Shortlisted for TES Secondary school of the year award 2021

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TES Schools Awards 2021

The most outstanding individuals and institutions that the education sector has to offer have been recognised in the shortlist for the TES Schools Awards 2021.

Kingsdown School has been shortlisted for the Secondary School of the Year award 2021

Kingsdown School is one of 8 schools  shortlisted for Secondary School of the Year, and the only school in the South West. 

Kingsdown’s efforts have been recognised in this prestigious nomination as a result of securing transformational change at the school while supporting their school community through the pandemic.

In the news

The local tv news team came to see for themselves why Kingsdown School was shortlisted…

BBC Radio Wiltshire

Emma Leigh Bennett talks to Ben Prater at BBC Radio Wiltshire Click to listen…

TES editor Jon Severs said:

“It is more important this year than ever before to celebrate the fantastic work schools do, because in the past 12 months they have gone above and beyond to ensure pupils were able to be educated and be kept safe in extraordinary circumstances. We were inundated with entries that demonstrated just how hard the pandemic made the work of schools, and just how amazing the response from staff has been. We are looking forward to showcasing , as we do every year, just how vital our education professionals are to every facet of this country. “

Kingsdown champions each and every student

Headteacher, Emma Leigh-Bennett says

“I am incredibly proud of what our staff, students, governors and parents have achieved during such an incredible time. This shortlisting on the back of our nomination reflects the fact that Kingsdown truly champions each and every student”

#TESAwards

 

THANK YOU

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Yesterday we thanked and said farewell to Mr Lawson for his 24 years of service to Kingsdown School and 25 years of service to Swindon.

We wish him well in his new ventures and thank him so much. #champion

Prize Evening 2024

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Wow 🏆 Our students are shining bright at the Prize Evening. So proud of their hard work and dedication.

Feeling inspired!

#PrizeEvening #KDSchool #Pride

YEAR 5 Open morning

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It was great to welcome over 40 families to our year 5 open morning. Families had a short presentation then had a tour of the school to experience Kingsdown school during a normal day.

The final tour is taking place on Friday 19th July at 9:30 am. To secure you space email head@kingsdownschool.co.uk

#ambition #cohort2030

NORMANDY Trip

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A lovely evening spent at La Créperie Les Roches de Ham. Great food and fabulous view!

Our students are having a blast and learning all the cool stuff!

Check out their learning journey on our Facebook page!

UNICEF Non-Uniform day | Tuesday 23rd July

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Summer School | 19th - 23rd August 2024

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Big Business day

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An inspirational day at the platform project ‘Big Business day’. And congratulations to our Kingsdown team who won 2nd place in their Swindon interschool ‘Dragons Den’ competition.

@Thringslaw
@SwindonPlatform
@ImagineCruising
@FrankieWard
@William_Arthur_Property for Arthur Dallimer

Well done!

More picts can be found at KDS Facebook

#Resilience #Pride

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We would like to Congratulate our Year 10 students who completed their Assessed Silver Expedition last weekend in some truly awful conditions.

They just kept going! So proud of them! #Resilience #Pride

Well Done!

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On Tuesday 2nd July we held our Summer Recital Evening. It was great to see students #stretching and #challenging themselves by performing to an audience made up of family, friends and students. Performances included violin, electric guitar and drums, piano, voice, cornet and the school choir.

A massive #welldone to all students involved and thank you for a very enjoyable concert.

#pride
#ambition
#stretch
#challenge
#respect
#responsibility

ECO Group

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Brilliant work from the Eco Group this week who have led several assemblies to the school promoting the importance of caring for the environment. The Eco Group took the initiative to deliver a message to their fellow students about how their actions affect the planet and what Kingsdown can do to be a more eco friendly school! 🌿
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#stretch #challenge #pride #ambition

University of Bath

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On Wednesday 3rd July thirteen Year 8 students went to the University of Bath for their Graduation Ceremony from the Brilliant Club.

The Brilliant Club is an organisation that seeks to promote access to university and raise aspiration. All students have attended tutorials with a PHD Tutor studying the topic of Philosophy of Science: Why are we here? They all had to write a final assignment of 1500 words which was graded.
All have been outstanding and we are so proud of them: #stretch #challenge #pride #ambition

More picts can be found at KDS Facebook

DofE Bronze Assessed Expedition

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On the weekend of 29th/30th June 2024, 30 year 9 students completed their DofE Bronze Assessed Expedition at Sapperton in Gloucestershire. Over two days students walked 30+km, map read, camped overnight’ @The Daneway Inn, cooked and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Congratulations to each and every one of them, we are so proud of you.

