Kingston Grammar School

Kingston Grammar School is one of the most successful co-educational schools in the country, and has a long tradition of developing individual talent and encouraging high aspirations. Our pupils are bright and enthusiastic; their joy in life and spirit of curiosity makes education here a real pleasure. Inspirational teaching and a deep commitment to pastoral care means that pupils grow in confidence and understanding, and individual talents and creativity are able to flourish. International GCSEs, the introduction of Mandarin into our curriculum and Extended Projects interweave with more traditional examinations to produce an exciting and vibrant academic diet, designed to challenge expectations and to engage pupils in a love of learning. We make sure that our pupils are drawn into investigation and enquiry beyond the confines of the various examination specifications. They develop their skills and thinking in ways which give them the fullest advantage at university, and the resilience and flexibility to make the most of the opportunities that come their way. Our co-curricular programme plays a central part in this. The opportunity to engage in an extraordinary range of trips, expeditions and activities allows pupils to develop their self-awareness, skills and competence in all sorts of ways and contributes significantly to the rounded individuals they become. For many, the world outside the formal academic curriculum will provide the key to their future lives. The book Physical Education and Sport in Independent Schools (2012) by Malcolm Tozer contains a survey of the number of sporting internationals to have come from Independent Schools since 2000. Kingston Grammar School is ranked equal fifth, and third for Olympians - quite an achievement for a school of our size. You will also find a strong tradition of theatre, art and music here, with Old Kingstonians making their mark on the stage, in performance and in all aspects of the design world. For all our pupils, whatever their skill or ambition, the opportunities we provide both inside and outside the curriculum are enriching and empowering. Staff give generously of their time to support and make possible all these ventures. Our bursary scheme has grown in recent years, so we are now able to offer support to even more families who might not otherwise be able to afford an education here. We have also established a new Alumni Society, KGS Friends, to enrich our community through contact with past generations and to provide an opportunity for Kingstonians to stay in touch. Our Foundation is tasked with raising money for bursaries and to make possible the various capital projects we have recently undertaken and plan to execute over the next few years. Recent improvements include refurbishment of our older classrooms and sports facilities, an updated IT infrastructure and remodelling of our hard play areas and the front of the school - and there is plenty more to come. One of our newer educational ventures is a partnership with the Sacred Heart School in Ghana. This begins to open up all sorts of opportunities in fostering international understanding, collaborative enquiry, leadership, exploration and adventure. The future for Kingston Grammar School and its staff and pupils is an exciting one, and I hope that our website will give you a real flavour of what we stand for and achieve. There is no substitute, however, for coming to visit us, and I look forward to meeting you here, so you can see for yourself what makes Kingston Grammar School so very special.