Ages 
This small, welcoming and highly competitive school provides a top-notch academic, pastoral and extracurricular education. A dedicated community of teachers, parents and pupils work tirelessly to maintain exemplary standards proving, in the words of august alumni William Shakespeare himself, ‘It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.’
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 871 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 421 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Warwickshire Council
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr Bennet Carr
Since 2010, Bennet Carr BA FRGS. Hertfordshire born and bred. Geography degree and PGCE from the University of London; in 2022, he became a Farmington Institute scholar at Oxford. Musing on his 1980s state education, he reflects on an ‘absence of
Entrance
Selective admission resulted in 90 offers into year 7 in 2022, administered by local authority on school’s behalf. Pupils and parents confess most are tutored to secure places. Admissions to co-ed sixth form based on applicant’s best eight GCSE re
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- June
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Very few leave post GCSEs – just over five per cent in 2024. In same year, 11 to Oxbridge and 26 medics. Around three-quarters go to Russell Group universities. Top destinations include Leeds, Durham and Nottingham. Three overseas in 2024 – two to
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2024, 86 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 68 per cent A*/A at A level (90 per cent A*-B). In 2023, 85 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 72 per cent A*/A at A level (90 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
‘While you're not expected to be brilliant at everything, you need to be highly academically capable to get the most out of KES,’ said a parent, typically. ‘The teaching is fantastic,’ said one parent, adding that she was ‘in awe’ of how they adap
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Just under 10 per cent of pupils on the learning support register – well below the national average. Conditions supported include autism, anger management and anxiety. Head of learning support takes pupils in small groups or one-to-one sessions. A
Arts & extracurricular
Head keen to make sure extracurricular does not play second fiddle to stellar academics. Catching the coattails of the enthusiastic deputy head, we were whisked on a whirlwind tour, visiting some of the 60 or so lunchtime activities, starting with
Sport
Sport is a big draw for parents. ‘We punch well above our weight when you consider our size and funding,’ said one, illustrated recently by a number of age groups represented in fencing at national finals. But it’s not just about winning – ‘We foc
Ethos & heritage
Blink and you’d miss the school's unassuming side road entrance in the centre of quaint, compact Stratford Upon Avon. The largely modern, sprawling one-story red brick building is carefully hidden from view behind buildings that are more ‘in keepi
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
School’s code of conduct is provided to all pupils and parents so everyone understands common goals. One parent was impressed by the gentle warning system used to help their son manage himself as he struggled to settle in, as well as by prompt fee
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Years 7-11 are permitted to use their mobile phones to communicate only in emergencies.
Students can: Use it in lessons but only with a member of staff’s permission Use it to text/call home in an emergency (eg. they have forgotten their kit, they need a lift after a school club, etc.) but only with a member of staff’s permission
Students must not: Use it to play on games (this also covers other devices) Use it to browse or to send messages on social media Use it to take photographs or video – unless they have a member of staff’s permission Use it to browse websites – unless they have a member of staff’s permission Use it to listen to music – unless you have a member of staff’s permission. Smart watches are permitted to be worn but these must be put into ‘airplane mode’ for the duration of the School day. Sixth Form students may use their mobile phones in School but must adopt appropriate behaviour and are asked to exercise discretion.
Pupils & parents
Busy, purposeful, happy pupils exhibit kindness and exemplary manners. Doors opened at every turn, accompanied by smiles or chirpy ‘hello’s. We nearly came a cropper at breaktime when a swarm of pupils focused on playing ball enveloped us in the p
Money matters
Significant uptake of ‘pound a day scheme’ used to assist in trips, maintenance, everyday costs and projects. ‘We spend a lot of time being creative to raise funds,' says head. Bursaries also available to assist families with trips or incumbent co
The last word
This small, welcoming and highly competitive school provides a top-notch academic, pastoral and extracurricular education. A dedicated community of teachers, parents and pupils work tirelessly to maintain exemplary standards proving, in the words
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
