King Edward VI School (Southampton) A GSG School

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What The Good Schools Guide says

Head

Since 2019, Neal Parker, previously vice principal and head of the senior school at The Grammar School at Leeds. Born in Canada (his father worked in the mining industry and the family lived abroad), he was educated at the British School in the Netherlands and The Purcell School of Music. A talented violin and viola player (he also plays the piano and bass guitar), he read music at St Anne’s College, Oxford. Clear that the performance route wasn’t for him, he says that the idea of teaching crystallised while he was at Oxford. ‘I loved the fact that I could do an analysis of Stravinsky one day, do some conducting another day and make a noise on the drums another,’ he laughs. He got his first teaching post at King’s College School, Wimbledon as a raw 21-year-old and was assistant director of music within two years. After four years he moved to Newcastle Royal Grammar School as director of music, later becoming head of performing arts there before moving to The Grammar School at Leeds. Along the way he somehow found time to do a master’s in educational leadership at Newcastle University and an MBA at the Open University.

Enormously proud of KES (as everyone calls it), he loves city centre, co-ed day schools for ‘their academic rigour and ability to fill every day with activity and excitement’. ‘Once I saw it I wanted to go for it,’ he says of his interview for the headship. He pays tribute to his predecessor for doing an ‘extraordinary job for 17 years’ but has modernised the school, particularly when it comes to pastoral care. He has introduced a wellbeing centre, with wellbeing lessons for year 7 to 11 students once a week. He’s popular with teachers and parents. ‘He’s very supportive and very visible around the school,’ said one, while another described him as ‘approachable and forward-thinking’. There was high praise for the way he stepped in to lead the orchestra in Les Misérables, the school musical, at 24 hours’ notice when the heads of drama and music had Covid. ‘He saved the day,’ said a parent. ‘He got massive respect for that.’

His wife Sarah is deputy head of Portsmouth High School GDST and they have a teenage son at KES, plus a Cavapoo called Henry. As well as his passion for music, he’s an avid sports fan and enjoys hiking in the Lake District – ‘our happy place’. He and his son are steadily making their way up Alfred Wainwright’s 214 fells. ‘We’ve done 30 so far,’ he says. A keen reader, he’d just finished How to Teach Philosophy to Your Dog by Anthony McGowan at the time of our visit and is a member of the staff book club. He’s also a long-standing ISI inspector.

Entrance

Academically selective and very competitive. ‘We are always full,’ says head. At 11+, there are two contenders for every place while at 13+ around 50 applicants compete for 20 or so places. Half come from state primaries and half from local independent schools, including KES’s own prep school, Stroud, in nearby Romsey (Rishi Sunak is a former pupil). Applicants take exams in English and maths and have an interview too. Stroud children take the same exams as external applicants but from September 2023 onwards pupils recommended by the Stroud head who are achieving the appropriate level at the end of year 5 will get a guaranteed entry to KES. Around 50 per cent of Stroud pupils head to KES. Sixth form applicants need at least three grade 7s and three grade 6s at GCSE, with a minimum of grade 4s in English language and maths. Twenty or so external applicants join the sixth form every year.

Exit

Nearly 40 per cent leave after GCSEs. At 18, virtually all go to Russell Group universities. Pupils are aware of degree apprenticeships but ‘their mindset is still on redbrick universities’, says the head. Cardiff, Exeter, Bristol, Birmingham, Bath and Southampton are all popular. Six to Oxbridge in 2023 and 10 medics. One overseas – University of Tulsa.

Latest results

In 2023, 68 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 56 per cent A*/A at A level (82 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 76 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 49 per cent A*/A at A level (79 per cent A*-B).

Teaching and learning

Twenty-six subjects on offer at A level – all the usual, plus economics, philosophy, psychology, sports science and drama and theatre studies. Most pupils take three A levels (they tend to start with four subjects and drop one at the end of the first term in year 12). The school says it can’t absolutely guarantee every combination of subjects but in the last 10 years everyone has got their choices. Maths is by far and away the most popular A level (three-quarters of pupils got A*/A in 2022), followed by biology and chemistry. Around 20 take the EPQ but the head would like to see numbers rise.

The majority take 10 GCSEs in year 11 and everyone does a short course GCSE in RS in year 10. ‘It helps to give them confidence and is very successful,’ says the head. All pupils take three sciences at GCSE and at least one language (French, German, Spanish and Italian on offer). Science is exciting: ‘We do a lot of practical experiments here,’ our year 9 guides said approvingly; their favourite to date was a chromatology experiment with Skittles sweets and food dye. They proudly pointed out an eye-catching tank of tropical fish in the biology department and huge periodic tables emblazoned across the chemistry wall. Latin for all in years 7 and 8 but voluntary after that (some opt for classical civilisation instead). Up to 10 a year take Latin GCSE and a few do the A level. Average class sizes of 22, with setting for maths and languages. Everyone uses iPads. Younger pupils say there’s ‘quite a bit of homework, but it’s manageable’; sixth formers are expected to do at least three or four hours a week of individual study for each subject. ‘Everyone has got a strong work ethic,’ said a parent. ‘They teach the children that it’s cool to achieve.’

