Our Vision and Values

Respect ensures that every member of our community feels valued and heard, creating an environment where diversity is celebrated and relationships thrive.

RESPECT in Action: Welcoming Our Visitors from Beijing

At Thomas Keble, our REACH values are the foundation of everything we do. They shape our culture, guide our decisions and define the expectations we hold for ourselves and each other. A core part of this is RESPECT—ensuring every member of our community feels valued and heard, and creating an environment where diversity is celebrated and relationships thrive.

Between 2–7 February, we saw this value lived out beautifully as we welcomed 25 students and three staff from Beijing as part of our developing international schools partnership. Throughout the week, our visitors were fully immersed in life at TK, each paired with a buddy from Years 7–10 who accompanied them through lessons, social time and enrichment activities. Our students showed genuine curiosity, kindness and enthusiasm—making sure our guests felt included and appreciated from the moment they arrived.

A highlight of the week was the work of our Modern Languages Club, who organised two special cultural exchange sessions. As described by Laurie Giles and Buddy Earley (Y8):

“When we heard our Chinese buddies were coming to TK, the Modern Languages Club and Captains wanted to create opportunities for them to learn about British culture. We really enjoyed meeting them and sharing aspects of life in the UK."

The first session, was about on key features of Britain, including our history, famous landmarks, our local area—such as Stroud Farmers’ Market and the Cotswolds—and a talk on notable British sportspeople and national sporting achievements.

The second session allowed our visitors to sample classic British foods and games. They tried shortbread, Marmite, sourdough and even scones with jam—most were unsure at first, but many ended up liking them! We learnt about their foods too, including rotten eggs, which are apparently quite popular.

We also shared British board games like Monopoly, Uno, chess and Dungeons & Dragons. We spent time socialising, learning about life in China and comparing it with Britain. Overall, TK offered a rich British cultural experience.

These interactions—sharing food, history, games and conversation—brought our RESPECT value to life. Students listened with interest, asked thoughtful questions, embraced cultural differences and built genuine connections. The week demonstrated how respect fosters understanding, strengthens relationships and helps our school community flourish.

This visit was not just a cultural exchange—it was a powerful example of how RESPECT enables diversity to be celebrated and new friendships to thrive.

    

RESPECT in Action: House Festivals Showcase

RESPECT means ensuring every member of our community feels valued, heard and celebrated for who they are.

Our recent Year 10 House Festival and Year 7 House Competition provided excellent examples of RESPECT in practice, demonstrating how students support one another, celebrate differences and contribute to a positive and inclusive community.

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Y10: Dress to Impress – Celebrating Individuality and Confidence

As part of the Carpenter House Festival, Year 10 students took part in a lively Dress to Impress challenge inspired by the popular game. Students were given a theme—such as cottage core, celebrity or me in 50 years—and a short time to construct an outfit before taking to the runway.

Our student reporter highlighted the atmosphere of encouragement and support. Pupils applauded each other’s creativity, embraced the humour of the challenge and made space for everyone to express themselves confidently.

This event embodied RESPECT through:

• valuing each other’s ideas and individuality
• creating an environment where everyone felt safe to participate
• celebrating differences with genuine enthusiasm

                

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Y7: House Competition – Respect Through Teamwork and Participation

For Year 7, this was their very first House Competition—and representation across all five houses was outstanding. Students took part wholeheartedly or cheered on their peers, demonstrating admiration, sportsmanship and a strong sense of belonging.

Each house delivered a challenge that encouraged cooperation, enjoyment and mutual respect:

• Carpenter – Beat the Goal:
  Harry and Jack showed determination and teamwork, supported by cheering classmates throughout.

• Mercia – Three‑Legged Race:
  Success relied on communication, trust and synchronised teamwork—each pair respecting each other’s pace and ability.

• Lee – Dress to Impress:
  Students collected items along a runway to build a unique outfit, celebrating personal expression and boosting each other’s confidence.

• Whittle – Timed Doughnut Challenge:
  A no hands eating race brought plenty of laughter, with students showing encouragement and good humour from start to finish.

• Jenner – Balloon Race:
  The challenge required coordination and resilience, with students supporting teammates and embracing the fun together.

Across the board, Year 7 demonstrated that RESPECT isn’t just a word—it’s something they actively show through kindness, teamwork and enthusiasm.