More picts can be found at KDS Facebook

The DofE staff team

Art Department

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Year 10 Art and Photography students enjoyed visiting The Fresh Air Sculpture show for a day of exploration and workshops.

More picts can be found at KDS Facebook

#ArtTeam #KingsdownSchool

Google CHROMEBOOKS

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The main campaign (2024-25) for parents to arrange their child’s Chromebook option plan for September is open now.

The portal opens on the 1st July 2024
The portal closes on the 9th August 2024

For option A, B and B2 go to: https://www.tech4learners.co.uk/users/login
Email: Your personal email address
Username: Kingsdown24
Password: S3cure02!

First direct debit around the 25th August 2024 with subsequent payments on 25th of each calendar month.
Devices will be delivered to the school for hand out to the students.

For option C, D and E please use this Google Form: HERE

For further information about the Chromebooks, please see the LINK - or contact chromebookhelp@kingsdownschool.co.uk

KDS Chromebook Info Document
KDS Chromebook - Tech4Learners Step by Step

Thanks,
The Kingsdown Chromebook team

Summer Recital Evening

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The Music Department will be hosting our Summer Recital Evening on Tuesday 2nd July at 6:30pm. Come along and listen to some of our talented students perform.

Please note, any students attending must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
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#kingsdownschool #musicdepartment #summerecital

Thank you to all Year 11s

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Thank you to all Year 11s. They had a great leavers’ day and are a credit to the school.

WE ARE HIRING

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We are seeking new colleagues to join our teaching team at Kingsdown School:

Teacher of English, Music & Drama:
Teacher of Humanities
Exam Invigilator (& Reader/Scribe)
SEND & Inclusion Co-ordinator

Please take a look at our vacancies page:
https://www.kingsdownschool.co.uk/vacancies

DofE Bronze

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On the weekend of 8th & 9th June 24, 31 year 9 students walked and camped in the Pewsey Vale for their Bronze award practice expedition. 2 days walking covering over 30km and an overnight camp. For many this was their first experience of sleeping outdoors.

Congratulations to everyone and a huge thank you to the wonderful staff for giving their time.

#team #challenge

Kingsdown School Council 2024

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The last cycle of Kingsdown School Council 2024 is about to commence in term 6. Pictured is Mrs Leigh-Bennett addressing our many fabulous Year reps, School Council reps and Senior Students in term 5 after re-elections.
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#KingsdownStudentVoice #KDSTeam

Open Evening - 26th September |  5:00 - 7:00 pm

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We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Evening on 26th September 2024 | 5:00 - 7:00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity especially for families with children in years 4, 5 and 6 to meet and talk with students and staff, see the school, take part in activities and hear from our Headteacher, Emma Leigh-Bennett.

No booking is necessary so please come along and join us. We look forward to meeting you and your child very soon.

Open Days

Why Choose Kingsdown?

#stretch #challenge #responsibilty #pride

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Our DofE Silver students had a very successful 3 days walking and 2 nights camping for their practice expedition in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside last weekend. We were very fortunate to camp in the grounds of Westonbirt school and walk in and around the Arboretum.
Congratulations to all of our 11 year 10 participants, a total of over 40km covered in the best of the British variable weather!
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#stretch #challenge #responsibilty #pride

Well done, team! #KingsdownSchool

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Congratulations to everyone who participated! #WellDone

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Year 6 Parent Information Evening

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Our Main Hall was buzzing with excitement as we welcomed parents to our Year 6 Parent Information Evening! It was a great opportunity to connect with our school community and share important information about the upcoming year.
Thank you to all who attended!
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#KDSTeam

Year 5 Tours

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Year 5 tours for Kingsdown School will be taking place on Wednesday 17th July and Friday 19th July at 9.30am | 2024.
To book a place on one of the dates please email head@kingsdownschool.co.uk
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#KDSTeam

Well done! #KDSTeam

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Year 6 Parent Information Evening :: 23rd May 2024 | 6pm - 7pm #KDSTeam

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#Stretch and #Challenge GCSE Year 10 Art | Well done! #KDSTeam

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Women’s Super League!

