Kennet School
Encyclopedia
Kennet School is a secondary school
in Thatcham
, Berkshire
, England
. Formerly a comprehensive school run by the West Berkshire
Education Authority
, the school became an independently-run academy on 1 April 2011. In 2006, Kennet was the highest achieving comprehensive school in West Berkshire using contextual value added
results. In the same year it was also rated as one of the highest achieving schools in England, ranking as the 101st best comprehensive in the Guardian's
league table, based on A-level results and 303rd based on GCSE results.
Kennet is also one of very few schools in England to have three specialisms
, Technology College
, Arts College
, and most recently Language College
.
The school opened on 11 September 1957 as a secondary modern
, which then converted into a comprehensive
in 1971. The school has 1,720 pupils
on roll in years 7 to 11, 280 pupils attending sixth form
(years 12 and 13) with 121 teachers and 78 non-teaching staff. The headmaster is Paul Gerard Dick OBE
JP
and the school has a student council
.
In September 2000 the school was given Technology College
status. In February 2002 a new technology block was built on the north of the site to replace dispersed classrooms. In March 2005 the school received Arts College
status
Gold by the Arts Council England
in 2001, 2004 and 2007. It was also awarded the Sportsmark
by Sport England
in 2001. The school was also awarded the Challenge Award by National Association for Able Children in Education on 22 November 2006 as recognition for its efforts to support Able, Gifted and Talented students. Kennet was only the 16th school in the country to receive the award at the time.
for Services to Education in the 2000 New Year's Honours List. Paul Dick was also the Category Winner in 2001 in The Leadership Trust Award for School Leadership in a Secondary School in South of England.
Members of staff receiving teaching awards
:
at Kennet for students who wish to continue their education after the age of 16. The students have their own block that was constructed for the start of the 2007 academic year, which consists of a common area, where the sixth formers can socialise, a computer suite and the sixth form offices. There is also a section of the library provided for sixth form use only. There is no set uniform; instead a dress code is set. Boys must wear a shirt and tie, and girls must dress in smart office wear. The European Computer Driving Licence
qualification can be studied with any sixth form course. Some sixth formers are appointed house captains after an application and selection process by the heads of houses. The captains organise teams for inter-house sports, music, drama and art competitions.
There are four houses at the school: Saint Patrick
, Saint Michael, Saint Francis
, and Saint David
. Now defunct houses are Saint George
and Saint Andrew
, which were dissolved in the early 1980s. Each house is associated with a colour: St. Patrick with green, St. Michael with red, St. Francis with purple and St. David with yellow.
to France
and Germany
. The pupils can go to France in year 9 and Germany in year 10. The foreign pupil staying with their exchange partner's family for 7–12 days, then vice-versa later on. In 2011, Kennet School celebrated 30 years' twinning with the German school Melibokusschule, in Alsbach-Hähnlein
, South Germany.
to support, and throughout the year each tutor group fundraises
towards their house's target amount of money. For example one of Saint Michael chosen charity was the Rwanda
appeal. The senior staff sometimes plan one-off events, such as the Kennet (World) Cup to raise money for charity.
The Kennet (World) Cup was a football
event that occurred on 19 June 2006 in aid of the Bobby Moore Cancer Appeal. The event was designed to coincide with the 2006 FIFA World Cup
.
(Ofsted) report for lacking 'a daily act of collective worship' and not reporting pupils' ICT progress in years 10 and 11, both of which are statutory requirements. The collective worship must be wholly or mainly of Christian religion, although parents may request for their children to be withdrawn from the collective worship. The report also found that not all subject department heads have good enough monitoring systems to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools. The library is designed to be a low energy environment by incorporating high levels of natural light
and ventilation. It has shelving space for 25,000 books, and stocks around 23,000. It has seating for 80 pupils and has a separate sixth form study section. The library has 12 workstations
and 30 laptop
computers which are connected to the network
.The Current Librarians are Mrs.Ledger and Mrs.Rance.
