SCHOOLPROSPECTUS 2O12

Raising Aspirations...Transforming Futures

First impressions are very powerful. Quintin Kynaston Community Academy is knownfor its academic success but I trust that when you visit the school you will feel thewarmth of the relationships amongst all members of the school community.

Whilst the QK Way is established in all aspects of school life, preparingfor the future is key. Our students are articulate, confident learners whounderstand the importance of a real focus on learning, the impact ofhard work and commitment and the significant contribution that theycan make to the school and to the world outside.

We are nationally recognised for the way in which we transform thelives of young people through our tried and tested blend of traditionand innovation. We would be delighted to welcome you to our schoolto experience the QK way for yourselves.

Jo Shuter CBE Headteacher

Quintin Kynaston Community Academy is an outstanding school whichhas been delivering exceptional outcomes for young people for over adecade. In this time we have received three successive ‘Outstanding’judgements from Ofsted which recognises our enviable track record ofacademic achievement.

Quintin Kynaston students attain the very highest educational standardsand enjoy a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Students areencouraged to achieve their full potential and to take responsibility forthemselves and for others. Above all they are educated to rise to thechallenges and to seize the opportunities offered by work, recreationand university study.

Welcome from the Headteacher

Contents

What makes QK special? 01/02

What will my child learn? 03/04

How are members of the QK family cared for? 05/06

How do we develop QK citizens? 07/08

How are we building for the future? 09/10

Further Information 11/12

Quintin Kynaston Community Academy providesits students with an outstanding standard of education. The academy works relentlessly andhighly effectively to overcome any barriers to itsstudents’ learning and personal development. Ithas been extremely effective over a sustainedperiod in meeting its aim to develop the best inevery student and transform their life chances.Ofsted

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Quintin Kynastonis an outstandingschool and exceptionallywell led by itsinspirationalHeadteacher.In this school, itis not just everychild who mattersbut every staffmember andevery family.Ofsted

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01

Outstanding in all areas

In December 2011 we were judged ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted for a thirdtime. We are delighted that the exceptional work done by our staff wasgiven the highest praise by a team of inspectors. They said that “QuintinKynaston Community Academy provides its students with an outstandingstandard of education. The academy works relentlessly and highlyeffectively to overcome any barriers to its students’ learning and personaldevelopment. It has been extremely effective over a sustained period inmeeting its aim to develop the best in every student and transform theirlife chances.”

A unique ethos

At QK we believe that relationships are important and that every leanermatters. We work relentlessly with young people and their families tomake sure that QK is not just a school, but a family in which everychild thrives and succeeds.

State-of-the-art new buildings

In 2014 we will move into brand new buildings which will provide anexceptional environment for learning. The facilities will include specialistlabs, a lecture theatre, an exciting new performance space, high-techclassrooms and floodlit sports pitches.

A blend of tradition and innovation

We are famous nationally for our ground-breaking approaches to education as well as our proven track-record of outstanding achievementfor our students.

Academic success for all

Our results speak for themselves. We are in the top 5% of schools foracademic attainment at GCSE (CVA) and in the top 1% for attendance.100% of our year 13 leavers go on to university and our results in allareas of the school continue to go from strength to strength.

What makes QK special?

At QK we believe that relationships areimportant and that every leaner matters.We work relentlessly with young peopleand their families to make sure that QKis not just a school, but a family in whichevery child thrives and succeeds.

02

Key Stage Three (Year 7-9)

Students in year 7 are taught key subjects through the Opening Mindscurriculum. This approach allows students to focus on knowledge andunderstanding whilst developing the skills they will need to be successfuland independent learners.

In years 8 and 9, students follow the National Curriculum and thereare opportunities for our most gifted learners to begin some GCSEcourses early.

Key Stage Four (Year 10-11)

Our broad Key Stage 4 curriculum meets the needs of learners exceptionallywell through a wide range of academic and vocational courses. We arevery successful in ensuring that a significant number of students achievethe English Baccalaureate qualification.

Sixth Form (Year 12-13)

The sixth-form is very strong and over 90% of students stay on from year11 to pursue courses in a broad range of subjects. All of our students aresuccessful in gaining places to study at universities including Oxbridge.

What will my child learn?

Quintin Kynaston offers a broad and balanced curriculumwhich is underpinned by exceptional teaching enablingall learners to reach their potential.

Teaching and Learning

QK has an inspirational staff who work exceptionally hard to ensure allstudents reach their potential. We are one of a small percentage of schoolswho have been awarded Ofsted’s highest grading of ‘Outstanding’ forthe quality of teaching.

