EDUCATION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
THE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME AT THE KING ’ S SCHOOL ,
BY MR GREG HUNTER , DEPUTY HEAD ( CO-CURRICULAR )
THE CO-CURRICULAR SIDE OF LIFE AT SCHOOLS SHOULD BOTH COMPLEMENT AND ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENQUIRING MIND . ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE COMBINED WITH CREATIVE ACTIVITY AND INDIVIDUAL EXPRESSION MAKES A SCHOOL A THRIVING AND HIGHLY MOTIVATED COMMUNITY . LEARNING CAN TAKE PLACE AS MUCH OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM AS WITHIN . THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONDUCT SO MUCH OF THE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME OUTDOORS HAS CLEAR BENEFITS FOR PUPIL WELLBEING . BEING OUTDOORS HAS BEEN SHOWN TO LOWER STRESS , BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE WHILE INCREASING MOOD AND IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH .
The King ’ s School , Canterbury places equal emphasis on co-curricular endeavours as it does on achieving academically . A varied and vibrant cocurricular programme provides pupils with opportunities and experiences that classroom teaching cannot offer .
Throughout the year there are regular concerts , plays , recitals , exhibitions , talks , activities , workshops , the Duke of Edinburgh Award , the CCF , community service , trips , and partnership events that all contribute to an all-round education that prepares pupils for a modern global society when they enter the world of work .
The last week of the Summer term at King ’ s – England ’ s oldest school dating from 597AD – heralds King ’ s Week , a unique festival and celebration of music , drama , dance , art , recreation , and sport that has occurred every year since its beginnings in 1952 .
The Kent Gazette on 1st August 1952 reported : ‘ The whole of King ’ s Week , Headmaster Dr . Shirley declared , was a completely mad venture . No other community could do all that and play three cricket matches as well . It was quite mad and entirely successful . It was the finest bit of education the school had this year . Everyone was doing something .’
Many schools host art festivals but King ’ s Week can claim to be unique on two levels : the events take place within the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral ; the backdrop of a UNESCO World Heritage Site gives King ’ s Week a very special atmosphere . Also unusual is that the performances are very much pupil-driven : Acoustic Corner , The Sound , The Voice , and the King ’ s Week Lectures are just some of the shows that are organised and performed by the pupils themselves .
A relaxing focus after the intensity of public examinations , King ’ s Week attracts thousands of visitors to Canterbury and provides a glorious conclusion to the academic year .
When it comes to partnership activities , tens of thousands of pupils benefit from partnerships between independent schools and state schools every year .
Activities often include sharing resources and knowledge to unlock new educational experiences for pupils that they otherwise may not have access to . These collaborations enable pupils from different backgrounds to learn together and build mutual respect .
King ’ s is a member of the East Kent Schools Together Group , a group of ten local schools and one university which aims to raise aspirations and widen horizons through collaboration . The main objectives of the group are to enrich teacher professional development to strengthen teaching and learning amongst the schools and to develop pupil confidence and well-being by bringing children together for shared experiences : cultural , sporting , academic , and volunteering .
Pupils on both sides of these partnerships benefit greatly , developing important skills such as leadership , compassion , teamwork , confidence , and communication .
www . kings-school . co . uk
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