New Staff

Helena Everill - Helena joins Duke of Kent School as the Heads PA and Office Manager. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of Newcastle, and comes to us from a role in Events at PJT Partners Ltd. In London. She has two children, one of whom is also starting in Reception this year.

Charlie Kulczyk - Some of you may remember Charlie from when he was here covering Mrs Vermeulen's maternity leave. Since then, Charlie spent some time travelling in Australia before returning to the UK. He joins us from the Langley Academy in Berkshire as a Teacher of Science, and we are thrilled to welcome him back as a permanent member of staff.

Connor Hewitt - Connor is one of our new Sports Assistants. Connor is currently studying Sports and Exercise Science at Bournemouth University and his favourite sports are Cricket and Rugby.

Poppy Walters - Poppy is our other new Sports Assistant. She graduated this summer from Nottingham Trent University where she studied Sports Science and Coaching. Poppy is a keen hockey player and plays for Woking as CF.

Kirsty Hudson - Kirsty is joining us as our Performing Arts Assistant this year. She comes to us from Newdigate C of E Endowed Infant School where she worked as a Teaching Assistant. Kirsty has a wealth of theatrical experience both on stage and behind the scenes as an active member of the Dorking Dramatic and Operatic Society.

Priya Stamp - Priya is our new Art and DT Technician. She comes to us from Cranmore School, where she worked as an Art and Drama Technician. She also has a degree in Fine Art from University of the Creative Arts.

Rob Davis - Rob is joining us as a Minibus Driver this year, having previously worked in a similar role at Belmont School and then most recently at Moon Hall. Rob will be taking on the new run to Dorking, to the delight of many of our parents!

GCSE Results 2024

Working alongside our 2024 Year 11 cohort has been both an honour and a privilege. This is not only my own sentiment, but a shared sentiment among all of the staff at Duke of Kent School, both teaching and non-teaching. We as a community could not be prouder of their collective achievements, recording some of the best GCSE results the school has ever seen. For us, it is also the individual outcomes, at the end of a journey some of our pupils began as three year olds in our nursery. We have endeavoured to nurture them, and not just their minds but their spirit, their determination, their joy, and their confidence to face life’s challenges and drive on. 

This year saw an overall GCSE pass rate of 99%, with a commendable 81% of our pupils gaining at least one grade 7 or above. 100% of pupils passed their Maths, English and Science exams. Indeed, over half of all the grades awarded were a grade 7, 8 or 9. The cohort average across all subjects was a grade 7, with grade 9 making up 13% of the total. This is a truly fantastic achievement for our pupils, particularly given that national outcomes saw a decline this year. Indeed, each one of our pupils gained entry to their first choice school or college. 

It will not be the same without this group. We will miss their humour, their musical and dramatic talents, the common room hijinks, and the insistence that it was always their turn to go into lunch first! But we have every confidence in each and every one of them and look forward to their return as lifelong alumni and part of our community. Congratulations to Duke of Kent School, Class of 2024!

Mr Allen

Learning Development Update

Learning Development lessons will NOT be starting next week (due to the Learning Development team being involved in whole School screening) Lessons will start the week commencing 16th September and Mrs Instone will be in touch towards the end of next week with more information about lesson times. 

Mrs Instone

Sayers Croft

On Thursday, Year 7 spent the day at Sayers Croft. When we arrived, we were met by their enthusiastic team who were ready to take us through a day of team building activities. We started off the morning with some Climbing and High Ropes. Both groups enjoyed the challenge of making their way up the climbing wall and meandering their way through different obstacles. Good advice was passed on by each member of the team as they made their way from one platform to the next. Year 7 took their harnesses off and went into lunch knowing they would be attempting the Challenge Course as well as some Axe Throwing in the afternoon session. What they did not know was that the heavens would open and their time on the activities would be cut short. Not to worry though, as the fun continued indoors with various different team games and challenges. It was a super day, and one I'm sure they will remember throughout their time in Year 7.

Mr Monk

A very warm welcome to the start of the academic year, from myself and all the Prep and Pre-prep staff. It has been great to see many of you already at our various Information Meetings; I hope you found them helpful, but do, please, drop the Office or your child's Form Teacher a line to ask any question at all if anything is unclear. 

