Welcome
Kingsford Community School is a diverse and vibrant coeducational secondary school that offers a unique, international and transformational education to its 1500 pupils in the heart of Beckton, East London. It is a centre of learning within the community and has made a significant impact on the prospects of young people, their families and indeed, the community since it opened in September 2000.
Through the school’s International School and Confucius Classroom status, and supported by strategic partnerships that seek to raise standards at every turn, our pupils leave us equipped to make a tangible difference in the world as conscientious global citizens.
Pupils are inspired within the classroom by a challenging yet accessible curriculum, stimulating teaching, outstanding pastoral care and the best in modern facilities. And yet the Kingsford learning experience goes well beyond the classroom, with exciting educational visits, international experiences, a varied co-curricular programme and community outreach projects.
Kingsford pupils are our best ambassadors. They are strong communicators, responsible citizens and ambitious achievers. As Ofsted have stated, “pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. They develop into mature and reflective young adults who show a strong sense of responsibility and a genuine concern for others.” At Kingsford, the focus on developing positive character traits such as respect, honesty and integrity is vital to ensuring a safe and inclusive environment where every pupil can flourish.
A pupil being congratulated by Princess Anne
Our academic results consistently improve due to our ambitious and dedicated staff, the hard work of pupils and the support of their parents. We celebrate a number of accreditations and partnerships that bear testament to our aspirational, forward-thinking ethos and commitment to academic excellence.
In recognition of our efforts to ensure that the school delivers an excellent, inclusive education to every single one of its pupils, Kingsford is a Teacher Effectiveness Enhancement Programme (TEEP) Ambassador School, an Inclusion Quality Mark Flagship School, a Challenge Partners School recognised as “Leading”, and an SSAT Leading Edge School recognised as “transformational” in the professional development strand of its Framework for Exceptional Education. Click here to find out more about our partnerships and accreditations.
At Kingsford, we bridge the gap between independent and state schools, with pupils who take part in our Scholarship Aspiration Programme going on to enjoy fully funded scholarships at some of the best independent schools, boarding and day schools, at home and abroad.
Whilst we uphold traditional values of academic achievement and high standards of behaviour, we constantly respond to the changing needs of our pupils and the demands of higher education and employers. Our transitions to, within and from the school are carefully planned to ensure the best possible success for our pupils in their Post-16 education choices and beyond.
Kingsford pupils awarded at the prestigious Chinese Bridge ceremony in London's Chinatown, having won top prizes in several categories
With over 70 languages spoken at the school, and 74% of the school speaking English as an additional language, Kingsford is a truly diverse, international and inclusive family of kindness. In 2000, Kingsford became the first school in the United Kingdom to introduce Mandarin as a compulsory part of the curriculum; in 2007, Kingsford became the first Confucius Classroom in London and the South East. During a state visit, the school was invited to attend a meeting with the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping in recognition of the impact of our work in this area. As an International School Award holder (top-level accreditation from the British Council), and recognised as the Best Confucius Classroom in the World, Kingsford is a truly international school dedicated in its mission to nurture conscientious and fully equipped global citizens. Kingsford pupils and teachers maintain close relationships with the Chinese Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), the IoE Confucius Institute and Peking University Affiliated Middle School, holding exchange programmes and working on collaborative projects. Kingsford is a lead school for the Mandarin Excellence Programme, offering pupils a unique immersion experience and the opportunity to leave the school with the prestigious HSK level 3 proficiency certificate, and scholarships to continue Mandarin studies at top universities in China.
Enjoying fruitful links with schools in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, Kingsford is a truly international school that extends well beyond the walls of its classrooms, providing pupils with opportunities to travel and take part in work experience in France, Spain and China, not only to support their GCSE exams, but to allow engagement with their peers in an international context. We regularly receive prestigious visitors from all over the world, with our pupils’ warm international welcome leaving a lasting impression. The presence of a range of languages, cultures and religions have a role to play in our cohesive and vibrant learning environment where all members—pupils, staff and parents respect and value each other, feel safe and are motivated to learn and make a positive contribution to society.
Kingsford Community School boasts a rich and varied co-curricular programme, with a diverse range of activities offered to pupils at no cost before and after school and at lunchtimes. Everything from Coding Club to Orchestra Rehearsal, Enterprise to Film, Debating to Dance, the Combined Cadets Force to the Duke of Edinburgh Award, is designed to enhance our pupils’ learning experience. As well as providing the opportunity for pupils to have fun and develop friendships with pupils in all year groups, our co-curricular programme is carefully designed to support pupils’ academic, personal development and career ambitions, and also plays an important role in strengthening our community.
Through
our co-curricular programme, pupils are encouraged to become self-motivated, independent and committed individuals who learn about the importance of teamwork and trying new skills. Pupils in our rowing club have won awards for their talents whilst those in the debating club have won inter-school debating competitions in the House of Lords and taken part in national competitions televised on Sky 1 in a series called 'Kings & Queens of Speech'. Pupils at Kingsford have won trips to Chicago through their success in the London Teenage Poetry Slam and have met with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall due to their achievements in drama. More recently, our young talented dancers have performed in the Royal Academy of Dance’s Step Into Dance showcase.
HRH King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, congratulate Kingsford pupils in their roles as Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Our sporting prowess is well established within Newham, London and the UK. Our budding football teams have been regular London Cup winners as well as being National Cup winners and finalists. Pupils have the ability to participate in a range of sports including rugby, basketball, netball, dance, hockey, cricket and athletics.
At Kingsford, we have high expectations of our pupils, and encourage them to have high expectations of themselves. Our young people finish their secondary education as mature, confident and bright individuals who aspire and excel in all their endeavours and make a positive contribution to the world around them.