Note:The irregularity in A-level scores is due to changes in the way the points are made.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in Thatcham
Thatcham
Thatcham is a town in Berkshire, England 3 miles east of Newbury and 15 miles west of Reading. It covers about and has a population of 23,000 people . This number has grown rapidly over the last few decades from 5,000 in 1951 and 7,500 in 1961.It lies on the River Kennet, the Kennet and Avon...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Formerly a comprehensive school run by the West Berkshire
West Berkshire
West Berkshire is a local government district in the ceremonial county of Berkshire, England, governed by a unitary authority . Its administrative capital is Newbury, located almost equidistantly between Bristol and London.-Geography:...
Education Authority
Local Education Authority
A local education authority is a local authority in England and Wales that has responsibility for education within its jurisdiction...
, the school became an independently-run academy on 1 April 2011. In 2006, Kennet was the highest achieving comprehensive school in West Berkshire using contextual value added
Contextual value added
Contextual value added is a statistic used by the government of the United Kingdom to assess the performance of schools.The statistic is intended to show the progress children have made whilst attending a particular school...
results. In the same year it was also rated as one of the highest achieving schools in England, ranking as the 101st best comprehensive in the Guardian's
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
league table, based on A-level results and 303rd based on GCSE results.
Kennet is also one of very few schools in England to have three specialisms
Specialist school
The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
, Technology College
Technology College
Technology College is a term used in the United Kingdom for a secondary specialist school that focuses on design and technology, mathematics and science. These were the first type of specialist schools, beginning in 1994. In 2008 there were 598 Technology Colleges in England, of which 12 also...
, Arts College
Arts College
Arts Colleges were introduced in 1997 as part of the now defunct Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enabled secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, the performing, visual and/or media arts...
, and most recently Language College
Language College
Language Colleges were introduced in 1995 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, modern foreign languages...
.
The school opened on 11 September 1957 as a secondary modern
Secondary modern school
A secondary modern school is a type of secondary school that existed in most of the United Kingdom from 1944 until the early 1970s, under the Tripartite System, and was designed for the majority of pupils - those who do not achieve scores in the top 25% of the eleven plus examination...
, which then converted into a comprehensive
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
in 1971. The school has 1,720 pupils
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
on roll in years 7 to 11, 280 pupils attending sixth form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
(years 12 and 13) with 121 teachers and 78 non-teaching staff. The headmaster is Paul Gerard Dick OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and the school has a student council
Student council
Student council is a curricular or extra-curricular activity for students within elementary and secondary schools around the world. Present in most public and private K-12 school systems across the United States, Canada and Australia these bodies are alternatively entitled student council, student...
.
In September 2000 the school was given Technology College
Technology College
Technology College is a term used in the United Kingdom for a secondary specialist school that focuses on design and technology, mathematics and science. These were the first type of specialist schools, beginning in 1994. In 2008 there were 598 Technology Colleges in England, of which 12 also...
status. In February 2002 a new technology block was built on the north of the site to replace dispersed classrooms. In March 2005 the school received Arts College
Arts College
Arts Colleges were introduced in 1997 as part of the now defunct Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enabled secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, the performing, visual and/or media arts...
status
Awards
Kennet was awarded the ArtsmarkArtsmark
Artsmark is a national award scheme managed by Arts Council England. The scheme, that is open to all schools in England, recognises schools with a high level of provision in the arts.There are three levels of award:* Artsmark Gold* Artsmark Silver...
Gold by the Arts Council England
Arts Council England
Arts Council England was formed in 1994 when the Arts Council of Great Britain was divided into three separate bodies for England, Scotland and Wales. It is a non-departmental public body of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport...
in 2001, 2004 and 2007. It was also awarded the Sportsmark
Sportsmark
Sportsmark is Sport England's accreditation scheme for secondary schools. The scheme recognises a school's out of hours sports provision.Sportsmark awards are given to secondary schools for provision for sport and physical education. They are currently being reviewed along with Activemark awards...
by Sport England
Sport England
Sport England is the brand name for the English Sports Council and is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
in 2001. The school was also awarded the Challenge Award by National Association for Able Children in Education on 22 November 2006 as recognition for its efforts to support Able, Gifted and Talented students. Kennet was only the 16th school in the country to receive the award at the time.
Teaching awards
The headmaster, Paul Gerard Dick, was awarded an OBEOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for Services to Education in the 2000 New Year's Honours List. Paul Dick was also the Category Winner in 2001 in The Leadership Trust Award for School Leadership in a Secondary School in South of England.
