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Edwardian 2026

Contents Headmaster’s Welcome............................................................... 1 KES Community............................................................................. 2 Sunday Times Award & Thomson Building.............................. 4

Art & Photography........................................................................ 6 Business Studies & Economics................................................... 8 Classics............................................................................................ 9 Computer Science....................................................................... 10 Design and Technology.............................................................. 11 Drama............................................................................................ 12 English........................................................................................... 18 Geography.................................................................................... 19 Learning for Life........................................................................... 20 History & Politics......................................................................... 21 Maths............................................................................................. 22

MFL Spanish................................................................................. 24 MFL German................................................................................ 26 MFL French.................................................................................. 27 Music.............................................................................................. 28 Psychology.................................................................................... 34 RS & Philosophy.......................................................................... 35 Science Biology............................................................................ 36 Science Chemistry....................................................................... 37 Science Physics............................................................................ 38

Sport............................................................................................... 40 Activities Week............................................................................ 54 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award....................................................... 56 Ten Tors......................................................................................... 57 CCF................................................................................................ 58 Clubs & Societies........................................................................ 60 Careers.......................................................................................... 62 Charities........................................................................................ 63 Prizes.............................................................................................. 64

Leavers’ Destinations................................................................. 66 Senior Prefects............................................................................. 67 Valedictories................................................................................. 68 New Staff...................................................................................... 73

Printed digitally by Park Lane Press on a Co2 neutral HP Indigo press on FSC® certiﬁed paper, power from 100% renewable resources. Print production systems registered to ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and zero waste to landﬁll.

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King Edward’s School, North Road, Bath BA2 6HU Tel: 01225 464313 Email: headmaster@kesbath.com KESBath

/KESBath

www.kesbath.com

Headmaster’s Welcome

Whilst no school approaches its core business with an eye to accolades, it is always welcome when they come along, recognising as they often do the hard work, creativity and successful endeavours of so many people who are involved in the education of its pupils. It has therefore been particularly pleasing this year to see KES recently commended in the Independent School of the Year Awards in the Regional School of the Year (South) category, having earlier in the year been named by the Sunday Times as the Independent Secondary School of the Year in the South West in their highly regarded Parent Power Guide for 2026. This followed in part from another year of outstanding results in the public examinations, which included a 90% A*–B figure at A Level that was the highest of any independent school in the region. In between those very honourable mentions, we were delighted that a glowing ISI inspection report in the Spring term recognised as a very rare ‘Significant Strength’ within the School’s culture and ethos “the vast array of opportunities for pupils to ‘find their voice’ and advocate their views” alongside the many pathways provided to enable them to “become, curious, resilient, kind, compassionate and responsible members of the community.” Of course, such accolades are always the product of a fantastic and concerted team effort, and I am hugely grateful for the magnificent work done and support offered throughout this past year by all my colleagues, pupils, parents and governors, as well as friends of King Edward’s in the wider community. This year’s Edwardian magazine highlights just how wide that range of endeavour has again been, reflecting the culture of care, curiosity, collaboration and ambition that characterises our school; whether in or out of the classroom, that spirit of adventure readily leaps off the page!

When I reflect on the year that just was, three very exciting developments (amongst very many, I should add!) come to mind. The first is the arrival of the magnificent Thomson Building, given its official opening by the Chair of Governors herself on Founder’s Day, a wonderfully inspiring space for learning, organisation and pastoral support that is already much loved by pupils and teachers alike. The second is the announcement earlier in the year that, after almost three decades in Weston on the other side of the city, our Pre-Prep school will be moving next year to North Road as part of a £3 million investment in our Early Years and Junior education. And the third is the successful launch of our new Transforming Lives Through Education bursary campaign, reinforcing the School’s longstanding commitment to widening access and to ensuring that talented young people can benefit from a KES education regardless of their financial circumstances. As a wise Head under whom I once worked would regularly remind me, when it comes to running a school, ‘standing still is not an option’, and I hope that the three headlines above reflect how KES continues to look to an exciting future whilst also honouring the ethos and heritage that have helped to shape our school over the centuries. I am sure that there will be much more that also captured your imagination last year, and I hope that you enjoy ‘reading all about it’ in the pages that follow. On that note, I should like to finish by thanking most warmly The Edwardian’s editor, Neil Purcell, who is retiring from the job after more than 20 years designing, crafting and editing a flagship school magazine that I have never seen bettered elsewhere. His attention to detail, seasoned sense of how to model and frame, and creative eye, not least in the many photographs that he has himself taken over the years, have been the hallmarks of a publication that, for well over a century in total, has chronicled ‘a year in the life’ of King Edward’s School. I think that this swansong edition may well be his best yet! MJ Boden

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2025–26: A Year of Community, Generosity and Impact 2025–26 has been a truly uplifting year for the King Edward’s School community. Across the School and beyond, pupils, parents, Old Edwardians and friends have come together to support one another and to champion the values at the heart of KES. It has been wonderful to welcome members of our community to events in Bath and London, and to create new ways for younger OEs to stay connected with the School. We are also grateful to the many parents and OEs who have supported our Careers Programme, generously giving their time, insight and opportunities to inspire current pupils.

King Edward’s School’s Inaugural Giving Day In October, the King Edward’s community came together for our first-ever Giving Day - a joyful 36-hour celebration of generosity, school spirit and shared purpose. Our community raised an extraordinary £126,427, supporting two vital projects: The School’s Bursary Programme and the enhancement of our outdoor spaces. Thanks to the generosity of two Old Edwardians, gifts up to £61,000 were match-funded, doubling the impact and inspiring even wider participation across the community. Giving Day was a whole school celebration. Pupils took part in activities ranging from a golden coin trail and Danceathon to carnival games and a penalty shootout with the Headmaster, leading to a lively “It’s a Knockout” race, featuring staff members in inflatable costumes and culminating in a surprise ‘Masked Singer’-inspired reveal at the end.

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Alongside this, pupils and staff completed a collective challenge to cycle, run or row 1,552 miles, marking our founding year, while the community surpassed its target of 1,552 donations for the Bath Foodbank, our largest collection to date. Giving Day concluded with the Wroughton Lecture by award-winning filmmaker and OE Natalie Hewit.

The Impact and Looking Ahead Giving Day raised £56,651 for the Bursary Programme, enabling talented pupils to access a KES education regardless of financial circumstances. A further £69,776 is transforming our outdoor spaces, including an outdoor classroom for our Pre-Prep and Junior School pupils and a new Senior School garden, enriching learning and wellbeing for all. Building on this momentum, we launched the ‘Transforming Lives Through Education Campaign’ in Spring 2026 alongside the 1552 Foundation, a new charitable foundation dedicated to supporting bursaries and transformational projects at KES. Thank you to everyone who donated and supported the School. Your generosity is helping every pupil thrive, now and in the future. If you are interested in supporting the School or the 1552 Foundation, contact Alison Heyes, Development Director, on 01225 464313 or a.heyes@kesbath.com

KES Parents KES Parents have been proactive and supportive again this past year. The Christmas Fair 2025 was a huge success with a greater footfall than ever before. Santa Claus made another appearance, the café was busy and much fun was had by all, with over £12,000 raised to support projects across all three sections of the school. The Spring Quiz was a roaring success and the Nearly New (now run by the School Store) providing sustainable, good quality second-hand uniform and sports kit has also been invaluable for KES families. Projects supported up to £20,000 this year have included new trikes for the PrePrep, tennis posts and nets, portable floodlights and music stands for the Junior School, an inflatable gazebo and outdoor play equipment and seating around the old locker area for the Senior School.

Outreach KES has continued to reach out to the local community this year to share its facilities and resources and provide opportunities for others. The Music dept have again entertained patients and visitors at the RUH, with the Baroque Group, Sax Ensemble, KES 24 and KES Brass at Christmas. Local school children have benefited from the KES facilities in ‘Harmony Rising’, where groups of ten Key Stage 3 pupils across a range of schools have come together for song writing and performance. The Activities Week Primary Schools’ Workshop Programme has been as popular as ever, with over 300 Year 5 pupils from eight local primary schools enjoying a range of activities at KES and enjoying a tasty lunch. Sport, Music, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Drama, Computing, Cricket skills and English were all included on the programme.

Partnerships KES announced a two-year partnership with the Holburne Museum in January this year and the KES support will enable the Museum’s Learning and Engagement Team to develop its inspirational activities for local school children who face barriers to accessing creative and cultural opportunities. The partnership also offers KES pupils rich learning opportunities across the three seasonal exhibitions each year. Several classes of pupils were inspired by the Don McCullin Photography exhibition and the Zandra Rhodes fashion exhibition in the Spring term. The KES partnership with the city’s professional orchestra, Bath Philharmonia, has continued to grow and develop in this, the 13th year of the partnership. Masterclasses for KES pupils, a superb concert featuring Esther Abrami and guest conductor, Rebecca Miller, and the Gala concert at the Guildhall with a combined orchestra of KES pupils and Bath Philharmonia were the highlights of the year. The theme was ‘Voices of Change’ and the spectacular concert included highly talented musicians, Ray R, Sara S and Indira P – Rebecca Miller also conducted alongside Mr Drury, and a superb premiere, ‘Tree of Life’ by resident composer, Mr Mark Boden was a delight. Other partnerships that continue to benefit KES pupils have included ‘The Pure Practice Physiotherapy’, and Bath Cricket Club.

D Chapman

‘Giving Day was a whole school celebration.’

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Culture of Care and Academic Excellence Recognised Nationally As we reflect on the academic year, one of the defining moments for King Edward’s has been its recognition in the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026, where KES was named Independent Secondary School of the Year in the South West.

The school also retained its position as the top coeducational independent school in the region, across both day and boarding, for the fourth consecutive year, based on last summer’s combined A Level and GCSE results. The Sunday Times Parent Power guide, now in its 33rd edition, is widely regarded as a definitive ranking of the UK’s leading schools, combining public examination results with editorial judgement about the quality and breadth of education provided. Rankings are based primarily on GCSE and A Level performance from the most recent examination cycle, alongside year-on-year consistency and wider indicators of school effectiveness, including efforts to support pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, inspiring passions beyond the classroom and preparing pupils for life beyond school.

‘The breadth of opportunity beyond the classroom is a defining feature of school life at KES.’ At King Edward’s, a strong culture of pastoral care and wellbeing continues to sit alongside academic achievement. Initiatives such as our Peer Mentoring programme and the work of KES Allies help to foster an inclusive community, while the move to a phone-free approach in Years 7–11 reflects a focus on supporting pupils’ relationships with technology. The Learning for Life programme underpins this work, addressing areas such

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as self-esteem, digital habits and decision-making in a structured and age-appropriate way. Preparing pupils for life beyond school remains a key priority. Our careers programme continues to expand, with more than 100 Year 12 pupils undertaking work experience placements alongside a wide range of mentoring opportunities, careers events and workshops. These experiences support diverse pathways, from Oxbridge, Medicine and vocational routes to degree apprenticeships and international study, reflecting the increasingly varied routes available to pupils. The breadth of opportunity beyond the classroom is a defining feature of school life at KES. Over the past year, pupils have achieved success across sport, the arts and cocurricular activity, from attending The Hague International Model United Nations to musical collaboration with Bath Philharmonia. Our pupils are encouraged to explore widely and develop their individual interests. This national recognition therefore reflects more than a single year’s results. It speaks to a whole-school approach, one which balances academic ambition with a genuine culture of care, and which continues to shape the experience of pupils across KES. K Gentle

Thomson Building opens One of the most significant developments of the 2025–26 academic year was the opening of the Thomson Building last autumn, named after Winifred Thomson, our long-standing Chair of Governors. Now, two terms on, the building has firmly established itself as an integral part of daily life at KES, providing outstanding new spaces for teaching, learning and social interaction. Home to the English, Geography and Religious Studies & Philosophy departments, the Thomson Building brings together 14 purpose-built classrooms, staff offices and a range of welcoming social spaces. Every classroom has

been carefully planned to optimise teaching and learning, with excellent acoustics, high ceilings, abundant natural light and integrated AV technology creating calm, focused environments for pupils. The building has also strengthened the school’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Constructed using a timberframe structure and operating as a net zero carbon building, it incorporates solar panels, air source heat pumps, natural ventilation and biodiversity enhancements including tree planting, bird boxes and bat boxes. K Gentle

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Art & Photography In the department Getting ready for our End of Year exhibition is always exciting and in the summer term we review our projects and look through the work that pupils have created. It’s hugely rewarding to see what pupils across the Senior School have achieved, from impressive sketchbook pages, and homework, to ambitious outcomes exploring a variety of media and techniques. This year, lower and middle school pupils explored themes ranging from identity and music to abstraction and surrealism. GCSE and A level pupils also worked hard to produce imaginative and personal projects. The range of work across the Upper School is particularly broad and ambitious with pupils exploring installation, film and animation, alongside more traditional painting and printing outcomes.

Visits and trips Each year we aim to provide pupils with opportunities to visit galleries and museums and see inspiring artworks firsthand. The school’s continued partnership with the Holburne Museum allowed us to take GCSE and A Level pupils to explore the striking and atmospheric work of Don McCullin and to see the bold designs of Zandra Rhodes. Our Year 11 pupils had a rewarding day in Oxford visiting

Above left to right, Y7–9

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the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers Museum and our Sixth Form residential to St Ives included visits to the Tate Gallery and the Barbara Hepworth Museum, alongside photography sessions, beach sculpture projects, and specialist ceramic workshops. These trips always reinforce the importance of museum and gallery visits for the development of pupils’ work, and it is rewarding to see the positive impact they have on the GCSE and A Level projects. In the Spring Term, Year 9 also enjoyed a dynamic Creative Careers event, where six guest speakers shared their artistic journeys and talked about their field of work. From fashion and ceramics to architecture and filmmaking, pupils were able to find out more about the breadth of opportunities in the creative industries and take part in hands-on workshops.

Bath Schools Exhibition The Bath Schools exhibition at Burdall’s Yard has become a permanent fixture in the department’s calendar. During the Autumn term the walls of the gallery showcased over 100 pieces of work from pupils across the city. From drawing, photography, printmaking and painting the event was a wonderful celebration of creative talent. It is also hugely rewarding to work with different schools in Bath, sharing ideas and creating connections. E Hume-Smith

Top banner, Hector W-B

4 5 7

8 10

9 Above: 1. Halo J 2. Sash H 3. Rufus D 4. Aidan P

5. Bethan M 6. Eliana C 7. Alexandra L 8. Cindy K

9. Bowen K 10. Emily W

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Business Studies & Economics A Day of Learning and Discovery at KingsPlay Farm A group of enthusiastic Year 12 A Level Business Studies students recently exchanged the classroom for the countryside as they visited KingsPlay Farm, accompanied by Mr Blake and Ms Salako. What followed was a memorable day that blended hands-on experience with valuable insights into modern agricultural business practices. From the moment they arrived, the students were immersed in the daily life of a working farm. Tractor rides provided both excitement and a practical introduction to the scale and pace at which modern farms operate. Feeding the cows, described by students as a “moo-ving experience” offered a closer look at livestock management, giving students an appreciation for the care, planning, and consistency required in agricultural production. Beyond the enjoyable activities, the visit proved to be highly educational. Students explored contemporary production techniques and saw firsthand how modern technology has been integrated into farming operations. From mechanised equipment to efficient feeding systems, they observed how innovation drives productivity and supports large-scale food production.

KES Christmas Fair 2025: A Sparkling Start to the Season Before a single advent calendar door had been opened, the magic of Christmas had already arrived at KES. On Saturday 22nd November, the much-anticipated KES Christmas Fair 2025 lit up the school with festive cheer and entrepreneurial spirit. Once again, our talented Year 9 Economics and Business students had been hard at work throughout the autumn term – planning, producing, and pitching their ideas in the hopes of securing one of the highly sought-after stalls to showcase their seasonal creations. The festive sports hall, boasting the stunning KES Sports Balcony, was transformed into a winter wonderland. Once again, the fair extended beyond the hall into the library and Wessex Building, where a certain Mr S. Claus could be found spreading early Christmas cheer and handing out gifts. Meanwhile, visitors were treated to coffee and cake, adding a cosy touch to the festive atmosphere. Our Year 9 groups truly outdid themselves. From reindeers to lip gloss, fudge and cookies, the range of products on

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A key area of focus throughout the visit was the importance of the supply chain. Students developed a clearer understanding of how agricultural goods move from farm to consumer, recognising the coordination required between producers, distributors, and retailers. This real-world context helped to reinforce classroom learning, particularly in relation to operations management and logistics. Mechanisation and its impact on productivity also formed an important theme. By witnessing advanced machinery in action, students were able to see how automation reduces labour demands, while increasing output and efficiency - an essential consideration for modern businesses competing in demanding markets. Overall, the trip to KingsPlay Farm was described as “udderley brilliant”. Enjoyable and enlightening for all. A huge thanks to Mr Blake and Mrs Salako for organising a fun, informative day out challenging students’ perception of the agricultural industry.

offer was not only beautifully designed and packaged but also cleverly marketed. These budding entrepreneurs gave even the most seasoned business professionals a run for their money - competing, as it were, tooth by jowl with those plotting the next Amazon-style brownie empire! With limited time and resources, our students once again filled the hall with joy, creativity, and entrepreneurial flair. We had more Year 9 teams than ever before which is testament to the quality of entry and the professional job our Year 9 students do every year. A huge congratulations to the brilliantly named teams: • Mistletoe Mehndi Co • Christmas Keys • Snowy Snacks • The Ornament Express • Straight from the Tree • Candy Cane Lane

• The Cocoa Corner • Toller • Santa’s Stunning Stockings • Crumbl & Co • Bruffies & Cruffies • Cuddle Buddies

You did yourselves, and your peers, proud. And finally, a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful KES parents, who cut up logs, stayed up late sourcing that elusive final ingredient, or whose homes were filled with the scent of “Gingerbread Glow” and “Cinnamon & Snowflakes” candles. We salute you! Here’s to another magical KES Christmas Fair – roll on 2026! G Butterworth

CLASSICS It has been another busy year in the Classics department. Our Year 9 Latin and Greek offering has continued to grow with a staggering 41 pupils opting to study this fast-paced and challenging course this year. Similarly, numbers in Year 12 were very encouraging with Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation attracting interested pupils. This Year 12 cohort includes a number of pupils looking to read Classical subjects and these pupils have been supported by a new “Classics Core” programme, which has exposed them to the broad-ranging interests of the department (Mr Burns’ long running series on Alexander the Great seems to have especially captivated imaginations), guided them through opposing and persuasive arguments for the reasons behind the fall of the Roman Republic, and given them the platform to explore their own interests, such as an ancient analogue computer found in a shipwreck, Roman divorce laws, and evidence for neurodiversity in the ancient world. We have also welcomed some external speakers this year, perhaps most memorably Ben Kane, who thrilled pupils in the Willett Hall by coming to lunch dressed as a Roman soldier, before his detailed and engaging talks to Years 8 and 9 about life in the Roman army specifically, as well as what it might have been like to grow up as a child in the Roman empire. Years 10 and 12 were fortunate enough to hear from Dr Leonardo Costantini from the Classics Department at the University of Bristol about the Roman author, Apuleius, and his novel, the Metamorphoses, which both year groups are currently studying.