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On Sunday, we took 41 students to watch Bristol City Women play against Manchester City Women in the Women’s Super League. Lot’s of goals were witnessed, with Manchester City Women winning the game 4-0. A truly memorable experience for our students!
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#KdsTeam

Pencelli Trip 2023-24

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On Sunday 21st April 2024, 47 year 8 students and 5 staff departed by coach for Swindon Borough Council sponsored Plas Pencelli in south Wales, for a week of outdoor activities. Students would stay together in their activity group to take part in mountain walking, rock climbing, canoeing/kayaking, caving and gorge walking, that was only in the day! In the evenings, activities would include the Dingle descent, orienteering, problem solving, a football tournament and a walk in the local area. Plenty to keep them occupied and hopefully sleep, but that wasn’t the case for the first few evenings, too much excitement and chatting kept many awake well into the wee hours. Each morning the students would have a hearty breakfast of cereals, toast and a Pencelli cooked breakfast, after which they would make their own packed lunches and headed to their instructors for their activities briefing. Once briefed it was off to get changed into their activities clothing and collect their equipment before heading out for a day of fun and adventures.

After day 1 activities the students returned to the centre, showered and had some time to chill before dinner at 6pm. Everyone came together in the dining hall for a meal before heading out for a competitive and exciting evening of orienteering in the lovely grounds of Plas Pencelli.
Lights out at 10.30pm but sleep didn’t happen for everyone!!

Day 2 evening activity was the Dingle descent, students wearing full waterproofs descended into the valley that runs along the edge of the centre’s grounds, in the stream with overgrown banks, fallen trees, rocks and small boulders. In teams the students navigated over and under, sometimes through challenges along the Dingle. Not many remained dry and that included the staff (Mr Holmes in particular taking many a plunge into the water). Back for hot showers
and a change of clothes before some free time.

Day 3 was the highly anticipated football tournament. After quite a busy few days the students who didn’t play football welcomed an evening to chill with their friends and the opportunity to sit and chat, play board games, read and a cup of hot chocolate. A really lovely evening getting to know new people and make new friends.

Day 4 we had two birthdays to celebrate, Happy birthday to Charlie and Maisy, both students climbed Pen Y Fan with their birthday sashes and amazing photographs taken on the summit. After dinner the evening activity was problem solving, in groups students moved from minesweeper mats, crossing the shark infested waters with crates and planks, team ski-ing across the courtyard and gutterball, using short pieces of guttering to move a ball from A to B.
Some fantastic team work, working together to solve the challenges and a lot of fun was had.

Day 5 Friday was Mrs Matthews’ birthday, so we treated her to Gorge walking with all the students through the beautiful forest, following the Nant Bwrefwr waterway, sitting in waterfalls, sliding down rocks into water pools, walking along fallen trees, and through the 700m long disused railway tunnel. From the light into darkness before the light reappeared. An experience that challenges the senses. Back to the centre to change, eat birthday cake and
return back to school and waiting families.

Congratulations and thank you to our wonderful year 8 students who made Pencelli 2024 a fun filled, exciting and enjoyable trip for everyone. So many happy smiley faces were seen each day and so many memories were made.

Thank you, from all the Pencelli staff:

Miss Maller, Mrs Ridley, Mrs Matthews, Mr Vigar, Mr Holmes.

More picts can be found at KDS Facebook

Year 8 students

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Our Year 8 students are now over half way through their salad server project.
A great start to the week.
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#wellDone #KDSTeam

Year 10 Geographers! #kdsTeam

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Well done to the Year 10 Geographers on Tuesday. They successfully completed primary fieldwork in Bristol Harbourside about urban regeneration and were impeccably behaved.
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#kdsTeam

Well done, Alex! #KDSTeam

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A #wonderful achievement for Alex who was selected for his photography skills to illustrate the cover of ‘A Death In Church’ by Dick Mattick.
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#KDSTeam

Year 10 GCSE Art Sculpture #artTeam

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A #wonderful Year 10 GCSE Art Sculpture workshop in which students explored form and texture. The theme was Natural Form.
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#artTeam

Kingsdown School Presents…

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#artTeam

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The Art Department is #proud to announce that our students’ work is now on display at The Beechcroft Library. Work will soon be moving to the Hindu temple.
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Proud to be supporting our community 😊

The Rotary Club Photography Competition 2023.

