King Edward VI School, Southampton

King Edward VI School (often referred to as "KES") is a selective Independent Co-educational secondary school in Southampton, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1553, after the death of William Capon (in 1550), who left money in his will for a grammar school for the poor. It is a registered charity, although this status has been challenged in the past.

Pupils usually start at the school at age 11 (Year 7) or age 16 (Lower Sixth Form), although a few places are available at age 13 (Year 9). Pupils are required to attend an interview and sit and pass an admissions examination. However, entry into the lower sixth form is based solely on the pupils' GCSE results

As of 2006, the current headmaster is A. J. Thould who began his term in 2001.

The school is divided up into 6 houses, Capon (yellow), Lake (dark blue), Lawrence (red), Reynolds (green), Sylvester (light blue), and Watts (white), all bearing the name of ex pupils and founders: William Capon, Thomas Lake, Thomas Lawrence, Edward Reynolds, Joshua Sylvester and Isaac Watts. Each year the houses compete for points in order to win the Allen Grant Trophy. Capon is the current champion house.

The school contributes a lot to the local (and international) community. There is a thriving charities commission as well as two charities teams, the Romania team (a group who work in an orphanage in Romania during the summer) and the Summer Camp team (who organise activities for disadvantaged children in the local area). The school also runs a World Challenge expedition every two years for pupils who have either completed their GCSEs or AS levels. These trips have been to India in 2003, and both Brazil and Costa Rica in 2005. The pupils are required to spend a week of their month long trip working on a charity project and to raise money for it before they go.

Recent developments

Under the current headmaster's stewardship, the school has undertaken a number of projects ostensibly designed to improve the facilities for both academic and non-academic subjects. Significant funding for the science projects has come from the Sir Edward Abraham Foundation.

Improvements

• A complete overhaul of the science and Design & Technology blocks.
• The purchase of off-site property, including the spacious Wellington Sports Ground and a centre in Dartmoor, where the school carries out most of its Duke of Edinburgh Award activities.
• Constant expansion of the school's ICT capacity and security.
• A new area for the Sixth-Form to study and relax in to augment the current concourse, for which construction has begun in the North Playground and a complete redesign of the current concourse.
• 'Healthier' vending machines, sponsored by Nestlé. These were met by a fair amount of controversy upon introduction in 2004, many students voiced the opinion that this was a service provided by the school not for the pupils but for the prospectus, and that a health initiative should not promote a company with the allegedly questionable ethics of Nestle.

School Events And Opportunities

Below are just a few of the many opportunities pupils at King Edwards are offered:

Summer Camp

The happy campers hold a number of events throughout the year to raise money for the Summer Camp they host at the end of the year for less priviledged children around Southampton. Pupils apply to take part during their Lower VIth, and host the camp at the end of both their Lower and Upper VIth. Miss Tait is the member of staff responsible for the team.

Romania

The Romania team consists of pupils from the age of 15 and above. They hold events such as the Barn Dance and Flower sale to raise money which goes towards a Romanian orphanage in the summer. Pupils from the Vth form and Lower VIth are both allowed to apply to join the Romania team. Pupils go to Romania at the end of their Vth form and Upper VIth during the summer holidays. Tim Tofts is the member of staff responsible for the team.

World Challenge

The World Challenge expedition is a commitment which lasts two years culminating in a very challenging but rewarding expedition lasting for a month. Challengers spend two years raising money to pay for their expedition and preparing themselves, primarily their fitness. Mr Havers is the member of staff responsible for the expedition.

New York Art Trip

Although labelled as an 'art' trip, many of those who go on this biennial trip do not study art. Additionally the trips to the art musuems in New York are not compulsory. The trip is for the Sixth Form and takes place, as aforementioned, every two years, during the October half-term.

Heads of school

• 1999: Duncan Souster
• 2000: Natalie Black
• 2001: Alastair Brown
• 2002: Alex Khaderbai
• 2003: Eliza Ellerby
• 2004: Tom Glasspool
• 2005: Olivia Pierce
• 2006: Mike Tetstall

Notable Old Edwardians

• Sir Edward Abraham, biochemist
• Arthur Lake, Bishop of Bath and Wells
• Thomas Lake, statesman
• Joshua Sylvester, poet
• Isaac Watts, minister and hymnalist
• Hugh Whitemore[1], playwright/screenwriter

External links

• King Edward VI School, Southampton
• School Counselling Service
• KES People and Planet Group