Upper School

The Upper School is the largest section of the Junior King’s community and a thriving, vibrant and flourishing part of the school. With a pupil base comprised of children from both the UK and abroad, Upper School students are immediately distinctive by the blazer that they wear on a daily basis as they take their first steps into a more ‘secondary school’ style teaching environment.

There are normally approximately four forms in each year group. Year 7 is of parallel academic ability and is set for Maths, English and Languages and in Year 8 there are four Common Entrance forms that are set for Maths, English, Languages and Sciences. Setting in these subjects ensures that all students can access the curriculum and learn at a pace that is suitable to their current development. Continuous assessment is used formatively throughout the year by departments and the culture of close communication allows students to move between sets if deemed appropriate to their needs. Each form has two form tutors who provide excellent pastoral support and strong links with home.

In the summer term, students in Year 8 sit their Common Entrance papers to the senior school of their choice. A small group of children sit academic scholarships, both to The King’s School and elsewhere.

We endeavor to develop the well-being, confidence and maturity of our Upper School in all areas, helping them to form a “can do” mindset, both personally and across the curriculum areas of academia, sport, art, music and drama. Our prefect body in Year 8 is ably led by a Head Boy and Head Girl and supported by a team of monitors that changes every half term, ensuring that all Year 8 pupils have the chance to experience a leadership role during the course of the year.