Learning at St Kent’s

Be curious. Be challenged. Discover what you can achieve.

Learning sits at the heart of everything we do at St Kentigern’s.

We want every young person to experience lessons that are engaging, challenging and purposeful. We want pupils to understand what they are learning, think deeply, ask questions, develop confidence and experience the satisfaction that comes from making progress.

Most importantly, we want every young person to believe:

“I can do this — and I can keep getting better.”

The St Kentigern’s Lesson

Great learning doesn’t happen by accident.

We want pupils to experience consistently high-quality learning across St Kentigern’s.

That’s why we’ve developed a shared approach to learning and teaching — the St Kentigern’s Lesson.

Whatever classroom you walk into, we want you to be able to answer three important questions:

WHAT am I learning?

You should understand what you’re learning and what your lesson is trying to help you achieve.

WHY am I learning it?

Learning is more powerful when you understand its purpose and how it connects to what you already know, what comes next or the world beyond school.

HOW will I know I’ve been successful?

You should understand what success looks like and receive feedback that helps you recognise your progress and identify your next steps.

What. Why. How.

Three simple questions that help make learning clear and purposeful.

Creating the Conditions for Learning

Every pupil deserves a classroom where they can learn.

Good learning begins with the right environment.

We want our classrooms to be calm, welcoming and purposeful places where pupils feel safe to contribute, make mistakes, ask questions and try again.

Clear routines and high expectations help protect everyone’s right to learn.

That means pupils arriving ready to learn, treating others with respect, participating fully and taking increasing responsibility for their own progress.

Our staff share responsibility for creating these conditions — and our pupils do too.

When we work together, everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Challenging Your Thinking

Learning should make you think.

We don’t want pupils simply to remember information.

We want them to question, explain, investigate, analyse, create, solve problems and justify their thinking.

Our teachers use questioning and a range of learning approaches to find out what pupils understand and to challenge them to think more deeply.

Sometimes you’ll know the answer immediately.

Sometimes you’ll have to think.

Sometimes you’ll get it wrong.

That’s part of learning.

Challenge isn’t something to be afraid of. It’s how we grow.

Understanding Your Progress

How am I doing — and what do I need to do next?

Throughout your time at St Kentigern’s, your teachers will help you understand your progress.

Assessment isn’t only about tests or examinations.

It happens every day through the questions teachers ask, the work you produce, discussions, practical activities, quizzes, presentations, projects and many other learning experiences.

Teachers use this information to understand what you already know and where you may need more challenge or support.

You’ll receive feedback that helps you understand:

What am I doing well?

What do I need to improve?

What should I do next?

We want pupils to become increasingly confident in understanding and taking responsibility for their own learning.

Discover Your Subjects

What will you learn at St Kent’s?

Secondary school gives you the opportunity to learn across a broad range of subjects and experiences.

You’ll develop your skills in areas such as:

English & Literacy

Read, write, communicate, discuss and explore different ideas and perspectives.

Mathematics & Numeracy

Solve problems, recognise patterns and develop mathematical thinking that you’ll use throughout life.

Science

Investigate the world around you through Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Social Subjects

Explore people, places, societies and events through subjects including History, Geography and Modern Studies.

Modern Languages

Develop your ability to communicate in another language and learn about different cultures.

Technologies

Design, create, problem-solve and develop practical and digital skills.

Expressive Arts

Discover your creativity through areas such as Art, Music and Drama.

Health & Wellbeing

Develop physical skills, confidence and an understanding of how to look after your health and wellbeing.

Religious Education

Explore faith, values, beliefs and some of the big questions about ourselves, other people and the world in which we live.

And that’s only the beginning.

As you move through St Kentigern’s, you’ll have increasing opportunities to make choices and build a curriculum that reflects your strengths, interests and future plans.