Trips have also been a real highlight this year, with Mr Feeney once more deftly organising the annual Year 8 pilgrimage to the Roman Baths, where they engaged with real Roman artefacts and tried to determine how singular a town Roman Aquae Sulis really was, before touring the site itself. Year 12 were treated to Mary Beard speaking for Toppings at the Pavilion about her new book “The Shock of the Old”, which reiterated the relevance of studying the ancient world today. Our pupils also engaged with the Suburani “Build it” challenge which required them to build a 3D model of a Roman site they have encountered in their lessons, and we had some fantastic entries such as Rory G in Year 9’s fabulous lego reconstruction of the Roman theatre at Arles (pictured). However, perhaps the highlight of the Classics Department’s year was the inaugural KES Publica Live! event, which saw Mr Burns and Mr Feeney record an episode about the endlessly entertaining Roman poet Ovid in front of a live audience of pupils, parents and guests from other schools. The podcast continues to be a jewel in the department’s crown and it was a special event which we will certainly be looking to repeat. E Greenbury

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Computer Science Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge Success In March, approximately 300 pupils from the Senior School took part in the Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge. This national competition is known for its demanding logic problems and creative programming tasks, designed to stretch pupils’ computational thinking and problem solving abilities. Our pupils approached the challenge with determination and resilience, demonstrating impressive skill as they worked through a series of complex puzzles. We are especially proud to recognise the nine pupils who achieved full marks – an exceptional accomplishment in a competition of this calibre. Their success is a testament to their abilities and passion for problem solving. Those pupils are: • William G • Toby J • Josh K • Arthur N-H • Albert T • Milly T • Jack B • William R • Joseph W Well done to all who participated. The computer science department applauds and celebrates your achievements and looks forward to seeing your talents continue to grow. S Murch

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Perse Coding Challenge In February, Year 10 and Year 11 students competed in Round 1 of the Perse Coding Challenge. Working in teams of three, they tackled a range of Python programming problems. Students achieved excellent results, with six qualifying for the final. Two mixed Year 10/Year 11 teams then competed in the final in early March: KesTeam1 (Louis B-M, Michael W and Digby F) and KesTeam2 (Rohan G, Jesse Q and Lewis W). They completed a set of particularly challenging timed online tasks. KesTeam2 achieved a distinction, and KesTeam1 earned a merit. Well done to all who participated! A Collins

Design & Technology STEM Racing National Finals

Container Living

STEM Racing is an international competition in which students aged 6–19 design, test and build a miniature Formula One car, while also creating a professional team brand. In March, Slipstream, a team of four students from Years 10 and 11, represented the school at the STEM Racing 2026 National Finals at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Sheffield.

‘...rewarding and memorable for all involved.’ Over two days, the team took part in verbal presentations, having their design engineering portfolio and brand identity judged, showcasing their development process, sponsorship work and technical design. The pit display featured a Scalextric track, previous design iterations and sponsor information. Over the 2 days there was the opportunity to get involved in other interactive exhibits from Formula One team Aston Martin, engineering software companies and industry partners. Slipstream competed against 33 teams from across the UK and international visitors from Thailand and Portugal, Slipstream achieved an impressive 11th place overall and received a nomination for Best Pit Display, making the experience both rewarding and memorable for all involved. Eesa S Y10

Year 10 TeenTech project TeenTech is a national award scheme that was initially set up to help pupils see how they might apply science and technology to real world problems. There are many categories available to investigate, such as Health, Ethical Innovation and Future of Transport, where the pupils will brainstorm ideas, clearly identify an opportunity or a problem, suggest a solution and research the market. Although we are not entering the competition this year, we have developed the TeenTech concept into a Year 10 project that will enable our pupils to develop an understanding of how a Design project is investigated, resourced and developed.

In Year 9 DT lessons, we completed a Container Living project that challenged us to develop both our design and practical skills. We practised isometric drawing and we designed the interior of our two containers and the surrounding outdoor space, using the Floorplanner website. Before building the final model, we practised modelling using foamboard, cardboard and Styrofoam. Once our containers were constructed, we focused on designing the gardens and outdoor areas. I really enjoyed this project because although it was challenging and required a lot of concentration, it helped me develop important technical skills, whilst considering my chosen client’s choices. Overall, it was a fun and rewarding project and I hope to do more like this in the future Gorden D Y9

A Hutchings “We have really enjoyed this project as it has been a great experience. We have been practicing skills for our upcoming GCSE main project. Doing this has helped us feel more prepared and ready, as well as being able to research and develop things we’re passionate about! Everyone has produced amazing projects so far, and we are so excited to see how our class progresses over the next few months, and into Year 11.” Charlie H, Peggy M, Claudia F

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Drama The talent and skill of pupils in Drama at KES have flourished this year. Large-scale productions, alongside inspiring moments in classroom practice, have showcased the exceptional creativity and commitment of our students. Pupils in Years 7–9 have explored a wide range of texts, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mean to Be Free, Anita and Me, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Billy Elliot, and many more.

Christmas in Wales – all classic texts presented with imagination and flair. Spring term visits included a thought-provoking interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bristol Old Vic and Frantic Assembly’s dynamic production, Lost Atoms.

‘...inventive, confident, and often hilariously original.’

We were immensely proud of the 2025 public examination results. At GCSE, 63% of pupils achieved grades 7–9, while at A level, 100% of students secured outstanding results between A and B. This year’s cohorts continue to excel in their performance work, producing exciting pieces inspired by Emma Rice’s techniques and dynamic physical theatre interpretations of 1536, Hedda Gabler, and History of Falling Things. GCSE devised performances explored challenging themes such as abuse, coming of age, and dictatorship – demonstrating that our pupils are never afraid to embrace complexity and ambition.

The Year 8 Interform Competition, held in the Wroughton Theatre, was a particular highlight. Each group performed an extract from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, producing work that was inventive, confident, and often hilariously original. To inspire pupils and develop their analytical and reviewing skills, we have also enjoyed a number of theatre trips. In the autumn term, productions included Jane Eyre, To Kill a Mockingbird, War Horse, and A Child’s

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S Bird

Year 7 show We enjoyed a fantastic project with our Year 7 pupils working on Phillip Pullman’s Grimm Tales. Over 40 of the cohort took part in the show, showcasing their incredible performance talent and ability to work as a team. We explored 4 different tales, those less well known from the wealth of tales

available: Faithful Johannes, The Donkey Cabbage, The Goose Girl at the Spring and the Three Little Men. It was a wonderful evening and a privilege to see every pupil involved playing a variety of roles and delivering their lines with confidence and high energy. We can’t wait to see what they produce over the years to come! S Bird

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DRAMA

‘...another fabulous KES production, with a little extra magic.’

Wendy & Peter 14

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The Wroughton Theatre was transported to the magical island of Neverland, where this beautiful interpretation of Wendy and Peter Pan took place. The stage was transformed by the amazing James and Mark Sellick into an eye-catching theatre, where anything felt possible. As you enter the space you are immediately immersed, as the Darling children (John, Michael, Tom, Wendy) are already on stage...

Shortly afterwards, Tom, (William A) the youngest died, setting the family apart and in need of an adventure. The captivating shadows, including Peter’s shadow (Ellie B), helped to create the show’s magical world, they lit up the stage, especially during their dances using light up gloves to add even more sparkle.

Wendy eventually meets Tiger Lily (Malini H/Ruby T), a feisty, tough fighter and after getting captured, threatened and nearly killed, they escape. After realizing the boys are held captive by the pirates, they befriend Tink and Martin (Beau B) and rescue the lost boys.

The charming Peter Pan (Ned W/Sienna H) enters through a window in search of his shadow, however Wendy (Georgie E/Scarlett W), who is a brave, strong-hearted girl convinces Peter to let her and the brothers go with him. So, with the help of the comical depiction of Tinkerbell (Millie McF/Sophia D) they travel to Neverland.

A captivating fight scene between the two sides kept us on the edge of our seats as Hook and his pirates are soon defeated. Wendy, Peter, Tink, Martin and our lost boys claim their victory before the menacing crocodile returns once again to finish off Hook. With a strong green light, powerfully setting the atmosphere, while our eyes were glued to the elegant yet ominous crocodile, which moved with meticulous perfection to end the climatic scene.

The lost boys were fun and captivating and brought great energy to the stage. The Pirates’ entrance was memorable, choreographed by Molly B and Lucy S, and the costumes added to their frightening nature. A highlight for me was when Hook spoke to Peter and the lights surrounding the audience lit up. Smee (Wilkie B) and the intimidating Captain Hook (Hector W/Blythe J) were a ghastly pair sharing some hysterical moments. When Tink saves Peter the audience joins in and brings her back to life with the help of glow sticks, saying “I do believe in fairies!” After an epic fight scene choreographed by Imogen L, Mc-combat and Mr. James Moore, all the lost boys find themselves in need of rescue.

A wholesome goodbye is bid to Neverland with the memory of Tom forever with us. Later, Wendy and her brothers now returned home, where their mother and father’s rekindled bond welcomed them with open arms to a heartwarming family ending, leaving the audience with an uplifting sense of finality. Ending yet another fabulous KES production, with a little extra magic, from our astutely talented year 8s and 9s. Directed by Mrs Tambyln and co-directed by Mrs Bird. Jasmine E and Niall C Y10

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DRAMA

Into the WOODS But this is no fairytale. These woods offer no Edenic paradise, no pleasant escape from society or civility. In the opening numbers, the woods possess a mischief – the dangers of Shakespeare’s Arden – a place of transgression and forbidden desire and the breaking of all moral codes. By the story’s climax, however, this is a murderous and macabre space of betrayal and loss. Tragedy, even. The production navigates the depths and complexity of these stories – as well as some eerily powerful tonal modulations – with the skill and sensitivity that belies the constraints of a school production. The redemption comes not from the woods without but the humanity within. It is a notoriously challenging score, with endless syncopation, dissonant harmonies, more time signatures than trees and more accidentals than action (quite something, given the relentless saga of its epic plot), but

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Once upon a time, in a theatre not far from here, a dazzling array of brave students and intrepid staff took a quite ridiculous risk to put on Stephen Sondheim’s beguiling masterpiece and take us into the woods.

the entire cast handle this with awesome confidence, embracing the panoramic ambition of this production.

‘...the entire cast handle this with awesome confidence, embracing the panoramic ambition of this production.’ All told, this year’s musical was a bombastic, ambitious and brilliant adventure. ‘Into the Woods’ we went indeed, madly and gladly, and we will carry this extraordinary show into our happily ever after. L Benedict

‘All told, this year’s musical was a bombastic, ambitious and brilliant adventure.’

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English Author Catherine Bruton Inspires Young KES Readers Year 7 were recently given an exciting opportunity to meet author, Catherine Bruton, who visited to share her work and inspire young writers. During her visit, she showed us her latest book, ‘Tadpole Summer’ and discussed the ideas behind it. She spoke about how she develops her characters and encouraged students to think creatively and express their own ideas. One of the highlights of the visit was a writing activity, where year 7 pupils created their own animal-based stories. The session was both fun and educational, leaving many students feeling inspired to write more. Catherine Bruton’s visit showed that anyone can become a writer with creativity and determination. Florence A Y7

World Book Day 2026 This year to mark World Book Day, we launched KES’ crosscurricular reading lists. The lists were curated especially for KES pupils, to help them to find and develop their passion for the subjects they study. We celebrated by holding a Book Forum in the library – where pupils came to browse and discuss the selection of new books on the lists with their peers. The annual World Book Day quiz demonstrated some impressive literary knowledge – from Dickens to Dr Seuss and was jointly won by pupils in Forms 9G, 9K and 11K. And, in a twist on the annual tradition, we invited pupils to bring or wear an accessory for World Book Day. With so many imaginative interpretations displayed, we’ll need to introduce prizes next year! The day showcased that reading is very much alive at KES. It forms a healthy backdrop to pupils’ development: feeding their curiosity, expanding their knowledge and making them think. L Asrari

Luke Palmer’s Visit In February, Year 9 pupils were treated to an author visit and creative writing workshop from acclaimed YA writer and poet, Luke Palmer. His books, including ‘Play’, ‘Grow’ and ‘Live’ have been shortlisted for both the Carnegie and Branford-Boase Awards. Luke’s visit was refreshing and inspirational. He gave us a detailed and intriguing glimpse into his three novels, which explore the darker challenges of coming of age, such as radicalisation and toxic masculinity. Through reading dramatic extracts from his books, he captivated all who listened and inspired many to begin reading one at once! Palmer also talked about how he became an author and poet, emphasising the importance of play and creativity in whatever forms possible. In his workshop, we focussed on how to energise our writing through easy steps that made finding inspiration from our surroundings simple and seamless. Tacita B Y9

Bristol Old Vic Year 11 visit to ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ This production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ subverts and exceeds all expectations. It toys with the audience’s knowledge of the play by changing the very bones of the story. Puck is no longer simply a mischievous sprite but a member of the comedic mechanicals, while simultaneously being uncanny and terrifying. The season itself is not even midsummer but deep winter, the stark white walls of the set unsettling the audience. The costumes were beautiful and interesting, with Puck wearing a mix of traditional ballet attire and a suit jacket, creating a unique silhouette. Another stand out was Titania with her divine corseted dress, layers of black mesh subverting our ideas of good fairies, hinting at something darker. There are also instances of drug use and gun possession, warping our modern view of Shakespeare. However, it culminates in a wacky but surprisingly stressful experience that blew me away completely. Josie P-R Y11

Creative Writing Club In the Creative Writing club, the Mid-Somerset Creative Writing Competition was mentioned and I leapt at the chance to take part. I chose to create a 500-word piece entitled, ‘A Telescope to the Past’. I did not expect a story as silly as mine to do well in the competition, but it turned out that it was worth my time, as I came joint second in my age group. William A Y8 Left, age group winners: Eve M, Vi N, Maddie C Eve M also won the EVELYN SANDFORD JUNIOR LITERARY TROPHY for the highest mark in Junior & Intermediate Classes.

Geography The Geography Department really feels like it has finally arrived! Our teaching spaces in the new Thomson Building are wonderful, and we are delighted to finally have a base. We continue to offer a curriculum that is relevant and lessons that inspire, both in the classroom and in the field. Year 7s collected data about the place of Bath and investigated how Bath varies, whilst Year 8s have recently returned from the Dorset coastline, having seen first-hand how stunning our coastline is as they visited Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Ballard Point. GCSE students collected river data in South Wales and considered the effects of regeneration in Bristol Harbourside and Year 12 students have made a good start on their NEAs following their fieldtrip to Margam Park.

‘...we are very proud that the trophy came back to KES!’ Two teams entered the GA WorldWise Quiz and we are very proud that the trophy came back to KES! We were most delighted to welcome Gavin Bate, Governor and Director of Moving Mountains, as he gave pupils an insight into his living experiences in Kibera. Pupils reflected on the sense of community that he experienced and were given the opportunity to speak to his colleague, as Gavin linked live to Nairobi. Overall, we have had a great year in the Geography Department and my thanks, as ever, are extended to my colleagues in Geography – we are definitely going places! Dr J Knight

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Learning for Life

Supporting Boys with Nuance, Empathy and Evidence This article may contain language that many parents might need to look up! At KES, our Learning for Life programme is designed to support every child through a curriculum that grows with them. Topics range from period stigma to the ethics of AI, The Equality Act to the importance of consent, the impact of Snapchat streaks on friendship to the effect of pornography on the brain. Across all year groups, the aim is the same: to give young people the language, confidence and critical awareness they need to look after themselves and each other in an increasingly complex world. The past year has seen a growing national conversation about boys – how they are shaped by online culture, how they understand masculinity, and what schools can do to support them. Through interaction with boys at KES, it has become apparent that many are experiencing loneliness, uncertainty about the future, confusion about relationships, and a desire for belonging. These struggles are not new, but the way in which answers are sought and offered is very much a peculiarity of our times. The online world has become the go-to space for frustrated boys in search of solutions. And yet, what they find here is often – if not mostly – more inflammatory than it is remedial. Online ‘solutions’ are frequently designed to fuel anger, misogyny and extreme self-improvement in adolescents. The Children’s Commissioner’s recent report A healthy influence? revealed how appearance changing apps, filters and targeted advertising affect both boys and girls, often in ways they don’t notice. For boys, this sometimes comes in the form of pressure to look muscular, ‘shredded’, or hyper masculine. The word ‘looksmaxxing’ always gets a giggle when I mention it in Learning for Life lessons, but when I asked a Year 10 group to provide some examples of it, the results were nothing to laugh about. They ranged from the seemingly benign: take creatine gummies; drink coconut water and eat bananas, to ‘de-puff’ the face; adopt a high-protein diet to build muscle; breathe through your nose (because mouth-breathing makes

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your face structure ‘worse’). Moving on to the ridiculous: take testosterone enhancing drugs; use beard-growth oil (commonly advertised to boys as young as 11); smash your bones to ‘improve’ a jawline – or mew if that doesn’t work. You get the picture. For many, if not most, the beauty benchmark is unattainable. A boy in my Year 10 class told me that “women only find 666 men attractive”. Confused, I asked what this meant. “6 figure salary, 6-foot tall, 6-inch penis, Miss”. Another boy said that “unless you have a ‘positive canthal tilt’ girls won’t fancy you”. Thankfully, the girls in the classroom quickly debunked that one!