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Well Done!!! Kingsdown School Photography winners for The Rotary Club Photography Competition 2023.
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#kdsTeam

‘Snow White’ at the Wyvern Theatre. #kdsTeam

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Well done and good luck to Kingsdown’s Evie W in year 9, who is taking part in this year’s panto, ‘Snow White’ at the Wyvern Theatre.
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#kdsTeam

Kingsdown’s Christmas Concert will take place on Monday 18th December at 6:30pm in St Philip’s Church, Beechcroft Road. All are welcome to enjoy this event. #kdsTeam

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Well done, Maisie! #SwindonLightning

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Maisie had a competition in Coventry last weekend and showed great #pride by coming a close 2nd place and was only beaten by the grand! Well done Maisie and keep up the hard work!
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#SwindonLightning

Class-VR

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On Monday we had a staff training session from Class-VR which was extremely exciting.

This really showed the potential of the headsets.
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#kdsTeam

30 VR/AR headsets at KDS. The next two terms are very exciting. #kdsTeam

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We have now taken receipt of a whole class set of 30 VR/AR headsets at KDS. On Monday we had a staff training session from Class-VR which was extremely exciting. This really showed the potential of the headsets. In 2 just two hours, we were able to scuba dive with sharks, fly with the red arrows, immerse ourselves in the anatomy of mushrooms and even hold in our hands 3D models we created ourselves with CAD software.
With the use of other software such as ThingLink and CoSpaces, we are very excited to start making our own 3D virtual environments with personalised learning outcomes specific to KDS.

The next two terms are very exciting!
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#kingsdownSchool #kdsTeam

Year 11 Parents’ Evening next Thursday, 14th :: 4pm - 7pm. Your presence matters! #kdsTeam

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#pride #ambition #stretch #challenge #respect #responsibility

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Great performance from our Year 10/11 Cross Country runners with Josh making it through to the Wiltshire competition next.
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#kdsTeam

Bath Spa University

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We are very proud to have been given this plaque from Bath Spa University, celebrating the amazing work we do with them to support our trainee teachers.
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#kdsTeam

#pride #ambition #stretch #challenge #respect #responsibility

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Passionate leaders meeting together to further champion our town with the Mayor of Swindon. Mrs Leigh-Bennett was proud to have been invited and involved. More to share with our students.
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#kdsTeam

Welcome Back

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Celebrating Kingsdown School KS4 Art at our Summer Show

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Art Exhibition

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Reduce Food Waste at Kingsdown School!

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Beauty and the Beast - The Musical :: February 8th & 9th - 7pm

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Party

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4.30pm - 6.00pm :: Tuesday 6th December ::
Tickets can be bought from Mrs Robertson or Student Services.

** Please - bring some extra money with you on the day **

Children In Need Grand Total

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A grand total of £727.07 was raised today by our brilliant Kingsdown family for Children In Need. #pride

Lest We Forget

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Today, Kingsdown school fell silent as we remember them. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. A moving tribute to the service and sacrifice of our armed forces, for our tomorrow, their gave their today.

Thank You for the Thank You’s

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Thanks to all of our parents and carers for their positive support and encouragement during this national lockdown.  Your comments are greatly appreciated by all of our teachers and staff.  We’d like to share some of these comments below:

“I am very impressed with how fast the school has switched over to online learning.  I have some understanding of what is needed to be done and this is no small feat.  Very well done to everyone involved.”

“My son got so much from the day being logged into the virtual classroom, I appreciate how challenging it must be but we do appreciate your efforts.”

“Total respect to you all.  I see it all in my house.  The staff and students are doing a great job.  Well done Kingsdown.  That lion is definitely roaring…”

“Brilliant work guys - thank you all.”

“It’s been a completely different experience this time round and soooo much better.  The planning, preparation and training the staff must have been immense, but it shows.  Great job and thank you.  I’m not cut out for teaching and I can now leave it in very capable hands of the professionals - thank you all Kingsdown team.”

“Thank you to all the wonderful staff doing such a brilliant job to help all students.  I think you are all so caring and amazing.”

“A big shout out to the BRILLIANT staff at Kingsdown.  You all are doing a great job.  Congratulations!!!!.  Yo - we parents are learning too.  Every day is a learning experience.  KUDOS!!!!”

 

Safe Drive, Stay Alive

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Safety is always a priority for us at Kingsdown School. As our Key Stage 4 students begin to think about their future, Years 10 & 11 have taken part in the Safe Drive, Stay Alive roadshow this week. This is virtual session about road safety, specifically focussing around young people learning to drive. As always, thank you so much to the team at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service for a really high quality training session for our students.

The Journey to Excellence

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM3qSXkNI-4