At Kew College we encourage every child to think independently and critically, to be continuously inquisitive and self-reflective true individuals who are aware of the changing world in which they live. We place a great emphasis on rooting out and nurturing every pupil's talent and celebrating their achievements.
As a result, not only do our children operate at a high academic level, they move on to secondary school with a concrete sense of their strengths and a confidence that goes hand in hand with that self-belief. This is coupled with a gracious sense of humility the realization that the way forward in tomorrow's world is through cooperation and teamwork.
The youngest members of our school enter Kew College in Nursery. Their classrooms are designed around the EYFS curriculum, offering ample space and resources to support children's learning and development at the very beginning of their school lives. Our dedicated teachers create learning areas that are bright and stimulating, with an atmosphere of warmth, happiness, and encouragement.
A child's experience in the Early Years has a major impact on their future life and learning, therefore, we want your child to enjoy coming to school. We aim to make every day a joyful, positive, and creative experience. We help to support your child's curiosity and independence, giving them the confidence to blossom. As well as addressing the academic aspects of the curriculum, we teach our children about the importance of friendship, to care for and respect each other, to value co-operation, and to be tolerant of all differences. We aim to give all of our children the best possible start in life and the support to reach their potential.
Years 1 and 2 builds on the secure foundation established in EYFS, gradually moving to a more formal learning approach by Year 2. Each class is taught by their class teacher for the majority of the week. This allows teachers to get to know each pupil and to support them to achieve their full potential. Particular attention is given to developing numeracy and literacy skills.
Lessons are engaging and stimulating. Children are encouraged to play an active role in their learning, to think for themselves, and to make connections with their own experiences and the world around them. Our pupils develop a passion for reading through regular individual reading sessions and group or class reading lessons, which allow stories to be shared and responded to collectively. Pupils progress through the Rigby Star Reading Scheme, which incorporates both fiction and non-fiction books. They look forward to their weekly visits to the school library where they borrow books and enjoy interactive stories read by our enthusiastic librarian, Mrs. Mogilner. Children are inspired to explore different genres as well as pursuing their interests.
In addition to learning the core subjects, our pupils benefit from lessons with specialist teachers in Art, French, Music, ICT, Gymnastics, Dance, and Games. Class Teachers communicate regularly with these specialist teachers, to ensure that each pupil is making progress in all areas of the curriculum. Critical Thinking lessons offer time for specific learning skills to be developed and fostered to embed these skills across the curriculum. In the Infant House, we focus on concentration, listening and empathy, perseverance, resilience, independence, initiative, and risk-taking. Children are given opportunities to work independently and collaboratively, sharing and respecting the ideas of others. Our pupils become reflective learners as they begin to assess their understanding. They become aware of their targets, track their progress towards achieving these and begin to co-construct new targets with their teachers.
Kew College offers a limited number of means-tested bursaries to allow children from households with modest assets and incomes to benefit from the wonderful experience that Kew College provides. This opportunity is primarily available to children who are currently attending a state school and have the right to reside in the UK. The bursary is available to children who we believe can make a positive contribution to the School, demonstrate a love of learning and good behavior, and wish to enter Kew College in Years 3 or 4. To be considered for a bursary, the child will be subject to an academic assessment to identify their potential a full financial circumstances form will need to be completed. Bursaries are awarded at the discretion of the Governors and are not eligible to parents applying from overseas.
Kew College Friends (KCF) is run by a group of parents at the school. The group organizes key events including the Summer Fair, Children's Discos, Quiz Nights, and more. KCF aims to organize fun events during the academic year, to provide a forum for social activities for children and parents, and also to raise funds for the school and its nominated charity. In the past, Kew College Friends has supported Sport for All, The Sick Children's Trust, 'Médicins sans Frontières', Just a Drop, Small Steps, RNIB, and Riding for the Disabled. In the current year, the focus is on Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