‘We need to challenge harmful ideas without shaming curiosity.’ We need to help our boys think critically about such nonsense. So much of it is centred around a very normal desire to be attractive but the barrage of damaging information that today’s young people are engaging with online is especially hard to combat. Recently, Iain Mahony delivered a talk to our Year 10s entitled, What About the Boys? He invited students to think critically about the pressures they face, and instead of lecturing or blaming, he acknowledged the genuine stresses at play: academic expectations, social hierarchies, body image, and the fear of saying the ‘wrong thing’ in a rapidly changing world. He encouraged pupils to think about masculinity as something they can shape for themselves, rather than something to be fed to them by algorithms or stereotypes. We have a long way to go. We need to acknowledge vulnerability without pathologising it. We need to challenge harmful ideas without shaming curiosity. We need to promote healthy masculinity without prescribing a single version of it. If we want our boys at KES to grow into confident, empathetic young men, then we must continue offering them the kind of education exemplified by Iain Mahony – an education rooted in dialogue, grounded in research, and centred on wellbeing. H Isherwood

History & Politics The year began with visits to see Max Hastings and Nicola Sturgeon at Toppings Bookshop, alongside our annual Year 7 trip to Chepstow Castle to study the effects of the Norman Conquest on Britain. Politics students were also treated to a session with former KES parent, Baroness (Diana) Barran, who, having served as an Education minister, remains active in the House of Lords and was keen to canvass students’ views on a range of issues, including mobile phone bans in school and votes at 16.

In History, we started with the annual Y7 trip to Chepstow Castle. Y12 students also visited the Houses of Parliament and Supreme Court, but the highlight of the year was the biennial trip to Washington DC: students enormously enjoyed bringing the US elements of their History and/ or Politics A Levels to light in the glorious spring sunshine and blossom of Washington DC as that country heads into its semiquincentennial celebrations. The department is in excellent shape, with a new study of the French Revolution planned at A Level and another big trip to Berlin planned for October, too. P Ford

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Maths Team Challenge

This year, Mr Titman took a team of two Year 8s and two Year 9s to the UKMT Team Maths Challenge. Throughout the day we tackled a range of fun but demanding Maths problems, working together across four rounds: the Group, Shuttle, Cross number and finally the Relay. In the Group, we had 45 minutes to solve a set of challenging questions, and we focused on the trickiest ones as a team. The Shuttle Round tested both teamwork and speed: one pair solved the first question, passed their answer to the other pair, who then used it in their own question, and this continued for four questions in each set. For the Cross number, we split into two pairs again, with one pair completing the ‘down’ clues and the other

Head boy projectile demonstration Head boy perfects best ever projectile demontsration in A level Maths lesson.

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the ‘across’. Some answers depended on values from the opposite pair, so communication was key. The Relay was the most exciting part of the day. Each pair had to answer a question correctly, run the answer to their adopted teacher and then receive the other pair’s next question in return and deliver it to them. This continued at a fast pace for 15 questions per pair. We were obviously presented with the unique opportunity of working with the Year 8s on problems, who were able to do some problems very well and managed to correct us or find the answers to questions we hadn’t started doing. Speaking of questions, this year the questions were noticeably harder than last year’s, but we still managed to place 4th out of 17 teams. Alp K

UKMT Challenges 2025–2026 Senior Maths

Intermediate Maths

The annual Senior Maths Challenge took place on Thursday 9th October and 140 of our students from year 11 to 13 took part.

On 28th January, 131 pupils from years 9–11 took part in the Intermediate Maths Challenge, along with 1000’s of the best mathematicians from across the country. Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates are awarded to the top 40% of participants, in the ratio 1 : 2 : 3

It turned out to be the hardest SMC since 2002. It was so difficult in fact, that you only needed to get 12 of the 25 questions correct to gain the highest award, of the gold certificate. Tricky questions included question 10, which stumped a lot of our students and asked…. How many different squares are factors of 2025? Questions continue to increase in difficulty and included some interesting questions, including question 22 which was as follows: Together, n aardvarks and 12 anteaters eat n2 + 20n + 25 ants. Each animal eats the same whole number of ants. How many ants does each animal eat?

It was great to see 106 pupils gain a certificate, which is 81%. Well done to the 41 pupils who gained a bronze certificate. 45 pupils went one better and gained a silver, and the following pupils did even better and gained their gold certificates. Very well done to all! Edward G, Eddie D, Alp K, Jack B, James R, Liyi M, Max Z, Arlo K, William H, Theo B, Joe F, Jake R, Alexander S, May C, Andy W, Freddie E, Tiger H, Isaac H, Jemimah B, Peter G.

Amazingly 64% of our students taking part got a certificate, which was 90 in total. Of these, 50 got a bronze, 30 a silver and the 10 below got a gold. Joseph P

GoldBiS

Edward G

GoldBiY

Lawrence M

Gold

Hector W-B

Gold

Lewis G

GoldBiY

William P

Gold

Elijah F

Gold

James T

Gold

Danny W

Gold

Ottilie Y

Gold

Well done everyone who took part. Particular congratulations should go to our two year 11 pupils, Edward G and Will P, who managed to get golds in their first attempt at the competition.

The answer to Q10 is that 2025 has 6 square factors. If you want to know how many ants each animal ate, then you’ll have to check on the UKMT website! R Pagnamenta

Junior Maths Barry thinks of a number. Half of the number, plus a third of the number, plus a quarter of the number is 52. What number is Barry thinking of? This was just one of the intriguing 25 questions that faced 136 of our intrepid year 7 and year 8 mathematicians in May, as they undertook the Junior Maths Challenge. We achieved an excellent set of results, with 26 Gold certificates, 43 Silvers and 41 Bronzes. We were delighted to have 14 qualifiers for the follow-on Kangaroo round. In year 7: Albert T and Matilda A and in year 8: Arthur A, Phoebe B, Jack D, Sophia E, Alex C, Gus H, Findlay P, Calum R, Leah S, Milly T, Ned W and Maggie Z. As well as the 136 senior school participants, it was also great to see 14 of our year 6 junior school pupils join us for the competition. These pupils had been practising weekly for his competition with their year 10 mentors from the senior school, and clearly this practice has paid off, so well done to all of them, and to the mentors! Well done to anyone who realised Barry’s number was 48! S Wright

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MFL Spanish

Churros

Malaga Immersion Trip Our Spanish immersion trip to Málaga was an unforgettable experience! We truly immersed ourselves in Spanish culture and learned so much along the way. Did you know that the symbol of Málaga is the beautiful ‘Biznaga’, that Picasso was born there, and that their traditional tapas are absolutely delicious? My personal favourite was the fiery Patatas Bravas – they definitely live up to their name!

Following our Spanish IGCSE speaking exam, we celebrated in the best possible way: with a visit to Casa De Tapas in the city centre. Armed with nothing but our enthusiasm (and some questionable accents), we tucked into the legendary Spanish dessert, chocolate con churros, while completing a few light hearted Spanish activities. The churros were, according to unanimous student opinion, ‘increíblemente deliciosos’, a verdict strongly supported by the fact that every last crumb disappeared within minutes. It was the perfect reward to mark the end of our Spanish oral lessons, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Casa De Tapas. ¡Me lo pasé bomba!

‘I now feel comfortable holding conversations in Spanish, which is something I’m really proud of.’

Henry P Y11

Pen Pals

¡Lo pasé genial!

‘Do we have the letters yet?’ quickly became the most frequently asked question in Year 7 Spanish lessons this year. Despite the suspense (and the occasional postal delay), our pupils thoroughly enjoyed exchanging letters with students their age from Colegio San Cernin in Pamplona. The arrival of each envelope caused great excitement, especially when letters included drawings, stickers or even friendship bracelets. The project gave pupils a real reason to use Spanish for a genuine audience, and, in some cases, a very good reason to improve their handwriting so they could actually be understood. Many thanks to Mr Kyprianou, Head of English at San Cernin, for supporting this exchange for the fifth consecutive year.

Abhay N Y10

B Charlton

The Spanish lessons during the trip were fantastic and, combined with countless opportunities to speak the language, have made me much more confident and fluent. I now feel comfortable holding conversations in Spanish, which is something I’m really proud of. Some of my favourite moments included tasting chocolate con churros, building sandcastles on the beach, and chatting with Spanish students – such a great way to practise and make new friends! A huge thank you to the Spanish department for organising this incredible trip, and especially to Mrs McPherson and Mrs Charlton for all their hard work.

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My experience as a language assistant at Kes in Bath has been really special to me. I would describe it as a journey of personal growth, where I’ve felt supported and welcomed by a big, caring community that truly feels like a family. From the beginning, I felt comfortable and encouraged to be myself, which made a huge difference.

‘Working with the students has been one of the best parts.’ Working with the students has been one of the best parts. I’ve loved getting to know them, sharing my culture, and learning from them at the same time. It’s been a real exchange, not just teaching. This experience has also given me a new perspective on English and how it can be taught in a more dynamic and meaningful way. I feel very grateful for everything I’ve learned here, and I’m excited to take all of this with me and keep growing, both as a teacher and as a person. Thank you for everything, I will never forget it! Clara Rodriguez Pasadas

Spanish Club Attending Spanish Club this year has been really enjoyable. It’s always nice to pop along and play games without feeling forced to come every week. You might think, “It’s Spanish Club, right? You must be learning vocabulary and doing boring activities!”, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are always exciting and engaging things to do, whether that’s playing board games in Spanish for the chance to win Chupa Chups, or taking part in Spanish snack-tasting. It’s a really enjoyable opportunity to improve your Spanish in a fun and captivating way. Sometimes there are themed sessions too, such as Easter with Easter vocabulary, or ones based around Mother’s Day, Christmas, and other celebrations. Patricia and Sra McPherson are kind and supportive, and it’s also great to have some help from the Year 12 Spanish prefects. I couldn’t recommend Spanish Club more. Florence L Y7

‘I’ve had the privilege of working with such curious, conscientious, and courteous young people.’ I felt a little nervous when I first arrived in a brand new country, starting a new job and joining a new school back in September. However, those feelings quickly faded, as I couldn’t have felt more reassured and warmly welcomed by everyone at KES. It has truly been a wonderful year, working alongside such an incredible group of teachers who are always ready to offer help, support, and encouragement, especially on the more challenging days. Most of all, teaching KES students has been an absolute pleasure. I’ve had the privilege of working with such curious, conscientious, and courteous young people. They bring energy and enthusiasm to every lesson. I’ve learned so much from them, and it has been a genuine joy to teach, grow, and learn together throughout this year. Patricia Dextre Peralta

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MFL German This year has been a vibrant and engaging one for the German department, filled with activities designed to bring language learning to life and inspire a love of German culture. In November, our Year 7 pupils celebrated Martinstag, a traditional German festival, by creating their own colourful lanterns. The highlight of this project was a lively lantern procession around the school, during which pupils proudly sang “Ich geh’ mit meiner Laterne.” The parade took them to visit German-speaking members of staff across the school community, culminating in a memorable stop at the Headmaster’s office – much to everyone’s delight. The festive spirit continued in December, when Year 7 students crafted beautifully decorated wooden Lebkuchen hearts. These ornaments, inspired by traditional German Christmas markets, were perfect for adorning Christmas trees and gave pupils a tangible connection to German festive traditions. In May, German learning took on a culinary twist. Mr Ferguson, Mrs Jones and Luisa accompanied Year 10 pupils to the Junior School, where they learned how to prepare Flammkuchen, a traditional German dish, similar to a pizza, topped with sour cream, red onion, and bacon lardons. The session was both educational and delicious, offering a handson cultural experience that students thoroughly enjoyed. C Ferguson

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Moin moin und

tschüss! Who’d have thought that nine month s could fly by like this. I’ll be foreve r grateful for my time at K ES and cherish the memorie s. This year ha s taught me a lot; from th English scho e way the ol system w or ks to the sa good Sunday credness of roast. I’ve le a arned teen probably ex sl ang and can plain to you th re e of the twen rules in Rug ty-one by. Also, who ’d have gues acquire as m sed I would uch cultural knowledge country as I about my ow would abou n t yours? I ow lovely and (a e this to my lmost) alway s m oti vated hand sixth former full of s. Nonethele ss, I will neve laughter shar r forget the ed with my Yr7s, the in shared with sights my Yr me, the hila 9s ri ous conversa Yr10s, and tions with m the witty cu y ltural compa Yr11s. Pleas risons with e stay the w my ay you are! Thank you to the German department about my ho for teaching me country with such pa ssion! Luisa Bruhn

MFL French Bon appétit! At the end of the Easter term, my French class had the chance to dedicate a whole lesson to making crêpes, which was a fun break from the usual routine. The first attempts were questionable. A few were politely described as ‘omelettes’, while others had a texture that definitely wasn’t crêpe like. But after a bit of practice, we started to get the hang of it. By the end, we could all flip a proper French crêpe without sending it flying across the room, which felt like a win. We had slowly mastered how to make the best French crêpe. I think that doing French A-level is so much more than learning a language, it’s about understanding and experiencing a different culture, and making crêpes gave us a little taste of this.

to and I came ney-Guillet, is La e This ci Lu ge assistant. My name is k as a langua or w ross to ac el ris me to trav KES from Pa has allowed ity g un in rt br po d culture, an one‑year op discover its , ish om gl gd En in K become an the United I prepare to as ide e gs lif on to al r, working my learning ce. Moreove an w Fr ho in e m ck s shown teacher ba ung adults ha yo a d an ng ni ts t to lear KES studen e commitmen in nu . ge ss a re d og to real pr discipline an steadily lead n ca ch hi ge w ua e perienc foreign lang S for the ex d ateful for KE velopment an de y I am very gr m ributed to nt co ly nt ca has signifi ve. my perspecti broadened

Issy G Y12

Where can languages take you? I went to the Languages Careers Talk because my favourite subjects are French and Spanish and I would like to continue doing them at A-Level and then at university, if I can. I was really interested to hear about where my languages could take me. I found the talk really engaging and it inspired me to consider being a language assistant during a gap year, or during a year abroad at university. Milla H Y11 I came to the talk with a friend hoping to find out about other prospects that could come from studying a language. This webinar was so helpful and gave us ideas for what we could go on to do. I found out about careers in many different areas, such as publishing and teaching and the army. I am thankful to the school for providing us with this opportunity. Edward G Y11

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Music Well! As the ‘First Lady of Song’ and ‘Queen of Jazz’ Ella Fitzgerald once said,

“The only thing better than singing is more singing” – and that perfectly captures KES Music this year. Building on the inspiration of an exceptional outgoing Year 13 cohort of vocal role models, 2025/26 – ‘Year 2’ of our Triennial Programme focusing on singing – has marked a true high point in KES’s vocal achievements.

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The Autumn Term saw a remarkable collaboration with KES Drama in a celebrated production of Sondheim’s Into the Woods, one of the most vocally demanding musicals ever written. This was followed by a moving and uplifting Carol Service in Bath Abbey featuring 109 KES musicians! In the Spring Term, our Music Festival culminated in an unforgettable Choral Extravaganza Concert – arguably one of the most dynamic in recent KES history. All four Senior School choirs (KES MEN, VOX 4, KES 24, and KES Senior Singers), fresh from award-winning performances at the Mid-Somerset Festival, delivered a thrilling programme of 30 pieces. From madrigals and anthems to jazz, folk, country, and specially arranged pop classics, the performance was seamless and exhilarating, supported by our String Quartet and bespoke ensembles. The energy, connection, and sheer joy of singing made it an evening to treasure!

‘KES Music continues to grow, resonate, and celebrate...’ As always, this year has offered over 50 performance opportunities. Highlights included another outstanding Soloists’ Concert at the Holburne Museum and a glittering Orchestral Gala, conducted by internationally acclaimed guest Rebecca Miller. This Bath Philharmonia ‘Side-by-Side’ concert, themed Voices of Change, featured the KES Senior Orchestra, KES 24, and vocal soloists, exploring composers and figures who challenged convention. The programme included ambitious and uplifting repertoire plus a new commission by our resident composer, Mark Boden, all performed in the stunning Guildhall Banqueting Room. Contemporary music continues to flourish within the department. KES Soul delivered energetic performances at Party in the City and our Unite charity concert, while our guitarists visited the YouTube Channel That Pedal Show studios to explore sound, effects, and digital production. The relaunch of our Band Workshop initiative, led by Matt Thorpe, has injected fresh creativity – forming six new bands and, it must be said, increasing the Music Block’s volume! Beyond school, students have enjoyed cultural visits to London, including the Royal College of Music Museum, the V&A Theatre and Performance exhibition, and an evening performance of Hadestown in the West End. Our partnership with the Royal United Hospital has expanded, with more ensembles than ever sharing their well-prepared and accomplished sets with patients, visitors, and staff. Meanwhile, our younger musicians are flourishing through events such as the Year 10 busking initiative, the Lower School Concert, and the Founder’s Day Service in Bath Abbey. Looking ahead, excitement continues to build. With a major, massed forces Gala Concert planned at The Forum in Bath and the school’s 475th anniversary Founder’s Day celebrations in 2027, there will be many opportunities to take part. We warmly invite YOU to come and join us as KES Music continues to grow, resonate, and celebrate the joy and shared experience of making great music together. R Drury

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MUSIC – LOWER SCHOOL

Lower School Singing Compeition

KES Senior Singers

I have loved my first year at KES and getting involved in all the amazing musical activities on offer. I performed in the Year 7 singing contest and I am proud to say, my form 7J, won with Star Trekkin’. Recently, I have been involved in Harmony Rising, which has been a real privilege, particularly performing in Bath Abbey. Also, going to senior singers has been a fantastic way to meet people in the older years.

