Kingham Hill School A GSG School

Curricula

EPQ - EPQ

Other features

Music and dance scheme - government funding and grants available to help with fees at selected independent music and dance schools.

International Study Centre - school has a linked, international study centre for overseas students wishing to improve their English.

Sports

Unusual sports

Shooting

Sailing

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmaster

Since April 2023, Peter Last BA MEd, previously head of Kingsley School Bideford. Educated at Alleyn’s then Cambridge where he read geography, he taught at Hebron School in India where he and his wife were also houseparents. After six years – and with three little ones in tow – the family returned to the UK where he taught at Lord Wandsworth College for nine years, moving to Stowe for a further 11 years, ending up as deputy head (pastoral) and head of boarding. He is clearly a busy man: inspecting for ISI, vice chair of a large multi-academy trust in Devon and doing a spot of executive coaching and consulting on the side.

Entrance

Non-selective, no formal entrance exams but prospective pupils sit the short CAT4 test to provide a measure of 'typical' performance. School offers a huge range of opportunities to children of all abilities. Head meets with all families before joining. Taster days available. Just under 17 per cent international pupils, ESOL offered. German exchange group join for a term in Year 10. US High School Diploma available. About 40 US students join each year. Numbers higher than ever before so early registration advised. For sixth form entry, applicants need five grade 4s at GCSE (including in English and maths), with some subject-specific grade requirements.

Exit

Nearly 40 per cent of pupils depart after GCSE to pursue vocational courses or due to redeployment of military parents. Three-quarters of sixth formers go on to Russell Group universities. York, Leeds, Exeter, Lancaster, Birmingham, Aberystwyth, Bristol, Durham, Loughborough, Newcastle, Reading, Sheffield, UCL, Bath, Edinburgh, Nottingham and Warwick are popular choices. Sometimes one or two to Oxbridge. Four medics in 2023, and four overseas – to University of Sydney, Virginia Tech, Northern Arizona University and Kansas University.

Latest results

In 2023, 44 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 52 per cent A*/A at A level (71 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 49 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 45 per cent A*/A at A level (or vocational equivalent ).

Teaching and learning

For a non-selective school to be rated amongst the top five of schools in Oxfordshire for academic results and in the top three per cent of sixth form providers nationally is a huge achievement. ‘A combination of small class sizes (average 15 pupils), individual attention and staff who have time to listen characterises the academic environment at Kingham.’ Curiosity for learning is very much what the school strives to achieve and is at the heart of its ethos. Strong support structure creates confident pupils who enjoy learning and positivity abounds. One parent, heralding the transformation of his son since joining the school, felt that ‘he would have been lost in the London day school system but is instead thriving and loving school’. Whiteboards and interactive learning all in place, but the emphasis is on traditional teaching and handwritten work rather than technology. Major investment in laboratory facilities in the new maths and science block reinforces commitment to STEM subjects. Setting in maths only. History, DT, animal management and engineering are popular amongst the 31 subjects currently taught with A levels, BTEC and CTEC offered to suit all abilities. Relationships between pupils and teachers are strong, pupils are often seen walking to lessons chatting happily to staff.

The Octagon Society is where the most academically curious meet to discuss ethical and philosophical issues and challenge their beliefs; it encapsulates the inclusivity of the school as pupils of all levels of academic ability are welcomed. Being curious is what matters here, reflecting the school’s mission to broaden horizons. ‘Everybody is encouraged to have a voice.’ The international feel of the school, together with its US Middle States Association accreditation, adds a global dimension.

Learning support and SEN

CReSTeD registered, Greens, the school’s dedicated learning support department, offers one-to-one support at an additional cost. Considered good value by parents. Around 16 per cent of the pupils receive some form of additional learning support with careful monitoring of all pupils taking place. Support either in the form of drop-in sessions or dedicated lessons on a regular basis. Some just enjoy dropping in to chat to the staff and that is welcomed. Pupils interviewed spoke of the tools they have been given to deal with challenges that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Increased confidence and examples of huge improvements in learning outcomes reported. Head of department ‘goes the extra mile’ and always has time for pupils who need help.

The arts and extracurricular

It’s not the broad extracurricular offering per se that is remarkable, but the engagement and enthusiasm. CCF (compulsory for form 3), art and drama facilities are brought to life by the energy and enthusiasm generated in the pupils by the school’s dedicated staff. New heads of art and DT have reinvigorated these subjects and the latter is now one of the school’s most popular subjects – pupils love designing with CAD technology. The former sports hall has been transformed into a 150-seat performing arts centre where the school’s drama academy on Monday evenings allows those interested to become involved on the stage or behind the scenes. Animal management is also very popular – pupils enjoy learning to look after the stock on the school’s own farm.

Forms 1 and 2 learn a musical instrument for free and often then join the school orchestra or one of the ensembles. Singing is part of the chapel service three times a week with a gospel choir, and music tech also available.

One parent marvelled that her son could be so excited by CCF drills, and several parents wonder if there is ‘something in the water at Kingham’ that promotes such fun and enjoyment from previously unengaged children. Pupils throw themselves into the many activities on offer because they are enjoying themselves without worrying about the need to be cool.