The children have brought a lovely bustle and chatter to the corridors that seemed so quiet in their absence during our INSET. New friends and new discoveries have already been made, and it feels like we have never been away! I have done my utmost to underline the importance of looking after belongings and our department's spaces, so things don't look untidy and to reduce the chance of items going missing (a frustration for them, us and yourselves). We will do our best to reunite pupils with missing items, but I have also reminded them it is their responsibility to respect them and keep them where they should. We would be hugely grateful if you could help reinforce this message at home, and if any labels (especially on waterproofs or coats) come off, that they be replaced ASAP. 

In these first few days, our main focus is on settling everyone into new spaces and routines, and they've done a commendable job - special congratulations to our 20 new joiners who have done brilliantly. In our assembly this week, I reminded them of the need to get involved and participate wherever possible. The staff and I are hugely excited about what your children will achieve this term and beyond! 

Mr Wright

It has been absolutely wonderful to see all the students back at School, refreshed and renewed from their summer holidays. The energy and enthusiasm they have brought with them into the new term has been fantastic, and we are looking forward to a productive and successful year ahead.

This academic year we are having a reset in terms of our expectations regarding students’ appearance and behaviour. This is to ensure that everyone continues to represent the high standards we uphold as a school. We believe that how students present themselves and conduct themselves plays a significant role in creating a positive, respectful learning environment. We kindly ask for your support in reinforcing these expectations. If you have any queries or concerns about uniform or behaviour expectations, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Additionally, I am excited to announce a new initiative launching this term: the World Wise Quiz, which will take place during Monday form times. Each week, students will complete a quiz on current affairs from the previous week. Form groups will engage in a friendly competition, with winning forms receiving edible prizes at the end of each term. We hope this will not only build a healthy sense of competition but also encourage students to stay informed about important global events.

Congratulations to the following students for earning a multiple of 25 Merit Points! They have been invited to the Celebration Snack Break, where they received a lunch fast pass and a stationery prize:  Norah H, Harry M-C, Lois M, Molly F, Ben O, Holly R, Esme W, Alice B, Edie H, Toby W, Em F, Phoebe P and Grace S.

A special congratulations to Jude B, Heath P, Rupert H and Troy K for surpassing 100 Merit Points and receiving their recognition badges, and to Samuel H for reaching over 200 Merit Points and earning his recognition badge.

Well done to you all.

Mr Wyllie

Mr Boden

A warm welcome back to all our new and returning pupils, and families. I hope that everyone was able to enjoy a peaceful and restorative summer break. It has been so lovely to catch up with pupils and hear about their summer exploits and see how much they've all grown!

The start of a new academic year brings with it much change, information, nerves and excitement and pupils are probably very ready for their weekend break at the end of today. The plethora of emotions that accompany a return to school can be exhausting and it is worth bearing this in mind for your weekend plans.

For pupils the return to School has been on the horizon for the last couple of weeks and the anticipation of this can feel quite overwhelming. For some, it may have felt almost insurmountable but I commend all of those who’ve managed to return despite their own struggles. If your child is struggling with anxiety about School or friendships, this guide is incredibly informative and useful.

Supporting A Child With Anxiety | Tips and Advice | YoungMinds

If your child is struggling with the return to School each day, please do contact their form tutor or myself mdouglas@dokschool.org so that we can attempt to put some structures in place to support them and yourselves.

Equally, if you feel further 1-1 support is necessary as their mental wellbeing is affecting their day to day life, please let your form tutor know so I can arrange to meet with your child and assess if 1-1 counselling would be beneficial to them.

Pupils can also self-refer via the Open Door sessions in the wellbeing room if they feel they need further support or just need to talk to someone as a one off.

Sessions run as follows:-

Prep School - Tues 12:30-1:00 and Thurs 10:00-10:20

Senior School - Tues 10:20-10:40 and Thurs 1:00-1:30

Do have a lovely restful weekend!

Mrs Douglas

A very warm welcome to the new school year from the School Nurses (your children may refer to us as "Matron"!  We hope all our pupils have had a healthy and happy first week of School.  

We are a team of two found in the medical room at school: 

Chloe Sarjant RGN, Lead School Nurse, Monday to Thursday 8.00am to 3.30pm. 

Maya Garside RGN, School Nurse, Thursday and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.  

We are here to help with all health related matters at school, including to assist pupils when they feel unwell and to administer medication and first aid as needed.

Communication between the medical room and parents is key to managing your child's health as they transition through School.  If your child has a new health need at any time, please let us know (as well as your child's form tutor), either by phone (ring the main school office and ask to speak to the nurse), or by email.  The email address nurse@dokschool.org sends messages to both Chloe and Maya, and is the best address to use for health issues which need addressing that same day.  

