Kings' School (Winchester)

Since September 2021, Dr James Adams, previously head at Poole High School. Undertook teacher training at Bath following his PhD in engineering surveying at Nottingham. Started his teaching career at the Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester. Kings’ ha

After looked after children and those with medical needs, priority to siblings, those in the catchment area (mostly south and west of the school), those from linked primary schools, children of staff.

The vast majority (about 70 per cent) go to Peter Symonds, with the others spread between Andover College, Barton Peveril College, Bishop Wordsworth's School Sixth Form, BCoT (Basingstoke College of Technology), Charter House School, Eastleigh Col

In 2024, 81 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English. In 2023, 40 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 78 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English.

Results rival those of grammar schools, which is impressive for a school with a totally comprehensive admission, and one which accepts a high number of disabled and special needs pupils. Results are an achievement which would be considered gratify

Since the school is a centre for access for physically disabled pupils there is a huge allocation of 30 or more staff, who provide extra help in class for a variety of needs. SEN pupils can have up to three hours individual support teaching or get

Art, music and drama all do respectably as exam subjects with good sized groups. Music is immensely well served as an activity with choirs, orchestra and groups for classical and popular music, and there are annual drama productions and performanc

Sport is definitely a key feature with lots of post-school and lunchtime extra sport – cricket nets, tennis etc and boys' and girls' teams for major sports. Stopping at 16 means they don’t get the national accolade that some all-through schools ma

Uniform is pretty smart on the whole with very few ties at half mast. A parent commented that this is a place where it is definitely OK to do well. Pupils say there are few rebels and hard working responsible behaviour is so much the norm that it

Catchment includes some outlying villages but mainly local housing which has quite a wide social mix; some quite downmarket as well as the academic shady suburbs. Pupils are friendly and articulate. The prefect layer gains from responsibility earl

An exceptional school. One parent told us that she and her children were proud and privileged to belong to such a great school – and all for free. Definitely Kings’ has all the characteristics of a good school, whether maintained or independent: a