Being a member of KES 24 and KES Senior Singers has been an honour. I’ve treasured every moment of performing alongside such passionate musicians. The Mid Somerset Festival was a highlight, as schools across Bath came together to display everyone’s wonderful talents. We were delighted to be awarded twice!

MUSIC – UPPER SCHOOL

Ned W Y7

Aurora Orchestra Trip A particular highlight of my musical year was attending a performance by the Aurora Orchestra. We were lucky enough to observe their pre-concert rehearsal and take part in a Q&A session, offering a fascinating insight into life as a professional musician – something I hope to pursue in the future. George C Y11

Arlow R Y7

Junior School Music Week I have loved being part of the KES Orchestra and Baroque Ensemble. Highlights have included performing with Bath Philharmonia and the thrill of returning to Junior School for their Music Week. Being involved in these ensembles has greatly developed my confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. With the support of the Music Team, I have also recorded my ABRSM Performance Grade exams.

MUSIC – SIXTH FORM

Ila C Y11

Musical Theatre Showcase

KES Choral Extravaganza

Having sung in choirs throughout my time at KES, from Junior School through to Senior Singers and KES24, music has been one of the highlights of my school experience. KES Music has provided a wealth of enriching opportunities, from Musical Theatre workshops and performances to festivals and fundraising. My most memorable moment was singing Eric Whitacre’s Child of Wonder with solo cello at my final Carol Service.

KES Music has given me so many opportunities over the years, from the Mid-Somerset Festival to performing in musicals, gala concerts, choral extravaganzas, and Christmas and Founders Day services in the Abbey. Highlights were singing ‘Last Midnight’ in the school musical and ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Angel Down’ with the KES String Quartet. Since year 7, I have achieved my grade 5 Flute and grade 8 Musical Theatre singing exams, supported by the most wonderful teachers.

Alexandra L Y13

Imogen L Y13

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Bath Philharmonia Percussion Masterclass

Music at KES this year has gone beyond practice. Orchestra, wind quartet, and the Bath Philharmonia Woodwind Masterclass gave me opportunities to play with others. Performing, especially at the Guildhall with Bath Phil, was a highlight. It makes practice feel worthwhile, and I’d encourage others to join a music group.

I have been playing music for KES since Year 3 in both orchestras and percussion ensembles. The Mid-Somerset Festival was an amazing experience; to play in such a great venue, and among such talented musicians was brilliant. The Percussion Masterclass this year was such a wonderful opportunity to work one to one with a worldclass percussionist!

Apphia B Y9

MUSIC – MIDDLE SCHOOL

Woodwind Masterclass

Andrew N Y8

KES Soul has had such a successful year, performing at annual events including KES Unite and Party in the City, as well as at Giving Day and Christmas Lunch. Having played keys in Soul for the past five years, it has been one of the most memorable parts of my time at KES. Everyone genuinely loves being part of Soul, and that is what makes it so special to me; it’s something I’ll really miss after leaving school.

‘Everyone genuinely loves being part of Soul, and that is what makes it so special to me; it’s something I’ll really miss after leaving school.’

Amelie H Y13

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MUSIC – KES SOUL

KES soul

MUSIC – EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Remembrance Day

KES Christmas Fair

Since I joined KES, I’ve really enjoyed taking part in all sorts of incredible musical ensembles. This year, through CCF, I have greatly developed my French Horn playing alongside learning the Bugle, which has been a unique challenge, and I was especially honoured to play the Last Post in CCF ceremonial uniform for the school’s Remembrance Assembly last November.

I have been involved in KES Music for three years, playing trumpet and singing. I take part in six ensembles each week, including Seniors Singers, KES24, KES Senior Orchestra, KES Brass, KES Wind and KES Soul. From the magic of the Carol Service to Stevie Wonder in Soul Band, there is always something happening. A highlight this year was performing at the Christmas Fair – playing in smaller ensembles is especially rewarding.

Laura C Y11

Penny H Y9

Bath Orchestral Gala Concert Trip to That Pedal Show As a guitarist, KES offers fantastic opportunities and facilities. A highlight was visiting the ‘That Pedal Show’ studio, gaining insight into content creation and trying incredible equipment. Being part of my band, Redshift, is equally rewarding, with regular coaching and performance opportunities, I’m excited to see how we develop further into the Sixth Form.

MUSIC – PARTNERSHIPS

Rohan G Y11

Playing the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 13 at the KES Bath Orchestral Gala Concert was a defining moment in my musical journey. I’ve been playing piano since I was four, and being able to perform a concerto at the Guildhall was unforgettable! Since joining KES music in year 7, being involved in opportunities such as KES Soul and the Holborne concerts has helped me grow as a musician and performer. Sara S Y13

KES Music at the RUH

KES Carol Service

The Baroque group has been one of the best groups to join in the Music clubs sector. There is always consistently good music to play ranging from Vivaldi to Palladio and Beethoven to Europe’s Final Countdown. It has never been boring with frequent annual trips to the RUH to lighten up the lives of patients in the hospital. As one of many leaders of Senior KES Orchestra & Baroque group who will now move on to the next chapter of life, anyone can rise to the top with enough effort and dedication!

I am involved in Senior Singers, KES24, KES Men and the Percussion Ensemble. As Head Chorister, I love singing in Bath Abbey. I particularly enjoy performing solos especially Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer. Highlights include performing The Snowman, with Bath Philharmonia at the Forum and being conducted by Sir John Rutter.

Jiang W Y13

Maurice M Y7

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I’ve also performed in the Choral Extravaganza, RUH Concert, Gala Concert at the Guildhall and the Carol Service. I’m very much looking forward to singing at Founders’ Day.

Mid Somerset Festival I play drums, percussion, piano, guitar and bass guitar, and I am part of several music clubs across the school, including KES Senior Singers, KES Orchestra, KES Men, Percussion Ensemble and KES Steel, among a few others. This year, I have most enjoyed participating in the MidSomerset Festival and my very first Gala Concert alongside Bath Philharmonia! Ned W Y8

KES Music London Trip Since beginning A Level Music this year, I have loved every opportunity to grow as a singer and performer within KES Music! One of my favourite moments was the incredible London trip: from discovering the fascinating history of instruments at the Royal College of Music Museum to exploring the V&A Theatre collection, before ending the day watching an unforgettable performance of Hadestown in the West End. Performing in the Holburne Soloists’ Concert was yet another memorable experience, and I am especially grateful to the Music department for supporting me in founding my own junior choir, Horizon Singers! Evie S Y12

KES Unite Joining KES Sixth Form in 2024 opened so many doors for me. From my Holburne solo to KES Soul, the department’s support - including a soprano sax loan - has been amazing. I’ll hugely miss the energy of KES Soul and the Sax Ensemble. I can’t wait to join a new band at university and keep the music going! Molly G Y13

Bath Orchestral Gala Concert

Seeing the violinist Esther Abrami rehearse with Bath Phil was an exciting and educational experience. I felt extremely privileged to be able to play in the Holburne Museum concert this year. To be performing on a Steinway, once played on by Rachmaninoff was incredible. There was an indescribable sparkle in the sound of the piano and that made everything seem all magical.

Playing Elgar’s Cello Concerto with Bath Philharmonia in the annual Gala Concert was the perfect end to my seven-year KES musical journey. It was incredible to have the opportunity to perform this iconic piece, as well as the premiere of Mr Mark Boden’s beautiful and highly relevant work ‘Tree of Life’, with an orchestra. The support of the music department removed all the stress and allowed me to fully enjoy and appreciate performing. I absolutely loved this experience and I am so grateful for all of the opportunities that the music department has provided me with during my time at KES.

Hikki W H

Indira P Y13

Bath Phil

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Psychology This has been another exciting year for the Psychology department, marked by a genuine curiosity and passion for understanding human behaviour. We were delighted to welcome Ms Hannah Connellan to the team, whose enthusiasm and fresh perspective has inspired students and driven them to even greater success. A particular congratulations must go to our Year 13 cohort. They have worked tremendously hard throughout the year and should be extremely proud of their achievements. It is especially encouraging to see that so many of the group have chosen to study psychology, or a related discipline at university – clear evidence of the lasting impact their time with us has had. Among many highlights, Brain Day provided an unforgettable experience. Psychology students, Philosophy students and aspiring medics took part in a fascinating neuroscience workshop led by Dr Guy Sutton. The day began with an exploration of consciousness, where students engaged with complex ideas around the neurobiology of experience as well as ethical questions surrounding artificial consciousness. They then took part in a sheep brain dissection, experiencing a rare hands-on opportunity to deepen their understanding of neuroanatomy. The day concluded with thoughtprovoking discussions on criminal behaviour, examining how neurological factors can influence legal responsibility.

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Another standout moment was Psychology in Action in London, where students attended a range of inspiring talks from leading experts. From decision-making to social media’s impact on wellbeing, the event brought psychology vividly to life. Highlights included an eye-opening session on psychopathy by Dee Anand and a memorable demonstration on the fallibility of memory.

‘Brain Day provided an unforgettable experience.’ We were also proud to be involved in research with a PhD student from the University of Bristol, giving students a unique insight into real-world psychological investigation and enriching their understanding of the research process. Overall, this year has been one of growth, achievement and inspiration. Congratulations to all our students! L Wallace

RS & Philosophy This academic year has been one of exceptional growth, enrichment, and inspiration within the Religious Studies and Philosophy Department. With the move into our new state‑of‑the‑art teaching spaces in the Thomson Building, students and staff alike have benefitted from modern facilities designed specifically to enhance reflective discussion, collaborative learning, and philosophical inquiry. The dedicated classrooms and departmental office have already transformed the way we teach and learn – creating a calm, contemporary environment where ideas can genuinely flourish. Our programme of academic experiences beyond the classroom has been equally vibrant. Year 9 were privileged to hear from visiting speaker Bryan Huberman, who delivered a powerful and moving talk about his father, Alfred Huberman, a survivor of the Holocaust and one of the Windermere Children rescued in 1945. Students were deeply impacted by this firsthand connection to history, gaining not only insight into the Holocaust but also a profound understanding of resilience and humanity. In the Spring Term, Year 7 embarked on an eye‑opening visit to the Bristol Orthodox Synagogue, where they explored Jewish belief, practice, and community life. The opportunity to engage directly with a living place of worship brought their classroom learning vividly to life. Year 10 continued their exploration of living faith through a visit to an Orthodox Christian community in Bath, an experience that offered a vivid window into one of the oldest Christian traditions. Students were welcomed warmly and introduced to the rich symbolism, liturgical music, and distinctive iconography that characterise Orthodox worship. Guided by members of the community, they learned about the significance of fasting, the structure of the Divine Liturgy, and the deep sense of continuity the Church maintains with early Christianity. For many, seeing the icons, vestments, and incense in use brought their classroom studies to life, helping them appreciate both the beauty and the complexity of Orthodox spirituality. The visit not only broadened students’ understanding of global Christianity but also encouraged thoughtful conversation about diversity within religious expression.

Meanwhile, our Sixth Form philosophers in Years 12 and 13 travelled to Oxford to attend a series of university‑level philosophy lectures. The experience challenged them to stretch their thinking, engage with current academic debates, and glimpse what philosophical study looks like at the highest level. Pupils from Y9-13 once again took part in the Philosothon UK debating competition regional final, Daisy F securing a prize for Best Facilitator. Altogether, this has been a year that has strengthened our department’s academic depth, broadened our students’ horizons, and cemented the value of our new home in the Thomson Building. We look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead. M Buswell

Extended Project Qualification Working within the KES Pathways programme, twelve pupils have completed Extended Project Qualifications this year, showcasing an impressive breadth of skill, curiosity and academic ambition. Their projects ranged from highly technical builds to nuanced ethical and historical investigations, reflecting the diverse talents nurtured across the school. One pupil designed and constructed Bluetooth headphones entirely from scratch, demonstrating advanced engineering, problemsolving and perseverance. Others pursued rigorous research, including a sophisticated analysis of the motivations of the Cambridge Five, and a thoughtful exploration of abortion and the rights of women, handled with maturity and intellectual balance. Across all projects, students honed critical thinking, independent research, communication and creativity. The success of these EPQs highlights not only individual dedication but also the strength of the KES Pathways programme in enabling pupils to pursue passions beyond the curriculum and develop skills essential for university and future careers. These achievements exemplify excellence, resilience, and a spirit of innovation. M Buswell

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Science: Biology DNA Day In February, the Year 13 Biologists were lucky enough to visit We the Curious in Bristol for its ‘Question of Taste’ experience, a lab-based PCR testing workshop. There, we examined our own genetic traits through DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis, ultimately determining our individual genotypes.

method accurately. This club helped improve the Yr 9’s critical thinking. It has also benefitted us by improving our patience and ability to manage/work with a group of younger students. As a prefect, this club has also enabled us to use our initiative to help teach younger students using an ‘easier to understand’ explanation of complex terminologies. It has also been a lovely way to meet younger students and share our interests in science. Harshana, Matilda, Aleena and Millie Y12.

Using professional equipment was both challenging and exciting, giving us a valuable opportunity to develop our practical skills and biological precision. From swabbing our own cheek cells and following a meticulous method, the hands-on experience was truly enjoyable. We also considered the wider ethical questions surrounding contemporary DNA research, including its role in advanced medical treatments and diagnosis, as well as considering the threat of contamination when dealing with such precise samples. Beyond the lab, the rest of the day was just as memorable! We had time to explore We the Curious’ interactive exhibits and had a well-earned lunch in Bristol city centre. This experience was a lovely break from classroom learning, as it really brought my A-Level biology studies to life! Iris R Y13

CREST 2026 Hi! I’m Lily and I’m currently working towards a Bronze Crest Award in Science. The Crest Award is a practical, project-based award that you can complete in teams of up to 6. My team and I decided to base our project on a recent biology topic on photosynthesis and apply our knowledge on nutrients to research the effect of natural fertilisers on the growth of sunflowers. We used 4 different growth mediums – crushed eggshells, used coffee grounds, a control of plain soil and a complete growth medium. As an alternative to harsh chemical fertilisers, we aimed to find a fertiliser made from household waste that would ordinarily become food waste. Crushed eggshells consistently produce the tallest plants, and we plan to publish graphs to show our research. Lily M Y9 As Science prefects, we have had the joy of working with the Year 9’s at the Crest Science Club. Every Tuesday lunchtime, each of the 4 teams set up and carry out an experiment of their choice. They must complete it within 10 weeks to achieve their Bronze Crest Award. They record their activities and findings in a workbook and created an aim, which we helped them achieve through research and experimentation. Our main job has been gently guiding them towards a safe and sensible method, whilst preventing them from doing anything hazardous e.g. tasting soil or injecting classmates! We helped them come up with control variables and made sure their experiments were valid. We then helped them present and analyse their results and record their final

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Year 9 Crest Award This year, 4 teams of Year 9 students are completing their Bronze Crest Science Award. Supported by the Year 12 science prefects and Dr Miskin, Mr Cass, Mrs McCarthy and Mrs Baker, the investigations this year include: the effect of caffeine on reaction times, exploring the best recipe for making bath bombs, designing the best compost using household food waste and the effect of moisture in sand, on the crater size and depth caused by falling objects. We look forward to seeing the student final presentations in the next few weeks, before they submit their findings to Crest and await their well-earned Bronze Awards. Well done Year 9.

Biology Olympiad Congratulations to the following Year 12 Biologists who achieved fantastic results in the British Biology Olympiad last term. Raj R (Y13)

Gold

Amy C

Gold

Millie H

Silver

Larissa D

Bronze

Ben M

Bronze

Alex T

Bronze

Amy M

Bronze

Mia W

Bronze

Kat K

Highly Commended

Elspeth A

Highly Commended

Jemima H Highly Commended Elliot T Kaan A Baker

Highly Commended Commended

Science: Chemistry Junior Chemistry Challenge

their understanding of how science is applied in real research and in industry. A particular highlight was a talk from Robert Winston, whose clear explanations and engaging style helped make complex ideas feel accessible and relevant. His session sparked plenty of discussion among pupils afterwards and added real depth to the day.

