Established 1967 Headteacher Mr Peter Thomas Phone +44 24 7666 1416 Founded 1966 Gender Mixed-sex education | Type Academy DfE number 331/4034 Number of students 1,251 Staff 85 | |
Motto Building Brighter Futures Location Rookery Lane
Coventry
West Midlands
CV6 4GL
England Address Rookery Ln, Coventry CV6 4GL, UK Similar Coundon Court, Barr's Hill School & Communi, Bablake, Ash Green School, Cardinal Newman Catholic | ||
President Kennedy School is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form with academy status, located in the Holbrooks area of Coventry, England. The school was judged outstanding by Ofsted in July 2013 in all areas (Achievement of pupils, Quality of Teaching, Behaviour and Safety of pupils and Leadership and Management). In July 2013, Ofsted inspectors wrote, "Leaders, staff and governors share a passionate commitment to raise the aspirations and achievement of all the students who attend the school."
Contents
History
The school was founded in 1966 with Dr J. M. Frost the first headmaster. It was originally to be called either Rookery Lane School or Holbrook High, but the assassination of President John F Kennedy during the approval stage resulted in the school being named after President John F. Kennedy and was founded in 1966. The school marked the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination with a series of special assemblies and debates led by its History Department. The school is located in the north-west of Coventry and includes the Holbrooks and Whitmore Park areas of the city.
While originally only being designed to last for around 25 years, the school has lasted much longer without major changes. One smaller change has been the removal of water around the music block. While the block and walls defining the area remain, the water does not, for a collection of Health and Safety reasons. Areas such as The Bridge have had quite dramatic changes made, with walls being removed to create larger areas than in other blocks and creating a more pleasant area foe the transition from Primary to Secondary schools.
Construction of the new building for the school to move into began August 2016, with (as of March 2017) it being on target to be finished by September 2017 for the academic year. The old Block 1 was demolished in December 2016, with a temporary replacement being built nearby, taking up what was previously unused area, although sometimes acting as an overflow carpark for 'Community Day' events in the summer
The College System
In 2010, President Kennedy School created 'The Bridge' which provides a learning environment tailored to year 7 students transferring from primary school. The Bridge is a self-contained college dedicated to year 7 students based in its own building with its own specialist staff.
All Year 7 students take part in a specially designed curriculum that encompasses traditional academic subjects such as English and Maths taught by specialist Faculty Teachers plus a range of cross curricular learning experiences.
Most year 7 lessons are taught within the Bridge’s newly refurbished building. This means that specialist teachers transport themselves to the students rather than the students having to transport themselves to the teachers.
After they leave The Bridge students progress to The Gateway, a year 8 college. Colleges are arranged in year groups and are tasked with the pastoral, social and academic progress of the year group they look after.
Post 16
For Key Stage 5, (Sixth Form) students are interviewed and are required to achieve a minimum of 5 C's at GCSE. Students can then choose from a range of traditional academic A level subjects or a range of vocational qualifications including A Levels which include Business, ICT and Health and Social Care and Applied Science. More details of courses offered can be found on the UCAS Progress website.
Post 16 students have their own Post 16 Centre, full-time Careers Adviser and development programme. Students undertake work experience, and take part in a range of activities including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Young Enterprise Scheme.
Performing Arts
President Kennedy School offers a range of dance, music and drama events within its Performing Arts Programme. The Bridge (a college dedicated to year 7 students) stages its own musical production each year (in 2012 it staged 'Oliver!'and in 2017 it staged 'Aladdin'). Every year, students take part in the Dance Show. In the Summer, students perform a variety of acts at the school's annual Community Day, and at 'Carols By Candlelight' and 'Traditional Christmas Concert' in December. The PK Players stages musical theatre productions for students from all year groups. Shakespeare plays are also performed in the Belgrade Theatre's Shakespeare festival.
The school possesses its own modern TV studio and recording studio and runs a popular film making and editing club called 'PK Productions.' Many of these students assist with staging and filming the school's main stage productions throughout the year. The Bridge also has its own news videos, made completely by Year 7 students.