Kings College Guildford

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 5 June 2024

Pupils' achievement and well-being are centre stage at Kings College. This is a very happy school where pupils learn and achieve well. When pupils produce exceptional work, they are sent to school leaders, who take the time to pause and reward the efforts made. Staff ensure that pupils know and follow clear and consistent rules for work and behaviour. As one pupil said, 'It is strict, but a good strict, because the teachers really care.' Bullying is rare but dealt with quickly if it happens. Consequently, the school is safe and harmonious. In the past, pupils achieved in line with their peers nationally. Improvements in teaching have now led to even higher standards of work. Pupils know and remember more of what they are taught. They talk about their learning with fluency. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) flourish. Parents describe the support their children receive as 'phenomenal' and 'second to none'. Pupils are proud of their school. The school has built excellent links with its local community. Staff run interesting and varied extra-curricular activities. Many pupils attend at least one of these in addition to their lessons. Pupils get superb opportunities to support their next steps when they leave school.

What the school should improve

• Despite the increase in pupils' attendance in recent years, too many are still absent from school too often. This has a negative impact on those pupils' learning and, as a result, can mean they achieve less well. The school should continue its efforts to ensure that pupils attend regularly.
• Very few pupils study a modern foreign language, as part of the EBacc suite of subjects, up until the age of 16. This may impact negatively on pupils' next steps or limit their choice of future careers. The school should ensure that pupils take the full suite of EBacc subjects.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)