The King Edmund School is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form located in Rochford, Essex, England.[1][2] It is a specialist BEC and applied learning college.[3] It teaches a variety of subjects including: modern foreign languages, hospitality, technology, performing arts, business studies, humanities, social sciences, law as well as the core subjects including: Maths, English and Science. The Sixth Form is mixed with Year 12 and 13 students.
| The King Edmund school KES | |
|---|---|
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| Address | |
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Vaughan close , SS4 1TL | |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy |
| School district | Rochford |
| Specialists | Business and enterprise and applied learning |
| Department for Education URN | 136868 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Chair of governors | P Thorn |
| Head teacher | J Osborn |
| Staff | 250 (approx) |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 19 |
| Houses | Romans, Saxons, Vikings |
| Website | http://www.kes.essex.sch.uk/ |
History
editEstablished in 1961, the King Edmund school was formed by the merging of the Wakering secondary school, and the Rochford secondary school located at the schools current site.
The school converted into an academy in July 2011.
In 2012, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary with a community fun day and exhibition.[4]
In 2022, was closed from November to late January due to the discovery of asbestos during construction work for a new building. Approximately 1,570 students were taught off-site or through virtual learning during the closure,[5] and the Department for Education expressed regret for the disruption, citing the need to learn lessons from the incident.[6] As of 2023, the school has since reopened.[7]
On 19 October 2023, the school closed early from building works as a mains water pipe was damaged due to the construction work for the new building. Students had to contact parents to arrange travel.[8]
Controversies
editCrowded Corridor Incident
editOn 8 October 2020, concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic spread due to a photograph depicting students crowded in a hallway within the school premises, raising alarm among parents and the wider community. This incident occurred shortly after the school confirmed a positive COVID-19 case in one of its Year 13 pupils. Headteacher Jonathan Osborn attributed the crowding to adverse weather conditions and a high student volume inside the school, but some parents expressed anxieties about their children's safety, fearing potential virus transmission. The situation prompted discussions about adherence to social distancing measures and safety protocols within the school, and the headteacher acknowledged the need for a review of processes concerning student re-entry into the building.[9]
Former Teacher Jailed
editIn 2022, Bobby Rudd, a former teacher who had previously served as the Head of Music at King Edmund School, was incarcerated due to a string of child sex offenses. He was jailed for two years and four months with five counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust and engaging in sexual communications with a child and causing a child to watch a sexual act. He was also a music teacher at Shoebury High School[10]
Academics
editIn the academic year 2014/2015; 52% of students achieved five GCSE grades at A* to C, 67% of A level students achieved three A level grades of A* to E.[11]
As of 2024, the school's most recent inspection by Ofsted was in 2024, with a judgement of Good.[12]
Notable former pupils
edit- Keith Huewen - former motorcycle racer now TV sports broadcaster[citation needed]
- Mike Penning - MP for Hemel Hempstead[13]
- Kelly Castle - Female professional cricketer and coach. Essex captain. Former Sunrisers captain. [14] [15]
References
edit- ^ "Welcome to The King Edmund School". www.kes.essex.sch.uk. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
- ^ "King Edmund School". BBC News. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
- ^ "Welcome to The King Edmund School". www.kes.essex.sch.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ "Celebrating half-century of teaching in Rochford". Echo.
- ^ "Asbestos find closes King Edmund School in Rochford until new year". BBC News. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Rochford: Civil servant apologises to school over asbestos". BBC News. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "All we know on the King Edmund School asbestos saga as it re-opens tomorrow". Echo. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Rochford school forced to shut 'urgently' with children sent home - here's why". Echo. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ Hackett, Kloe (8 October 2020). "Picture shows pupils squashed in corridor days after positive Covid case". Echo. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Former teacher jailed for more than two years over string of child sex offences". Echo. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ "The King Edmund School - GOV.UK - Find and compare schools in England". Find and compare schools in England. Archived from the original on 3 May 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk, Ofsted Communications Team (25 July 2022). "Find an inspection report and registered childcare". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "The Rt Hon Sir Mike Penning MP". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Kelly Castle". Sunrisers. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Kelly Castle Profile - Cricket Player England | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
External links
edit51°35′47″N 0°42′03″E / 51.5963°N 0.7009°E
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