Kingswood School A GSG School

Other features

All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

Sports

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmaster

Since 2020, Andrew Gordon-Brown, formerly headmaster at Truro School for seven years. A warm, considered and visionary South African. Educated at Hyde Park High School in Johannesburg, studied commerce at University of Cape Town and then qualified as a chartered accountant. Spent 12 years in financial services both in South Africa and the UK for the likes of Deloitte, UBS and JPMorgan Chase. A rowing fanatic, he competed for South Africa in the 1992 Olympics (coming a commendable eighth) then set his heart on Oxbridge rowing. Taking a study break from his thriving finance career, he completed an MSc in agricultural economics and a diploma in social studies at Keble College, Oxford; met his now wife, Harriet, and earned a rowing blue in the 1994 Boat Race. In 2003, he made a benevolent midlife career change, swapping the City for schools, starting with four years at Radley College teaching economics and history alongside coaching rowing and rugby. He completed a QTS simultaneously through the University of Gloucester. Five years followed as deputy head at Stonyhurst in Lancashire before moving to Truro.

Being a successful head is, he believes, down to having ‘an optimism, energy and vision that you can communicate clearly – asking governors, staff, parents and pupils to come with you on the journey’. One year in and the feedback is unwaveringly positive: ‘He very quickly got to grips with the school, increasing the warm community feel and giving very consistent, clear messages to the children,’ said one parent, while a staff member told us, ‘He has clearly pinpointed some fantastic next steps for the school and is focused on achieving them.’

He has three children – the eldest is reading English at Edinburgh, his son is at Radley (wanting a sixth form experience without his father as head) and his younger daughter is currently at Kingswood. Aside from the ubiquitous rowing, he loves walking, music and trips to the family holiday home in Falmouth.

Entrance

On average 50-55 per cent from the linked prep school, all of whom sit the competitive entrance papers. For entry to years 7 and 8, papers in maths, English and non-verbal reasoning. For years 9 (additional 10-20 places) and 10, science and a foreign language as well. Places offered based on entrance exam results, interviews and scholarship assessment; existing school links through siblings or alumni also a factor.

Around 25 join at sixth form – criteria are 6s at GCSE in humanities subjects selected for A level and 7s for maths and sciences. All are interviewed by the head and need a current school report.

Exit

About 20 per cent leave post GCSEs, mostly to local sixth form colleges. Post A level, almost all to university with a strong Russell Group leaning. Favourites include Exeter and Birmingham, followed by Manchester, Nottingham and Cardiff. Nine medics in 2023, and three to Oxbridge.

Latest results

In 2023, 62 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 53 per cent A*/A at A level (83 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 62 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 34 per cent A*/A at A level (67 per cent A*-B).

Teaching and learning

Locally viewed as ‘the caring, pastoral and holistic choice’, the school’s modesty belies the fact that it does rather well academically. While definitely not an academic hothouse, parents are resolutely ‘delighted with the approach and results, with pupils not overly pushed but given the incentive and internal drive to succeed. They are happy and willing to learn and that leads to impressive results.’

The deputy head academic has his sights set on realigning the reputation with the aim to ‘get academics on the same high level as the pastoral profile of the school’. In his view it’s all about increasing the ‘breadth of experience’, which translates into a strong range of subjects on offer, over 20 at GCSE, with subjects such as Latin, Mandarin and computer science boosting the choices. ‘We are really lucky that we don’t have option blocks so can usually choose any combination of subjects,’ enthused one pupil. Most take up to nine or 10 GCSEs with English, maths, at least one language and the sciences all compulsory.

Classes are capped at 22 in years 7-8 and 20 in years 9-11. No aggressive setting but pupils are grouped on ability and style or speed of learning from the start in year 7 for maths and for science and English from year 9. ‘Pupils can get a 9 at GCSE from any of the bands,’ assured the academic head. Parents concur, with one telling us, ‘Pupils seem unconcerned about which set they have been put in – there is no competitive slurring, it’s handled perfectly.’ All three sciences studied until the end of year 10 when the lowest band pupils can opt to take combined science instead.

A parent told us the new head has ‘made an encouraging start’ by recruiting ‘new blood to replace some incongruous old wood in certain teaching positions’. Others remarked that teaching is on the up, with it now being ‘good across the board with pockets of excellence’.

The teaching we witnessed was delivered by enthusiastic staff in classes of engaged pupils. Year 9 physics had the teacher running a quick-fire quiz on electrical circuits with pupils willing to raise their hands to answer or question the points before they were let loose on a mind-boggling circuit-building exercise – which he simultaneously delivered to several students who had dialled in via Microsoft Teams. ‘The online provision is very effective, with staff quickly adapting to the needs of the children,’ praised a parent.