Year 12 Young Analyst Competition

This was our first year entering the Junior Chemistry Challenge and 46 intrepid KES Year 11 pupils decided to take on the task. It is only the second year the competition has been open to schools beyond Cambridgeshire, and a total of 5145 pupils entered nationwide. The challenge required students to tackle a wide range of problem solving questions, from interpreting unfamiliar chemical data to applying core principles in new contexts. Many of the problems were designed to stretch their reasoning, asking them to think beyond the curriculum, analyse patterns and make logical predictions based on evidence. All students at KES received either a Copper, Silver or Gold award, and we were delighted that 16 KES students achieved the gold standard, which is awarded to only the top 15 percent of competitors. It is a fantastic achievement from a super group of pupils. KES students recently attended GCSE Science Live at the Theatre Royal in Bath, joining schools from across the region for a day designed to bring science beyond the classroom and into the real world. The atmosphere was lively from the start, with pupils keen to hear from scientists who work at the forefront of their fields. One of the most valuable aspects of the event was the chance for pupils to hear scientific ideas explained by experts other than their teachers. Hearing different voices, perspectives and experiences helped broaden

This year’s annual trip to the University of Bath once again provided an excellent opportunity for our Sixth Form chemists to experience applied chemistry beyond the classroom. A group of 25 students made the short journey up the hill to the university’s laboratories to take part in the RSC Young Analyst Competition 2026. Working in small teams, students were challenged to analyse evidence from a fictional crime scene. Using a combination of thin layer chromatography (TLC), titration, and gravimetric analysis, they applied their practical skills and chemical knowledge to uncover the identity of unknown substances. The forensic theme added a real sense of purpose and fun to the tasks, with students fully embracing the investigative nature of the day. It was encouraging to see such strong collaboration, resilience, and enthusiasm across all groups. Every student engaged impressively with the techniques, and there was a genuine sense of achievement by the end of the session. We are very grateful to the University of Bath for hosting us so generously and continuing to support this trip – it remains a highlight of the academic year. Huge congratulations to Amy, Larissa, Annabel and Lewis for winning the event, beating Hafsa, Amy and Constantina into second place. M Oehler

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Science: Physics

Quantum on the Clock Competition This year, three Year 12 girls embraced the challenge of the Institute of Physics’ Quantum on the Clock competition, which invites students to explain a concept in quantum science in a three minute video. Both our teams did immensely well, with Wendy Z being awarded ‘Highly commended runner-up’ (joint third place) for her video on ‘Quantum Tunnelling & the 2025 Nobel Prize’ and Hafsa S and Annabel R being awarded ‘Most engaging video’ (joint second place) for their video on ‘Quantum Entanglement’. Hafsa S and Annabel R worked together to explore the principles of quantum entanglement. Their video tackled Einstein’s famous description of ‘spooky action at a distance’. explaining how the spins of two electrons can remain interlinked even when separated by vast distances. Wendy Z chose a very different creative route, blending Greek mythology with physics to illuminate the phenomenon of quantum tunnelling, making an abstract idea both memorable and accessible. Although it is unusual to have two winners in a national competition, it was not surprising for us given the girls exceptional enthusiasm, originality and intellectual courage.

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Lunch with a Physicist During the Spring Term, the Physics Department hosted its annual Lunch with a Physicist event, welcoming three Old Edwardians back to school to share their experiences. This year’s speakers were Oliver McCambridge, Head of Landing Gear, Retraction and Monitoring at Airbus; Dr Alan Bowman, a renewable energy scientist at the University of Oxford; and Eve Chilcott, a structural engineer at ARUP. In an informal lunchtime setting, students rotated through small group discussions, learning about diverse careers in engineering, research and sustainability. The opportunity to hear honest reflections on career pathways and real world applications of physics proved both engaging and inspiring, offering a clear vision of life beyond the classroom.

‘These competitions highlight the depth of talent, creativity and enthusiasm for physics across the forms...’ These competitions highlight the depth of talent, creativity and enthusiasm for physics across the forms, and we were really pleased to see so many students taking part or supporting their peers. We are also grateful for the dedication and support of our brilliant Physics prefect team, who guide and judge the competition.

Interform Physics Our termly Interform Physics Challenge’s continues to be hugely popular with our Year 7 and Year 8 pupils, engaging girls and boys alike. Each challenge encourages small teams to blend scientific thinking with inventive and hands-on problem solving. Year 7 began the Autumn term with the Tower Challenge. 7G emerged victorious, constructing an astonishing tower measuring 107 cm – over 30 cm taller than last year’s winning design. The Spring term saw pupils take on the Paper Bridge Challenge, building bridges from just a single sheet of paper. Once again, 7G claimed the top spot, while 7H were recognised for the most aesthetically pleasing design. Year 8 pupils rose to equally demanding tasks. In the Autumn boat-building challenge, 8H dominated by successfully floating 800 g with a paper-based boat. The Spring challenge required pupils to build a timepiece, and 8H delivered a remarkable pendulum clock capable of measuring time to within less than a second.

Olympiad success We are delighted to celebrate another strong year of achievement in the British Physics Olympiad. Nationally renowned for their difficulty, the Olympiad is designed to encourage deeper engagement with Physics while recognising excellence, resilience, and intellectual curiosity well beyond curriculum requirements. Coveted Gold and Silver awards were achieved in both age categories. In the Intermediate Challenge (Year 11), outstanding performances were delivered by Rohan G, Max H, Ifor W, Will P, Shlok U, Jemimah B, Cindy K, and Jesse Q. At Senior level (Year 12), top awards were secured by Thomas B, Orlando B, Danny W, and Hafsa S. Success at this high standard demonstrates impressive analytical confidence and outstanding problem solving.

‘These achievements exemplify the high aspirations, resilience, and academic excellence we strive to nurture across the school.’ We are also especially proud of Joe P, who achieved a Silver award in the first round of the national selection process for the British Physics Olympiad international team, placing him among the top young physicists in the country. These achievements exemplify the high aspirations, resilience, and academic excellence we strive to nurture across the school. S Richardson

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Rugby This has been an outstanding season for rugby at KES, with up to 16 teams competing from Year 7 through to the 1st XV. In the Junior School, the Year 6 squad enjoyed a remarkable campaign, completing an unbeaten IAPS tournament without conceding a try before delivering another strong performance at the annual KES Festival. This talented group promises much as they progress into the Senior School. The depth and strength of rugby at KES were evident throughout the season, with every squad throughout the age groups contributing to a series of memorable performances that reflected the school’s values.

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‘We are proud of the many pupils involved in the Bath Academy pathway.’

The Spring Term saw a successful 7s programme, with each age group entering two tournaments ahead of the Rosslyn Park National 7s. The 1st VII topped their group before exiting in the knockouts, while the U13s enjoyed a standout season, winning trophies at Millfield and Port Regis and remaining unbeaten in the Rosslyn waterfall competition. They also made their debut at Caldicott 10s, performing impressively. Girls’ rugby has continued to develop strongly. The U16s’ competed in two tournaments, and this year saw the introduction of an U18 Girls’ competition at the KES 7s Tournament, which our team won. Training numbers in

Years 7–9 have been encouraging, and with over 20 Year 5 and 6 girls signed up for the summer term, the future of girls’ rugby at KES looks extremely promising. We are proud of the many pupils involved in the Bath Academy pathway. Special congratulations go to Cade C and Ali A, who represented the U18 side that finished as runners-up in the Academy League. Also to Clemmie W who is in the England Rugby Union U18 Performance Development Group. S Lilley

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Girls’ Hockey An exciting girls’ hockey season saw the younger age groups put in some impressive performances with the U13A and U14A both qualifying for the Regionals. The U13As went all the way to the final of the Tier 1 Regional Tournament, which is an outstanding achievement. The U14Bs showed the depth of talent at the school, winning their County Plate Competition.

At the top end of the school, it was brilliant to see so many girls again committing to hockey in Years 11, 12 and 13. The 3rd XI played with skill and determination reflecting the strength in depth of the senior girls’ hockey squads. The 2nd XI began the season slowly, but their skills and overall gameplay improved rapidly as they remained unbeaten for the second half of the season. Following the pre-season trip to Cardiff, the 1st XI started strongly, reaching the semi-finals of the Sherborne Tournament, which was backed up by a positive run in the National Cup. There was no shortage of challenges as the term, went on but it is a testament to the girls and the leading Year 13 players, that they were able to display great resilience, determination and spirit throughout. We have been delighted to see our pupils’ ongoing success on the GB Hockey Talent Pathway. Daisy B, Jess C, Peggy M and Vicky M were all selected into the

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Team Bath Talent Academy, while Ava S took another significant step on her journey, with selection into the England U18 squad – a really great achievement.

‘KES players are also making a significant impact in senior club hockey.’ KES players are also making a significant impact in senior club hockey, with Peggy M, Vicky M and Ava S playing an important role for Team Bath Buccaneers Women’s 1st XI who gained promotion to the National Division 1 South for next season, the second highest league in the country. P Livesey

‘...they were able to display great resilience, determination and spirit throughout.’

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The Spring Term saw plenty of excitement, drama and a lot of fun on the hockey pitch. The boys’ teams played some brilliant hockey across the age groups, taking the field on over 130 occasions over the course of the season. The 2nd XI and 3rd XI played with a positive blend of attacking drive and defensive grit putting on some impressive displays in a challenging fixture list. Following a tough start to the season, the 1st XI were excellent. A series of victories in their regular season block fixtures was backed up by a strong run to the quarter finals of the National Plate. The team played with plenty of attacking flair and always provided an entertaining spectacle. A feature of their season was an unnerving habit of going one, two or three goals behind, before staging thrilling comebacks, which was a testament to their spirit and resilience. In the younger years attendance at training was always positive with the U14s and U15s able to field A, B and C teams. While in Year 7 and 8 the majority of boys represented the school in fixtures over the course of the term. Throughout the season it has been evident again that there is great potential progressing through the school. This was typified by the U12s who scored over 100 goals across the season, with the A team hammering in 50 of them at an average of over 6 goals per game! KES players continue to make great progress through the GB Hockey Talent pathway with a significant number of

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our boys showing that they have the potential to achieve representative honours in the future. Max F, James R, Tiger H and Toby P all made significant steps on this journey with selection into the Team Bath Talent Academy. P Livesey

Boys’ Hockey

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Netball The Spring 2026 netball season will be remembered as one of the most successful and uplifting in recent KES history. From the first whistle to the final fixtures, players across all age groups demonstrated exceptional commitment, resilience, and passion for the game. With almost 20 teams, close to 200 girls representing the school most weekends, over 200 matches played, and seven competitive tournaments entered, the scale and success of the programme have been truly remarkable.

The season began in fitting style with the annual Friday night netball match, which once again proved to be a fantastic showcase for KES netball. Opening the evening, our U11s proudly stepped into the spotlight and delivered an impressive performance that added to the sense of occasion. Played in front of enthusiastic school support, the 1st team then took centre stage and produced an impressive squad performance. The Year 7 cohort set early standards with exceptional training attendance and strong performances across all teams, highlighted by the U12 A team’s victory at the Bath Schools Tournament. This dedication continued through the U13 and U14 age groups, where purposeful team play and tactical growth led to impressive results, including unbeaten seasons for the U13B and U14C teams. The U15s also deserve recognition for showing excellent resilience and competing strongly in consistently competitive fixtures.

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The senior squads concluded the season on a high. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th teams further complemented this success with a positive and rewarding campaign. The 2nd team, captained by Beth R, demonstrated perseverance throughout the year and finished the season with renewed confidence. As a newly formed squad, the 1st team remained unbeaten in all block fixtures, won the Collegiate 7s Tournament and finished an impressive fourth in the South West at the Regional Finals. Under the outstanding leadership of Millie K, their ambition, unity, and consistency firmly established them as one of the most successful 1st teams in recent history. Individual success also featured prominently, with ten pupils selected for the Avon County Academy. In addition, Lulu O, Ottilie B, Isla G, May C, Olivia L and Jess S represented Team Bath through the Athletic Development Centre, while Roami W and Katy G trained within the Player

Development Programme. A special mention goes to Katy G, who combined her involvement in Team Bath’s Player Development Programme with selection for the U17 Welsh National Academy for the second consecutive year – an exceptional achievement.

‘We are enormously thankful to our dedicated coaching team...’ We are enormously thankful to our dedicated coaching team for their expertise and unwavering commitment, and we wish our Year 13 leavers every success as they take their next steps beyond KES. We could not be more proud of every pupil who represented KES netball in 2026. R Collett

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Football As another season almost comes to a close, the last two years can realistically be described as the golden years of KES football. KES have enjoyed a consistent brand of football that has reached new heights – top performances against major football-playing schools. Our 1st X1 have played with skill, pace, aggression and control, and there has been a team spirit of togetherness, determination and drive. In the last 2 years KES 1st X1 have played 25 games with only 4 defeats, 3 by one goal margins and one by a penalty shoot-out. 23rd in the SOCS UK Performance League last year, and up 10th at one stage this year out of 240 schools. Runners-up in the Somerset Cup Final in 2025 and cruelly beaten on penalties in the semi-final this year. This year has been a real mix of experience, skill and youth – the dependable old guard of Fred G, Alex D, Jamie R, Panos, Toby D and Tom F providing a sound platform for the cavalier young guns of Raffi B, Joe F, Dan T, Henry P and Leo M to wreak havoc with their flair, skill, hurt runs and enthusiasm. We should not discount the exquisite skills and balance of Oli L and the Year 12 contingent of Will M, Raheem, Dec R and Louis H-A. What a talented squad they have been, a pleasure to work with! There have been many highlights over 2 terms – the 7 straight wins with 34 goals scored and only 6 conceded, memorable performances in big games – the first win against Beechen Cliff in 12 years, the hard-fought wins against Sherborne and the complete performance and 6-0 against Dauntsey’s. The goals have been shared amongst the team – Jamie R topped with 6 goals and Will M, Raheem and Leo M scored 4 each.

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The Cup run again was a highlight this year. After a tricky first round win on penalties against Backwell School, KES comfortably beat Writhlington (2-0) and King’s College (3-0) and then met the Blue School, Wells in the semi-final at the Colosseum in a howling gale. It was a physical and mental challenge to overcome the elements and bad fortune that sometimes happens in sport. Again, this game went to penalties after being tied at 2-2 after extra time. This time the accuracy wasn’t quite there, and the KES golden generation were knocked out. A bitter pill to swallow, but lessons learned and on to the the long-awaited local derby, KES v Kingswood where we finished the season in style with a 3-2 win.

‘It is now the end of an era – time for the leavers to hang up the KES boots...’ My thanks go to all the boys who have represented all three KES football teams this year. The 2nd team have played several close matches and won just the one but have enjoyed the opportunity to play together. Well done lads. It is now the end of an era – time for the leavers (and myself) to hang up the KES boots, time for others to continue the journey, the highs and lows and to keep the football faith. Good luck next season and beyond KES. YNWA. D Chapman

Awards 1st X1

2nd X1

Players’ Player of the Season Oli L

Players’ Player of the Season Dylan L

Coaches Players of the Season Fred G (captain) and Panos K

Coaches Player of the Season Hugo B

Sporting Spirit Award Alex D

Sporting Spirit Award Hector W-B

Sports Dinner The 40th KES Annual Sports Dinner was held at Cumberwell Golf Club in early May. This formal occasion brought together senior pupils, parents, and staff to celebrate the sporting achievements of the past year, and to honour our outstanding sportsmen and sportswomen with prestigious awards.

This year’s award winners were as follows: Sportswoman of the Year:

Beth R

Sportsman of the Year:

Alex D

Female Sports Personality:

Ulrika A

Male Sports Personality:

Freddie C

The evening featured speeches from our team captains, each reflecting on their season’s journey. They highlighted not only their successes, but also the growth, resilience, and development of their squads.

Lang Jones Award for Sporting Spirit:

Tim B

Netball:

Bethan M

It was a wonderful evening that recognised the important role sport has played in the lives of so many students during their time at KES. It celebrated the teamwork, commitment, and enjoyment that sport brings, but above all, the friendships formed and the invaluable life lessons learned along the way.

Rugby:

Cade C and Ali A

Golf:

Lili M, Abi W and Billy S M

Hockey:

Ava S

Netball:

Katy G

Cricket:

Ava O

E-Sports:

Henry M

Sailing:

Maia D

L Gwilliam

Recognition of Sporting Excellence:

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Cricket It has been a superb summer of cricket at King Edward’s, characterised by fine weather, excellent playing surfaces, and a full programme of fixtures for both boys and girls across all age groups. Our Year 7 pupils have made a promising start to their cricketing journey. The boys produced several encouraging performances and demonstrated significant improvement over the course of the term. A standout moment came from Curran D, who claimed an impressive hat-trick against Beechen Cliff. The girls have also enjoyed considerable success by winning the majority of their fixtures and showing great promise for the future. Notable individual performances came from Ettie C and Helana C, both of whom earned well-deserved call-ups to the U15 squad. In Year 8, there have been several excellent individual performances, with Oscar W, Charlie B, and Viraaj K, all impressing and going on to represent the senior 1st XI against Prior Park. The girls likewise achieved strong results, with many pupils making valuable contributions. Years 9 and 10 have had a mixed season, however, there are clear signs of development as these players prepare for the transition to senior cricket. A particular highlight was the Year 10 girls’ progression in the County Cup. In addition, Advait, Jamie and Gordon (Y9) performed admirably for the senior 1st XI, with Advait taking key wickets in several fixtures.

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The senior squads have faced challenges with player availability due to examinations, but despite this there have been many moments of real quality. Ellie P impressed with the bat, while Luke W achieved a hat-trick against Downside. Freddie C, who stepped in as captain, showed excellent leadership and consistency throughout the season. Attention now turns to Cricket Week, where a fullstrength senior squad looks forward to competing in five prestigious fixtures. A special mention must go to the leaving cricketers who have given so much for the cricket programme in their time at KES. Including Ava O for being selected for the Somerset CCC academy pathway squad and Katy G who has represented Wiltshire 1st XI and is also part of the Glamorgan/Wiltshire Pathway. We wish everyone who leaves us well for the future and I hope they continue to pursue their love of cricket by playing at university and beyond. Our sincere thanks go to all staff involved in the cricket programme, particularly Mr Ellison and Mrs Young (Head of Girls’ Cricket), as well as our outstanding catering team and dedicated grounds staff. We are also extremely grateful to Bath Cricket Club for granting access to their indoor facilities, which proved invaluable during the examination period. Cricket continues to play a central role in the summer term at King Edward’s, providing pupils with the opportunity to develop their skills, character, and enjoyment of the game. We look forward to building on this season’s successes and further inspiring a lasting enthusiasm for cricket across the school. G Brown

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Tennis It has been an outstanding and highly successful term for KES Tennis, with excellent progress, enthusiasm, and competitive success evident across all year groups.

