Kent College - The Curriculum

The Curriculum

Kent College has a strong reputation for academic success, and nearly all Sixth Formers go on to university in the United Kingdom or abroad. Information Technology, Music, Art and Drama have a central role in the life of the school; Dance is becoming increasingly popular, and was recently introduced as a GCSE option. Both Kent College and Vernon Holme have Dyslexia Units, and the Senior School provides an International Studies Centre, where boarders whose English requires one-to-one tuition may receive it.

In relation to the academic curriculum, in broad terms, the school observes three phases of education. The first phase of education (Years 7 to 9) embraces the core subjects - English, Mathematics, Science, Technology and Modern Foreign Languages - with an additional emphasis placed upon, inter alia, History, Art, Music and Physical Education; at the second stage of education (Years 10 and 11), pupils are afforded some discretion as to GCSE options in relation to Music, Art and Technology, and "General Science" is divided into its three elements: Biology, Chemistry and Physics; upon completion of GCSEs, pupils entering the third phase of education (Year 12 (or Year 6.1) and Year 13 (or Year 6.2)) may elect to follow the "A"-level syllabus or the International Baccalaureate Diploma syllabus.

In 2010, the school embarked on an ambitious one-to-one computer learning programme, where all students are issued with an Apple laptop computer for use in every lesson and at home. Lessons and teaching resources are provided through a Virtual Leaning Environment (VLE) - currently "MOODLE". This scheme has moved the school towards its aim of providing a comprehensive Learning Platform for all staff and students using Information & Communication Technology.

The school is also recognised for its sporting achievements, having won five national hockey titles in four years. It benefits from a floodlit Astro-turf, a sports-hall, a number of tennis-courts and various pitches, both on-campus and at the Moat Estate. Kent College has been recognised by The Daily Telegraph for its "outstanding" sporting record, and ranked as an "Independent School of the Year" in this area; facilities and coaching are available for a range of sports, including rugby, tennis, rowing, hockey, cricket, athletics, sailing, netball, squash, badminton and fencing.

Inspection - In 2009, the school was subject to an Independent School Inspection. The Report (which is available via a link on the school's website), and here, observed with regard to the Senior School that "the school provides an excellent quality of education"; "the school is able to adapt the curriculum to suit the learning needs of individual pupils"; "the school achieves its aims to enable pupils to maximise their potential and to attain high levels of achievement"; "the quality of teaching...is high"; "pastoral care and the provision for the welfare, health and safety of pupils are outstanding"; "links with parents and the community are excellent, as is the boarding education"; and "the school has no major weaknesses". From the Inspection Report for Kent College Infant and Junior School (Vernon Holme) - also available via a link from the school's website - it can be abstracted that " is highly successful in meeting its aims. It provides a broad and thoroughly worthwhile educational experience and outstanding pastoral care".