It is really helpful for us to receive updates from parents regarding health and injury events which happen to pupils outside of School (in the evening, at weekends, or School holidays).  The School Nurses liaise and co-ordinate closely with teaching, games, learning development, kitchen, wellbeing, safeguarding and office staff, so any physical or mental health updates will be circulated to relevant staff in these departments, to ensure all your child's needs are met whilst they are at Duke of Kent School. 

We hope everyone has a restful weekend ahead of the first full week of the new school year next week; with activities and matches starting next week, it's going to be busy!  

The School Nurses

PADoK News

A warm welcome to all parents from PADoK.  We hope your children are all settling in well to the start of the academic year.

You should have all heard from your class rep by now.  They are your point of contact and will keep you updated with any PADoK events, weekly clubs and social gatherings that they organise.  We also support the School to help get messages out to parents at times so do please keep an eye on the messages.  Please do contact your rep if you have any questions and they will do their best to help.

The PADoK clubs will begin next week so look out for communication about days and timings.  The following clubs are running, Netball, Choir, Book Club, PADoK Walk and Core Control Physical Fitness.

If any new or current parents are interested in joining PADoK, either as a class rep or just to help at events, then please do get in touch padok@dokschool.org. 

Our first meeting will be on Tuesday 10^th September at 08.30 where we will make plans for the year ahead.  Please do let your class rep know if you would be interested in coming to this meeting.

PADoK Clubs:

Duke of Kent Flyers – Netball training – Tara Coles

Monday 5.30 – 6.30 & Wednesday 08.30 – 10am

The DoK Flyers meet at the Netball courts on Front Pitch by the School drive.  Do come along if you would like to start playing – new players or beginners welcome.  A friendly match was played last week and training has already begun so please do come along.  All welcome.

Duke of Kent School Singers – Thursday 08.20 – 09.00am  Cathy Williams

A relaxed and inclusive singing group run by our Director of Music, Mr Rye, who kindly gives up his time to teach us how to sing.  It is always fun and uplifting rather than a pressured environment.  Our focus is always on enjoying singing and getting the most out of our time together.

Please feel free to contact me directly if you are interested or have any queries rhodricathy@sky.com

PADOK Core Control: Strengthen your body, Improve Your Health with our Physio-Led Stability Group. Friday morning 08.30 at Ness Hall

Do you have new fitness goals or want to build on what you are already doing?  Julia is a physio who will help build your core strength and help your fitness training.  We would love to see you on a Friday morning 08.30-09.00 for a quick weekly input (little and often is the key to building long term goals!)  Please contact Julia direct to complete a medical form.  Thank you.

Please contact Julia on julia@therunningspecialists.com 

PADoK Book Club

We are looking forward to a new term of Book Club and the book we have chosen to read is "You Are Here" by David Nicols ("One Day" fame).  This is a very friendly and small group of parents who enjoy reading.  We meet once a term to discuss the book and have a chat in Old Hall.  Please do get in touch via your class rep if you are interested in joining the WhatsApp group.

Second hand Uniform Shop

We had a very busy first day of opening on Wednesday.  If you wish to hand in items that you no longer need, please leave in the box outside the shop.  ONLY CURRENT UNIFORM bought from Stevensons please. 

We are sorry to have to repeat this-but please can we ask that parents do not leave us with bags of non-school uniform items.  Also, all donations are to be placed in the box outside the uniform shop and not in the Front Office.  Thank you in advance.

Mrs Phillips and Mrs Horsburgh

Senior School optional hoodie

The Senior School hoodies have been redesigned by members of the School Council and the finished product can be seen below. They have done a fantastic job at putting this design together and now finally getting to see the finished product.

This new hoodie is available from Stevenson's on their website: https://www.stevensons.co.uk/.  There is also the option to have your child's initials printed onto the front of the hoodie for a slight additional cost, something we would advise, to avoid mixing up tops with other pupils. This hoodie is not an essential item of School uniform, so there is no expectation for pupils to have it.

If you wish to see the sample, please pop into the Main Office and have a look.

School social media

At Duke of Kent School we have three social media platforms; Instagram (dukeofkentschool), Twitter (@DoKSchool) and Facebook (Duke of Kent School). All of our social media accounts are public.

We recommend following all three accounts to receive push notifications with news, updates, educational articles, interactions with other schools, communities and public figures.