Kensington Park School

Since 2024, Antony Faccinello MA (Oxon) PGCE, educated at Manchester Grammar School and Pembroke College, Oxford where he read English. He has taught in a number of prestigious independent schools including Cheltenham College, Haberdashers Elstree, head of English at RGS Guildford and senior deputy head at Alleyn’s School, Dulwich. Most interestingly, he also spent six years as head of Trinity Academy in Brixton helping to establish a higher achieving state secondary for South London with a sixth form that was starting to send its more able pupils to Oxbridge. Warm and welcoming, he advocates a modern approach to education, its need to be holistic, provide good learning models and strategies to inspire the futures of those who pass through the institutions he leads. All in all, definitely seen as a thoughtful and flexible character, with a wide experience of senior education management, a bonus for everyone. ‘Early days,’ said one parent, ‘but he has slotted in well and seems to be a good influence on the school.‘ Younger pupils agreed, ‘Yeh, he is okay.' A keen sportsman, tennis player, former rowing coach and cyclist, although today he is on a motorbike, he also appreciates the arts and going to the theatre. He has two of his own children, now in their 20s, and lives not far from the school in south-east London.

At 11+ and 13+, children come from various independent and state schools across London. Entrance assessment covers English, maths, non-verbal reasoning and an interview. Interview is a very important part of the entry process, head says this helps identify children who will flourish at school. Sixth form entry requirements flexible as the school takes students from around the world, but benchmark is a minimum of five GCSEs or equivalent international qualifications at grade 6 or B.

One or two leavers at 16+, usually due to relocating abroad or to a specialist arts school. Majority move across the park to the Queen’s Gate premises where an additional 30 places are available annually. At 18+ all to higher education. London universities popular - UCL, Kings, Queen Mary’s LSE; further afield to Warwick, Bristol, Newcastle. Two or three each year to Oxbridge, medical schools and US colleges including Yale.

As one of the new kids on the block Kensington Park is developing a positive reputation for inclusion and a more tailored approach to individuals across the academic spectrum, not forgetting their personal development. Class sizes are maximum of 12, everyone brings their own laptop with school providing an extensive range of software for different subjects and learning needs. Mixed ability intake so lots of differentiation is embedded into teaching to cater for those who need extension work and others who may need more over-learning or an alternative plan. STEM is popular with both boys and girls, we watched a number of interesting classes and experiments in labs, pupils were engaged and encouraged to ask questions. Good number of pupils enthusiastically join maths and science clubs and enjoy competing in subject Olympiads. Traditional English lessons are core, incorporating grammar, parts of speech and learning to write formally and creatively. Pupils study a broad range of literature, recent theme of Victorian Gothic novels was on display when we visited.

Whole school approach works towards teaching pupils that learning is a skill, the key being the best ways that work for you. Teachers attend regular training in metacognition and multisensory methods, one size definitely doesn’t fit all here. Study skills and exam techniques are incorporated into classroom teaching, pupils told us that they get lots of opportunities and help to identify the best ways of learning for them. One remarked, ‘Teachers are really encouraging and help you to do well.' MFLs French, Spanish, and Mandarin, active language lessons with lots of visual prompts and oral exchanges between teachers and pupils, no hiding for anyone, even quieter ones, in small classes. Foreign trips are planned and if there’s a demand for another language a club can be set up; pupils are always encouraged to take a GCSE in any additional or native language they speak. Progress is regularly tracked, with plenty of drop-in clinics before and after school for those who need additional explanations and help. Parents we spoke to were pleased with the progress their child was making, one commenting, ‘My child had become rather disengaged with education but since moving to KPS he has really picked up.’

Everyone takes up to nine GCSEs and, unusually for a London day school, KPS also offers a one-year GCSE course with pupils taking five or six subjects. Over 20 subject choices for A level, most popular are business, economics, politics and maths, other options include sociology, philosophy and Latin. Lots of guidance provided on choosing and opportunities to try out different subjects at A level. Timetables are personalised so can accommodate anyone who may be participating in elite sports or acting. Each student is matched to a tutor/mentor who shares the same or similar subject interests, they work closely, covering all aspects of the sixth form programme, academic progress, personal development, careers ideas, work experience and other topics.

Careers education aims to be as far-reaching as possible and to engage with alumni and the business sector; students are encouraged to find work placements during holidays. Regular pupil-led assemblies on a huge variety of topics, current affairs and charity pitches. Sixth form head described as a ‘lively personality’, very approachable. When not available in person she can be contacted via a QR code if students want to get in touch to give her feedback.

As an inclusive school that embraces difference, academically able pupils with specific learning differences and neuro diverse profiles are welcome. SENCo works in collaboration with teachers, parents and pupils to help ensure positive outcomes. Parents feel the school is supportive and understanding towards pupils with different strengths and weaknesses. Additional needs are dealt with flexibly and on an individual basis, SENCo arranges targeted support for small groups and individuals, there is also an assistant who works in classrooms as required. With an international intake, a number of pupils receive EAL and will prepare for IELTs tests.