Sport

One hour of sport/activities per day timetabled, with all pupils encouraged to be active and take part, making full use of the school’s glorious site. Rugby, football and cricket, hockey and tennis, as well as athletics, netball and rounders, badminton and cross-country on offer. Regular fixtures with local schools on match afternoons. The impressive new sports hall houses a climbing wall, squash court, four-court hall with fitness suites and a viewing pavilion onto the Astro and tennis courts. A 25-metre swimming pool and additional gym are also available for parents to use. For those not so keen on team sports, mountain biking, fencing, riding, golf and clay pigeon shooting are to be enjoyed, not to mention the real one-off, the school’s karting team. Active participation in the national karting championships; two national champions for the school. There’s definitely something for everyone to enjoy here.

Boarders

About half of Kingham's pupils board, with 30 per cent weekly boarders; occasional boarding is also possible. Seven dedicated single-sex boys’ and girls’ houses on campus. No Saturday school so a varied programme of activities and trips is scheduled to ensure weekends are busy and fun for the full boarders and others who sign up to the Saturday activities programme. Pupils speak enthusiastically of visits to the local trampoline centre and Alton Towers and of team-building days when everyone in the boarding house (maximum 33 pupils) gets to know each other. The boarding houses are clean and fit for purpose, with a big emphasis on promoting a family feel that is ‘fun, friendly, homely and happy’. They are staffed by two resident houseparents and three tutors per house; recent university graduates also help out. Boarders are allocated housekeeping tasks and expected to keep their rooms cleaned, providing excellent training for life after school. Sixth formers enjoy separate boarding accommodation and the weekend bar.

Ethos and heritage

Situated in 100 acres of beautiful Cotswolds countryside, 80 minutes by train from London and 10 minutes from Daylesford House, former home of Kingham Hill’s founder, Christian philanthropist Charles Edward Baring Young. He founded the school in 1886 to provide orphaned and destitute boys with a family home and an education. With plenty of room for the school community to thrive, there is space and time to live life at a healthy pace. Parents are invited to make use of the school’s facilities and take an active part in the life of the school. Christian ethos aims to promote qualities of character, kindness and empathy through its guiding principles of responsibility, humility, resilience and integrity, but the religious message is used more to frame a code of behaviour than as indoctrination in any way. The school’s charitable mission involves the support of its bursary programme and giving to many other causes.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

Parents we spoke to were astonished at the achievements of their children and attributed them to the small numbers and individual attention pupils received from excellent caring staff. When questioned about discipline, parents and pupils alike felt that the school dealt appropriately with problems and that behaviour was generally kind, compassionate and inclusive. The international diversity and the mixing of ages were felt to breed a happy community. Many talked positively of Kingham’s protective bubble while recognising that learning to deal with the less benign aspects of the outside world was necessary. Many parents referred to the head of sixth form’s exceptional understanding, empathy and ability to offer advice about making subject and university course choices, as well as decisions relating to future careers.

While pastoral care is at the heart of everything at this very Christian school, in 2021 ISI inspectors raised concerns relating to minority groups and inclusivity, leading to the departure of the head. The school has since reviewed all safeguarding and inclusivity policies and is confident that this action and new leadership have addressed these issues.

Pupils and parents

About 15 per cent of the school’s British pupils have parents in the Forces or the Foreign Office. In the words of one local estate agent, ‘the school is on the up’ as it has been ‘discovered’ by families moving out of London in search of the rural idyll. Parents seemed to us to be less competitive and results driven, genuinely seeking a holistic education. Interestingly, however, the school’s less pushy approach is paying dividends in terms of academic performance. Alumni or ‘Hillians’, as they are known, are great ambassadors for the school and actively engaged – on the day of our visit a former navy and commercial pilot was having lunch with a 16-year-old boy with dreams of becoming an airline pilot who was already learning to fly. A plan was being enthusiastically but realistically hatched. The Hillian waxed lyrical about the school, as do current parents. Those we spoke to who had visited many schools in the area had opted for Kingham ‘because it gets the important things very right’. Pupils of all abilities are accepting of each other, kind and full of positivity. The international contingent is from all over the world with 20 nationalities represented; 10 per cent are American students, mostly from families with embassy or government connections. Happy and engaged children make for happy parents.

Money matters

The school’s strong Christian ethos and charitable mission are reflected in the 15 per cent of revenue which is allocated to concessions and school bursaries. Means-tested bursaries (up to 50 per cent) and 100 per cent sixth form scholarships available for able pupils.

Scholarships of up to 25 per cent of fees for academic, art, performing arts and sport and, at sixth form, one 50 per cent organ scholarship and three 75 per cent academic scholarships. The governing body of experienced professionals and senior management team are impressively strategic and have delivered ahead of schedule on the school’s ambitious development plan without recourse to debt. Importantly, parents report channels of communication with management are open and transparent. Trustees oversee the Kingham Hill Trust, a grant-making organisation set up by the school’s founder.

The last word

A growing number of families moving out of London are discovering this very special Christian school which has been quietly evolving over the last decade. Parents praise the ample space and facilities and, more importantly, the ethos of inspiring confidence and curiosity. Proximity to the likes of Daylesford Organic and Soho House may be fortuitous but is unlikely to disrupt what is down to earth and special about the school. Thriving, happy, resilient pupils and happy parents.

Special Education Needs

Who came from where