Literacy and Numeracy

We know that to be successful beyond QK, our students need to haveexcellent literacy and numeracy skills. Every week at QK begins with alladults reading together with small groups of students. This supports literacydevelopment as well as creating a love of reading. Our Maths andEnglish curriculum has numeracy and literacy programmes runningalongside to ensure that no child is left behind and that all reach theirfull potential.

Target-setting and assessment

We are ambitious for our students and we are committed to ensuring thatevery child achieves their absolute best. Students, their parents and theirteachers work closely together to set challenging targets and we trackand monitor progress through the year rigorously. Parents are invited tocome into school for three Progress Review Days and at least one Parents’Evening each year to enable them to discuss their child’s progress withstaff. All teachers mark work regularly to ensure all learners know howwell they are achieving and how to improve further.

Home Learning

At QK homework is called home learning. Home learning makes anenormous contribution to a child’s success at school. From Year 7, students develop independence and curiosity through a daily programmeof home learning which might include written tasks, research or theuse of online programmes such as ‘My Maths’. All students have adiary to help them become independent and we expect parents tomonitor their child’s diary regularly.

03

Teaching is excellent.High expectations andbuilding students’ aspirations characterisethe academy. Leadershave high expectationsof staff who, in turn,expect a great deal ofstudents who consistentlyrise to this expectation.Ofsted

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04

How are members of the QK family cared for?

Joining QK means joining a family. Like any family, we support each other,expect the best of each other and alwaysgo the extra mile for each other.

Transition from Primary School

The move from primary school to Quintin Kynaston is supported by anoutstanding transition programme with a dedicated team of staff workingto ensure all students become successful QK citizens. Our year 7Opening Minds curriculum is delivered by outstanding primary-trainedteachers to ensure continuity and consistency as students move into secondary school. We believe that numeracy and literacy are at theheart of successful transition and we have excellent programmes todevelop students’ skills to ensure success at QK.

We understand that every child is different and will need an individualisedapproach to joining secondary school. Two Nurture Groups in year 7allow us to provide a tailored programme of support and interventionfor those students who need it most.

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Tutoring

Students make the best progress when they are cared for by staff whoknow them and their families well and can support their learning asindividuals. Each year group at QK is led by an experienced Directorof Learning. Along with a team of form tutors, Directors of Learning staywith the year group from year 7 though to year 11. All students arepart of a form group and they see their form tutors at the beginningand end of each day. Tutors work closely with parents to ensure thatevery student is successful at QK.

Student Support Faculty

QK is an inclusive school and the Student Support Faculty works withstudents and their parents and carers to ensure that all learners areable to achieve success at QK. We work closely with professionalsfrom a range of agencies to ensure that we have the highest level ofcare for all our learners. Students receive specialist support includingone-to-one mentoring, in-class support, subject-specific intervention andenrichment activities. As an extended school, we have an after-schoolyouth club that provides a range of activities and lifelong learning skills.

The QK Way

We develop QK citizens who are able to make positive choices abouttheir learning and behaviour by following the QK Way. Hard work ispraised and rewarded and we do not tolerate poor behaviour. A clearsystem supports teachers and students in developing an excellent attitudeto learning.

Attendance

We have high expectations of our students in all areas and attendanceis no exception. Our attendance is consistently high and we work closelywith students and their families to ensure every student achieves a 100%attendance record.

Healthy School

QK has received the nationally-renowned ‘Healthy Schools’ award.Students enjoy freshly-cooked meals and snacks in the QK Diner andall meat is Halal.

QK operates a cashless system so no students need to bring money toschool. Students have individual accounts which parents can top upusing a system called Parent-Pay. This is also used to pay for trips andschool uniform.

QK offers exemplarycare, guidance andsupport for students.Students speak glowingly of the dedication of staff totheir well-being andhow they are alwaysavailable to help them.Ofsted

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How do we develop QK citizens?

“A QK citizen is a member of the QK Family. Every member is equally valuedand respected, every member participates and has their voice heard. We areintolerant of intolerance. As members of the QK family we have a duty to bepositive role models and to demonstrate through our words and actions that we are proud of ourselves, proud of each other and proud of our school. AQK citizen is a committed learner who aspires to success at QK and in theirjourney beyond.”

Student Voice

All visitors to QK comment on how articulate, confident and mature ourstudents are. We believe this comes from our internationally renownedapproach to Student Voice. Listening to young people at Quintin Kynastonplays a vital role in promoting the views of the students, as well asdeveloping their leadership skills. There is a Senior Student LeadershipTeam, which mirrors the Senior Leadership Team of the school. Thisteam is made up of representatives of the school’s student leaders,including the chair of the school council, head prefect, assistant youthworkers and peer mentors.

