Testimonials

In my previous career I used to work in a prison – it gave me lots of experience of dealing with large groups of people! I have been working at KES for 15 years now; I did not expect to stay here that long but it is because staff are so kind and supportive and the students are a joy to teach. I love teaching sociology and really enjoy answering the questions students ask about society – it brings a buzz of enquiry to lessons. For me KES is about encouraging thinking and developing a love for learning – I can’t think of a better place to work.

Maths and PE are my favourite subjects at school and I play lots of sport outside of school too. I like KES because the teachers are really enthusiastic and the lessons are fun. My aspiration is to one day become a dentist.

At the King Edmund School sixth form I am currently studying Product design, Biology and Psychology. I have studied at KES since year 7 and I thoroughly believe that the school make every effort to make all students feel comfortable, whilst still achieving well. Something that I love about our sixth form is that you can study the subjects that you are passionate about even if they don’t traditionally go together. All teachers at KES put in extra hours and energy into ensuring that the students achieve their best. This is especially apparent in the product design department where teachers and students frequently spend extra time outside of school to ensure that all coursework projects are completed fully and achieve a good grade. I recently made a large elephant water feature for my AS level coursework, which many schools would have not permitted due to the large scale and difficulty of the project; however KES welcomed my idea and were willing to help me to find the resources for me to complete the project. In the future, I hope to become a product designer and I feel that KES has helped me to become prepared for the world of work by running extra curricular clubs such as career ready. This is a programme that students can join to allow them to understand and get ready for following their ambitions. The school also choose subject ambassadors, I received this in Year 11 for product design which greatly boosted my confidence in the subject. The school frequently praise students for their good work, this is also done at the annual awards evening.

I have been working as an English teacher at KES for four years now and have never been happier at work. It is a community, where support for one another, staff and student, is a central part of the school’s ethos. When I first came to look around the school back in 2014, it took all of five minutes to realise that this was the school for me and I haven’t looked back! I had always wanted to be a teacher but only realised that secondary school was right for me after university, spending two years working as an LSA. Ten years later, I am enjoying teaching more than ever. For me, working closely with students and parents is paramount to ensure that school is a positive and beneficial experience for the student.

I am in Year 11 studying hair and beauty at KES. I really like that we have our own salon in school to do practical sessions in and since starting at KES in Year 7 I have made lots of friends and recently become a prefect. I would like to travel the world as a beautician when I leave school as I love the beauty and make up side of what I am learning.

PE is my favourite subject, especially football. Our PE teacher sometimes asks us what sports we would like to play in a lesson, which is great, as lots of us want to do football so I'm happy. KES has a really welcoming environment and the teachers are really helpful.

I am the Admissions Officer and SLT Administrator at the school working closely with the Headteacher. I joined the school three years ago following a break from employment to raise my young children. My son now attends the school and is thoroughly enjoying his time here! In my role as Admissions Officer, I am responsible for maintaining our waiting list and for assisting parents who decide to move their child to the school. I am also heavily involved in the Year 6 to Year 7 transition process. I myself attended KES as a student and have first-hand experience of the wonderful opportunities that were available then and now.

Deciding to stay on at KES Sixth Form was a relatively easy decision. Having already heard of the numerous success stories or previous students, I was assured that the school provides an apt and capable environment for success. When I arrived at the Sixth Form I immediately learned how much more responsibility students gained in terms of learning each course in the subjects I chose (Computing, Physics, Chemistry and Maths). I quickly understood the importance of reading around each syllabus in order to stay one step ahead. Year 12 was quite different from Years 7-11; it is important to become more disciplined with your organisation and work ethic; AS and A Level study is a step up from GCSE and it is vital to not fall behind. However, with effort and motivation the KES Sixth Form can prepare you for future life endeavours such as going to university or attaining apprenticeships.

My name is George and I am in Year 9. My favourite subject is Spanish as I have always wanted to learn the language and now I have the opportunity to. When I leave school, I would like to become an airline pilot and learning Spanish would help a lot in the job. The thing I like best about KES is that it is a welcoming and rewarding school.

I am proud to have been the Head of Design and Technology at KES for over ten years, I have had supportive leadership with excellent staff and resources. With this support new vocational and applied learning subjects have evolved which utilise my background in Civil Engineering and Craft Skills. Among many examples of subject development across all year groups two are worthy of a special note; the Levels 1 and 2 in Construction, Product Design and Food. KES has a long standing record as an award winning school and Design and Technology is no exception. We have entered various STEM competitions and received Design Innovation Awards. My time at KES has required complete dedication and at times endless energy but this has provided student success with greater possibilities for future development. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my team, the staff body and most importantly the students at KES. I am confident that this will continue due to the strong and stable working relationships and under the direction of the school’s governing body.

My name is Maisie and I am in Year 13. I originally went to The Eastwood Academy but I believe that joining here after my GCSEs was one of the best decisions that I have made. The students and staff made the experience of changing schools very welcoming and treated me no different to any other student that was continuing their journey in the school. The school decided to pair me with a buddy on my first induction day. Millie helped me settle into all my lessons, showed me around the school on my first week and we have stayed friends since. I am studying Double BTEC ICT, Personal and Business Finance and A Level Mathematics. Every teacher has been very supportive and my favourite subject is ICT because it contains a range of different techniques which I can express myself with and it also has a fun atmosphere with the teachers.

My name is Olivia, and I am in Year 9. My favourite subject is Art. I enjoy Art because there’s no rules when imagining a piece. You get to be creative, and nobody can tell you what to do and how to do it. Your mind can run wild across the canvas and no-one can telI you it’s wrong. In the future I would either like to be a writer/illustrator so I could publish my work around the world, or an athlete (as I really enjoy sports of all different kinds). Another option I’m considering is a job working with animals, as I love all species of animals whether it be a dog or something a bit more exotic. One of my favourite things about KES is the fact that there are so many options. Everyone can find what they’re looking for here. If you would like to be an athlete there are clubs every day after school. Lessons cover a wide range of topics, there’s something everyone can get involved in. Also there are about 14 different subjects here (in KS3), some of the subjects I’d never even tried until I came to KES. And that’s what I like about KES. They have something for everyone and they’re just so accepting.

I have taught at KES for three years following a long career in the Further Education sector. I wish I had made the move to a secondary school many years before as I find that I am now enjoying the most rewarding teaching of my career. Most of my lessons are in the school Sixth Form where the students are inquisitive and motivated towards reaching their goals. I mainly teach A Level Law and BTEC Public Services and find the students to be passionate about their work and determined to forge a career in those areas. I am the Head of Applied Learning for the school which means that I oversee the BTEC qualifications that are offered as part of the key stage 4 and 5 curriculum. This role gives me the opportunity to work with many different departments as varied as Forensic Science, ICT, Sport, Construction and Music. Due to this cross-curricular role I can say with confidence that students on a diverse range of programmes experience a high quality of teaching and assessment and receive excellent results.