King's Nominated In National Independent Schools Awards

The King's School has been shortlisted in the 'Outstanding New Initiative' category in this year's Independent Schools of the Year Awards from over 1,000 entrants nationwide.

The aim of the awards is to highlight the excellence of the student experience in independent schools. The prestigious nomination recognises not only the 10 year journey to plan and build the state-of-the art 80-acre campus on Alderley Road, Macclesfield, but the stunning range of contemporary educational initiatives and the wealth of outdoor learning opportunities created.

Jason Slack, Head of Foundation, said: "Given the challenges of the last school year, this is wonderful news and it will be a real boost to staff and pupils as we finish the academic year."

"The award nomination recognises all that we have achieved with the move to our new campus and the transformation in the students' experience. We have successfully moved from two separate town centre sites onto one larger, 80-acre rural site. We have maximised the opportunities of our new surroundings to enrich the education we provide through an expansive outdoor learning programme.

"Above and beyond the fantastic facilities we can now offer, pupils can benefit in so many ways from our outdoor learning areas, which span a Biology Garden, an orchard, an apiary, a woodland, wetland wildlife area, as well as a stream and multiple outdoor classrooms - all of which, pupils have helped to create and develop."

"Modern education needs to be innovative; balancing hi-tech gadgetry with the simplicity and beauty of our natural environment. Not all skills are developed while looking at a screen. Skills promoted through experiential outdoor learning at King's will inspire innovation for generations to come."

Dr Helen Wright, Chair of the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2021 said: "On the evidence of the submissions, the independent school sector in Britain is demonstrating resilience and agility, while continuing to deliver a first-class educational experience to its pupils despite having to live with ever-changing levels of restrictions. It has been wonderful to learn about transformative and innovative projects and programmes that are underway, and we have so enjoyed reading the submissions."

Finalists will be revealed on 7 September, and judges will then meet again to reach a decision on the winner of each category. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.