The King's School (Chester)

Our View

Confident school with top notch facilities and all round education, that's becoming ever more academically ambitious under dynamo new head. Thankfully pupils remain consummately friendly and unassuming.

Headmaster

Since 2007, Mr Chris Ramsey MA (mid-forties). Previously head of King's College, Taunton, deputy head at Cranleigh, head of languages at Wellington College. Educated Brighton College and Corpus Christi, Cambridge. Quick thinking, fast talking, fizzing with enthusiasm, this new head has bounded into King's determined to make it 'the great co-ed day school of the North'.

Sitting (not still) in pinstripe suit with braces and silk tie, on the aubergine sofas on the teal carpet in the newly colourful head's study, he brings not a breath but a gale force gust of fresh air to the place and admits that not everyone has enjoyed him challenging the status quo. 'He has ruffled feathers,' confess older staff while pupils say, 'he rules with an iron fist', recalling a mass detention for tardy compliance with new locker rules.

Publishes weekly blog musings on school website. Says his two children here 'are very happy but I'm forbidden to talk to them', and of his six year old at a local primary school, 'I'd like to see her through the school'. Intriguingly, his dapper dressing (check out his blog picture) seems to contrast with the endearingly small R reg Rover in the Head's parking bay.

Academic Matters

Extremely ambitious, 'we're quite keen on league tables' and no wonder. In 2009, King's rose a hundred places with a bumper crop of 66 per cent As at A level, 82 per cent of GCSEs an A or A*; add the B grades and you've got 96 per cent of the GCSEs – 'making us not just very good but now a leading school,' says head.

Pupils are quick to give 'fulfilling my potential' as a top reason for coming here, 'we work in a productive environment with teachers available in classes before and after school and approachable at lunch times for extra help'. Teachers must expect head to pop in to lessons, 'to take an interest, be visible, be encouraging' in a spirit of respectful, constructive criticism. IGCSE maths and accelerated maths A level to fit in another subject. Taking three sciences at GCSE is compulsory, 'universities are hungry for science', and contentious with pupils for limiting other choices partly because provision for music, art, DT, ICT etc is so temptingly good. Three Arkwright scholars in 2009 reflect progressive approach in DT; plenty of prizes in other national Olympiad challenges. A biology department greenhouse overflows with verdant 'herbology'.

Newly refurbished library, open from 8.15am – 5pm, attracts 800 visits a day to its 16,000 resources which include 85 journal subscriptions. ECDL instead of GCSE ICT, plenty of computers everywhere, whiteboards and netbooks in some classes. UVI trialling extended projects in 2009 and in life skills learning how to manage money, cook and drink sensibly as a student and change a plug.

Games, Options, the Arts

Strong rowing tradition since 1877 from boathouse on the Dee. King's is a top rowing school which grows a steady supply of national rowers; Tom James, 2008 Olympic medal, Olivia Whitlam, world u23 champion in 2007, 2008 Olympic finalist. Girls now making their mark in competitions, most importantly King's had the edge over arch-rival Shrewsbury on the water last year. Fiercely competitive in all sport including girls, with 'Kings are Queens' headline from paper proudly displayed outside the galleried gym. Acres of pitches, courts, floodlit Astro, indoor pool and tradition of inter-house sport so all can take part.

New Music School (2005) boasts bright recital hall with floor to ceiling apex windows, recording studio, classroom full of computers and six individual practice rooms. About half take individual instrument lessons in school, and there are 20 orchestras, ensembles and choirs including Schola Cantorum which leads services in the Cathedral. The music head, described as 'fantastic' by parents, has direct phone and email on school website. Art is celebrated in an exhibition space near entrance foyer with the superb DT creations too. Thriving CCF and DofE, Model United Nations, varied list of extra-curricular activities from Scrabble club to meteorological society. 'This is a school for people with aspirations and a wide range of interests, the school does such a variety to a good level,' say pupils. Huge range of trips and charity partnership with school in Madagascar.