Cosy and compact, the light filled art room bursting with colourful displays of pupils’ work; a big effort is made to accommodate individual interests and talents. AQA art, craft and design GCSE offered for its flexibility, pupils can choose any combination from ceramics to textiles and work to their strengths. Corridors decked in ever-changing art displays, creative installations set up in nooks and crannies, even electrical sockets can get a makeover. Purpose-built, purple seated theatre doubles as creative hall where pupils get involved in the annual production either on stage, behind it or with sound and music. Pupils are very good at teaching each other technical theatre skills with sound mixing and lighting. Good deal of class and house productions run throughout the year and those interested can opt for external professional qualifications via LAMDA. Well-equipped music studio, mixing boards, microphones, recording devices and software for producing digital music. Pupils are encouraged to try out instruments the ukulele, jazz and blues class we saw for budding musicians looked entertaining. Proximity to top UK music colleges means tuition on any instrument can be arranged for the asking. No orchestras as yet but pupils can join quartets and ensembles and there is a music theory club for those working towards ABRSM and Trinity music exams. Teachers take full advantage of the central location to complement arts education, organising trips and visits to art galleries, theatre, lectures, concerts and eclectic mix of exhibitions that London offers.

After school clubs give different options each term depending on demand, pupils can make requests through the school council or a suggestion box. Chess club is very popular and the school is home to a Y11 chess grandmaster. Pupils have recently started to discuss requesting to set up and run some of their own clubs.

There's a weekly non-academic afternoon when pupils can choose to do something creative, sporting or get involved in a volunteering project. The volunteering programme sees pupils working in charity shops, homeless hostels and food banks, giving them the opportunity to gain new skills, work experience and a taste of the wider world.

Sport for all ethos, differing seasonal options each term, hopefully something to suit all tastes. PE staff like to emphasise the impact physical activity and fitness has on personal health and well-being. Pupils said they felt they were always encouraged to try out new sports and get others to join in, teachers want pupils to enjoy sport and have fun. A couple of pupils voiced their appreciation of the number of opportunities and sporting fixtures with neighbouring schools. Many sign up to join the DofE scheme including sixth formers going for the gold level award. Apart from the odd balcony, school has no outside space so they have to get out and about, making good use of Kensington Gardens, facilities at the Porchester Centre, tennis and netball courts at Regent’s Park and the cricket and football pitches in Hyde Park. During lunch breaks the multi-purpose hall hosts games of dodgeball, table tennis and badminton, others head out for ball games across the road in Hyde Park. A number of students compete at high levels in non school sports such as taekwondo and moto grand prix; others represent London for tennis and athletics.

Princess Beatrice House, a stone’s throw from Earl’s Court tube station, provides stylish, modern accommodation in the form of studio apartments. Boarding starts from year 8 (age 12) and there is a choice of single, twin or triple ensuite rooms, all with their own kitchenettes; separate areas for boys and girls. Spacious communal areas for dining and socialising, common room for games and movies, enormous purple sofas to chill out on and a quiet study area. Laundry room so everyone learns to take care of their own washing and drying, a great self-sufficiency skill for those heading to university. Team of house parents plus academic and house tutors supervise everything on a rota basis, school nurse is part of the team and is available every morning to look after anyone who may be unwell or requires medication. Each boarder is a part of a vertical family group - good for making connections and friendships across different age groups. Boarders have a full programme for evenings and weekends with various activities and trips arranged. Everyone eats together in the colourful dining room for breakfast, dinner and weekend lunches, boarders can pop in any time to help themselves to drinks and fruit. Appetising looking menus, dishes from around the world, Sunday roasts and themed nights, build your own pizza and pasta dishes.

Structured, seemingly less formal atmosphere compared with some schools, staff are sensitive towards teenagers and adopt flexible approach to supporting them as individuals. Clear set of school rules in a ladder format, ascending from an initial warning up to break time detentions for those who don’t heed the warnings. Pupils must keep their mobile phones in their bag during the school day, emergencies or contact with home is managed by the school office. Up to date, professionally qualified wellbeing team of three, child and adolescent therapists and a therapeutic well-being practitioner, have separate accommodation for drop-in and pre-booked appointments. Everyone works together to promote good mental health, school arranges well-being afternoons for relaxing, creative activities and well-being walks. Everything is designed to promote considering and respecting others, plenty of posters around the school giving information about who to talk to and telephone numbers for ChildLine and similar organisations. Everyone is allocated a house when they arrive at the school and joins in with extracurricular and interhouse challenges and competitions incorporating arts, sport, and music. When we visited a ‘design a Christmas card’ house competition was in full flow. Pupils we chatted to in different age groups presented as affable and open, expressing unanimously that they felt comfortable and valued in their school environment, this was echoed by appreciative parents.

Cosmopolitan families, diplomats and a good number of parents from the high-end city and business sector alongside established London families. Around 30 different nationalities attend the school, with a growing number of boarders from around the world. Parents express interest and much enthusiasm for getting involved in the life of the school and a parent teacher association is in its early stages. Community coffee mornings are popular events and a good time for parents to get to know staff and each other.