Headteacher

“Tomorrow’s Success Begins Today”

Kents Hill School opened in April 1995. It has been very well maintained and has excellent resources for learning, both indoors and outdoors. It was built to meet the needs of children age 4 to 7 years but in September 2006 we opened a new purpose built nursery unit with 30 places for 3 year olds which provides a wonderful environment for our youngest children.

Our children are very mixed in ethnicity, ability and social class and we regard this as a very positive characteristic of our school. We value each child as a unique individual and celebrate our diversity whenever we can.

At Kents Hill School we strive to provide a welcoming, caring and purposeful atmosphere for all the members of our school community to promote achievement and success. We focus on meeting the needs of young children and place them at the centre of everything we do. We encourage parents and the community to work in partnership with us in order to educate and develop the whole child, within a supportive environment.

Our foundation of high quality teaching stimulates effective learning for each one of us. We constantly strive to improve our provision through self evaluation at all levels. Whenever possible we offer first hand learning experiences for children. We
frequently take children off site on educational visits, both locally and further afield, to enrich their curriculum experiences. We also have a broad programme of CPD to develop the skills of our staff.

Our building is very conducive to team work. Our staff plan together and are very supportive of one another. We have a strong body of support staff as well as teachers and they all share and contribute to the school ethos. We frequently have students and parents supporting us in class. Our governors play a very active role in school development and many of them have served several terms of office.

In main school, there are two large teaching areas on each side of the administrative area. Area 1 has 2 homebases used by Reception classes, a shared area, a practical area and the library. Area 2 has 4 homebases, 2 practical areas and a shared area used by Key Stage 1. There is a hall at the front of the school. We also have an Activity Room used by classes doing Music or other activities that require an enclosed environment. All of the homebases and the Activity Room have interactive whiteboards, projectors and visualisers.

The grounds are attractively landscaped with shrubs, bushes, trees, environmental area and pond. There are benches and tables for the children to sit. We have an exciting, all weather play trail to help children develop physically. The field surrounds the outer perimeter of the playground. Each practical area leads onto a covered courtyard. These in turn lead onto the playground. Foundation Stage children have their own self contained playground and grass area including climbing equipment and a safety surface.

The Governing Body is keen to let the school building to the community when it is not in use for educational purposes. There is a Lettings Policy that outlines charges and terms. At present there is an Art Club, French Club, Spanish Club, Gardening Club, Bug Club and MK Dons Football Club coaching for children to participate in after school. Our Care Club, which provides out of school care for children at the beginning and end of the school day and wrap around care for nursery children, is managed by a committee of club staff, school staff, governors and parents. This is a great asset to our school.

Children from Kents Hill School normally transfer to Heronsgate School in Walnut Tree at the end of Year 2. Close links exist between the two schools as well as with the others in our successful liaison group. We aim to make the transition between the stages of education as easy as possible for our children. Our school serves families in Kents Hill and part of Walnut Tree, north of Walton Road. We also have a high number of “out of area” children attend our school.

Kents Hill School is constantly evolving and embraces change. We are all dedicated to improvement and welcome new initiatives and ideas which make us better in what we do.