The light and airy library promotes reading in a big way. Seventy pupils (more boys than girls) act as library leaders and year 7, 8 and 9s have a library lesson once every two weeks, chatting about what they’re reading and getting recommendations from the librarians. At the time of our visit, pupils’ favourite books were Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Librarians also run challenges like the eagerly contested Read 16 Before 16, encouraging pupils to read specific books by the time they reach 16.

Learning support and SEN

Learning support (known as curriculum support here) has recently moved into a purpose-built department at the heart of the school, next door to the wellbeing centre. Support is offered by a team of five, either one-to-one or in small groups, for needs such as ASD, dyslexia and dyscalculia. Literary and numeracy support available too. The school has offered 100 per cent bursary places to six Ukrainian pupils and they are supported by a Ukrainian member of the curriculum support team.

The arts and extracurricular

Music department has its own recital room, high-tech recording studio and countless practice rooms. Up to two-thirds of pupils have individual music lessons – younger ones during class time and year 10s and up before school, after school or in their lunch break. A plethora of formal and informal music groups to join, including a symphony orchestra, junior orchestra, two jazz bands and four main choirs. Concerts galore, plus an annual carol service in Romsey Abbey. ‘Some pupils regularly gig in Southampton at weekends,’ the director of music told us. There’s also a weekly ‘music while you lunch’ event, giving pupils a chance to boost their confidence by performing in public.

Drama fizzes with energy, with recent productions of Singin’ in the Rain, Matilda and Emil and the Detectives, although parents would like to see the school putting on a few more plays. Art is very exciting, with 26 or so taking the subject at GCSE each year and six or seven at A level (plus a number doing photography A level). The director of art (a photographer who once worked as the late Lord Snowdon’s assistant) showed us two stunning portraits by pupils, one a triptych by a girl who achieved an A* in a year at A level but plans to read medicine at university. He runs a culture course for sixth formers who want to pursue their interest in art but aren’t taking the subject at A level and has also set up a drop-in vinyl listening club. Healthy numbers take drama and music at GCSE, with a handful opting for dance (dance is big here). Productions take place in the impressive 400-seater Dobson Theatre. When we visited sixth formers were listening to a talk about animal testing, part of their weekly lecture series, while the music department was gearing up for a Battle of the Bands event that night.

More than 50 lunchtime and after-school clubs – from Cactus Club and Doodle Club to Feminist Society and Diversity Society. Everyone is encouraged to join at least one or two. ‘There’s a lot of opportunity to find what you enjoy,’ a year 10 pupil told us. Sixth formers have their own foundation studies programme; as well as equipping them with key skills for life after school there are short courses like cookery, dance, team and leadership skills, computer coding and self-defence. The school is keen on doing its bit in the community and wider afield. It has strong partnerships with six local primary schools and raised £12,000 for charity last year through events like no-uniform days and cake sales. DofE on offer – lots of gold awards – and a host of trips enthusiastically led by staff.

Sport

KES is very sporty, with an array of stellar achievements, all admirably lauded on the sports hall wall. Rugby, hockey, netball and cricket teams are particularly successful while other standouts include pupils who have made it into national badminton, squash, lacrosse, hockey, diving, windsurfing, sailing, swimming, gymnastics and cricket teams. Lots of representation at different levels. More than 650 pupils played for the school last year – a total of 101 teams, from A to E in some sports.

The school is fronted by sports fields and a sand-based Astroturf but there are another 33 acres at the Wellington Sports Ground in Eastleigh, a ten-minute minibus ride away and complete with a water-based Astroturf, football, rugby and cricket pitches, netball and tennis courts and more. KES doesn’t have a swimming pool but pupils use the University of Southampton one up the road. Superbly equipped gym and fitness suite – all pupils attend an induction session to learn how to use the equipment at lunch time and after school. The Elite Performer Programme offers inspiration and strength and conditioning sessions to talented year 7s and up while Saturday sport runs everything from sailing and paddleboarding to matches against other schools.

Ethos and heritage

KES is the oldest school in Southampton, with a history dating back to the 16th century. After William Capon left money in his will to found a grammar school for the poor scholars of the city, Edward VI signed the necessary charter in 1553 and the school opened in Winkle Street in Southampton in 1554. It has moved three times since then, most recently to a purpose-built building just off Hill Lane in 1938, although the school was evacuated to Poole during the Second World War. KES became independent in 1978 and has been co-ed since 1994. Designed by Ernest Berry Webber, who also created the Guildhall Civic Centre in Southampton, the main building looks a little austere from the outside but is softened by newly planted acer trees and picnic benches along the walkway at the front. The school’s famous bell tower can be spotted from the other side of the city. One charming quirk is that the clock tower at the Civic Centre plays the school hymn, O God, Our Help in Ages Past, on the hour three times a day.

