insideKENT Magazine Issue 37 - April 2015 | Page 142

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

INSPECTION SUCCESS AT

Kent College, WHERE EXCELLENCE IS A HABIT
‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.’
A quote attributed to Aristotle, which accurately describes the work of Kent
College, an outstanding school for boys and girls aged between 3 and 18 years.

Many schools may be pleased to be recognised
as excellent (or as the top grade used to be,
‘outstanding’) in one or two areas of an inspection
report, but Kent College is delighted that the ISI
inspection team of 18, which visited in January,
judged the school to be excellent in every aspect.
This follows on from the last ISI inspection in
2009 and an Ofsted boarding inspection in 2011,
where all areas were deemed ‘outstanding’.
Since the previous inspection in 2009, the college
has undertaken a number of curriculum changes
to further its commitment to the development of
individuals. These include restructuring of setting
arrangements; introduction of the International
Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, alongside A-levels;
extended teaching time; the addition of new
subjects; one-to-one computer provision; and
an increase in accelerated learning programmes
and bespoke timetabling. The house system has
been restructured to enhance integration and
many teaching and boarding facilities have been
extended and improved.

Kent College is very successful in meeting
its aims. The pupils' achievements and
learning are excellent. Pupils achieve
excellent results.

Since 2012, cohorts of pupils have taken IB
examinations. Their results have been exceptional
in relation to the worldwide average and have
regularly placed Kent College in the top 10 schools
nationally. Alongside this, students have enjoyed
success in A-levels with 77% of all grades at A*B last summer and 5* GCSE results match the
best selective schools. Pupils are equally
successful in achieving high levels in a wide range
of co-curricular activities, with notable successes
in national science and mathematics competitions.

Many pupils learn a musical instrument;
participation in concerts and dramatic
performances is high, with individual and group
success at national level. In games, pupils
represent county and national teams in hockey,
which is a particular strength. County and national
recognition has also been achieved in a range of
individual pursuits, including cross-country, skiing,
riding and tennis. The pupils' spiritual, moral,
social and cultural