Vision and Strategy
Our Vision
‘Achieving Excellence Together’
This is what Kesteven and Sleaford High School aims to do in a nutshell and is the driver for all our school improvement, keeping us focused on what’s important.
Our Mission
We aim to do this through
- Life enhancing opportunities
- Excellence and ambition in teaching and learning
- Building belonging
- Community collaboration
Our Values
Our values guide our direction in the quality of learning, curriculum development, personal development of students, promotion of the best behaviours and attitudes to learning, professional development of staff, and in building for the future.
As a CIT School, we adopt and follow all the Trust Values of:
- Honesty and Integrity
- Aspiration
- Professionalism
- Inclusivity
Alongside these, we have our own school values that work within the community we serve.
These are
- Ambition
- Respect
- Kindness
Our School Development Plan
Our school development plan outlines the key areas of focus to enable realisation of our Trust and school vision. It is written annually and reviewed termly. It is underpinned by linked department development plans, our staff Continual Professional Development (CPD) plan and our financial management planning.
What this means in practice.....
Kesteven and Sleaford High School is proud to be part of The Community Inclusive Trust (CIT) and a partner in the Sleaford Joint Sixth Form, where every learner is known, valued and supported to succeed.
At the heart of our community, we celebrate diversity, foster inclusion and promote excellence within a selective environment. Through strong partnerships with schools, universities, employers, health services, arts organisations and community groups, we extend learning beyond the classroom and inspire ambition, collaboration and lifelong learning.
Our students are confident, caring and respectful young people who contribute positively to school and society. They take pride in themselves and their school, value different perspectives and embrace opportunities for personal growth, leadership and service.
Students are active participants in their learning, developing the knowledge, skills and character needed to thrive in a changing world. They are effective communicators, confident users of technology and adaptable learners who can work independently and collaboratively.
Through high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance, students are empowered to make informed choices and pursue aspirational futures. Our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and responsive to individual strengths, needs and aspirations.
We invest in our staff as professional learners and leaders. Colleagues are encouraged to reflect, innovate and continuously develop their practice while supporting one another in a culture of high expectations, accountability and collaboration.
Together, we create a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment where learners flourish. We are committed to continual improvement, removing barriers to success and working in partnership with families to secure the best possible outcomes for every student.
High expectations, positive relationships, support and challenge underpin everything we do, enabling all members of our community to achieve, contribute and thrive.
Our systems and structures support staff, empower students and engage parents and carers as partners in learning
Curriculum, Teaching and Achievement
Objective
To ensure every student achieves highly through an ambitious, inclusive curriculum and consistently excellent teaching
Strategy
- Embed a culture of excellence in curriculum design, teaching and learning through our Teaching and Learning Communities, rigorous quality assurance processes and evidence-informed professional development.
- Maintain high expectations for all students, providing appropriate challenge, support and aspiration so that every learner can achieve their potential.
- Regularly review and refine the curriculum to ensure it remains ambitious, inclusive, coherent and responsive to the needs of future generations.
- Develop teaching expertise to meet the needs of all learners, including disadvantaged students, those with SEND and those requiring additional challenge.
- Use assessment effectively to identify strengths, address barriers to learning and secure strong progress and achievement for all students.
- Promote high levels of literacy, numeracy and oracy across the curriculum to support students' success in school and beyond
Inclusion, Attendance and Behaviour
Objective
To create an inclusive community where every student belongs, attends, behaves positively and thrives.
Strategy
- Foster a culture of inclusion in which every student is known, valued and supported to participate fully in school life.
- Establish clear routines, high expectations and consistent approaches to behaviour across all aspects of school life.
- Maintain a relentless focus on attendance and punctuality, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, ensuring early identification and effective intervention where concerns arise.
- Implement behaviour and attendance systems fairly, consistently and transparently, supporting positive behaviour while reducing disruption to learning.
- Ensure that students experience a safe, respectful and welcoming environment where diversity is celebrated and differences are valued.
- Promote positive relationships between staff and students so that all learners feel secure, supported and ready to learn.
- Act swiftly and effectively to address bullying, discriminatory behaviour, sexual harassment, sexual abuse and sexual violence, whether online or offline.
- Work closely with families and external agencies to remove barriers to attendance, engagement and successful participation.
Personal Development and Wellbeing
Objective
To develop confident, resilient and responsible young people who are prepared for their future and contribute positively to society.
Strategy
- Embed a shared understanding of safeguarding, wellbeing and personal development so that all staff recognise and fulfil their collective responsibility to support young people.
- Deliver a coherent, high-quality personal development programme that is regularly reviewed and evaluated for impact.
- Promote students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, enabling them to become informed, respectful and active citizens.
- Encourage participation in a rich programme of enrichment, leadership, cultural and extracurricular opportunities.
- Implement our wellbeing strategy and five tiers of mental health support to strengthen students' confidence, resilience, self-awareness and ability to seek help when needed.
- Deliver a comprehensive and age-appropriate RSHE curriculum that supports students in developing healthy relationships, personal responsibility and informed decision-making.
- Strengthen careers education, information, advice and guidance so that students are well prepared for their next stage of education, employment or training.
- Ensure students understand how to stay safe, both online and offline, and develop the knowledge and skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Leadership and Governance
Objective
To provide effective leadership and governance that secures continuous improvement and excellent outcomes for all students.
Strategy
- Embed robust systems of self-evaluation, monitoring and accountability that drive improvement and support informed decision-making.
- Maintain clear leadership structures, delegated responsibilities and governance arrangements that promote effective oversight and strategic direction.
- Strengthen the capacity of the Local School Board to provide appropriate support, challenge and assurance.
- Invest in high-quality professional development, coaching and leadership opportunities for all staff and governors.
- Prioritise staff wellbeing, workload management and professional fulfilment to support recruitment, retention and effectiveness.
- Implement effective recruitment, induction and talent-management processes to attract and retain high-quality staff.
- Develop succession planning across the organisation to ensure sustainable leadership capacity at all levels.
- Promote a culture of collaboration, integrity, inclusion and continuous improvement in which leaders are empowered and accountable for delivering excellence for all students