Developing our Staff
We believe children will receive the best if our staff remain at the forefront of education and continuously develop themselves as learners.
Our teaching staff actively collaborate both internally and externally to ensure that different teaching styles, pedagogies and ideas are shared to always improve their practice further. We have also acted as a host school in a successful ‘Teach Meet’ event in 2016 and 2018.
These events are opportunities for teachers across schools to share good practice and practical innovations. Presenters from Invicta Grammar School, Bower Grove, Valley Park, Aylesford Sports College and Kings Hill Primary School, shared many excellent examples of their own practice, which have been proven to have an impact on the progress and attainment of the pupils they teach.
Our teachers also take part in lesson studies with other teachers, and focus on securing outstanding practice. We continuously improve the quality of teaching through this and coaching/mentoring of staff.
During 2016/2017 and 2018/2019 we have supported teachers through National accredited programmes such as the NPQSL (National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership.)
In 2016/2017 teachers attended training on the Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract approach in mathematics based on Singapore Maths. This method of teaching mathematics has now been fully embedded across the school. We work closely with educational consultants to improve our underlying pedagogy. During 2018/2019 we worked with Charlotte Raby, DfE English Consultant and Author to develop our English mastery curriculum.
We also work with the NCTL (National College of Teaching and Leadership) on bespoke training for our teachers.
SELECT (South East Leaders in Educational Challenge and Teamwork)
In 2017 we joined a group of high performing schools across London called SELECT. This is a forward thinking and innovative collaborative that strives to be at the forefront of education. We are excited to be part of this venture which places Kings Hill in a leading position for continued professional development opportunities for staff in teaching.
Canterbury Christchurch University
During the year 2017/2018 our staff carried out an action research project in association with Canterbury Christchurch University. This was very exciting and resulted in published action research which you can view here.
Level 5 Institute of Leadership and Management Coaching and Mentoring
In 2018/2019 our Senior Leadership Team have all successfully completed the Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring Qualification with the Institute of Leadership and Management .
Coaching is a powerful tool in education to improve both individual and organisational performance.
Supporting other Schools
We believe strongly in self-improving schools via school to school support. Our Headteacher, Mrs Early has been a Kent Leader of Education since 2017 and supports other schools when required. In addition, all our Senior Leaders are experienced and support other schools in different capacities such as for teaching and learning and specific subjects including Maths and SEND.
Curriculum Development
At Kings Hill School we aim to be innovative in our curriculum development and ensure our curriculum design and implementation is exciting and challenging for all learners.
In 2018/2019 we worked alongside DfE consultant, author and literacy specialist Charlotte Raby to develop the teaching of reading and phonics.
In 2019/2020 we worked with Roehampton University professors in history and geography to develop our curriculum in these subjects. We have developed the powerful knowledge to make these subjects rich and exciting.
Staff have benefitted from subject specific expertise when developing their curriculum models and this bespoke professional development has ensured a fully bespoke curriculum that is cohesive and well structured to allow for the acquisition of knowledge and mastery of learning across the school.
