Mr Pavis' Video Newsletter: Friday 4th September

Welcome to a brand new school year at Kingsley — and what a summer it's been.

Hot off the press this week is our official government value added score, the figure that underpins the school league tables across both state and independent sectors. Kingsley has come out in the top 12% of schools across the country for GCSE performance. Nationally, 5% of GCSE grades awarded are at grade 9 — the very top of the scale. At Kingsley, that figure was just below 7%. These are students who achieved more because they were here, and that is something we are enormously proud of.

We're recording this from our newly refurbished Sixth Form café, which has had a fantastic makeover over the summer. Year 12 students arrived on Wednesday, Year 13 joined them yesterday, and they now have access to this wonderful social space alongside brand new individual study rooms for every sixth form student. We are full for this September — but if you're thinking about Year 12 in 2027, please do come along to our open evening later this term. Places will be limited, so get in touch and register your interest early.

To our outgoing Year 13 students heading to university over the coming weeks — congratulations and good luck. A very special mention to Grace, who takes up her place at Cambridge to study English, and to Mia, who heads to Imperial. We are so proud of all of you and look forward to hearing how you get on.

This week we welcomed our new Year 7 students into the Kingsley family — what a buzz that was. They wasted no time getting stuck in, heading to the Wake Park for a brilliant first day out that left them soaked, excitable and very much at home. A perfect start.

This afternoon the whole school comes together for an It's a Knockout competition — wet, wild and guaranteed to be a great time. And this evening our First XV kick off their season at Bideford Rugby Club, taking on Barnstaple Colts in their first pre-season warm-up match. Parents and staff are very welcome to come along, cheer them on and enjoy the occasion.

Here's to another incredible year at Kingsley. I look forward to speaking to you all again next week.