Curriculum
The Knatchbull Baccalaureate (KnatchBacc)
In 2019 we worked with student leaders and colleagues to envision a 21st Century articulation of the school motto, exploring the best possible framework for an education that would lay the foundations for an exciting future, and provide each student with an enduring set of the best possible memories. Thus emerged our aspiration to frame students’ experience in school around four key pillars, making up the ‘The Knatchbull Baccalaureate’ or ‘Knatch Bacc’
Over the course of the 2024-25 academic year we engaged with staff, students, parents and governors to explore the qualities which we want all NKS students to have as we approach the school’s 400th Anniversary in 2030. In the discussions and feedback it was clear that there was strong resonance across the community with the ideas encapsulated in the Knatch Bacc.
From the hundreds of responses we distilled 11 ‘key’ qualities for students leaving NKS in the 2030’s.
- Creative – adaptable, flexible, curious, innovative
- Resilient – lifelong learners, problem solvers
- Thinkers – critical, analytical, questioning
- Communicators – in person, in writing; responsive listeners
- Leaders – Disciplined, confident, accountable
- Aware – of self & others; emotionally intelligent, empathetic, kind, mindful
- Collaborative – teamworkers, inclusive, tolerant, community minded – global citizens
- Honest – Integrity, ethical
- Independent – Self confident
- Ambitious – Aspirational, aiming high, competitive
- Healthy – physically and emotionally
These qualities are reflected in our articulation of the Knatch Bacc.
Academic All students follow a rigorous academic curriculum, so that they learn in creative and demanding ways, developing metacognition; recognising and acknowledging that secure understanding of knowledge enables students to become higher order thinkers (both within and across subjects).
Enrichment Students engage with a wide range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities which broaden their perspectives, knowledge, skills and talents; so that they develop an appreciation that high quality outcomes in any field come as a result of independent commitment and targeted practice, combined with collaborative work, consequentially developing resilience, adaptability and learning through mistakes.
Community All students have opportunities to experience and gain awareness how we gain from and communicate in, and contribute to, the development of healthy communities in which we live, study and work. We can all make a contribution – through various leadership, fundraising, volunteering opportunities (this may be in school or in the wider community).
Excel Students have high aspirations and ambitions for themselves and each other – in what they want to achieve, but also how they conduct ourselves – with honesty and mutual respect. They look to stretch and challenge ourselves in at least one area of the three other pillars.
In short, the Knatchbull Baccalaureate is how we organise students’ experiences in school – in order to ‘do things well’ and ‘make the best memories’. The Annual School Improvement Plan is framed within this context.
Curriculum Maps