Inside, the school looks sophisticated and meticulously well-kept, with wide corridors and acres of polished wood floors. The atmosphere is calm and purposeful, with everything geared to a comfortable, work-friendly environment. Teachers are ultra-loyal to the school (up to 10 per cent are former pupils themselves) and praise its culture. ‘This is the first time in my entire career that I have enjoyed teaching,’ said one. ‘For the first time I feel valued. The students are absolutely lovely – a pleasure to teach. It’s not to say there aren’t challenges but they want to learn. Even if they don’t enjoy your subject they respect and value the teachers.’

Sixth formers are thrilled with the stylish new sixth form centre, divided into three distinct areas – a study space with individual working pods, a café with a ‘grab and go’ lunch service and a convivial socialising space with sofas and table football. Known as the concourse, it’s open from 7am to 6pm. Smart navy uniform has recently been updated: younger girls are pleased with their navy and beige tartan skirts but older girls aren’t quite so impressed. Girls can wear navy trousers if they wish. Sixth formers like being able to wear their own business-style clothes. Most pupils have school dinners but a few bring packed lunches. Plenty of choice at lunchtime, including ‘street food’, aka baguettes, noodles and stir-fries.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

The new wellbeing centre, complete with comfy chairs, bean bags and weighted blankets, is a quiet, safe space and gets the thumbs-up from pupils and parents. ‘If you’re having a tough time you can go there,’ a year 9 pupil told us. ‘It’s helped a lot of students.’ Year group tutors are pupils’ first port of call if they have a problem or need help, followed by heads of year, heads of lower school, upper school and sixth form and the deputy head (pastoral). A counsellor is in school every day. The school has a chaplain (who also teaches maths) but no chapel. However, plans are afoot to introduce a multi-faith space. Whole-school assembly every Monday and at other times too.

Tutor groups meet every morning for registration. Strong house system, with six houses, all named after people closely associated with the school and with myriad academic, sporting and cultural competitions. The school council, with two reps from each year group, is effective; when we visited the school toilets were being revamped at the request of pupils. Members of the student leadership team are known as the ‘top five’ – they’re voted into place and comprise a head of school, deputy head of school, two deputies and a senior prepositor (as prefects are known). They host school events, lead charity initiatives and support and mentor younger pupils. Sixth formers run a summer camp for a young carers’ charity, hold term-time and holiday activity days for youngsters from the Portsmouth Downs Syndrome Association and fund-raise for three main charities every year.

Behaviour is good – like most schools, there’s the odd vaping incident, but nothing more. ‘The kids are pretty well-behaved,’ one teacher told us while another said: ‘They are really nice kids, kind and respectful.’ The school does a lot of work on equality and diversity and respecting others; a pupil who’s a talented performance poet recently led an assembly on what it’s like to be female and black in today’s society. ‘It’s very easy to make friends here,’ a year 9 told us. ‘Everyone bonded together really easily when we arrived. I’ve got friends in the year above and the year below.’ We heard of one pupil who turned to his parents on the day he left at 18 and said: ‘I want to send my children to a school like that.’

Pupils and parents

Pupils come from a wide catchment area and a multitude of backgrounds – from Southampton itself and as far afield as Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Winchester, Andover and the New Forest. ‘Pupils have a huge variety of life experiences,’ says the head. ‘This is a city school and we want our pupils to reflect this city and this county.’ Nineteen bus routes ferry pupils to and from school every day. Many catch buses straight after school but there are late buses at 5.30pm for those who want to stay on for clubs.

‘KES pupils are real team players,’ a parent told us while another said that if she had to make the decision about where to send her children all over again she’d choose KES without a moment’s hesitation. ‘It has got something for everybody,’ she added. Old Edwardians (as alumni are known) are an eclectic bunch, including playwright and dramatist Hugh Whitemore, Manfred Mann member Mike Vickers, former Bishop of Exeter Michael Langrish, former RNIB director general Ian Bruce and Sir Edward Abraham, the Oxford academic famed for his ground-breaking work on penicillin and synthetic antibiotics.

Money matters

A number of means-tested bursaries (up to 100 per cent of the full fee) for pupils entering year 7, year 9 and the sixth form. Scholarships (academic, music, drama, art, sport) are available (up to 10 per cent of the full fee).

The last word

Parents looking for a co-ed day school with academic rigour and tons of opportunities for bright, go-getting children need search no further. Inclusive, high achieving and forward-looking, it’s impressive on all fronts.

Special Education Needs

The School has limited facilities for the disabled but will do all that is reasonable to comply with its legal and moral responsibilities under the SENDA 2001 in order to accommodate the needs of pupils who have disabilities for which, with reasonable adjustments, the School can cater. On entry to the School all pupils are screened in literacy, and support is given on an individual basis by regular members of the teaching staff to those pupils who would benefit from extra assistance. There is also a limited amount of support for pupils who have difficulties with numeracy skills. All members of the teaching staff are regularly updated on the requirements and needs of pupils who are receiving support or have a particular need in the classroom. 09-09

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