample opportunity is given to students to prepare for assessments independently, and regular marking ensures that all students know what to do to improve and are thereafter given the means to do so.

Mr Yann Mahdjoub

Head of MFL

The Modern language department at The King’s School strives to provide a high quality language experience for our students. Our curriculum is broad and balanced, valued and understood by students with relevant, progressive, clear pathways through all key stages. The department boasts expertise and an environment where students value and enjoy languages as well as being provided with opportunities to achieve their individual potential. Students are taught well and are given high quality experiences that allow students to feel confident in the languages studied. At the time of writing, our department has been enjoying the presence of both a French and a Spanish assistant who have been invaluable in boosting students’ confidence in their speaking as well as bringing a real breath of international culture. As a department, we are always striving to provide help for students, through an open-door policy, but also encouraging them to become independent and inquisitive, qualities that are essential for all successful linguists. Other the years we are constantly aiming at improving the language experience for our students and giving leadership opportunities for those who are keen on reinforcing the importance of learning a language amongst their peers.

Mr B Wood

Head of PE

The Physical Education department at The King’s School strives to provide a high quality physical education experience for our students. This is achieved through a strong curriculum, which is broad and balanced, valued and understood by students with relevant, progressive, clear pathways through all key stages. The department is successful in providing an environment where students value and enjoy PE and achieve their individual potential. Students are taught well and are given high quality experiences that make students feel confident in a physical setting. At present the school offers a wide range of lunch-time and after-school sports clubs in 75 activities. This continues to develop as we seek to provide the very best provision for every student. All students are encouraged to develop their skills by attending one or more of these clubs and gain representative honours by playing for a school team. Sport is at the heart of the thriving House system and all students will represent their house in at least one activity. Additional programmes such as sports leadership and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme enrich the personal development of students and provide opportunities and a focus for developing leadership skills.

Mrs J Elliott

Head of PSHE

Our department believes that the emotional health and well being of all our students is the key to success in life. The aim of our curriculum is to equip students with the resilience to be able to cope with the demands of 21st Century living. Students are taught once a week in mixed ability classes by a dedicated team of trained staff who value the subject and the importance of pastoral care at King’s. Each year we explore the necessity of valuing ourselves and the effects we have on others in a global community. We examine this through topics of diversity, discrimination, tolerance and respect. During consultation with students the curriculum constantly evolves and adapts to the changing and challenging nature of our world. Wherever possible we invite guest speakers to give students the opportunity to listen to rich and diverse experiences, to encourage empathy and widen knowledge bases. We have a dynamic Teen Health group organised by the pupils for the pupils who actively campaign to raise awareness of topical issues involving physical and mental health. We also offer lunchtime activities such as “choc and chat” to support the confidence and well being of all students.

Mrs K Snook

Head of RPE

The Religion Philosophy and Ethics department at King’s provides an invaluable platform for students to explore some of the most important religious, philosophical and ethical issues that face humankind. At the heart of the department is the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of students. The department prides itself on delivering a broad curriculum of study, which students enjoy, as it helps them to question and reflect upon their own worldview, whilst learning about a diverse range of religious, humanist and philosophical opinions. The department delivers high quality lessons that employ different teaching and learning styles, equipping students with the ability to learn about and from different belief systems. The RPE department tackles difficult and sensitive issues which Not only does the study of RE develop the higher level thinking skills of critical analysis and evaluation, it also develops important life skills, such as respect, empathy and understanding towards people of different beliefs, cultures and backgrounds. These skills help to develop students into responsible young citizens and prepare them for their future lives. Members of the RPE Department also run the Make A Difference Group (MAD Group) which aims to benefit the school and wider community by encouraging student members to perform random acts of kindness and raise money for charity. Our department has a daily 15 minute M &M’s (mindfulness and meditation) practice session to develop student and staff understanding of mindfulness, which is open to the beginner and the to more experienced. The department successfully runs trips to various places of worship such as the local Buddhist temple, mosque, synagogue and cathedral as well as attending Holocaust Memorial Day. This allows student learning to be current and excitin

Mr G Forsythe

Head of Science

- engage our students so they will be excited and inspired by science and appreciate it as a practical investigative subject not just learning facts. - provide outstanding teaching so that our students have an amazing learning experience irrespective of which class they are in. - share our own enthusiasm for science with our students through our lessons and STEM activities. We aim to work with that sense of discovery and questioning that all children are born with and teach them how to understand the scientific and technological discoveries that enrich all of our lives. We pride ourselves of the richness of our practical science experiences, which provide so many of those magical memories of science. We have a lively Science club supported by our excellent sixth form student leaders.

Mrs P Farrand

Head of Skills for Learning

All students learn in a variety of ways, and have different areas of strengths and difficulties. Within the Skills for Learning department we aim to support students to ensure that they have the necessary skills to access the curriculum at an appropriate level, across the spectrum from those with additional learning needs to those who are gifted or able in specific areas. Firstly, if we identify your child as needing additional support, please do not worry. Many students will benefit from our support at some point in their school career. Some may need a very short term intervention to remediate a specific difficulty; others may need a longer term more intensive type of support. Whatever your child’s learning needs, we aim to keep you informed, so that you can help us in supporting them. If you feel worried or concerned about your child’s learning needs, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss the ways in which we can help. The department is made up of two teachers, together with a dedicated and very highly experienced team of Teaching Assistants, who work both in-class or in the Skills for Learning department, where they deliver specific interventions. Our aim is to support students to access the curriculum at a level which is appropriate to them, and to encourage them to become independent learners. Students who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will be assigned a keyworker TA who will regularly meet the student set regular short term targets and liaise with both parents/carers and teaching staff.