Weekly Newsletters

On Friday morning, between 10.30 and 11.00, we gathered as a whole school to pay our own remembrance to those who have fought in World War 1 and many wars since.

We bowed our heads in reflection as we remembered those who fought for our freedom during all wars.  We reflected upon the sadness and sorrow that war brings, both in the past and more recent times. Finally, we showed gratitude for the work of those who serve in the armed forces and a strong sense of the need to work for peace.

The level of respect shown, and the contribution made by the students to the assembly, was praiseworthy, confirming how our young people still see the need to respect something that may be more distant to them than to some of us of an older persuasion.  May I take the opportunity of thanking: Emily Hale, Oliver Culleton, Stephanie Pullen,  Sophie Hardy, Tayla-Jayne Eldred, the choir and finally, the Performing Arts and Art Faculty  for their contribution to the assembly.

I would like to encourage Year 7 and 11 parents to make bookings for the forthcoming subject evening/Tutor Consultation now the booking system in open.  Furthermore, we have our Post16 Open Evening on November 23, 6-8pm, in which we will be sharing the range of courses available at our centre, alongside an opportunity to also talk to other College and Apprenticeship providers. 

On this note, I am delighted to share with you information from Mrs Ayre (please see below) about accessing your son/daughter’s career profile assessment.  This has been a new development this year which I hope both your son/daughter and yourself will find informative in helping to consider a future career pathway. Hopefully, it will inspire them to appreciate the need to make the most of every day and every lesson.

Best wishes

Bryan Erwin
Acting Principal

This is part of the support that we offer students to enable them to make future subject or career choices. During the week commencing November 28 we will email a copy of this report to you to discuss and support your son/daughter with their future career aspirations.  For those of you for whom we do not hold an email address, a copy with be sent home with the school reports on December 7.  These reports have been used within school during your son/daughters’ one to one Independent Learning Plan meetings for Year 9 and Careers meetings for Year 11, all of which will take place before Christmas. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mrs Ayre
International Business Enterprise and Community Co-ordinator

Students and staff will have the opportunity to raise funds through a non-uniform day. If students wish to take part, we would ask them to make a donation of £1. Form tutors will collect these donations in advance of the event on Friday 18 November. Participation in this event is entirely optional and we must insist that, if your son/daughter does not pay their £1, they attend school in their usual school uniform.

Please note that students are not permitted to wear clothing with any offensive logos/wording, onesies, change their natural hair colour and that skirts or shorts must comply with our present school uniform length.

There will also be several more fundraising activities taking place on the Friday which include: Post 16 v Year 11 football match, Children In Need 'Bake Off', Performing Arts Shows during lunch and at least 12 stalls created and ran by students in the school. Students may wish to bring in some extra money to partake in these activities but please be reminded that 100% of the money given to take part in these activities goes to the charity.

We hope that you will take part and thank you for your support.

Mrs Bamber
Head of Art and Design Lead in Charity Events

She provided them with all the information that is required for their CV, which can then be used in helping them prepare for future employment and further education applications.   

The students then started preparing a draft CV and were able to take advantage of the individual advice and guidance to enhance their CV from our own careers staff and visiting professional's from YMCA and Buckles Solicitors.  By having professional’s onsite it allowed them to share their expectations as prospective employers with the students too.  The morning was a great opportunity for our students to understand the importance of a well-constructed and presented CV, that can be built upon over the coming year.

Mrs Patman
Pupil Premium Administrator

How long have you been at KSCS?

Since 2008, when I moved here to become Head of the Business Faculty. This was my second school, after spending 4 years at what was then called Stanground College. Prior to that I worked at the catalogue retailer Argos for 4 years, whilst also completing my Business degree. I've never regretted moving into teaching but must admit that I still miss playing with all the new toys in the Argos stockroom at Christmas! 

What are my leadership responsibilities?

I've got a very wide range of responsibilities which certainly keep me busy.  I line mange the Post 16 centre, working very closely with Mr Walls, our Raising Standards Leader. I also line manage the Humanities Faculty and Excellence House. I work with Mrs Ayre to lead our International Business, Enterprise and Communities work which is always a privilege as our school is so active in this respect, from hosting Chinese exchange students to organising enterprise challenges and community events. I also line manage two very important whole school areas- examinations and attendance & punctuality. 

What you teach?

Economics and Business Studies to GCSE and Post 16 students. I am also the Centre Lead for our school's Young Enterprise programme.

