In schools we talk about our USPs. If some are unfamiliar with yet another acronym (there are so many in education), a Google search suggests that USPS stands for ‘United States Postal Service’, which is self-explanatory, or ‘United States Power Squadrons’ which is something to do with boats. Clearly this does not help much. As I’m sure many of you will know, USPs in our context stands for Unique Selling Points (or Proposition). This term was originally used in the 1940s to explain a pattern of successful advertising that might convince customers to switch brands. In other words, a definition

There is a great deal of discussion, both in schools and in the media, about what has come to be known as ‘character education’. United Learning, the wider group of schools to which AKS belongs, has ‘education with character’ as one of its 5 core principles – linked directly to concepts of compassion and service. We’re also a member of the Round Square global association which exercises thought leadership in this area through their Discovery Framework. Reflecting this broader context, AKS has ‘success and value’ as one of our defining three characteristics, underlining the importance that we educate not just

At AKS we often talk about ‘Academic Ambition’. Our teachers find that challenging students to aim high translates into fantastic examination results. This was reflected last summer in our students achieving nearly five times the national average grade 9s at GCSE, with very strong ‘value-added’ scores, as well as the best A level results in the area. These comparative figures were published recently in the local media, results that led to such successful progression onto so many competitive university courses. I am also very proud of the way in which Academic Ambition comes alive in our Junior School. Our staff

This weekend saw four performances of We Will Rock You performed by our students at the Lowther Pavilion in Lytham, celebrating the music of Queen. It tells the story of a group of bohemians who struggle to restore the free thought, fashion and music in a distant future where everyone thinks, dresses and acts the same. It is a theme that has encouraged both cast and audience to think about conformity and rebellion, and the struggles sometimes necessary to find one’s own unique way in the world. Overall it was a very young cast and everyone in the audience agreed

I have always believed that education is a process that is strengthened through partnership. Clearly the student-teacher-parent partnership is critical but there are many others that can support us in building confidence, broadening horizons, challenging assumptions and empowering action. These are elements of what I would describe as a ‘compelling’ education. Last Friday I was delighted to see some of the organisations who provide just the sort of partnership I describe. We welcomed Lytham Community Choir to come and sing with our own senior choir to raise money to support a hospital on the border of Syria. Mr Ba’ath, a

I hope all those in the AKS community have seen the ‘News From The Front’, a monthly publication researched and produced by Kevin Adamson, one of our highly valued volunteer archivists. In August 2014 his first edition began: ‘The centenary of the start of the Great War is now upon us. The idea of the bulletin is to give a brief insight to the events of the war as it unfolds, the local people involved and where possible provide information on those Old Boys who were serving in the armed forces. This first ‘News from the Front’ will concentrate on