Teacher communication said to be excellent, with tutors the primary port of call for all concerns – parents say their responses are ‘amazingly proactive’. Termly parent evenings, while online reports score pupils on attainment (class median score given to assist in comparative comprehension) and organisation – an ‘arbitrary’ score, according to both pupils and parents.

Over 24 subjects offered at A level. Most take three and a few, particularly mathematicians, four. Refreshingly, it’s all about breadth so not unusual to find a scientist adding art to their choices. Economics, psychology and politics are the latest subject additions. Social sciences, geography and history most popular, with biology the highest performing. Most pupils start the EPQ, though not all complete it. Disappointing lack of BTEC options on offer, though sport a recent addition. Leiths School of Food and Wine certificate offered alongside A levels.

Learning support and SEN

Staffed by three full-timers, all praised by parents for ‘making Kingswood work for everyone’ and their ‘recognition that children learn in different ways’. That said, there was a united feeling among parents we spoke to that learning support was not the strongest area of the wider school. ‘Kingswood enabled me to keep all my children together in their education, from the brightest to one with SEN, however I would not recommend it for a SEN child alone,’ said one. Others said that while the support and individual management provided by the learning support team were ‘excellent’, the translation of this into the actual classroom was the missing link. ‘The teaching staff need far greater confidence in, awareness and understanding of SEN to ensure that early identification is improved and that the resultant ideas coming out of the learning support team are followed up in an implementable and supportive manner in the classroom,’ said one. We were impressed to hear of LS team taking more anxious new starters around the school quietly and personally in the holiday period, as well as their easy access to an ed psych and other specialist external support where necessary.

The arts and extracurricular

Music is quite literally the heart of the school, sitting proudly in the middle of the school site. Around 240 individual music lessons each week and choirs, orchestras and ensembles galore. A vast range of performance opportunities from charity concerts to whole-school events and key stage recitals held in school, Bath Abbey and at regional music festivals. We sat in on a small informal showcase of what a handful of pupils are currently working on, performed (to much applause and heartfelt whooping) to parents, peers and staff. From an A level pianist to a tiny trumpeter and goose-bump inducing solo singers, the standard was striking. Pupils can excel in music here and speak fondly of the department as ‘a sanctuary where you can switch off from everything else’. Around 14-18 take GCSE music per year, three at A level.

Housed in an aptly Arts and Crafts style, three-storey, light-filled building, the art department is a hive of activity and exhibition. Courses are open church, with pupils from the start taught to experiment widely with every medium to find what they love – drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics and photography all on offer. We watched A level pupils answering the same fine art brief with a myriad responses, ranging from pencil studies of hands to stunning origami cranes in flight, computer simulated eco-car designs, short film compilations and a photographic study of the ‘scaffolding of self as seen through tattoo art’. Fabulous.

Drama is ‘excellent’, according to both parents and pupils. There is a drama studio and an impressive 366-seat theatre housing two major productions per year – one senior and one junior. Rehearsals currently underway for Antigone, with recent productions including A Christmas Carol and Our Country’s Good, as well as plays written by staff and students. Pupils are encouraged to get involved onstage or backstage and can take over the technical reins. ‘We have some seriously expert kit here,’ said the theatre’s technical director, ‘giving an obvious pathway into a role in professional theatre.’

The extracurricular activities programme is mandatory and extensive. Pupils are encouraged to stay on until 5.30pm and take advantage; we were tempted to dive into the compelling menu ourselves, from kayaking, orienteering, frisbee and climbing to jewellery, calligraphy, Greek and crochet. Each option we popped our head into seemed well supported and fun.

Sport

Sport is taken very seriously and is the highlight and focus of many pupils’ experiences: ‘It literally made my time here when I was asked to be in the A team for rugby,’ said one pupil. Others spoke of the ‘exciting and enthusiastic atmosphere around sport, particularly the big matches’. Strong referral links to the Bath city and university teams in rugby and hockey for those at the top of their game. Impressive facilities include eight rugby pitches, three cricket squares, two AstroTurfs and a sports hall, some encircling the school and others half a mile up the hill. Sports on offer via the curriculum lessons are ‘heritage sports… very private school’, according to the head; parents hope his sporting background will inspire ‘greater sports options on offer and boost team inclusivity and opportunity’. Sports staff praised for their support and encouragement of all players, irrespective of their skill, but criticised for the elitist investment on training and match opportunities for the A and B teams despite the school fielding over 20 teams in key sports like hockey. ‘Not all children have had the same experience in these sports at prep age so it seems unfair to pick a team from those that have and then be unwilling to allow others the chance to develop alongside them. Mixing up the teams and offering greater match access would make an enormous difference,’ reckoned one parent.

Boarders

Every pupil, whether day or boarding, is assigned to a boarding house and the house structure is at the centre of school life and resolutely praised. ‘Kingswood comes out on top with its fantastic boarding provision, akin to a close family experience; children are safe and given great pastoral care with strong bonds between year groups and day and boarding pupils,’ lauds one parent.