What you struggle to understand/dislike?

I struggle to understand people who are not prepared to embrace new experiences and dislike people who are overly negative and pessimistic. My personal philosophy is that life is for living and you'll never get anywhere if you're not prepared to 'have a go' and try new things. 

What you like most about KSCS?

I like the culture of our school. We are a true community school in every sense of the word. Our staff and students are very supportive of one another and work together as a team. We also do a great deal to develop our students as individuals rather than just as students and I am very proud of all of the different opportunities that this school makes available to our students. Some of my proudest and happiest moments at this school have been when I have been working with students outside of the classroom, such as winning various heats of the Young Enterprise competition or taking students out on educational visits.

How long have you been at KSCS?

I joined Ken Stimpson in September 2011 as a Teacher of ICT, progressed to Head of Faculty for both Business Studies and Computing and this year joined the Leadership Team.

What are my leadership responsibilities?

My areas of responsibility on the leadership team are mainly all things data - target setting, tracking student progress, monitoring student predictions and reporting data to parents. I also look after the internal quality assurance processes to ensure we maintain the highest possible levels of accuracy. In addition to this I look after the training needs of staff with the data tools and lead the development of new and effective initiatives to support our internal processes. I also support the safeguarding team by taking a lead role with e-safety and ensuring our students are equipped to make good use of technology whilst remaining safe.

...all on top of my 'other job' of leading Business Studies, Economics, Computer Science, ICT, Finance and Project qualifications!

What do you teach?

I teach Computer Science and ICT as my main subject areas but also deliver graphics based topics within Design & Technology and, most recently, a small amount of iGCSE Business Studies.

What do you struggle to understand/dislike?

I struggle to understand why people cannot embrace their differences with other people - we are only here once and we should make the most of every opportunity we are given. Don't waste your time focusing on the insignificant things.

What do you like most about KSCS?

That's easy; working with the diverse range of young people in our school community.  We have so many hard-working and polite students that it is a pleasure to teach them on a daily basis.  Students are often willing to go the extra mile and embrace their school spirit. Also, working closely with so many dedicated and passionate members of staff, doing whatever it takes to help each student achieve their potential.

Back when I went to school my most influential teachers were the ones that kept you on your toes and that has always stuck with me. By this I mean you were never left to drift off and a question about the topic might be fired directly at you at any stage in the lesson, so you always had to listen up and pay attention. This has stayed with me and has helped make me the teacher that I am today.

I love the continent of Africa and have been there three times now. The most recent time was when I visited Kenya and Tanzania, this was part of a World Challenge Experience with Sixth Form students and we completed a five day climb of Mount Kenya as well as help lay the foundations for a urgently needed medical centre. A project that I still fund raise for through my local church.

Being a Drama teacher I mainly read plays and obviously love going to the theatre, but at present I am spending time with my daughter of ten years old in the evenings reading together. We are reading the works of Michael Morpurgo.  We have just finished 'The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips' and have now moved on to 'Private Peaceful'.

Being a lad of the 80's, Michael J Fox was my hero growing up and I was hugely inspired by the film 'Back to the Future' and his ability to skateboard, act and play that guitar. I have since gone on to master similar skills as I love music as a hobby and play the drums, bass guitar and anything else that I can lay my hands on. In the late 90's I enjoyed some success in a band with my peers. We were played on Radio 1's John Peel Show  and released a 7" yellow vinyl single with a local record label. The skateboarding never lasted however!

Helping young musicians and actors is the main focus now and I have been known to organise festivals and youth events that have been well received by the local community. So I am greatly looking forward to laying down all the exciting future performance projects and plans that we have as a faculty to continue to raise the profile of the Performing Arts department here at Ken Stimpson.

Mr Fisk
Subject Leader for Drama

Some changes have been beneficial whilst others could be described as more questionable.  On my now relatively infrequent visits to our city centre I inevitably bump into a former student, most of whom have families of their own and made their way in life.  I knew I was in the ‘game’ a long time when recently was approached by a year 7 student who informed me that I had taught her grandad!           

Ken Stimpson has been my place of work for the past 11 years and my main responsibility on the Leadership Team has been to develop and support teaching and learning strategies that engage young people and allow them to progress and achieve.  It was extremely satisfying in April of this year when Ofsted recognised that hard work put in by all staff and students at Ken Stimpson.

