On Monday 23 September Year 7 students spent the day outside of the classroom on a team building and activity trip, based at the 1610 Sports and Activity Centre at Hestercombe. The day was a great opportunity for the students to spend quality time with each other and their new Form Tutors, taking part in a variety of challenges including an assault course, leaky pipes, tug of war and problem-solving activities.

Mr Williams and Mrs Judith Jackson, our Chair of Governors, welcomed new Year 7 students officially to Kingsmead at a special assembly at the start of September. The Year 7 cohort were challenged to make the most of every opportunity and to become the very best that they can be over the next 5 years, and were invited onto the stage to hand in their triangle of partnership agreement. The triangle of partnership is the lynch pin formed between school, students and parents/carers to support students to make the best possible choices. Thank you to all of the parents/carers who were able to attend, we look forward to working with you all.

Kingsmead Book Club met for the first time this term on Wednesday 18 September and we are delighted there are four groups of keen readers from Years 7 to 10. Students meet every two weeks to discuss a book they have all read. We are extremely grateful to Kingsmead PTA whose donations help to buy books to run this club. New members are always welcome at our book club, just contact Mrs Seymour in the English Department for more information.

Year 10 and 11 students had the opportunity to attend a career’s talk with a paramedic from the South Western Ambulance Service on Wednesday 18 September. The students were able to find out more about career paths in the medical sector and ask paramedic Emma questions about her role and training. Many thanks to Emma and the ambulance service for visiting Kingsmead.

On Thursday 12 September students and their parents had the opportunity to attend our annual ‘Supporting Your Child to be Successful in Year 10 and 11’ evening. During the evening school staff were available to talk to students and parents regarding all aspects of school life, from pastoral care to post-16 options.

Kingsmead held its annual presentation evening on Wednesday 11 September to celebrate the achievements of its students during the previous academic year. The event was attended by students, parents, staff and governors and awards were presented for academic subject and sport accomplishments.

Once again Kingsmead is celebrating very good GCSE results. The headline figure of Grade 5+ and Grade 4+ in both English and Mathematics are 36.3% and 65% respectively. Initial estimates suggest that the progress made by students is good.

Kingsmead’s Year 11 students arrived in style to their leavers’ prom, held at Oake Manor Golf Club on Friday 21 June. The clouds cleared just in time for a beautiful evening of sunshine; perfect for the year group to make their grand entrances in all manner of styles. After photos on the red carpet the students enjoyed a 3-course meal and disco inside the venue with their classmates and teachers. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and a proud send-off for the year group.

Kingsmead School is extremely proud to announce that Mrs Morag Colley, Assistant Headteacher, has won a Silver Teaching Award in the category of Excellence in Special Needs Education in the Pearson National Teaching Awards. Selected from thousands of nominations, Mo is one of just 68 Silver Award winners across the country to be recognised on 19th of June, on ‘Thank A Teacher Day’, as the Pearson National Teaching Awards marks its 21st year of celebrating excellence in education.

Thank you to Berrys Coaches for sponsoring Kingsmead - by providing free transport for all our Year 9 and 10 girls and staff when then run 5k on 25 June at Longrun Meadow in Taunton. The girls have been training for this event in their PE lessons – their couch to 5K challenge – which culminates in this run. Good luck girls!