Maths
Mathematics is taught in the Field classrooms and in the ICT block in the Mint Yard.
Notable former pupils include William Frend (KS 1765-71) and Wilfrid Hodges (KS 1954-59).
All pupils study Mathematics up to IGCSE. It is one of the largest subjects in the Sixth Form, where both Mathematics and Further Mathematics are taught.
Intermediate and Senior Mathematical Challenges are popular and many students qualify for the follow-up Olympiads. King’s pupils have competed as part of the UK team in the International Mathematical Olympiad. The Department also enters a team in the University of Kent Maths Team Challenge each year.
Head of Department:
Mr Stuart Ocock
mathsdept@kings-school.co.uk
ICT
The ICT Department is based in the Mint Yard, but all classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards and internet access.
Notable former pupils include Sir Antony Hoare (KS 1947-52) Emeritus Professor of Computer Science at Oxford University, Jan Hruska (KS 1974-75) Co-Founder of Sophos, and the Finn twins, Ben and Jonathan (KS 1982-86), the creators of Sibelius software.
During the Shell and Remove years, all pupils have one ICT period per week. They are introduced to a number of skills, including E-safety and digital literacy, which will be transferred to support their learning across the curriculum.
A foundation course in the Shells is followed by an ICT ‘Skills for Business’ course. The Department offers IGCSE and A Level courses that cover programming skills, website construction, teaching of Excel formulae, Flash animations, graphic manipulation and games development.
Head of Department:
Mr Al Holland
ictdept@kings-school.co.uk
Design & Technology
The purpose-built Design and Technology Department is located in St Radigund’s Street. There are two specialist workshops and two design studios, which embrace electronics, engineering, and the general working of metals, woods and plastics.
All pupils study DT in the Shells. The course introduces the ‘design and make’ process and exposes pupils to a broad range of technologies including CAD/CAM and PIC programming.
For their GCSE course pupils may opt for either Product Design, which puts an emphasis on shape, form, style, and human factors in design, or Engineering with its emphasis on mechanisms, electronics, and product function.
The A Level course concentrates on product design with a diverse range of project options on offer. George Edwards (TR 2009-2014) has recently patented his AS Level ‘Gas Sense’ project with the intention of promoting it in over 60 countries. Pupils frequently appear as finalists in the Young Engineers national competition.
Head of Department:
Mr Matthew Rolison
designtechdept@kings-school.co.uk
Computer Science & Coding
The Computing Science department allows pupils, with their excellent ICT awareness, the opportunity to be creative and use logical thinking skills.
During the IGCSE course pupils will be taught how to program, including simple games programming using python as the learning language. Pupils will also learn the theory of computing, which includes computer hardware and software, number systems in computing, advanced database management systems and programming theory.
The A Level Computing course will teach pupils how to use object orientated programming techniques, which will then be used in a fully programmed project. This course will prepare students for a Computer Science degree course.
The department is well resourced occupying three fully equipped computer rooms with new computers running Windows 7. All computers have a variety of programming IDE’s supporting a range of programming languages, with other software to support the computing courses. The department also makes use of programmable robots, and programmable electrical circuits to enhance pupils’ programming skills while also offering the satisfaction of seeing programs in operation.
The department also offers a range of extra-curricular activities, including robotics and cybernetics which involve pupils programming Raspberry Pi robots to complete set missions. The department is also supporting an exciting project in which pupils are programming a Raspberry Pi to control a Quadcopter using GPS technology. The department also offers programming support in which pupils can take on challenging Java/python projects to extend their knowledge beyond the curriculum.
Head of Department:
Mr Chris Wooldridge
compscidept@kings-school.co.uk
