Headteacher

A personal word from the Headteacher – Darren Ayling

Thank you for reading this booklet. I hope the following information gives you an impression of the excellent opportunity we have on offer and of our very happy and successful school. In making a new appointment the Governors and staff seek to ensure that the post meets with the professional needs of the person appointed and that the person appointed meets the needs of the post. We are looking for excellent candidates but not a finished article. We will help you develop towards the latter.

The successful applicant can be assured of receiving professional help from colleagues at all levels and the opportunity for professional development through in-service training. She/he will be joining an established and extremely successful school with an enthusiastic staff which is highly professional and dedicated to meeting the needs of our pupils. Our success and hard work were acknowledged in 2012/13 by being given grades of ‘Outstanding’ by both Denominational and OFSTED Inspection teams. The GCSE and A2-level results obtained by our students frequently put us in the top ten of non-selective schools.

The success of the School is based on good teaching and organisation, hard work, good discipline and mutual respect between staff and pupils. In addition our pupils are incredibly enthusiastic and motivated and seek success in everything they tackle. This is well supported by Governors and parents and allows the pupils to make excellent academic and personal progress. The School is an exciting and extremely rewarding place to work, in partnership, with youngsters, colleagues and parents. I regard myself as being very privileged to be able to lead The King's School Family and hope that you would wish to join us in this unique place of learning.

The Area

The King's (The Cathedral) School is situated close to the centre of Peterborough. Peterborough is situated in the north of the former County of Cambridgeshire and is served by excellent road (A1 andA14) and rail links. The east coast rail line provides fast and easy access to the North and South eg., both London and York are approximately one hour away. Cambridge is 40 minutes by road.

Peterborough was designated a New Town in the seventies and has seen its population grow to over 160,000. There are many pleasant residential areas providing a variety of housing at prices which are below the national average, ranging from £150,000 for a two-bedroom terraced house and from £300,000 for a modern three bedroom detached property. In addition to living in Peterborough itself, many staff commute into school from the Fenland districts, rural Northamptonshire and South Lincolnshire. Access into and out of the City is very quick.

The City provides very good shopping facilities and in the area there is a range of cultural and recreational activities.

The School

The King's (The Cathedral) School is a Church of England 7-18 publicly funded independent academy, with a large academic Sixth Form. Academy status was given to the School in January 2011 and in September 2011 the age range was expanded to 7 – 19 years with the opening of a new 60 place Junior Department. It was founded by Henry VIII in 1541 as the Cathedral School. The Dean and Chapter became the Foundation Governors and this close link with the Cathedral is still valued and maintained today. Today 1,213 pupils attend The King's School, of whom 360+ are in the Sixth Form, for which there is a minimum examination qualification for entry.

Since becoming comprehensive and co-educational in 1976, The King's School has maintained its outstanding record of success. Pupils of all abilities are encouraged to achieve their highest academic potential. Other aspects of development are not neglected; there is plenty of opportunity for participation in music, drama, outdoor activities, sport and social events, as well as a range of clubs and societies catering for leisure pursuits. Our children are expected to develop a sense of responsibility for their conduct and behaviour and to become aware of the needs and rights of others. The size of the School enables each pupil to find a sense of both identity and security: new pupils soon settle in and become part of our heritage. The School is very much up-to-date, and offers pupils a thorough preparation for life in the twenty-first century. The atmosphere in the School is ordered but relaxed. We operate as an extended family, working hard to develop excellent relationships between pupils, staff and parents.

The School playing fields are approximately one mile from the main site. The School has an extensive provision for specialist facilities which include ten science laboratories and a Project Faraday area, a purpose built Technology Centre, a well-equipped library, drama studios a large music department, hall and Mathematics block. Facilities for staff include staffroom, workroom for each curriculum area, networked computer facilities and a reprographics service. A Sports hall adjacent to the School opened in September 2003. An astro pitch was installed for September 2005 and a new fitness suite opened in September 2013. The School gained Specialist Science Status in September 2004. This significantly boosted resources, especially in ICT related activities across all areas of the curriculum, in addition to Mathematics and Science. In the last six years a £12 million capital programme has significantly enhanced our buildings and facilities. A new Humanities Teaching block opened in 2007. In September 2008 we moved in to a new languages Department and Sixth Form Centre. The final phase which opened in September 2009 involved the refurbishment of our Victorian building including a suite of English Rooms and staff areas.

The Staff

The School is currently led by the Headteacher, a Deputy and two Assistant Headteachers supported by Middle Managers. Staff are regularly seconded in to the Senior Leadership Team. In 2016 this team will be reconfigured to include an additional Deputy Head (Academic and Pastoral) and three Assistant Heads (Lower School, Middle School and Sixth Form). The Senior Leadership Team has collective responsibility for academic, pastoral, administrative and financial matters. Approximately 150 staff are employed at the School.

There are currently 67 full time equivalent teaching staff and slightly more Support Staff. The academic organisation is managed within a curriculum area structure. The pastoral organisation is based on Lower School, Middle School and the Sixth Form. Each year has a Pupil Development Manager who works alongside three Pupil Support Officers.

All members of the teaching staff have a teaching role in one or more departmental areas and the majority have a role as a Form Tutor.

We value our staff and endeavour to provide excellent support and working conditions for everyone. All staff value and have free use of a first class fitness suite.