In 1997,detailed plans were developed for the creation of a new Voluntary Aided School on the site of the previous Regis School, an LEA school serving areas as diverse as Tettenhall and Whitmore Reans in Wolverhampton in addition to the villages and suburbs of South Staffordshire.
Having been remarkably successful for the first thirty years of its existence, the school fell from grace in terms of parental confidence in the early 1990s. Following a period of very serious difficulty and lack of investment, the school has, for the past two years, been the subject of a radical and exciting development plan undertaken by the Wolverhampton Education Authority, Lichfield Diocese and the governors of both S. Peter’s Collegiate school, a neighbouring C/E Voluntary Aided School and The Regis School. This followed a series of attempts to rescue Regis School from a number of serious problems which had prompted very real fears of the school failing to meet OFSTED requirements when a team was due to inspect the school during the Spring Term of 1997.
We are strengthened in our efforts by the formation of the Lichfield Foundation Council, a new body chaired by the Bishop of Wolverhampton. We have been grateful for the active support of the National Society whose officers have been very helpful in establishing an Instrument of Government, which fulfils our aspirations for the new school. We are also closely supported by the Association of Anglican School Secondary Headteachers, and the Woodard Corporation whose officers also visit and support ideas.
Our Vision of the Future
A number of key issues are central to the intentions of the promoters of the new school
The school will grow from a present roll of 747 to full capacity of 900, developing a clear and positive identity in the immediate locality, working closely with the range of external bodies and community groups with whom a new relationship has been initiated.
The school will cater for a multi-faith, multi-cultural intake, and, as such, whilst giving very real attention to the needs of children of Church of England families. The school will also cater for families of other faiths who wish their children to be educated within an environment where the name of God is hallowed.
The school will quickly establish itself as a centre of quality of provision of learning for the 11-18 age range. In particular, the school has already applied for inclusion within the Specialist College movement as an Arts College, (having raised £100,000 in sponsorship)
Both The King’s School and S. Peter’s Collegiate School will function collaboratively within Foundation partnership, Lichfield Diocese and Wolverhampton LEA to the benefit of all families in Wolverhampton and its environs
The curriculum includes specialised courses leading to GCSE and Advanced Levels of the General Certificate of Education as well as a wide range of GNVQ courses in vocational education including a pilot Part One in Year 10. A House system supports our review and guidance programme which, together with good teaching and an environment of positive achievement, has seen increasingly improved exam results year on year.
The school offers 150 places per year group at Key Stages 3 and 4 and is seeking to provide for its Post 16 numbers by way of partnership with a neighbouring school. Such partnership would be in addition to that of our foundation partners S. Peter’s.
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