Queen Katherine School

Infobox UK school
name = The Queen Katherine School


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latitude = 54.33941
longitude = -2.73530
dms = dms
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president =
head_label = Headteacher
head = Mr Stephen Wilkinson
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specialist = Technology College
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street = Appleby Road
city = Kendal
county = Cumbria
country = England
postcode = LA9 6PJ
LEA = Cumbria
ofsted = 112431
staff =
enrollment = 1397
gender = Coeducational
lower_age = 11
upper_age = 18
houses =
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website = http://www.queenkatherine.cumbria.sch.uk/
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The Queen Katherine School is a Technology College in Kendal, Cumbria, England. They pride themselves on offering a first class education for students in the town of Kendal and the surrounding area.

Students are very successful: the school often rates very highly in a range of national examination league tables as well as in value added measures [ [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?fuseaction=summary&id=112431=1 Ofsted] Queen Katherine School Report] . Their successful sixth form is among the very best in the north of England.

The school aims to help students develop not only academically, but in a wide range of personal and social skills.

Ethos

"A trusting, open, caring, inclusive, friendly and structured atmosphere - with comfortable relationships, clear expectations and with every individual valued.”
“We have a focus on learning, guidance and monitoring for allstudents and staff, both inside and outside the classroom.”

They achieved Specialist College Status in 2001 and became a strategic facility for students with physical and medical difficulties in 2002. In 2006, they became a full service Extended School.

As a co-educational 11-18 school with 1445 students, they regard themselves as forward looking, whilst retaining the best of the more traditional features and values.

Extra curricular activities

There is a wide range of activities, including over 30 clubs to choose from, and a number of activities during lunchtime, after school and at weekends.

Music and Drama are particular strengths, with regular school plays, including an annual musical. There are a number of choirs and a school orchestra, which perform locally. Many QKS students also play in the Westmorland Youth Orchestra and Cumbria Youth Orchestra, or sing in the Amabile choir.

Residential experience

"Year 7" - Residential visit to the Conway Centre of the Island of Anglesey - a joint curriculum, arts and outdoor education experience

"Year 8" - Residential visit to Normandy

"Year 9" - German exchange. Ski trip

"Year 10" - European visit to 1st World War battlefields and Berlin

"Year 11" - PGL adventure holiday to Embrun in the French Alps after the GCSE examinations

"Sixth form" - World Challenge Expedition to areas such as the Himalayas or Bolivia. Art trips to Venice and Paris. Geography visit to Iceland.

The School Council

The School Council plays a very important role within the school. Each form elects representatives who meet as a Year Council. There are Upper and Lower School Councils and a full School Council. Senior Students are elected from the Sixth Form, and they chair the various meetings and organise the Sixth Form Ball, amongst other things.

Students have a powerful voice in the running of the school. Each year the School Council is given a budget to spend on school improvement. The Council is also involved in charity fund-raising.

The Queen Katherine School Association

The Queen Katherine School Association (QKSA) is a group of enthusiastic parents and teachers which has the good of the school at heart. It has charitable status. One aim is to raise money to enhance the students' education. The QKSA organises and assists in a number of events to raise funds for the school. [ [http://www.qksa.org.uk/=1 QKSA] Queen Katherine School Association website]

QKSA is registered charity no. 518201. Its registered aims are:

"To advance the education of the pupils of the school in providing and assisting in the provisions of facilities for education at the school (not normally provided by the local education authority)."

QKSA is a member of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA).

outh Lakes Federation

The school is part of the South Lakes Federation, which is made up of 8 schools, 2 special schools a further education college and a college of higher education in the South Lakes area of Cumbria. [ [http://southlakesfederation.co.uk/cms06/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 South Lakes Federation] ] .

The LRC (Learning Resources Centre)

The Queen Katherine School boasts an excellent Learning resources centre which allows students to borrow a variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction. There have been many visits to the school by popular children's authors, such as Phillip Pullman, Joseph Delaney and more recently, Joe Craig, author of the Jimmy Coates books. The LRC also boasts a suite of computers available for students to use during break and lunch time, and also after school until 6.00pm on most nights of the week.

References