Members of staff receiving teaching awards
Teaching Awards
The Teaching Awards is an annual teacher awards ceremony in the United Kingdom.- Process :Every year, all schools across the UK are invited to nominate their most outstanding headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants and governors. Anyone can make a nomination. Nominations are then endorsed by...
:
- Martyn Greenway, 2003 Distinction Award, The Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School in the South of England
- Juli Morgan-Russell, 2003 Category Winner, The Guardian Award for Outstanding New Teacher in the South of England
- Sandra Baron, 2004 Category Winner, The Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year in South of England
- David Wootton, 2006 Commendation Award, The DfES Award for Governor of the Year in South of England
- Lisa Manning, 2009 Commendation Award, The Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School in the South of England
Sixth form
There is a sixth formSixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
at Kennet for students who wish to continue their education after the age of 16. The students have their own block that was constructed for the start of the 2007 academic year, which consists of a common area, where the sixth formers can socialise, a computer suite and the sixth form offices. There is also a section of the library provided for sixth form use only. There is no set uniform; instead a dress code is set. Boys must wear a shirt and tie, and girls must dress in smart office wear. The European Computer Driving Licence
European Computer Driving Licence
The European Computer Driving Licence , also known as International Computer Driving Licence , is a computer literacy certification programme provided by ECDL Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation....
qualification can be studied with any sixth form course. Some sixth formers are appointed house captains after an application and selection process by the heads of houses. The captains organise teams for inter-house sports, music, drama and art competitions.
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Head of 6th Form | Gaby Case |
| Head of Year 12 | Andy Wood |
| Head of Year 13 | Mary-Jane Gibson |
| 6th Form Office Manager |
Houses
When students join the school they become a member of a house. The house system provides a structure for pastoral care, with the Head of each house responsible for the students in that house. The house system is an integral part of extracurricular activities in the school. The houses compete against each other in sports, athletics, music, drama and outstanding academic excellence.There are four houses at the school: Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
, Saint Michael, Saint Francis
Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
, and Saint David
Saint David
Saint David was a Welsh Bishop during the 6th century; he was later regarded as a saint and as the patron saint of Wales. David was a native of Wales, and a relatively large amount of information is known about his life. However, his birth date is still uncertain, as suggestions range from 462 to...
. Now defunct houses are Saint George
Saint George
Saint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
and Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew , called in the Orthodox tradition Prōtoklētos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. The name "Andrew" , like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the 3rd or 2nd century BC. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him...
, which were dissolved in the early 1980s. Each house is associated with a colour: St. Patrick with green, St. Michael with red, St. Francis with purple and St. David with yellow.
| House | Head of House | Deputy Head of House | Shield |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. David | Robin Ireland | Cheree Kelleher | |
| St. Francis | Rachael Jubb | Nick Bampton | |
| St. Michael | Tania Langley | Paul Cameron | |
| St. Patrick | Richard Staton | Peter Amblin |
Exchange visits
Each year the school organises exchangesStudent exchange program
A student exchange program generally could be defined as a program where students from secondary school or university choose to study abroad in partner institutions...
to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The pupils can go to France in year 9 and Germany in year 10. The foreign pupil staying with their exchange partner's family for 7–12 days, then vice-versa later on. In 2011, Kennet School celebrated 30 years' twinning with the German school Melibokusschule, in Alsbach-Hähnlein
Alsbach-Hähnlein
Alsbach-Hähnlein is a municipality in southern Hesse in the district Darmstadt-Dieburg. It resulted from a merger of the two separate municipalities Alsbach and Hähnlein.- External links :* *...
, South Germany.
"Kennet News"
The Kennet News school newspaper was first issued in May 1975 at the price of two new pence and ran until the late eighties. Its original slogan was News as it happens - and sometimes before it happens!. It reported the departure of George Hurford and the arrival of Terrence Enright in 1978 and later the arrival and departure of Dr. Nicholas Wheeler-Robinson. The main editor was Mr. Wilkinson aided by students. Introductions were occasionally written by the headmasters and Keith Iles wrote a column 'Round the Iles'.Charity work
Each house chooses its own charityCharitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
to support, and throughout the year each tutor group fundraises
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
towards their house's target amount of money. For example one of Saint Michael chosen charity was the Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
appeal. The senior staff sometimes plan one-off events, such as the Kennet (World) Cup to raise money for charity.