This academic year I am working alongside Mr Erwin and other senior colleagues to drive our school towards continued success.  The real strength of Ken Stimpson is the high quality of people that exist with its staff and students.  Visitors to our school comment upon the high levels of purpose.  Our school is outward looking and inclusive.  I am proud to be associated with such a strong learning community.

Mr O’Neill
Acting Vice Principal

In these sessions, students will be producing a final outcome for their current projects. Year 11 GCSE Art students are working on a theme called "Past, Present and/or Future". The year 12s are working on a Portraiture project and Year 13s are working to the theme "Contrast". All our young artists are currently busy exploring materials, techniques and ideas inspired by their project theme and chosen artists. As an Art teaching team we always enjoy this part of the project as it is fantastic to see ideas and expectations come to fruition.

The format for the exam is as follows:

Students arrive to school by 8.30am and come straight to the art rooms. They should settle themselves in an area within the designated room and collect all practical materials they may need for the duration of the exam. The exam must have started by 9am but we aim to start as soon as we can. Students will work through each of the units for the day but will be allowed breaks as usual. However, they are expected to be back 5 minutes earlier than normal so they can come and settle themselves down again in their space for a prompt start.

I wish the year 11 GCSE students and post 16 young artists the best of luck in their Art and Design PPE. If you work hard, follow feedback and put the hours in, you will feel confident and do a great job on the day. Don't forget as a GCSE student you should be completing at least 2 hours of homework a week in order to achieve well in this subject, and A Level students should be completing at least 6 hours a week.

Mrs Bamber
Head of Faculty, Art and Design

The format this year has changed slightly, this year the Cross Country will take place during the students PE lessons, so therefore for each year group we will have two winners as opposed to the usual single winner. Points are awarded based upon their finishing positions

For Cross Country students are allowed to bring additional (non PE ) clothing to keep themselves warm if they choose, however, PE lessons will resume after Cross Country, so for those students who have indoor PE, we strongly encourage that they bring an additional pair of footwear to change into.

Football boots are encouraged, as well as gloves. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me (n.hughes@kscs.org.uk).

Mr Hughes
Head of Faculty: Physical Education

This is probably the most important date in the calendar for students to gain advice and information about the options available to them when they finish Year 11. The focus will be on the curriculum that will be delivered at Ken Stimpson Community School and the courses available. It is important to point out that this will not only be for students who wish to study  A Level and equivalent Vocational Courses but also those who may wish to study Level 2 courses for a year to help make the move onto Level 3 courses.

Representatives from every subject offered will be present so students and parents/carers will have the chance to discuss the courses and ask any questions about what is on offer and expected. We have also invited representatives from New College, Stamford, Peterborough Regional College, Wildcats Academy and AAA Apprenticeship to provide advice and information about what they offer. The Evening will start at 6.00pm with doors opening earlier at 5.30pm and we will be closing at 8.00pm. I look forward to welcoming you to Ken Stimpson Community School Post 16 Centre on the evening and the opportunity to answer any questions you may have.

Mr Walls
Raising Standards Leader Post 16

This may not be in Dance, Drama or Music, rather as ventriloquists or jugglers; or perhaps in sports skills/routines. As a school we are keen to let every student shine and showcase their talents, wherever this may lie.

This is why, this month, we launched “Kenny’s Got Talent”, a brand new opportunity for all students and staff to demonstrate something that shows what they can do whilst, at the same time, earning valuable points in our House competition. Following a week of Assemblies introducing the concept applications closed on Wednesday and we have received over 25 entries from all year groups with a wide range of activities and ‘acts’ of all types and lengths from stand-up comedy to singing and dancing to Marshall Arts routines. A truly mixed bag of fantastic performances.

All entries will now undertake short preliminary auditions for the next two weeks, following which the top 4 Lower School and top 4 Upper School acts will be put through to the Grand Final in December. There they will perform for a judging panel of Performing Arts Industry professionals with all hoping to take away the title of “Winner-Kenny’s Got Talent”. In addition they will be joined in this event by one staff performance from each House also hoping to be awarded ‘best staff act’ along with valuable House points.

“Kenny’s Got Talent, The Grand Final” will take place in the Assembly Hall on Thursday 15 December as part of our Christmas performance season (along with the Christmas Concert on Friday 2 December) and starts at 6.30pm. Tickets will be available on the door priced £3.00 for adults, £1.00 for concessions (children/students/OAPs) and is surely an evening not to be missed.

We look forward to welcoming you to Ken Stimpson during this festive season.

Mr Norman
Head of Faculty: Performing Arts