In our local friendly fixtures against Kingswood, Monkton, Prior and Royal High, our players have enjoyed the competition and played some great tennis along the way.

Pupils have shown fantastic commitment throughout lessons and co-curricular sessions, embracing opportunities to develop their technical skills, tactical awareness, and match-play confidence. The fixtures have been a real highlight of the term, with teams representing the school with pride, energy, and excellent sportsmanship.

Beyond fixtures, the continued development of a positive, inclusive tennis culture has been a real strength this term. Participation has been high, and it has been particularly encouraging to see so many pupils enjoying and engaging with the sport at all levels. E Young

The National Schools Division 2 Tennis League has been a standout success. The U13 and U15 boys’ teams have made an exceptional start, remaining unbeaten with two wins from two matches against Beechen Cliff and Collegiate. The U13 girls have delivered some excellent performances, recording impressive wins against Collegiate and Redmaids’, and competing strongly against Clifton College. Similarly, the U15 girls have produced a series of strong performances, securing notable wins against Monkton and Redmaids’.

Golf The Avon Schools’ Golf Championship was at Filton Golf Club, Bristol. Over 120 players teed off, with KES being represented by six golfers this year. Our team, captained by Ollie P, Daniel T and Zac D came a creditable 9th out of 23 teams. The standout performance came from Zac D who carded a net 71, which placed him 23rd out of 120. Zac continued his good form later into the season, winning his first junior open event, sponsored by Justin Rose, with a field of 42 golfers, at the challenging Taunton Pickeridge GC. He went round in a 5 over PAR 74. D Hacker

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Athletics It has been an exciting and highly successful period for athletics at KES. Ella D continues to excel at a national level. In December 2025, she claimed 1st place at the Welsh Open Track and Field Championships in the U15 High Jump, clearing an impressive 1.60m. Following this, Ella was invited to compete alongside the top-ranked athletes in the UK at the England Athletics National Indoor Championships, held in February 2026 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, where she finished an excellent 2nd overall in the U15 High Jump. We are also delighted that Ella D and Ruby T have both been selected to represent Avon at the English Schools Championships in July in Birmingham. Good luck, girls! At school, Thomas W broke a long-standing school record, surpassing the 2002 High Jump record of 1.42m with a superb jump of 1.55m. Meanwhile, Toby J set a new milestone in the 1500m, breaking the 1999 record of 5.02.00 with an outstanding time of 4.53.00. In team events, both the boys’ and girls’ squads (24 athletes in total) competed in the ESAA Cup at Yate in May, with the boys finishing a commendable 6th out of 12 schools. Additionally, 33 students from Years 8–10 represented the school at the BANES athletics competition, with 6 of these students selected to take part at the county round of the competition. Unfortunately, this term also saw a first in school history, as Sports Day was sadly cancelled due to an unprecedented red weather warning for extreme heat. Overall, it has been a superb season showcasing talent, determination, and progress across all age groups. We look forward to continuing this success in the months ahead. L Gwilliam

Dressage Matilda L proudly represented her county at the prestigious NSEA Inter-County Dressage Championships at Hickstead after qualifying through a successful season. Riding her Connemara pony, Shanbo Friendly Man (“Colin”), she delivered a confident individual performance for KES, demonstrating skill, dedication and sportsmanship in challenging conditions. Competing at such an iconic venue is a significant achievement. We congratulate Matilda on this accomplishment and look forward to her future successes. L Gwilliam

XC This academic year has been a standout one for cross country at the school, with impressive participation and exceptional performances at every level. A remarkable 67 pupils competed at the BANES competition, demonstrating both commitment and enthusiasm for the sport. From this strong cohort, 10 athletes earned the honour of representing Avon at the county round, where they continued to excel. Two pupils progressed even further to the Southwest Cross Country Championships in Exeter, showcasing the depth of talent within the team. Among the highlights, Toby J delivered a superb performance to finish 15th, while Lucy G impressed with a 9th-place finish, securing her place at the prestigious English Schools Championships. Lucy went on to achieve an outstanding result at the English Schools final in Liverpool, placing 158th in a highly competitive field of 348 runners. An improvement of 11 places on last year and a fantastic top-half finish. The Year 7s and 8s also got the opportunity to represent the school at the Kingswood XC relays. They all performed well and enjoyed the mixed event of an individual race and a 4-person relay. These achievements reflect a year of dedication, resilience and remarkable progress across the entire cross-country squad. K Trump

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Activities Week

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Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is firmly embedded in the life of our school and for the second year running almost 200 pupils embarked on an award. Right from the start they got stuck into their activity sections and maintained their momentum throughout the year, volunteering for over 50 different charities and organisations, learning new skills and getting fitter. In February, 110 pupils were invited to attend our annual presentation evening to receive their bronze or silver award and enjoyed some excellent talks by our year 13 gold award students. We have never had so many bronze participants complete their award within the year. 112 pupils began their bronze award in October 2024 and of those, 85 completed it. With such large numbers consistently opting on to do DofE I have been very grateful for the help of two of our current year 13 pupils Rowan and Albie. They enrolled on the DofE’s young leaders scheme, using it for their volunteering for their gold award and have provided invaluable support to the younger pupils. In May eleven Gold Award holders attended the Gold Award Celebrations at Buckingham Palace and in total 24 students have completed their Gold award this year including eleven current year 13 students. Congratulations to : Ali A, James B, Edward B, Grace C, Jacob C, Max D-C, Monty E, Harriet E, Leo H, Daniel H, Sheung H I, Lucy M, Ella M, Joseph P, Benjamin P, William R, Ahmad R, Bethan R, Iris R, Susannah S, Beth S, Harry T, Juliette W and Yvie W.

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I have been involved with the DofE award at KES since I began teaching at the school in 2002 and then took over as KES DofE Manager and Bronze Coordinator in 2015. This has been my final year as I now begin retirement. Since records began in 2010, KES staff have supported 2,353 young people to begin their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award journeys, and an incredible 1,181 young people to achieve their Awards. It has been a privilege to see our pupils embracing the values of DofE, developing confidence and leadership, and in some cases become advocates for the programme themselves.

‘24 students have completed their Gold award this year.’ There are so many KES staff to thank for their dedication to the award. From the many staff who support the expeditions to those who monitor the progress of pupils through their other sections and write the assessor reports. Without the time and energy they have given it would simply not be possible to run the award. Special thanks go to Mrs Williams and Mrs Baker for their endless hard work with silver and gold groups. To Mrs Champniss for all her hard work behind the scenes with our DofE expeditions and to Mrs Dulieu who is our verifier and makes sure we maintain the standards set out by the DofE. Finally, I would like to say how much I have enjoyed all my time with the scheme, whether it be on expeditions, reading their assessor reports or gently cajoling them to finish their awards. Dr A Fewell

Ten Tors 2026: A Test of Determination Both teams showed resilience, determination, and teamwork throughout our gruelling journeys across Dartmoor. Both teams crossed the finishing line early on Sunday morning proudly holding our smart new KES flag.

This year, two KES teams took on the formidable Ten Tors Challenge: a Year 10 team completing the 35-mile route and a Year 12 team tackling the 45-mile challenge. Arriving at Okehampton Camp on Friday, we were met by the whirr of Chinook helicopters, the hum of drones, and thousands of walkers. The campsite resembled a vibrant festival of outdoor attire, buzzing with nervous energy.

On behalf of all participants, we extend our sincere thanks to KES staff for their dedication and preparation in making this exceptional experience possible. I would, without hesitation, recommend Ten Tors to anyone who is up for a challenge. Drummond L Y10

Thanks to Mr Lang and Mr Titman, our camp was already set up – a much-appreciated small luxury – giving both teams time to explore the Army’s impressive stalls and activities, from virtual flight simulators to air rifle shooting. Friendly rivalry grew as we enjoyed a hearty BBQ to fuel us for the demanding weekend ahead. We awoke to Chariots of Fire echoing across camp, heightening anticipation. Nervous energy coursed through us all and there was quite the queue for the port-a-loos! At 7am, 3,000 participants gathered at the start line as paratroopers descended carrying an enormous Union Jack flag. After a dramatic countdown and cannon blast, the challenge began.

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CCF It has been another exceptional year for the KES CCF Band and Drums, with cadets once again demonstrating dedication, talent, and enthusiasm on a national stage. Members of the unit have embraced exciting opportunities, showcasing their skills and representing the school with pride. A major highlight of the year has been participation in the prestigious national music camps. Cadets attended the autumn course held at Lydd during the October half-term, followed by the Easter course at Otterburn in Northumberland. These camps provided invaluable experiences, allowing students to rehearse and perform alongside other talented musicians from across the country, while further developing their technical skills and musical confidence. Among this year’s standout achievements is the success of French horn player, Corporal Laura C. Laura was selected for the National Cadet Band – an honour that recognises her exceptional musical ability and commitment. During the Otterburn course, she took part in the impressive ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony at Edinburgh Castle, a memorable occasion that marked the culmination of the camp and celebrated the highest standards of cadet musicianship. Laura’s achievements extend even further. In recognition of her talent, she has been invited to ‘dual-role,’ performing not only with KES but also with the Band and Drums of Gwent and Powys ACF. This opportunity has already seen

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her participate in a range of additional performances and engagements, broadening her experience and exposure at a regional and national level. Looking ahead, Laura has been selected to accompany Gwent and Powys on an exciting international visit to Colorado this September. There, she will take part in the Estes Park International Tattoo, a prestigious festival that brings together military bands and performers from around the world. This is a remarkable opportunity and a testament to her hard work, dedication, and musical excellence. Alongside these headline successes, other cadets have also reached important personal milestones this year. Tyler D-Y achieved his two star qualification on side drum, demonstrating both technical skill and consistent commitment. Meanwhile, Dylan T successfully completed his one star award on saxophone, marking an excellent continuation to his progression within the Band and Drums. Well done to all. As we celebrate this year’s achievements, we also mark the departure of our senior cadets, Tim B and Will H, who have ably led the band for the past few years. Their leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm will be greatly missed, and we wish them every success in their future endeavours. Capt C Jones

Exercise Next Step

Farewell Seniors

In the first weekend of March, KES CCF set out for Sennybridge training camp in Brecon, a spot famous for its foul weather and military exercises, as part of ‘Exercise Next Step’. Upon arrival the cadets began to settle in, with half of the contingent setting up a harbour in the woods, while the remainder slept in the nearby barn. After a night surprisingly untroubled by rain, and with the sentries unchallenged by the local livestock, the training began. With stands including section tactics, radio signals, archery, an observation game and first aid, this year’s intake were exposed to a variety of new content and valuable skills, bringing them one step closer to their One Star badge and equipping them with useful problem-solving skills and the ability to react under pressure. Under the direction of the section-commanders, those who had completed their weapon handling test received their first taste of blank firing. In addition, on the second night the Year 9 sections were treated to a light show by the Year 10 cadets carrying out their first ambush in preparation for the imminent MOI training course over the summer.

Not only do the lighter and longer sunnier evenings help with CCF parade nights, but they also sadly mean it is time to say goodbye to our senior cadets. As CSM, I have been very ably assisted by CSgt Tim B and CSgt Will H in delivering much of the training to the younger cadets, especially the recruits. I was proud to complete the Master Cadet award last summer and have enjoyed leading the contingent this year. CSgt B has been our diligent storeman – a vital role in an ever-expanding contingent and CSgt H has literally led from the front as our Drum Major. They have made wonderful role models in their smart appearance, attitude and most of all their dedication to the cadet experience. On behalf of all the CCF staff we thank them enormously for their commitment and wish them well in the future.

Cpl Rufus L & Cpl Arty W

We are in our fifth and final year at CCF and have thoroughly enjoyed our time in the contingent. Over the years, we have been lucky to have multiple opportunities, unique to cadets, such as static line skydiving! As well as this, CCF camps at lots of training grounds across the country allowed us to learn survival skills, tactics and form great friendships. Outside of the field, music, shooting, archery, first aid and drill are just some of the skills we have learned to do and teach. Getting promoted through our time at CCF taught us how to instruct and lead groups of younger cadets at camps and on parade nights, giving us invaluable experiences that have and will help in wider life. The skills we compiled at cadets allowed us to earn a L2 BTEC, worth 3 GCSEs. We are very grateful for everything we have had the opportunity to do, and it has been an unforgettable experience. CSM Juliet H

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Clubs & Societies Anscombe Club The Anscombe Club is a society that encourages fearless intellectual inquiry. by helping pupils better understand their place in the world by inviting them to think freely, ask big questions and discover new ideas. This year’s programme has seen us journeying from ancient Rome to ancient Greece and beyond. We followed the

evolution of a musical revolution in ‘Jazz through Time’ and looked at real-world applications in ‘What should the Government spend its money on?’. The Anscombe Club has proven that learning has no boundaries and we strongly encourage all pupils who are interested in challenging assumptions and venturing beyond familiar territory to join us in September for a new series of fascinating interactive lectures and workshops. J Rees Roberts

MUN The Hague “My experience at MUN: The Hague was one of the most memorable of my life, debating, forming friendships and

creating speeches. From speaking in front of hundreds of people to having dinner at an American steak house with my peers, it was really a once in a lifetime opportunity, and one I’m sure will help shape my career.” Eca N Y12

Textiles Club: Sketch, Print, Wear at the Holburne Museum In March, KES Textiles Club students went to the Holburne Museum to visit an exhibition of Zandra Rhodes’ most iconic work and to participate in a printmaking workshop. We first learned about the life and style of Zandra Rhodes and why she is such an interesting, unique printmaker and fashion designer. In the exhibition gallery, we sketched our favourite garments, patterns, shapes and details from artefacts in the Holburne’s permanent collection. We then used our sketches and inspiration from Zandra’s pieces to create our own layered prints onto fabric using different

printmaking techniques. My favourite part was seeing the designs up-close, knowing they were all handmade by such a talented artist. Her designs are so different to others I’ve come across, which made this such an inspiring trip. Evie W Y9

Enterprise Club Following the Tycoon enterprise competition with the Peter Jones Foundation, the club provided a valuable opportunity for students to turn ideas into action. Six groups, made up of students from Year 7 through to Year 12, attended weekly sessions where they developed and refined their own business plans in preparation for applying for start-up funding. Their efforts were rewarded with a 100% success rate: every group secured a loan from the Peter Jones Foundation. The range of businesses created reflected both creativity

and market awareness, with students producing and selling items such as bath salts, handmade gifts, framed photographs of Bath, munch tins, sweet treats, and grip socks. Many groups were profitable, and charitable donations were made along the way. Just as importantly, students gained first-hand experience in key aspects of enterprise, including teamwork, financial planning, marketing, and problem-solving. G Butterworth

Airfix Club Airfix Club is the club for all ages that offers you the chance to build scale models with a wide variety of models to choose from. You can build everything from vintage planes to modern tanks. Best part, you don’t need to bring anything as the glue, paint, and kits are all provided.

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It is the perfect way to spend your Friday lunchtime doing something creative and enjoyable. Malcolm B 7J

Debating Writing this amidst high-stakes diplomacy taking place in the Middle East, as well as a UK Prime Minister yet again fighting for their political survival, it’s not hard to see why debating remains popular amongst KES students. The ‘holy trinity’ of skills that debating teaches – negotiation, persuasion, and empathy – are not going anywhere in the AI age; indeed, they will surely become more valuable

than ever. 14 students represented the school this year at the Oxford and Cambridge Union competitions, with Alex W and Digby F both managing to break through to the Finals’ Day at the Oxford Union, despite only being in Year 10. Thanks to JMR for running the Juniors and HAD and SV for their help with the Seniors. P Ford

Running Club Running Club is a great way to keep fit, spend time with friends and enjoy being part of an active club. Each session includes a variety of enjoyable challenges, whether that is racing each other, running up the hill to KES without stopping, or aiming to complete a full 5 kilometres. The club is both social and active and is open to students from all year groups, including Sixth Form. It provides a fantastic opportunity to meet pupils from different years, as well as to chat with members of staff outside of normal lesson time.

I enjoy attending Running Club because it gives me the chance to get fresh air during the school day. It has also been very beneficial for my fitness, as I have noticeably improved my stamina since I started attending after the autumn half term. Overall, I have had great fun taking part in Running Club and would highly recommend it. James M Y7

Badminton Club The Badminton Club meets each Tuesday throughout the Autumn and Spring terms. Whilst we have enjoyed the usual influx of energetic Year 7 players, it has great to see so many returning enthusiasts. As the term progressed, many pupils developed firmer hitting, steadier serves, and a more tactical edge. There has been no

shortage of good humour too, with sessions often concluded with a bout of “Around the World”. Warm congratulations go to all who took part, and we look forward to another great season, which may even see a return to matches against other clubs...watch this space! A Smith

Principia ‘Principia’ is the Physics Department’s Sixth Form extension group, which meets once every fortnight to stretched and challenge students beyond the syllabus. In Year 12, this usually involves Mr Harrison taking an idea that will have been covered recently in Year 12 lessons and expanding on it. This year we have spent lunchtimes looking at special relativity, the Bernoulli effect, siphons, single slit diffraction, as well as delving back into history to find out how slide rules and log tables used to be used for calculations in schools.