The Kennet (World) Cup was a football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
event that occurred on 19 June 2006 in aid of the Bobby Moore Cancer Appeal. The event was designed to coincide with the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
.
School Council
- Every tutor group has an elected member to the School council. The meetings are every half term and are held in the school Library at 2pm
- The meetings are chaired by Mr R Staton ( Assistant Head) who passes on the points to other members of senior staff.
Ofsted
In 2005 the school was criticised in the Office for Standards in EducationOffice for Standards in Education
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
(Ofsted) report for lacking 'a daily act of collective worship' and not reporting pupils' ICT progress in years 10 and 11, both of which are statutory requirements. The collective worship must be wholly or mainly of Christian religion, although parents may request for their children to be withdrawn from the collective worship. The report also found that not all subject department heads have good enough monitoring systems to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
Risman Library
The Risman Library was opened on 23 September 1997 by Councillor Ann Risman, the Chairman of Berkshire County Council, who was accompanied by Chris WoodheadChris Woodhead
Sir Christopher Anthony Woodhead was Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England from 1994 until 2000 and is one of the most controversial figures in debates on the direction of English education policy...
, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools. The library is designed to be a low energy environment by incorporating high levels of natural light
Natural light
Natural light can mean:*Sunlight*Moonlight*Natural Light Beer a product made by Anheuser-Busch....
and ventilation. It has shelving space for 25,000 books, and stocks around 23,000. It has seating for 80 pupils and has a separate sixth form study section. The library has 12 workstations
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...
and 30 laptop
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
computers which are connected to the network
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
.The Current Librarians are Mrs.Ledger and Mrs.Rance.
Headmasters
Kennet's headmasters and headmistress, starting from establishment in 1957, are.| Years | | Name |
|---|---|
| Kennet Modern School | |
| September 1957 to December 1960 |
T.S.B. Howe |
| January 1961 to July 1971 |
George Hurford |
| Kennet Comprehensive School | |
| September 1971 to July 1978 |
George Hurford |
| September 1978 to July 1982 |
Terrence Enright |
| September 1982 to December 1982 |
Keith Iles (acting) |
| January 1983 to July 1987 |
Nicholas Wheeler-Robinson |
| September 1987 to December 1988 |
Keith Iles (acting) |
| January 1989 to 31 January 2009 |
Paul Gerard Dick |
| 1 February 2009 to 31 August 2010 |
Paul Gerard Dick (executive) Susan Croft (associate) |
| 1 December 2010 to 31 March 2011 |
Paul Gerard Dick (executive) Paul German (associate) |
| Kennet School (Academy) | |
| 1 April 2011 to 31 August 2011 |
Paul Gerard Dick (executive) Paul German (associate) |
Statistics
Kennet is the highest achieving comprehensive school for both: Level 2 GCSEs (5 A*-C grades) including English and Maths and A-levels (based on average points) in the West Berkshire area.| Year | | Students achieving five A*-C grades at GCSE | | Average point score per student at A-level |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 77.0% | 926.3 |
| 2009 | 72.0% | 891.0 |
| 2008 | 68.0% | 868.8 |
| 2007 | 72.0% | 843.5 |
| 2006 | 71.0% | 813.8 |
| 2005 | 71.4% | 317.0 |
| 2004 | 70.0% | 284.6 |
| 2003 | 59.0% | 273.9 |
| 2002 | 66.0% | 257.5 (New system) |
| 2001 | 63.7% | 19.3 |
| 2000 | 61.4% | 21.1 |
| 1999 | 59.0% | 16.4 |
| 1998 | 61.0% | 16.3 |
| 1997 | 60.0% | 14.9 |
| 1996 | 59.0% | 15.2 |
| 1995 | 58.0% | 12.7 |
| 1994 | 54.0% | 10.9 |
| 1993 | 52.8% | No data |
| 1992 | 47.5% | No data |
| 1991 | 37.7% | No data |
| 1990 | 35.0% | No data |
| 1989 | 28.0% | No data |
Note:The irregularity in A-level scores is due to changes in the way the points are made.