The seven boarding houses are all slowly being updated with the best featuring wet rooms, outdoor decking, ensuite bathrooms and state-of-the-art technology whilst the worst, according to pupils, ‘still have nasty bathrooms and horrible carpets’. We didn’t get shown those parts, strangely.

Houseparents resolutely acclaimed by all and boarders’ highlights are ‘the weekend lie-ins, in-house breakfasts, walking into town with friends, great trips and pizza nights’.

Pupils in years 7 and 8 have a gentle start with the bespoke, co-ed Westwood house enabling them to slowly grow up in their own time and space, the much-loved house dog cementing the homely feel and giving wonderful greetings to all who come through the door.

Ethos and heritage

Founded by John Wesley as the first Methodist school, it opened in 1748 for the sons and daughters of Wesley’s friends but was soon restricted to the sons of Methodist preachers and leaders. Went co-ed again in 1974 and moved to its current site in 1852 – an imposing collection of purpose-built Victorian Gothic buildings on the steep northern slopes above Bath (a 20-minute walk away). Surrounded by 214 acres of manicured grounds (the views are magnificent), it is dotted with other buildings of varying age and beauty including the delightful chapel. The head wants to protect and enhance these venerable buildings with a target to get the site ‘pristine’. Sixth form centre, the Dixon – an eyesore of a postwar building – is next in the firing line, and we were shown impressive architectural plans for remodelling rather than demolition; a former student is in on the design side. Pupils seem immune to any visual horrors, however, and love the building’s studies, kitchen and relaxation areas, all of which will be enhanced and improved in the new design. Still a Methodist school, but now pupils from all denominations and none, with chapel ‘woven into the week’. ‘We offer a gentle, personally developed life philosophy, which is something Methodists do quite well.’

Food, served from a new refectory-style counter, then carried into the stunning, Hogwarts-like central dining room, is delicious. Uniform is tidy and businesslike, with girls in black blazers, white blouses and tartan skirts and boys in black blazers, charcoal trousers and school ties. Sixth formers wear dark suits. Parents speak of the Kingswood ethos being the decision maker on their initial selection and the reason behind their unwavering support of the school. Friendly, down-to-earth, inclusive and kind, we heard.

Famous alumni include actor Tim Curry, director and writer Jonathan Lynn, the historian and writer EP Thompson and Reggie Tsiboe, one of the lead singers of pop band Boney M.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

Pastoral care is ‘exemplary’, say parents, who enthuse about the quality of pupil and staff relationships and the overall sense of ‘being part of a community that cares about each other’. One described it as ‘the perfect blend of warmth and respect. There is a sense of trust here – if something goes wrong pupils will talk about it.’ Parents considered too, with over 100 attending online pastoral evenings during the recent lockdown.

Tutors are central to pastoral, social and academic care with pupils assigned to specialist tutors for each stage of their education, changing from their initial tutor in year 9 and again in year 12. AS tracking offers staff a tool to identify vulnerable pupils and help is on hand to pick these up via on-site counsellors, the medical centre and the chaplain. Strong emphasis placed on vertical inter-year ‘buddying’ from the start. Mentoring taken seriously with peer schemes at key transition points for every pupil (year 12s meet year 9s for weekly one-on-one GCSE selection advice, for example). Community mentoring options for all senior pupils, reaching out into the local state school network to support local children.

Pupils told us they see themselves as ‘altogether on a journey to eradicate inequalities, harassment and bullying’ and are ‘unafraid to call it out’. The school is peppered with downloadable QR codes offering pupils a quick and anonymous way to report anything untoward. Pupils are ‘educated to make the right choices’ and school has strictly enforced rules on drinking, drugs and smoking. Parents spoke of ‘problems being sorted before they were even aware’.

Pupils and parents

Aside from a few flash cars in the car park, parents are mainly dual-incomers who work hard to send their children here. Lots of medics, lawyers, business people and an increasing number of London re-locators. Around 15 per cent are international, from 23 countries. Pupils are enthusiastic about their school, eloquent and modest.

Money matters

Scholarships at years 7, 9 and 12, together with the John Wesley Boarding Awards – recognising potential in all-round contribution to school life. Currently eight per cent on bursaries – head is keen to make the process more transparent. An appeal has been launched to mark the school's 275th anniversary with a view to enhancing bursary provision, transforming the sixth form centre and building a cookery school.

The last word

A superb school, offering a fantastic education with the emphasis firmly on kindness and community. ‘What we love most is that there is no pomp and circumstance here – the children are valued and look out for each other,’ said a parent, who echoed the view of many others. ‘It is an extremely happy, friendly school, where children do well and are celebrated for being themselves.’

Special Education Needs

Whilst we are a mainstream school and not a specialist one, we do support children with a variety of SEN as much as is reasonably possible.

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