In Year 13, we focused on preparing for university interviews before going back to various topics such as rotational dynamics, the laws of thermodynamics and self-inductance. Principia is named after Isaac Newton’s masterwork Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, published in 1686, which revolutionised the study of Physics.” M Harrison

Socrates Club Socrates is still alive and well at King Edward’s. Or at least his method of questioning, probing argument – the Socratic method – is. Every Thursday at lunchtime, a small group of students gather in a classroom and attempt to unravel the tangled threads of our chosen topic. The subjects we discuss touch on many areas; from current conflicts to controversial ethical issues. Comprising students from several year groups (and our teacher, Mr. Buswell), the range of ideas and thoughts is broad, enabling us all to look at the world from a slightly different perspective from our

own. Offering a way to develop our minds in a manner so different from any lesson, Socrates Club gives us a chance not just to learn laws, principles, and rules, but about issues to which we cannot apply such methods. So, whether you come each week, or simply want to talk about a topic of special interest, you will be sure to leave having had much food for thought, and perhaps feeling a little dissatisfied with the conclusion reached. But then, it is “better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied”. Auriol T Y8

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Careers It has been a busy and rewarding year for Careers, with a programme that has reached every year group and brought more than a hundred industry professionals through our doors. Our three keynote speakers offered pupils a striking range of career paths. In the Michaelmas term, Ali Gourley (OE) spoke compellingly about his work in campaigning and politics. In November, Roshni Mooneeram delivered a thought-provoking talk on ED&I, prompting valuable conversations across year groups about the types of workplaces our pupils will be entering. Our spring keynote speaker, Kate Streather (OE), shared her work with David Attenborough on Ocean – a real highlight for many of our budding scientists and environmentalists. The summer keynote speaker was Brian Hall, who demystified a career in Finance. Year 7 enjoyed a Careers in Science Day, featuring Pulse CSI, whose Forensic Science deep dive absorbed our pupils. Year 8 followed this with a Careers in Law Day, featuring a mock trial run by our prospective Year 12 Lawyers. Year 9 also enjoyed a Creative Careers morning, exploring film making, fashion design and ceramics (amongst other careers), before a hands-on session run by our Art department. This was a reminder that creative paths are as rigorous and viable as any other. Year 12 also had the opportunity to meet with over forty industry professionals in small group sessions – a fantastic chance to ask the questions that matter before they make their UCAS and apprenticeship decisions. In February and March, we celebrated National Apprenticeship Week and National Careers week with

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a varied and high calibre line-up. Tarquin Hall spoke about his work as a mystery writer and journalist; Dr Leonardo Costantini met with our Classicists and Holly Harris ran a marketing workshop that gave pupils a practical taste of how to launch a product to market. We also welcomed back Zahra Miller, a recent OE and apprentice at AstraZeneca, whose perspective on the apprenticeship route was invaluable to pupils weighing alternatives to university. April 2026 saw our flagship Careers Fair, with around sixty delegates representing more than twenty industries. The breadth on offer – from established professions to emerging fields – gave pupils space to explore, compare and find new opportunities for work experience and jobs. The year is not yet over, however. Year 12 work experience week will see pupils placed with organisations including PwC, the European Space Agency, Cotswold Archaeology and Red Planet Pictures – a striking spread of sectors. Year 10 have a Futures Day to look forward to, with Junior Saunders offering advice on how to make the step up and begin their three-year journey toward sixth form, university and beyond. Year 10 will also undertake mock interviews with industry professionals, giving them a low-stakes setting in which to practice a high-stakes skill. It has been a year defined by breadth, ambition and the generosity of the professionals – many of them parents and alumni – who have given their time. Many thanks to all of them. J Rees-Roberts

Charities & Community Service Charities This year has once again been marked by a rich and varied programme of charitable activity, from ever-popular themed cake sales and non-uniform days to high-energy interform competitions, clothing drives, instrument collections, Foodbank collections, and the KES Unite concert. Alongside our fundraising efforts, we have continued to welcome speakers from local charities into our termly assemblies, offering pupils across all year groups valuable insight into the vital work taking place within our community. Our Young Ambassadors Programme, supporting Children’s Hospice South West, is now thriving in its second year. We have also recently launched our next three-week camping expedition to Kenya, taking place in July 2028. Thirty-five pupils will have the opportunity to work with our international partner, Moving Mountains, gaining first-hand

experience of how the funds we raise make a meaningful and lasting difference to many lives. During this year’s Activities Week, pupils in our cookery club will prepare and serve lunch for the grand opening of the new Julian House Day Centre, supporting individuals experiencing homelessness within our local community. Thank you, for all your support throughout all our charitable endeavours – here’s to many more acts of kindness ahead. B Lascelles

Community Service The School’s Community Service programme has had another successful year. I have been delighted by the 6th Formers’ level of engagement and enthusiasm for their placements. In addition to our long-established partnerships, we are also very pleased to have been able to offer pupils the opportunity to volunteer in another local school – Freshford Church of England Primary School.

reading skills and supporting the class teachers in their art and music lessons. Within the care homes, they have been chatting to the residents, singing, playing games and serving refreshments. I know that our partner institutions very much appreciate our pupils’ Thursday afternoon visits. Well done to all involved on another very positive and productive year of engagement in the local community!

Our 6th Formers have been involved in a wide variety of activities, including helping younger pupils develop their

E Grainger

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Prizes 2025 Year 7 Prizes Art

Benjamin H

Biology

Auriol T

Chemistry

Sophia E

Computing

Edith D

Design and Technology

Lottie H

Drama

Tess W

English

Arthur A

French

Henry B

Geography

Evelyn T

German

Ned W

English

Rory T

French

Annabel G

Geography

Charlie M

German

Miranda H

History

Ned H

Latin

Zara W

Latin and Greek

Lottie R Tom B

Mathematics Music

Jacob H

Physics

Georgia G Emma T

Religious Studies

Gilbert Wy

The Aon Prize for Spanish

History

Milly T

Latin

William A

Form Prizes:

Jack D

9G Form Prize

Laurie W

Music

Hikki W-H

9H Form Prize

Beatrice B

Physics

George Q-C

9J Form Prize

Charlie H

Theo B

9K Form Prize

Oliver D

Allegra H

9L Form Prize

Oliver W

9M Form Prize

Paddy S-C

7G Form Prize

Phoebe M

Founder’s Prizes:

7H Form Prize

Eve M

7J Form Prize

Annabel B

Mathematics

Religious Studies Spanish

Form Prizes:

7K Form Prize

Ella D

7L Form Prize

Shahan S

7M Form Prize

Billy T

Claudia F, Toby M, James R & Tilly R

Lower and Middle School Special Prizes Simon Wee Cup for Most Improved Year 7 Hockey Player Weeks Cup for Lower/Middle School Drama The Smith Prize for Cricket

Founder’s Prizes: Maddy C, Ben B, Maia S-C & Isabelle J

Year 10 Prizes

Year 8 Prizes

Art

Malini H

Biology

Lily M

Chemistry

Lucy G

Computing

James K

Design and Technology

Jasmine F

Clémence G Tom B Viraaj K & Oscar W

Halo J

Biology

William P

Chemistry

Rohan G

Combined Science

Ellie P

Computer Science

Shlok U

Design Technology

Esme J

Drama

Ela J Joe B

Drama

Beau B

Economics and Business Studies

English

Wilkie B

English

Bee M

French

Theo B

French

Max H

Geography

Tacita B

The Gordon Dobie Memorial Prize for Geography

Eleanor W

German

William H

German

Elena v D

History

Amelia D

History

Rufus L

The Ewart Willett Prize for Latin

Raman S

Latin

Anastasia K-P

Mathematics

Kai M

Latin and Greek

Penny H

Mathematics

Edward G

Physics

Edith H

Music

Dyansa G

Religious Studies

Sakura S

Physical Education (Academic)

Jess C

Physics

Laura C

Music

The Aon Prize for Spanish

Scarlett W

Form Prizes: 8G Form Prize

Religious Studies George B

The Aon Prize for Spanish

Ifor W

Daisy F Nameeta N

8H Form Prize

Flo B

Form Prizes:

8J Form Prize

Grace F

10G Form Prize

Milla H

8K Form Prize

Monty C

10H Form Prize

Jack M

8L Form Prize

Rory G

10J Form Prize

Seb D

8M Form Prize

Emilie M

10K Form Prize

Roami W

Founder’s Prizes: Freddie E, Evie W-C, Alex J & Sienna H

10L Form Prize

Ila C

10M Form Prize

Emily G

Founder’s Prizes:

Year 9 Prizes

Samantha Z, Daisy B, Luka W & Fleur H

Art

Thomas S

Biology

Lewis W

Year 11 Prizes

Chemistry

Digby F

The Milburn Prize for Art

Computing

Jack B

The Andrew White Prize for Biology

Nefeli A Georgia J

Design and Technology

Dylan T

The Russett Prize for Business Studies and Economics

Drama

Elkie H

The Symons Prize for Chemistry

Economics and Business Studies

Viola J

Combined Science

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Eca N

Ben E Sophie R

Computer Science

Danny W

Classical Civilisation

Juliette W

The Ridyard Prize for DT

Wendy Z

Computer Science

Hannah B

Drama

Rebecca J

The Black Prize for Design Technology

Jacob T

Drama

Beth F

English Language The Cawsey Prize for English Literature

Olive F Juliette G-H

The Bayliss Silcox Prize for Economics

Max A

The Symons Prize for French

Isabella G

English Language

Edward G

The Rutherford Prize for Geography

Oliver H

The Brodrick Prize for English Literature

Hester P

The Symons Prize for German

Jack B

The Thring Prize for French

Edie O

Classical Greek

Annabel H

The Turner Prize for Geography

Jerry J

The Carter Prize for History

Barnaby F

The Thring Prize for German

Finlay P

The Symons Prize for Latin

Clemmie W

The Carrington Prize for History

Ned H

The Withy Prize for Mathematics

Ava S

The Symons Prize for Latin

Meg A

The Milburn Prize for Music

Evie S

The Finch Cup for Latin and Greek

Luis C

The Worrall Prize for Physics

Hafsa S

The Withy Prize for Mathematics

James B

Katy G

The Kenwood Prize for Further Mathematics

Physical Education (Academic) The Milburn Prize for Religious Studies

Ottoline A

Alex T

The John Brown Prize for Music

Edward B

The Aon Prize for Spanish

Amy M

Philosophy

Isaac E

The Roberts Prize for Effort

Aleena J

Photography

Olivia P

The Roberts Prize for Effort

Raheem G

The Price Prize for Physics

Izzy B

The Roberts Prize for Effort

Charles S

Politics

Alice C

All Round Academic Performance

Louis D

Psychology

Milo H

All Round Academic Performance

Lewis G

The Francis Prize for Religious Studies

Jasper T

All Round Academic Performance

Annabel R

All Round Academic Performance

Jack B

The Award for Academic Achievement at GCSE

Heath B

The Award for Academic Achievement at GCSE

Ben E

The Aon Prize for Spanish

Ava F

The Buckingham Cup for Academic Physical Education

Yvie W

The Don Bateman Prize for Field Studies

Holly G

Special Prizes

The Award for Academic Achievement at GCSE

Amy M

The Award for Academic Achievement at GCSE

Clemmie W

The Morant Prize for Outstanding All Round Academic Performance

The Award for Academic Achievement at GCSE

Barnaby F

The Morant Prize for Outstanding All Round Academic Performance

Izzy B

The Morant Prize for Outstanding All Round Academic Performance

Hannah B

The Morant Prize for Outstanding All Round Academic Performance

Charlotte L

Upper School Prizes

Max D

Green Cup for Progress in Instrumental Music

Emma C

All Round Academic Performance

Isla B

The Jefcoate Harbutt Prize for CCF

Hafsa S

All Round Academic Performance

Patrick H

Rea Z

All Round Academic Performance

Joe R

All Round Academic Performance

Angus S

The Maunder Prize for Contribution to E.A.G

Year 12 Prizes The Cork Prize for Art

Amelia H

All Round Academic Performance

Fiona B

All Round Academic Performance

Maddy B

The Russell Prize for Biology

Dina K

The Kenwood Millennium Prize for Academic Excellence

John Y

The Warrender Prize for Business Studies

Millie K

The Kenwood Millennium Prize for Academic Excellence

Freddie S-M

The Russell Prize for Chemistry

Rosie M

The Kenwood Millennium Prize for Academic Excellence

Henry T

Classical Civilisation

Ben B

Stanley Hardy Prize for Presentation

Alice K

Computer Science

Edmund S-S

The Jubilee Prize for Academic Effort

Noah M

Morven B

The Laurence Cook Prize for Endeavour

Joseph W

Aidan O’M

The Dr Roy Holman Prize for Captain of Rugby

Frankie F

Beth S

The Dr Roy Holman Prize for Captain of Rugby

Henry D

English Language

Imogen L

The Peter Sheppard Prize for Services to Rugby

The Hodgson Prize for English Literature

Polly W

The Harvey Cup for Excellence in the Performing Arts

The Milburn Prize for French

Indira P

The Lombard Trophy for Enterprise and Initiative

The Milburn Prize for Geography

Ulrika A

The Lombard Trophy for Enterprise and Initiative

Matty R

The Benbow Trophy for Service to the Community

Jacob C

Drama The Bennett Prize for Economics Electronics

The Pulsford Prize for German

Alexander v A

The Bang Prize for History

Freya P

The Mead Sixth Form Prize for Philanthropy

The Russell Prize for Latin

Amity J

The Wilmot Prize for Community Service

The Russell Prize for Mathematics

Ben P-J

The Wilmot Prize for Community Service

The Jim Harris Memorial Prize for Further Mathematics

Leo H

The Sword of Honour

Will R Roman B Tallulah G-V

Ava U Charlotte C Aryan G George D-W Oscar L

Ray R

The White Cup for Cricketer of the Year

Philosophy

Chloe B

The Holbeche Prize for Boys’ Hockey

Alex T

Photography

Bethan M

The Holbeche Prize for Netball

Olivia P

The Edmund White Prize for Music

Physical Education (Academic)

Evie W

The Holbeche Prize for Girls’ Hockey

Betty M

The Russell Prize for Physics

Joseph P

The Lang Jones Prize for Sporting Spirit

Jasper S

Will H

The Lang Jones Prize for Sporting Spirit

Nell H

Psychology

Sasha H

The Lang Jones Prize for Sporting Spirit

Alfie S

The Francis Prize for Religious Studies

Billy S-M

Politics

Rosie B

The Amos Prize for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts Festival

The Aon Prize for Spanish

Alex D

The Tim Laney Prize for Outdoor Adventure

William H

The Former Parents’ Prize for Technology (DT)

Molly G

The IFS Student Investor Prize for Business and Economics

Zahra M

Year 13 Prizes The Milburn Prize for Art

Raff W

The Tuttell Prize for Biology

Max D

The Hayes Prize for Business Studies The Tuttell Prize for Chemistry

The Quill Prize for Creative Writing

Will R

The Stocks Prize for Head Prefects

Emily D

The Stocks Prize for Head Prefects

Peter S

Darius S Charlotte L

The Edwardian 2026

Valedictories

David Chapman Having taught at King Edward’s for 33 years – or 99 terms – David Chapman has without doubt deservedly earned the status of ‘KES Legend’, not just for his impressive longevity but for the hugely positive and genuinely significant impact that he has had over nearly a third of a century on pupils, colleagues, parents (including colleagues and parents who were once KES pupils taught by him!) and many friends and supporters of King Edward’s within the wider Bath community through his fantastic outreach and partnership work on behalf of the School. The year in which Mr Chapman joined KES after a relatively brief stint at Wells Cathedral School very much feels as though it belongs to a fondly remembered and largely pre-digital bygone era. His handwritten letter of application, all very properly laid out, set the tone: “Dear Headmaster, I would like to apply for the Mathematics post for September 1993 as advertised in the 15th January issue of the Times Educational Supplement …” Signed off with “I enclose my curriculum vitae” and “Yours faithfully, DJ Chapman” – those were the days! There was nothing controversial in the application, although Dave did proudly disclose that he had “a qualification to teach physical education as a second subject.” The CV was 3 pages, all neatly typed and revealing little gems such as Dave winning the York Senior Football Cup and British College Invitation tournament in 1986 and also being the recipient of a 2 star canoeing award – who knew?! But what I suspect really sealed the deal was the revelation that, as part of his duties at his then current school Dave was the Master i/c of the ’56 Club’, a role which included “supervising all school discos with special responsibility for 5th and

The Edwardian 2026

6th Form discos.” Fast forward 30 or so years to one of the highlights of Dave’s later KES career, his meticulous organisation of the Year 11 Prom, and it all starts to make sense! Dave soon impressed in the Maths classroom under the watchful eye of the legendary Head of Department, Geoff Staley. He also quickly made his presence felt pastorally at a time when such a concept was quite new, gaining his first promoted position as ‘Lower School Tutor’ – effectively Head of Year 8 – in 1995 and in 2001 becoming Head of Lower School – then Years 7 and 8, which he ran brilliantly for nearly two decades. Anyone who worked with or under Dave in that capacity knows that his very successful tenure was not just because of the efficient organisation and attention to detail which were the hallmarks of his KES career throughout and in particular the watchwords in his later role as Assistant Head, but because of the deep and genuine care that he had for the pupils; he remembered the details that matter, gave the right encouragement at the right time, played things firmly but very fairly, and the pupils always knew this and respected and appreciated him hugely for it. Early in his KES career Dave successfully introduced football into a school whose beating heart was very much in the shape of a rugby ball. For over 20 years in two separate stints Dave was Head of Football at KES, and it is testament to his organisation, passion, personal integrity and quiet diplomacy that he passes on those particular reins with senior boys’ hockey, rugby and football not just coexisting in relative harmony but also all thriving: in football, a top ten UK schools ranking and a heartbreaking 4–3 defeat in the Somerset U19 Cup Final in 2025 reflect just what an impact ‘The Gaffer’ has had, and the

genuine affection and appreciation shown for him by those boys after their final match of the season earlier in the year was something that Dave found really moving. At the Sports Dinner, they also organised a personal video message from none other than Phil Thompson, former Liverpool and England captain, winner of 7 league titles and 3 European Cups and one of Dave’s boyhood heroes (as a die hard Liverpool fan), who quipped that Dave “shouldn’t be retiring yet, ‘cause you’re still a young man!” Along the way, Dave went on 5 football tours, perhaps most memorably to Germany for the 2006 World Cup, as well as numerous ski trips, at least half a dozen Activities Week trips to Snowdonia, numerous Ten Tors expeditions and much more besides. That co-curricular roundedness, that love of being active and that understanding that these things matter hugely to so many pupils were always at the heart of Dave’s approach; he knew that this is so often where the magic happens and where the memories are made, and he always gave unstintingly of his time in providing generations of children with those opportunities. Of course, Dave has always been, first and foremost an excellent teacher of Mathematics. Having at one point early in his KES career been the Lower School Maths Co-ordinator, he was offered and briefly held the position of 2nd in Department before opting instead for the pastoral route mentioned earlier. Having taught across the full age and ability range, Dave has always been particularly proud of his ability to get the best out of those pupils for whom Maths perhaps doesn’t come naturally; as with all great teachers, it was his patience, creativity and empathy that so often helped them to get over that line.

