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BOARDING OPENS AT KINGSMEAD SCHOOL -
GIVING BUSY FAMILIES A FLEXIBLE NEW OPTION
Kingsmead School in Hoylake has announced it is
re-introducing boarding this September – making it
Merseyside’s only mainstream school taking boarders
and day pupils. The school is also opening a new Sixth
Form.
Headmaster Mark Gibbons says the developments mean
Kingsmead will be able to offer more to families than ever
before in its 114 year history.
Boarding has been reintroduced in response to parent
feedback and to international demand following a break of
several years; it will be available for pupils aged from 9-18.
And the way parents can use the boarding facilities has a
decided 21st century twist: there will be just occasional
overnight stays available to day pupils to meet particular
needs as well as flexi, weekly and full boarders. Each
boarding house will be run by an experienced Housemaster
or Housemistress, and be supported by Kingsmead’s
outstanding pastoral team.
Explained Mr Gibbons “Boarding was once the traditional
option only for better-off families, the church and the
military. Today it offers a modern, flexible solution to the
demands of many families’ busy lives. Opening boarding
at Kingsmead again means we can offer young people the
opportunity to study hard, socialise safely and achieve
their potential while their parents meet heavy work
commitments. In an increasingly pressured world, having
boarding available is welcome for many.”
14 wirrallife.com
The new Sixth Form will complete the school’s ambitious
expansion. Kingsmead achieves the best GCSE results in
Wirral for non-selective schools (last year a staggering 92%
achieved five or more GCSEs) but until now pupils had
to leave at 16 and continue their studies elsewhere. Once
open, the Sixth Form will offer a range of subjects at A level
and B Tech, with International Baccalaureate following
soon after.
“Kingsmead welcomes pupils of all abilities and ou r
promise is that we will get the best from all, irrespective
of baseline ability. Our consistently excellent GCSE results
prove this is not an empty promise. I am delighted that we
will soon be able to deliver this commitment right through
to 18,” said Mr Gibbons.
Kingsmead has both a Gifted and Talented team and an
accredited Learning Development Unit which supports
pupils with dyslexia and dyscalculia. The school is set in
eight acres of grounds and pupils have their own theatre,
cinema, specialist music and drama studio and indoor
heated swimming pool.
The next Open Morning is on Saturday March 10 from
10am-12noon at which Mr Gibbons will announce more
details about the expansion. Families can also tour the
campus; all are welcome.
For more information, contact the School on 0151 632 3156.