Aims and Intent

The KKS curriculum is designed to offer a broad and balanced, 21 st century curriculum that is modern in outlook, challenging, accessible to all and is built on the best education research. The driving force behind the curriculum is the acquisition of knowledge which allows our students to start their journey from novice to expert in subject specialisms and to develop the breadth of understanding to make a positive contribution to society in whichever career path they choose.

Students are taught the specialised knowledge of a subject that allows them to go beyond the limits of their own experience and start the journey from novice to expert – giving them new ways of thinking about the world and allowing them to do things that otherwise they couldn’t. Acquiring this knowledge and way of thinking is the best hope for a socially mobile future for students of all backgrounds. This knowledge is described as powerful knowledge. No student should be deprived of these opportunities – the more students know the more they can learn.

Our curriculum design has built on the following foundations:

1) Sequencing and Depth before Breadth

Our subject specialist teams have designed their curriculum so that students receive a high-quality education through a well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum. The curriculum goes beyond the scope of the national curriculum and allows all learners to gain a deep, rich knowledge. Einstein said that everything should be made as simple as possible but not simpler. We want students to learn transformational knowledge that takes them beyond the limits of their own experiences.

2) Aspiration

Our focus on a rich and powerful knowledge base aims to challenge, empower and inspire students so they can achieve in all aspects of school, and in life beyond the classroom. Acquiring knowledge and ways of thinking is the best hope for a socially mobile future for students of all backgrounds. No student should be deprived of these opportunities – the more students know the more they can learn. Students will explore scientific theories, musical genius and sporting talent, the very best of what has gone before so they aspire to their own excellence in the future. A rich and varied range of extra-curricular trips and activities, interform competitions and special events enhances the student experience along with extensive careers and pathways guidance which ensures that our students are able to make the most of opportunities beyond school.

3) A values led curriculum

Personal development of the whole child and developing a life-long curiosity and love of learning is at the heart of the work we do at KKS. We believe in the value of hard work, of treating other people and cultures with respect through care, of respecting the environment and making a positive contribution to society. Resilience is nurtured and developed throughout the curriculum. Students develop a real sense of belonging at KKS but also more widely in our local, national and international contexts. Extra-curricular opportunities, inter-form competitions, special events, employer encounters, trips and visits are crucial to this sense of belonging.