     

Excellence drives us to deliver the highest standards in teaching, learning, and personal development, inspiring students and staff to achieve their full potential.

EXCELLENCE in Action: Bristol Art Trip

At Thomas Keble, our REACH values guide everything we do, inspiring students to aim high and engage deeply in their learning. Our recent Bristol Art Trip is a strong example of Excellence, giving Year 9 students the chance to explore high-quality art, develop new skills and broaden their creative understanding.

Students began the day with an interactive workshop on the history of graffiti, discovering how far back this form of expression stretches—even to ancient Egypt. They then took part in a walking tour of Bristol’s vibrant Stokes Croft area, seeing a range of legal and illegal street art and viewing Banksy’s The Mild, Mild West up close. The diversity of styles and messages gave students a rich insight into Bristol’s cultural identity.

One highlight was a community-created mural—a collaborative artwork that demonstrated how public art brings people together.

As Year 9 student Luma reflected, the visit was “fun, interesting and inspiring,” sparking a desire to learn more.

This trip exemplifies Excellence by offering ambitious, high-quality learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity and personal growth.

 

EXCELLENCE in Action: Celebrating Year 11 Art

Our Year 11 artists have embodied this value throughout their GCSE course. Their final project outcomes demonstrate exceptional creativity, technical skill and dedication, reflecting the high standards they set for themselves and the support provided by the Art department.

We are incredibly proud of their achievements and delighted to share a selection of their final pieces.

                    

 

Ambition encourages us to set bold goals and embrace challenges, fostering resilience and growth in all aspects of school life.

AMBITION in Action: Sporting Success Across TK

Ambition—encouraging us to set bold goals, embrace challenges and foster resilience and growth in all aspects of school life.

Our recent Rugby, Cross Country and Kickboxing achievements demonstrate this value in action, with students showing determination, commitment and pride in their development.

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Rugby: A Record‑Breaking Season of Progress

This year has been one of the busiest and most successful Rugby seasons in recent memory, with exceptional levels of participation and rising performance standards across all year groups. A growing number of Year 10 pupils are now part of the Gloucester Rugby Player Development Programme, reflecting their dedication and drive.

• Year 7 have made a tremendous start, showing a balance of attacking flair and strong defensive play. Their standout moment was an outstanding win over Kingshill.
• Year 8 have played with heart and resilience, learning from challenges and celebrating success at the Marling Festival, where they placed 4th.
• Year 9 bring raw talent and power, led by Jake. Their next ambition: greater consistency across matches.
• Year 10 play exciting, possession‑driven Rugby, earning strong wins over Farmors and Deer Park. Captain Jack continues to be an exemplary role model.
• Year 11 have enjoyed several impressive results, including victories over Marling B, Berkeley Green and Archway.

District Combination Selection

We are also proud of the TK students selected for the Stroud Schools Combination (Barbarians) U15 & U16 squads:
Eli , Noah , Tobias , Chris , Jayden , Jack , Jay , Tyler , Hector and Tyler .

Their selection reflects their skill, commitment and ambition to play at higher levels.

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Cross Country: Endurance, Determination and Rising Talent

TK continues to shine in Cross Country, with talented runners competing strongly at District and County events.

Highlights include:

• Year 7 Boys Relay Team – securing 1st place at the TK-hosted event in October.
• Strong performances at the SWR Individual Race across all year groups.
• Eight students qualifying for the prestigious District Team at the County Trials:
  Dotty and Silvan, Lila , James , Flo , Abi , Edward  and James.

This is an exceptional achievement and a clear demonstration of their ambition and perseverance.

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Kickboxing: National and International Success

A special congratulations goes to Amelia (Year 10), who has been selected to represent England at the World Kickboxing Championships. This remarkable achievement reflects years of dedication, training and personal ambition—all while balancing her school commitments.

Amelia recently won Gold and Bronze at the National Championships and now prepares to take on the world stage. We are immensely proud of her.

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Ambition at TK

Across all these achievements, our students have shown what Ambition truly looks like: setting high aspirations, working hard to improve and embracing every challenge with determination.These successes enrich our school culture and exemplify the high standards we strive for every day.

Compassion reminds us to act with empathy and kindness, supporting wellbeing and nurturing a sense of belonging.