Background and Atmosphere

Founded by King Henry VIII in 1541, the school left its city centre cathedral site in 1960 moving to acres of greenness leased from the Duke of Westminster who takes an interest in the CCF. The campus has a newly spruced feel in-line with head's crack down on pupil and indoor untidiness, 'we've pulled our socks up'. Pupils complain they don't have time to visit lockers between activities especially during break and lunch but unattended bags are confiscated and detentions issued as they're reclaimed; 'a matter of responsibility' says school against background of pupil grumbling, but the corridors are clear. Most classrooms are hugely spacious too which contrasts with the cramped dining hall, where lunch is compulsory, although a new theatre and dining hall are on the cards. There's a sense things are still settling since change of head although one unruffled duck and drake have carried on with two years' duckling production in the school quad.

Pastoral Care and Discipline

Pupils describe this as 'a very friendly school' and parents praise the effort made to help children settle in here at all levels. Prefect and sixth form mentoring and form tutors form backbone of pastoral care. Whole school devised and subscribes to core values of 'ambition, benevolence and co-operation'. Last ISC inspection mentions 'the excellent relationships between pupils and staff ... engendering an atmosphere of trust and security'. Strong Cathedral links endure although Mr Ramsey perhaps gives Christian traditions less emphasis than former head. One of two weekly assemblies now includes 90 second 'Quite Interesting' public speaking slot for pupils to share their interests – 'we want them to discover that knowledge is delicious'.

Achievement is recognised across the board and head is quick to point out, 'there's something for everyone with glory not just for the goal scorers and A*s'. Pupils stand for teachers and visitors and in the main wait their turn at doorways. Choosing not to fulfil responsibilities, such as not storing bags correctly, brings the consequence of sanctions such as detentions, simple as that, but, apart from teething problems with the new locker system, discipline doesn't generally need to be heavy handed; this seems to be a pretty civilised community. A full time nursing sister mans the sick bay.

Pupils and Parents

Proportion of girls has grown to 33 per cent since their arrival in 2003 and the school now feels properly co-ed with girls of all sorts, not just robust pioneers. Relations are cordial with Queen's, the head insists, but, 'we want the 100 brightest regardless and they of course want the brightest girls'. Despite school becoming more image conscious, pupils remain disarmingly normal and charming – apart from the odd characterful hairstyle we saw no hint of a cool in-crowd and all ages politely but naturally hold their own in adult conversation; they're a very nice bunch.

From Chester and Cheshire, the Wirral and North Wales in their distinctive navy, green and white striped blazers and ties. Sixth formers move on to crested navy blazers with ties denoting activities and status and senior prefects get to wear academic gowns for special occasions. Largely middle class and white, professional or farming backgrounds. Lots on buses while school-run parents bemoan perennial 'parking nightmares', partly from queue trying to exit onto busy Wrexham Road.

Entrance

By 11+ examination in January with English, maths, non-verbal reasoning and group discussion to assess thinking skills. Selecting from the top 25 per cent, about two applicants for every place. Sixth form requires A* or A in intended subjects and seven GCSE Bs or above.

Exit

The opening line on school website states, 'From your child's first day at The King's School at seven years of age, we are preparing them for graduation and beyond'. University is unapologetically assumed from the off. Most to a university from Times Top 30 list, handful to Oxbridge (some to keep rowing), over ten to medicine and dentistry in 2009 and recently one a year to St Martins Art College. Sixth form support for course and uni choice very strong with all UCAS applications submitted by end of October. Notable old boys include TV's Martin Lewis, talkSPORT's Mike Parry, Ronald Pickup (actor), Tom James MBE (rower), Nicolas Grace (actor), Sir John Vanbrugh,(architect), Steve Leonard (TV Vet), Freddie Owen (cricketer) and Admiral Sir Peter Dennis who, after leaving in 1730, reportedly invented mayonnaise.

Money Matters

About 80 senior pupils receive some kind of means tested bursary, 10 have free places, with plans to increase bursary provision to help more pupils over next decade, returning somewhat towards school's founding principles of helping 'poor, friendless boys'. Sensitivity to recession meant fee increase kept to 1.9 per cent in 2008/9. Top achievers in the entrance exam bag a one off £500 scholarship and keep the term King's Scholar for their school career.