King’s has made the national final of the ‘Independent School of the Year Awards’ for the ‘Sporting Achievement Award’.
It is the third time that King’s has made the shortlisting in the last three years and the second time making it to the finals, previously having been nominated in the categories of ‘Pupil Wellbeing’ and ‘Educational Innovation’ from over 2,000 schools nationwide.
During 2024, King's has claimed national titles in several different sports: pupils were crowned national champions in U14 rugby; achieved fourth in the country at U14 Netball; had four team golds at the national trampoline finals; won the Preliminary 12 dressage final at the equestrian team championships and were national U15 finalists in cricket last year.
Head, Mr Slack, said: “Central to our submission was not just the level of our success at an elite level, but also the breadth and inclusivity of our participation. As a school with a number of pupils who are wheelchair users, we are keen to meet everyone’s needs and offer them a positive experience of sport. Pupils with disabilities regularly enjoy sailing, swimming, cricket and other accessible sports, and we've hosted two wheelchair basketball games."
Mr Slack emphasised: "The position that King’s holds for sport within the local community and our outreach work also formed a central part of our submission."
Previously, King’s has been ranked in School Sports Magazine's top 25 sporting schools in the UK.
Reaching the final of these awards, one of just six schools nationally, comes not only after a golden year of success at all age levels, but for the astonishing breadth of opportunity. For example across Years 7 - 10, 79% of pupils have represented King’s this school year. In fact, the school offers over 20 different sports and vows to support and help develop any pupil’s individual passion. Other sports include rounders, athletics, tennis, swimming, sailing, table tennis, orienteering and golf.
Always known as a quality sporting school, King’s relocation to its 80-acre site on Alderley Road has further boosted its capabilities. The new school has all weather Astro surfaces for hockey and other activities, netball and tennis courts, rugby and cricket pitches, a superb main sports hall, an indoor cricket centre, a stunning 25 metre swimming pool, a fitness suite, dance studio, a high quality main cricket field with a beautifully manicured wicket, all of which has been made available for community use.
Sport is also becoming increasingly important as an academic subject, with 115 students in Years 10 and 11 taking GCSE PE and 17 Sixth Form students taking BTEC Sport, meaning more and more children go to careers in sport but, as importantly, learn lifelong positive approaches to health and wellbeing.