A Message from Mrs Knox

This has been the strangest start to a new academic year I have known, however it has been extremely successful. The way the children have adapted to our “new normal” has been most impressive. Thank you to our parents for preparing the children so well. It has been wonderful hearing laughter and chatter in and around the school as the children settle back into school life. Learning has got swiftly underway and it has been wonderful to welcome our new students and their families to their new school. Thank you so much for your patience with the drop off and pick up arrangements. Next week, after school activities begin as does tea and Prep. Have a wonderful weekend.

Mrs Knox

The New Heads of School

We would like to take this opportunity in welcoming our new Head Girl, Milly B, and Head Boy, Oscar B to their posts.  Milly is a multifaceted, talented, conscientious and caring young lady.  She has a wise head on her young shoulders and, amongst many other things, she writes beautiful poetry.  She is a true role model for the younger girls in the school.

Oscar is well known for his playing of many musical instruments, and his already famous Bluegrass band, is celebrated both at school and beyond.  He is an impressive young man; sensitive and empathetic, funny and earnest. We wish these two well.

They will be ably assisted by their fantastic deputies, Martha McA and Fynn W. Martha, known for her astonishing singing voice and Fynn for his crunching rugby tackles, have what it takes to become terrific leaders of the school.  We are sure you will all join us in wishing them all the very best for what will be a challenging but rewarding 2020-2021.

Mr Macdonald

2020 GCSE Results

The Year 11 pupils of 2020 celebrated a brilliant set of GCSE results. There were some excellent individual performances with 62% of pupils gaining grades 7-9 (A-A*) in all of their GCSEs. We are equally proud of all the students who have worked tirelessly during their school career to achieve such an outstanding set of grades. The effort and determination of our pupils has resulted in 97% of all pupil grades being above a Grade 5. This is incredible in an inclusive setting such as ours. Despite the problems created by COVID-19 we are delighted that our outstanding standards have been maintained and strengthened in many departments.

We are immensely proud of the determination, effort and purpose of this accomplished group of young people, who have had to deal with such unprecedented challenge and uncertainty at the pinnacle of their educational journey. Their capable and mature approach to their GCSE courses, over the last two years, has been appropriately rewarded and we wish them every success in their future academic endeavours.

“We are immensely proud of the fantastic achievements of our GCSE cohort! It has been a turbulent time and the way our Year 11 pupils responded to the situation has demonstrated what a remarkable group of young people we have at Duke of Kent School” - Mrs Knox

Some highlights include:

62% of all grades are 7/8/9 (the equivalent of A or A*)

100% of our students have achieved 8 GCSE passes including English Literature, English Language and Maths

67% of our students achieved grades 7/8/9 in Maths (A-A*)

67% of our students achieved grades 7/8/9 in English Language (A-A*)

35% of the overall total grades were scored 8 or 9 (A*)

94% of our students achieved grades 7/8/9 in Design & Technology

90% of our students achieved grades 7/8/ in Art

80% of our students achieved grades 7/8/9 in Spanish

98% of our students achieved grade 6 and above in Biology, Chemistry and Physics)

Overall, students achieved an 100% pass rate for all subjects taken.

Mr Seeley

Performing Arts News

As the term starts the Performing Arts Department is gearing up for a term of adjustment. We remain determined however to keep treading the boards and singing where we can and it is safe to do so. 

I am delighted that individual instrumental and LAMDA lessons will start from Monday 7th and timetables are in the usual places around the school. 

Senior and Junior Choirs will begin next week, albeit reduced in size and with social distancing in place, and we are even managing to stage a musical this term. Year 11 will be putting on a production of Little Shop of Horrors so watch this space! We will also be doing our absolute best to provide a performance opportunity later in the year for those pupils who will sadly miss out on the musical this term due to the COVID restrictions.

Finally, our third school album, released at the end of last year, is still available for download on the school website. 

This is raising money for the brilliant charity Music for All and features ensembles and soloists from across the Prep and Senior Schools. Please visit https://www.dukeofkentschool.org.uk/news/?pid=5&nid=4&storyid=50  to learn more and download the full album.

Mr Rye

E-Safety Tips

Our weekly E-Safety tips this year are going to be conversation starters to be had between parents and children.  So please enjoy your first one of the year:

Are they sharing inappropriate selfies?

Discuss the reasons they feel the need to share such images and the potential long-term impacts this could have on them if the pictures are used without their consent. 

Mr Boden

School Social Media

 At Duke of Kent School we have two social media platforms, Twitter (@DoKSchool) and Instagram (dukeofkentschool). 

Our Twitter account is public however, our Instagram account is private to keep it strictly for only Duke of Kent School community and you need to request to follow the account.

Please do follow the accounts to receive the regular updates and to see highlights from each day at School.  There is a link to the Twitter account below.

Miss Vernon