Dan Cupit, our Deputy Head, Academic reflects on a successful term...

This has been my 11^th Christmas term at King’s, and I can’t recall a term having passed so quickly. I am certain that this is because of the amount that has been packed into the last 13 weeks. It has been an outstanding term, and my thanks to all pupils and colleagues for all that they have done to help ensure that it has been so successful.

I have been extremely impressed by the academic progress that pupils have made this term, with many pupils achieving fantastic assessment grades, as well as many very strong internal examination results. As a school, we place a significant emphasis on effort, and therefore it was incredibly pleasing to see King’s pupils achieve the most Commendations ever in a term. I very much hope that the effort that pupils are putting into their academic studies will continue throughout the year, and that this will translate into success in pupils’ respective courses and examinations. Whilst we await the first set of external examination results for the year, it is great to see U6^th Form pupils receive lots of very impressive university offers. I have particularly enjoyed meeting many Old Brutonians throughout the term, and hearing about the next stages of their education/career. The values instilled during the 6^th Form are obviously continuing to serve them well, with many Old Brutonians showing great ambition in terms of their future plans.

Whilst the both the Easter and Summer terms are dominated by trial and public examinations for many pupils, it is the Christmas term that provides the foundations for success throughout the rest of the year. I doubt that we could have fitted much more into this term, and I am always amazed by the amount of subject enrichment that takes place with pupils making the most of opportunities to extend themselves beyond the curriculum. Whether this be the 3^rd Form Battlefields Trip, U6^th Form Geography Trip to Hinckley Point, DT trip to Morgan Motors Company or the BTEC Hospitality trip to London, it has been fantastic to hear how valuable pupils have found these trips and how well these have supported their studies.

I have very much enjoyed the Inter-House Debating Competition this term, having judged some high-quality debates. It is brilliant to see how well supported debating is at King’s, and how popular other academic activities are such as Chess Club, MFL Film Club, Headmaster’s Essay Society and the various subject symposiums that have taken place.

The Winter Concert and the School Play were both very enjoyable and highlighted the strength of both Music and Drama at King’s. I particularly enjoyed the adaptation of William Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, and it was fantastic to see many pupils that had recently joined the School having such a presence on stage.

After such a busy term, I hope all pupils find time to rest and relax during the break. For those pupils with external examinations, whilst it is important to rest and have a good break, I also hope suitable preparation is completed for both trial and public examinations.

I wish all pupils, colleagues and parents a very happy Christmas.

Dan Cupit - Deputy Head, Academic

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