COMPASSION in Action: Citizenship Courts and Real‑World Learning

At Thomas Keble, our REACH values are the foundation of everything we do. They shape our culture, guide our decisions and define the expectations we hold for ourselves and each other. One of these core values is Compassion—acting with empathy and kindness, supporting wellbeing and nurturing a sense of belonging.

Our recent Citizenship Courts experiences for Year 10 and Year 11 provided powerful opportunities for students to understand compassion in a real world context, particularly within the justice system and wider society.

                                               

Y10: Understanding Lives, Choices and Consequences

Year 10 students visited the Crown Court in Gloucester, where Judge Laurie guided them through several live cases and explained the decisions being made. A highlight was hearing from Fuz, an ex‑prisoner who spoke honestly about his past crimes, his time in jail, and the profound regret he carries. He shared how rebuilding his life—supported by family and work with ex‑offenders—has given him new purpose.

Listening to his experiences encouraged students to think with empathy, recognising the human stories behind the justice system and the importance of second chances.

One group also spent time with a military court judge, learning about another area of law and how compassion and fairness play a role in military justice.

Throughout the year, Year 10 meet a range of visitors—including a magistrate, probation manager and soon a prison manager—helping them connect classroom learning to lived experience and better understand the support systems surrounding individuals in difficult circumstances.

    

Y11: Compassion Through Citizenship Action

Year 11 have completed their Citizen Action projects, exploring issues that matter to them and considering how communities support one another. They have also heard from a civil law lawyer and the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, developing a deeper understanding of how compassion shapes decision making, safeguards wellbeing and ensures that everyone is treated with dignity.

These opportunities help students prepare not only for their exams, but for life—encouraging them to think critically, listen carefully and respond with kindness.

Honesty builds trust and integrity, ensuring transparency and accountability in everything we do.

HONESTY in Action: Leading with Integrity Across TK

At Thomas Keble, our REACH values are the foundation of everything we do. They shape our culture, guide our decisions, and define the expectations we hold for ourselves and each other. One of these core values is Honesty—building trust and integrity through transparency, accountability and open communication.

Across school life this term, our students have demonstrated Honesty in meaningful and tangible ways.

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Anti Bullying Ambassadors: Promoting Integrity and Accountability

Ten Year 9 students joined staff at the Diana Award Anti‑Bullying Ambassador training, learning how to challenge negative behaviours, promote inclusion and support peers with empathy and clarity.

Throughout the day, students explored:

• the Diana Award definition of bullying
• how to distinguish bullying from one-off unkindness or banter
• the importance of transparent communication
• the need for honesty when recognising and reporting behaviour

They are now preparing to earn their first badge—the Community Award—through assemblies, student-friendly policy writing, displays and staff training. Their work exemplifies honesty by encouraging a culture where everyone feels safe to speak up and trust one another.

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Rewilding Project: Taking Responsibility for the Environment

Year 11 Horticulture and Year 10 Employability students have been working with Cotswold National Landscape to rewild and enrich local biodiversity. Through planting over 1,000 saplings, creating wildflower meadows and pruning hedgerows, students have shown:

• responsibility for their environment
• honest reflection on the impact of human activity
• accountability for maintaining natural spaces

Their enthusiasm and commitment reflect the integrity at the heart of Honesty—doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

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Sports Ambassadors: Leading with Fairness and Transparency

We are proud to introduce our new Sports Ambassadors:
Millie , Daisy and Neve , alongside Matilda (Girls’ Rugby) and Jack (Basketball).

Ambassadors uphold Honesty by:

• modelling fair play
• supporting transparent decision‑making during events
• encouraging integrity in training and competition
• acting as trustworthy role models for younger pupils

Their leadership helps ensure sport at TK remains respectful, inclusive and grounded in strong values.

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Primary School Mini Olympics: Fair Play and Positive Role Modelling

During our annual Mini Olympics, pupils from Eastcombe and Chalford Hill took part in a range of fun sporting activities. With Olympic sprinter Charlotte Wingfield as Guest of Honour, the event highlighted the importance of:

• fairness in competition
• honesty in teamwork and performance
• celebrating effort and achievement with integrity

Our Sports Captains and Ambassadors supported the day, demonstrating clear communication and positive leadership.

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Across these initiatives—from anti-bullying work to environmental action to sports leadership – our students have shown how Honesty strengthens our community, builds trust and helps every young person feel safe, valued and supported.