Having been appointed Events Manager in 2007 and very successfully organising and managing the School’s major public facing events for 6 years alongside his role as Head of Lower School, in 2013 Dave became one of a new team of Assistant Heads, whose duties also included helping to manage the School’s then nascent Professional Review and Development programme. The growing scope and scale of the Events Management role, combined with his developing interests and opportunities in marketing, communications and partnerships, led to a change of direction, a refreshed and bigger focus and a different but vital pathway as he entered the twilight of his KES career. And so, in the Spring of 2020, just as COVID was about to change the world as we knew it, the role that Dave would hold until his retirement was born. He finally handed over the mantle of Head of Lower School and took up his post as Assistant Head (Communications, Events and External Relations). It is a reflection of the quietly brilliant efficiency with which Dave went about his work that pupils, parents and even colleagues may not fully have realised just how vast and vital were the scope of his duties, covering the organisation of Open Morning and Evening, the Activity Morning, Teach-In and Entrance Exam, Leavers’ Day and Prizegiving, the Carol Service, Whole School photograph, the aforementioned Year 11 Prom and, of course, Founder’s Day. In addition, his role covered all aspects of our primary and secondary schools outreach programme, sponsorship and partnership arrangements, including with Bath Abbey, Bath Philharmonia, the Holburne Museum, the Egg Theatre, a wide range of sporting partnerships and more, and also line management of admissions, marketing and alumni.

As the liaison between the School and the KES Parents group, Dave was always a trusted and respected figure, bringing creative support and helpful ideas to the common ground of designing and running social events and raising funds. It was undoubtedly in that last iteration of his Assistant Head role that I worked most closely with Dave, and my definitive perspective after many years was that he is utterly reliable, utterly trustworthy, fantastically well organised, more than capable and efficient and completely loyal and committed to King Edward’s School. There was no task that I asked him to tackle that wasn’t done with calm and quiet assurance, and I and others on the Senior Leadership Team always had total faith in his ability to analyse a problem, find a solution and get the job done. During COVID he was creative, determined and quietly brilliant, one of many unsung heroes, with virtual Open Days, online Remembrance Assemblies and even a remotely organised and run entrance exam that was a masterpiece of thoughtful organisation. I know that it is something of a cliché, but if you were to cut Dave open like a stick of rock, it would read ‘KES’, and not just as a colleague of over three decades, but as a parent whose 3 children came all the way through King Edward’s and flourished both in and out of the classroom, much to Dave’s quiet satisfaction and pride. I know that Dave is looking forward to spending more time with them – including organising a wedding over the summer – as well as travel (during school term time!) with his wife, Claire , including an already planned trip to New Zealand next Spring. Nobody has earnt it or deserves it more than Dave. Thank you for everything, and our very best wishes for everything that you do in the future.

Ali Fewell When Dr Alison Fewell joined KES in January 2002, following several years in plant biochemistry research and teaching, few could have imagined the extraordinary impact she would have on the life of the school. For the past 24 years, Ali has been far more than a Biology teacher; she has been an educator, mentor, environmental champion, adventurer and friend to generations of students and colleagues. Ali’s love of the outdoors was immediately evident. From Ten Tors weekends to leading and developing the Duke of Edinburgh Award, she inspired countless young people to embrace challenge and discovery. As DofE Manager, she guided KES to become a licensed organisation, expanded opportunities through the introduction of Silver Awards, established the annual awards evening and helped record numbers of students achieve their awards. Her passion for the natural world extended far beyond the classroom. Through the Environmental Action Group, Ali championed sustainability, introducing Eco Week, hosting Youth Climate Summits and leading projects including an orchard, raised beds, bat surveys and wildlife conservation partnerships, as well as leading trips to the Centre for Alternative Technology. Her influence will continue to be felt across the school grounds for years to come. As Activities Week Co-ordinator, she created and supported memorable experiences ranging from Wales and Iceland to Amsterdam, while her dedication to Moving Mountains, Kenya, and later Tanzania, provided life-changing opportunities for both students and her colleagues.

MJ Boden

The Edwardian 2026

Ali Fewell (continued)

Teresa Dawson

Lucy Miners

Alongside A-level ecology field trips, mentoring new staff, nine years as a tutor, a brief spell as Acting Head of Biology and even performing in the Senior Orchestra, Ali has approached every role with enthusiasm, kindness and good humour.

Teresa joined King Edward’s in 2006, straight after completing her PGCE, following her Mathematics degree at Exeter.

We bid farewell to a colleague whose contribution to Chemistry teaching has been nothing short of exceptional. Lucy has served the department with distinction since September 2013, when she joined us from the Royal High School, Bath.

Ali’s career has been defined by the opportunities she created for others. Her legacy lives on in the thousands of students whose lives she has enriched. We wish her every happiness, adventure and fulfilment in her retirement. A Baker

Being the youngest member of staff in a school presents its challenges, but her driven, professional, highly organised and caring approach to both teaching and form tutoring quickly led to a series of promotions. She first became Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Assistant, then Bronze Coordinator. Soon after, she took on the role of Lower School PSHE Coordinator, before the programme became known as Learning for Life. This was followed by her appointment as Head of Year 8, a role in which she truly made her mark. Teresa has created schemes of work from scratch, mentored new members of staff and volunteered to help whenever needed. She is both highly diplomatic and particularly adept at reminding us all of things about to be forgotten – always with impeccable timing. In recent years, she has made the role of Academic Tutor her own, encouraging and supporting Year 11 pupils who needed it most. She also gained a Level 5 Dyscalculia qualification to further develop her expertise in this area. She has been equally adept in teaching across pure mathematics, statistics and mechanics within the Sixth Form. After a distinguished 20 years at the school, she will be hugely missed by pupils and colleagues alike. We wish her every success as she looks forward to spending more time with her young daughters. It comes as no surprise that, as an enterprising and strategic thinker, she has exciting plans to establish her own business while continuing to be an active presence in the local community. R Pagnamenta

From the moment Lucy arrived, her passion for Chemistry was unmistakable. Her intellectual curiosity has enriched not only her own teaching but the entire department’s practice. Lucy’s impact has extended far beyond the classroom. She helped introduce the KES Easter Revision Course, which, thanks to her vision and determination, has become a well-established and highly successful part of the school calendar. She also led PSHE in the Lower and Middle School, producing resources to help guide pupils through formative and sensitive topics with empathy and professionalism. She accompanied numerous school trips over the years, the highlight undoubtedly being the expedition to climb Mount Kenya. And when the department needed her most, she stepped up without hesitation, serving as Acting Head of Chemistry during a term of my sabbatical with steadiness and characteristic competence, so much so that I’m sure the department all wished I would have stayed in Greece! Her commitment to this community has always been both personal and professional. She believed in the school enough to send her own children, Jacob and Finn, to KES and they’re a credit to both home and school and her influence is evident in who they are. As Lucy prepares to take up the role of Head of Science at Charterhouse School in Almaty, Kazakhstan, we celebrate both an exciting new professional chapter and the significant legacy she leaves behind. I can’t thank her enough! M Oehler

The Edwardian 2026

Lisa Wainer

Jon Garner-Richardson

Bel Budget

Lisa Wainer joined the King Edward’s Mathematics Department in 2013, following the completion of her PGCE at the University of Bath. Prior to this, she achieved a PhD in Computer Science and Machine Learning at UCL, specialising in Crime Science.

Jon had been a school pupil at King Edward’s Southampton and graduated from Bath University and so it was totally logical that Jon applied for a teacher of Chemistry position at King Edward’s Bath in 2013. He was appointed and quickly started developing his craft in the classroom, as well as becoming involved in all the varied activities on offer. Over his 13 years at the school, he has spread his interest, expertise and enthusiasm over a wide range of activities, ranging from Jiu-Jitsu to Warhammer. His love of rugby is clear and those pupils in his rugby teams, most notably some very strong 2nd XVs, valued his coaching, enthusiasm and his skilled refereeing. He co-ordinated Gold Duke of Edinburgh for 8 years including overseeing the school’s first international expedition to the Pyrenees. He became a Senior Sixth Form tutor where his computer skills developed a highly beneficial way of tracking pupil progress, amongst other benefits. He was his colleagues ‘go to’ when faced with IT challenges and his expertise in computing led to him being appointed the IT Digital Learning Lead, where he played an important role in the introduction of individual devices to the Sixth Form. Recently he has taken a particular interest in the use of AI in education and has been involved in research at Bath University and had his work published. He leaves King Edward’s to pursue this research while taking up an exciting post as an apprenticeship scheme mentor.

Bel joined KES in 2014 as the Senior School Receptionist. She has been on the “frontline” ever since, fielding calls, children, parents, prospective parents and teachers, as well as all new members of staff and always with a smile. She has an uncanny ability to always pick up on people’s moods and make them feel at ease, whatever the situation and a very spooky knack for always picking the right candidate on interview days – a skill indeed! She has, without doubt, assisted/interacted with every single member of the school – whether it’s supporting the administration of big school events, multitudinous amounts of laminating/badge making, putting her wonderful floristry skills to work in reception, being a welcoming face at Carol Service or reuniting various bits of school uniform/sports kit to forgetful pupils – she has seen it all. Along with her many funny anecdotes on what she has witnessed over the years, Bel will be missed by all. It is by all accounts the end of an era!!! We wish her well with whatever comes next, in between the babysitting duties and her flower arranging.

From her very first day, Lisa established herself as a passionate, caring, and knowledgeable member of staff. Her enthusiasm and warm, bubbly personality have been appreciated by colleagues and pupils alike, helping students to grow in confidence and even find enjoyment in the most challenging calculations. Over the years, Lisa has been an invaluable member of the department, teaching across all year groups. Pupils have consistently valued her well-planned lessons, deep subject knowledge, and infectious enthusiasm, all of which have made a lasting impression on the KES community. Among her many strengths, Lisa’s contribution to Further Mathematics has been especially significant. Beyond the classroom, Lisa dedicated ten years to leading the highly successful Model United Nations teams, inspiring students and broadening their horizons. She also made a substantial impact in her role as VLE and Digital Content Coordinator, providing guidance, training, and support to staff across the Senior School. We extend our sincere thanks to Lisa for her outstanding contribution to King Edward’s and wish her every happiness in the future. She looks forward to dividing her time between London and Colerne, spending more time with family, friends, and her partner David, as well as enjoying singing in choirs, travelling, and perhaps even a little origami.

A de Chair

P Simonds

R Pagnamenta The Edwardian 2026

Bev Denny

Alice Salako

Cordelia Scott

Bev joined King Edward’s School in February 2015 as Biology Technician, bringing with her a degree in Biology from Surrey University and an impressive career as a fully qualified Toxicologist holding a Home Office Licence in drug research. Throughout her time with us, she combined her scientific expertise, exceptional organisational skills and unwavering dedication to support both staff and students. As a parent, she also had a strong connection to the school community, with both her sons, William and Samuel, attending KES from Year 5 through to Year 13.

Alice joined KES and the Economics Department in September 2018 from Sheldon School, taking on the teaching of Business Studies and Economics from Year 9 through to Year 13. From her very first days with us, she established herself as an outstanding classroom practitioner and a deeply valued colleague.

Cordelia has been a valued member of the Learning Support Department for the last three years and has had a huge impact on the pupils in both the Junior and Senior School. Her dedication and eye for detail have helped pupils build confidence and gain useful strategies to help and support them, both inside and outside the classroom. Cordelia has always been keen to learn herself, and that enthusiasm has come across in all her lessons. She leaves KES to spend more time with her young family and to pursue further opportunities in working with pupils who need greater support and can benefit from Alternative Provision through her charity work at Move the Mind. Cordelia is bound to set herself a new challenge which will, no doubt, help to support pupils in some capacity and it will be exciting to hear where this might take her! She will be hugely missed in Learning Support – both as a colleague and a friend – and by all the pupils who enjoy coming to her lessons.

No challenge was ever too great. Bev was renowned for sourcing the most extraordinary resources for practical work; everything from bacteria, owl pellets and locusts to flowers, fish and animal organs for dissection. Whether preparing garlic root tips for mitosis studies, algal balls for photosynthesis experiments, or even the occasional McDonald’s Happy Meal for food testing, her attention to detail ensured that countless lessons came to life. Beyond the laboratory, Bev was a valued and much-loved colleague. Her homemade cakes regularly brightened birthdays, departmental celebrations and school events, while her talent for photography earned recognition in the annual KES parent and staff competition. Although ill health sadly led to her retirement in January 2026, Bev leaves behind a remarkable legacy of commitment, professionalism and kindness. Generations of students have benefited from her work, often without realising the care and effort that took place behind the scenes. We wish her a long, happy and welldeserved retirement. A Baker

The Edwardian 2026

Beyond the classroom, Alice’s contribution to enterprise education at KES has been exceptional. Beginning with Young Enterprise and later helping to develop our own in-house KES Enterprise initiatives, she most recently took charge of the highly successful Tycoon Enterprise Club. Through her leadership, students from Year 7 upwards have been encouraged to bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life, supported through investment from the Peter Jones Foundation. On a personal level, my appreciation for everything Alice has brought to the department over these years is immense. Her calmness, surefootedness and strength of character helped to steady the departmental ship whenever it was needed most. She has been an outstanding colleague and a tremendous support. Alice now leaves us to take up a thoroughly deserved promotion as Head of Department at Stonar School. It is a role for which she is absolutely ready and one in which I know she will excel. While we are naturally very sorry to see her go, we are equally proud to see her move on to this exciting next stage in her career. Alice, on behalf of the department and the wider school community, thank you for all that you have given to KES over the past eight years. We wish you every happiness and success for the future. Go with our very best wishes. Gary, Lydia and David

K Mason

New Staff

Adele Mayhew

Justin Avenell

Adele has made a truly special and lasting impact during her time with us, despite it being all too brief. From the moment she joined, her exceptional efficiency quickly became apparent. Whether managing multiple demands simultaneously or quietly maintaining order behind the scenes, Adele made everything appear seamless.

Justin Avenell has been a highly valued member of the coaching team at KES for the past two years, bringing energy, expertise and unwavering commitment to the sport programmes. During his time with us, he has developed into an outstanding coach, never afraid to challenge how and why we do things, always with the aim of improving the experience and development of every pupil in his care.

She has been a rare and valued presence within the department – calm under pressure, highly capable, unfailingly kind and entirely dependable. Alongside these qualities sits a deep sense of care for others. This has been evident not only in her interactions with pupils, but also in the consideration and support she has shown to colleagues across the team and beyond. Her departure, as she leaves to care for her mother, speaks volumes about her character and the importance she places on family. While her decision is fully understood and respected, she will be greatly missed. Adele has been a pleasure to work alongside and a wonderful colleague to know. She leaves with our sincere thanks, warmest good wishes, and the knowledge that her contribution has been deeply appreciated by all. L Gwilliam

He has led the U15A rugby side for the past two seasons with distinction, coached the U12A hockey team with clarity and purpose, and worked tirelessly in cricket, where he has played a key role in supporting Mrs Young in the continued development of the girls’ programme.

Leila Asrari Leila Asrari joins KES as the Librarian. She was previously Representative to the United Nations for an international humanitarian organisation, working predominantly on adolescent human rights. She has swapped out the bright lights of New York and London for beautiful, leafy Bath. She can be found with her head in a book (of course); watching football; and making the most of her National Trust membership with her partner and two small children.

While he will be greatly missed at KES, we are delighted to see him take on an exciting new challenge as Rugby Specialist at JESS in Dubai. We have no doubt that the experiences and relationships formed here will stand him in excellent stead, and we wish him every success as he continues his coaching journey. L Gwilliam

Sophie White Sophie White, born and bred in Bath, joins KES from Monkton to take up the PE and Sports Admin role. In her spare time, you’ll most likely find her swimming, practising yoga, painting, or searching for her next favourite song! She loves being creative, staying active, and discovering new music!

The Edwardian 2026

Credits Photography: Andy Lloyd, Charlie Matters, Derryn Vranch, Neil Purcell, Staff and pupils of King Edward’s School Editor: Neil Purcell Assistant Editor: Ed Hume-Smith

Acknowledgements Cover Image: P Feeney Cover Image Location: Temple of Athena at Paestum, in southern Italy Design: Eatcake Design, Bristol Additional images: © stock.adobe.com KESBath

/KESBath