active learning

“What are the teachers like?” is an important question. Well, the answer at King’s is, they are like Dr Roger Poland, Head of Science. The best teachers carry on learning at school and he does just that. His recent PhD in conservation is a feature of a teacher with infectious enthusiasm, who lives out our aim to involve pupils in learning and inspire them to achieve the highest standards. Dr Poland’s Pondlab project, funded by the Royal Society, has allowed high-level research using the latest technology alongside traditional biological principles of the laboratory - bringing pupils in touch with genuine learning.

GCSE classes can mean analysing the growth of algae on the trees in the school grounds (incidentally always on the North side – in case you get lost in the woods without a compass!), or tackling History coursework – ‘The Swinging Sixties’! In both cases the aims of motivating pupils to work hard and to enjoy studying are the hallmarks.

The moment when Sir Terence Conran looks over your work and gives his views is a great one for any young designer. Success in schemes such as the Audi Designer of the Year has given a national dimension to our Design and Technology pupils.

You are never far from that essential connection to the web with high speed fibre optic linked clusters of computers all over the school. Access is controlled but you have use of the technology from morning to night along with your own e-mail address.

Sixth formers have contact with top scholars and professors in every subject as King’s reaches outside the walls of its academic life. Active learning is always the aim and projects like Dr Poland’s are often the trigger.