As our students reach the end of Key Stage 3, all students are given the opportunity to develop all aspects of their character by working towards the ‘TKS Cultural Diploma’. This is an award unique to our school that requires our students to work towards challenges that bring together aspects of our academic curriculum, our culture of ‘Ready, Respect, Safe’, our opportunities for wider enrichment and our vision for all students to be compassionate individuals who contribute positively to society.
By earning their Bronze Award, students earn their Key Stage Three graduation certificate and the opportunity to attend our ‘Year 9 Formal’. Although there is some overlap, the requirements of ‘The Kingsway Cultural Diploma’ do not cover all the required aspects of the academic curriculum. The Bronze Award can be completed with support from staff and requires students to demonstrate ‘spotlight knowledge’ that forms the foundations of success in Year 10. The Silver Award has additional aspiration built into it and the Gold Award requires them to push themselves by completing a range of challenging and aspirational tasks that allow them to embody our school’s culture.
In all year groups at Key Stage 3, students have a meeting with their form teacher or a senior leader to present their diploma achievements and discuss which diploma pathway they are likely to achieve.
The key elements of ‘The Kingsway Cultural Diploma’ are outlined below:
- Curriculum Requirement
- Careful Reading Requirement
- Community Contribution Requirement
- Ready-Respect-Safe Requirement
- Enrichment Requirement
- Cultural Requirement
- Diversity Requirement