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.”
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 our 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.