The QK Passport

All year 7s are welcomed with a QK passport which allows them tocollect stickers demonstrating that they are QK citizens. We rewardstudents for being role models and using their Personal Learning andThinking Skills in lessons. We celebrate the end of their first term withstudents and their families in a citizenship graduation ceremony.

At QK, all members of our community live by our pledge

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Extra-curricular provision

The PE Department runs a full range of school teams and QK participatesin local leagues and cup tournaments. The PE department has use of theschool bus to take students to high quality off-site provision.

The Performing Arts Faculty is a busy, popular and thriving area of QKwith activities for everyone. In music, students can learn a variety ofinstruments free of charge. The Music Department performs concertsregularly throughout the year. Lunchtime and after-school clubs are runfor singing, drums, bands, guitars, and orchestra. There is also anannual art exhibition in July displaying students’ work, including GCSEand A Level pieces.

Youth Club

As an Extended School, our after-school Youth Club also offers a widerange of activities for all our students, including Football, Parkour, Art,Music Technology, Creative Writing, Cooking, Dance Classes, MCRap & Poetry, Film & Drama, ZSK Kick Boxing, Science and Circus Skills.

Learning beyond the classroom

School trips and educational visits are an integral part of learning. At QK we pride ourselves in organising school visits that complementand enrich our students’ curriculum subjects. In 2011/2012 we ran arecord number of trips including Languages trips to France and Italy, aSki-trip to Austria, visits to Oxford and Cambridge universities, workshopsfor media students at Channel 4 and a year 7 trip to Mountfitchet Castle,Essex as part of Opening Minds.

Study Clubs

All departments run additional study clubs after school and at lunchtime. This is an opportunity for students to work with their teachers onhomework, coursework and revision as well as extending their learningin class.

QK is a remarkableplace, I am veryhappy about thewhole life of theschool and my children enjoy coming every day.Parent Voice representative

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08

How are we buildingfor the future?

In Autumn 2014 QK will move into abrand new building housed on our current site.

The Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Student Voice has beenheavily involved in the planning and design of our new building toensure that every feature is tailored to the school’s needs. This new, multi-million pound, state of art building will provide us with cutting-edgefacilities including larger classrooms, a lecture hall, interactive workshops& laboratories, Performing Arts studios and multi-purpose Sports Halls.

As part of the project, the entire grounds of the school will be re-developed to offer extensive outdoor spaces and playgrounds,including AstroTurf football pitches and tennis courts.

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I’m really excitedabout moving to the new building. We have workedhard with our teachers to design an amazing schoolwith great facilitiesand resources. The future’s bright at QK!Student Voice representative

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Further Information

What do students wear at QK?

All students at QK wear a smart traditional uniform which prepares them for the expectations of the world outside.

For boys:

• Grey QK Blazer• Navy blue trousers• White Shirt• QK Tie (Light Blue - KS3 / Navy Blue - KS4)• Black Shoes• QK Outdoor Jacket• QK Backpack

For girls:

• Grey QK Blazer• Navy blue skirt• White Shirt• QK Tie (Light Blue - KS3 / Navy Blue - KS4)• Black Shoes• QK Outdoor Jacket• QK Backpack

PE Kit:

• Navy blue QK Polo-Shirt• Navy blue QK shorts or QK tracksuit bottoms• White socks

Timings of the Day

All students should be in school by 8.45am.

08.50 - 09.10 Morning Registration

09.10 - 10.00 Period 1

10.00 - 10.50 Period 2

10.50 - 11.10 Break

11.10 - 12.00 Period 3

12.00 - 12.50 Period 4

12.50 - 13.40 Lunch

13.40 - 14.30 Period 5

14.30 - 15.20 Period 6

15.20 - 15.30 Afternoon Registration

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QK is an amazingplace to be a teacher. I have never worked ina school where staffhave so much passionand dedication!Head of English

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How do I apply?

Parent/carers must apply on the Common Application Form from the council where they live. Forms can be completed online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions or on a paper form available fromschools, libraries or their local council’s School Admissions Team.

To be inspired further visit, www.qkacademy.org.uk

The main entrance to the school is in Marlborough Hill

Nearest stations:St. John’s Wood (Underground)Jubilee Line

South Hampstead (Silverlink Metro)

Bus routes:Finchley Road: 13, 46, 82, 113

Abbey Road: 139, 189

Swiss Cottage: C11, 268

We look forward to welcoming you to QK in September 2013!

Quintin KynastonCommunity AcademyMarlborough HillLondon NW8 0NL

Tel: 020 7722 8141Fax: 020 7586 8473www.qkacademy.org.uk