Kimichi school is a new independent secondary school specializing in music, which opened on September 8th, 2014. We offer cheaper fees than other independent schools, but the same academic quality you would undoubtedly expect from such institutions.
We love Music. So much so that it is an intrinsic part of everything we do at Kimichi. Everyone learns at least one instrument, and if you’ve never played one before this is the ideal place to learn. Music tuition is a given, and everyone performs regularly with the school ensemble. For those pupils looking to make it a career, we’ve plenty of support available. Local professional musicians are a part of our school community, and we are learning partners with the Birmingham Conservatoire. We can offer extra practice time and assistance with such things as auditions, exams, and recitals. If you were in any doubt as to the relevance of Music in Education, just take a look at any one of the numerous articles on the benefits of playing a musical instrument.
Education should not just be about textbooks and exams, and this is something we feel very strongly about. We want them to leave us confident, academically sound, and socially adept young people ready to take on the challenges of life after school, wherever that may take them. Our LIFE subject is just that: aimed at addressing LIFE issues such as mortgages, accounting, interest rates, driving, cooking, sewing, flatpack building DIY, and other such skills. With mental health in schools being at the forefront of many of today's headlines, we’re lucky to have a mental health professional on staff full time, so mindfulness and mental health are of significant importance in our structure.
In this day and age, it’s important to realize that not only are we a school community, but we are part of a larger global community, and to that end, we like developing links with other secondary schools, both locally and around the world, whilst studying, understanding and living British values and culture. For pupils, we learn through creativity and with a much more hands-on approach than most. We love the fact that our pupils are free and able to use their creativity to expand on their current knowledge and further their education: as staff, we love jumping down the rabbit hole with them! Because our classes are so small (12 maximum), we can personalize their learning, and therefore make sure that each child accesses their best possible individual education. School trips and outside-the-classroom learning is a big part of our educational ethos. Our school is run by the pupils for the pupils. The school council is an integral part of our day-to-day school life and addresses any ideas or issues that may arise, with guidance from the staff. The pupils love the responsibility of governing their school, and on every occasion rise to the challenge.
Kimichi School aims to offer a place to any child who will benefit best from the type of education Kimichi has to offer. Whilst the school is not ability-based, pupils are expected to either play an instrument already or to take one up upon admission. The school is committed to ensuring that admission decisions will be made by a process that is free from any discrimination on the grounds of disability race ethnic or national origin or gender. The school must also feel reasonably sure that it can support, educate and develop the prospective student to the best of his or her potential, so that the student will have a happy, safe, fulfilling, and successful school career. These aims must continue to be met throughout the student's time at the school. Full school reports will be considered and a reference might be requested from each potential student's current school.
We use a variety of additional study methods, offering a more inclusive form of teaching, to provide students with a better chance of success. This teaching approach is particularly designed to match the students’ different learning types. With our ‘home school feel’ we encourage flexibility within lessons, and allow teachers to be as creative as possible with their teaching approach.
Our small classes and expectations of peer learning and assessment enable students to apply their learning practically. Our Tracking, Assessment, and Marking Policies underpin all learning and teaching within the school. The teacher’s role here is to provide inspiration and encourage the pupils to create their study groups within the class. Students can therefore determine the content and methodology in their study group. Kimichi believes absolutely in the principle of students helping each other, as demonstrated through Orchestral rehearsal principles where the more able assist those less technically proficient. To coin a phrase, we feel that we are all ‘in it together.
