We are Kings Monkton School, a non-selective, inclusive private school based in the heart of Wales’ thriving capital city, Cardiff. Our school mantra is ‘be the best you can be’. We believe that children who feel happy and safe in their learning environment achieve the best results.
Kings Monkton contains a great deal of history within its walls and grounds; the building itself is over 150 years old and has seen thousands of pupils and several generations of family members successfully graduate during this time.
Our school also holds a very special place in Principal Paul Norton’s heart as his own father attended the school during the 1950s. And so in 2019, Paul and his wife, Vice-Principal Karen Norton, grasped the opportunity to become the proud proprietors of Kings Monkton. The school even has its own alumni, The Old Kings Monktonians, and all former pupils are invited to join this prestigious group which is made up of former pupils based all over the world, from Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.
We may have a global alumnus, but we are a small yet mighty school. Our vision is to create an inclusive school community built upon a happy, innovative, and outstanding learning environment. That is why one of our core features as a school is to ensure small class sizes; we cap our classes at 18 pupils in Key Stage One and Two and at GCSE and A Level these drop to eight pupils per class to ensure the best learning environments and optimal 1-1 teaching time. This allows our teachers to differentiate the needs of each pupil, as every child has a unique way of learning, and our staff has the ability and resources to adapt their teaching to get the very best from each individual pupil.
At Kings Monkton, our vision is to create an inclusive family community built upon a happy, innovative and outstanding learning environment.
Pupil wellbeing is a value we hold dearly, because without it, how can we expect children to be the best they can be? Our qualified Wellbeing Team looks after all the needs of our pupils so they can feel happy, safe, and secure in their learning environment. Our small school is a tight-knit community, where children are allowed to grow as individuals and excel in their areas of interest.
Our mission is to prepare each pupil for life, enabling them to discover themselves and develop their gifts and talents, fully realise their potential, and achieve the highest standards of which they are capable. And we truly believe that this is possible through our focused and driven school mission:
Our mission has been carefully curated by our Principal, Paul Norton, and Vice-Principal, Karen Norton, with the aim of allowing each and every pupil the opportunity to be the best they can be. Paul and Karen take great care in every thought and decision surrounding Kings Monkton and their pupils; with over 50 years of experience in teaching and leadership between them, they certainly know how to create a personalised learning experience for everyone.
Here are some words from Paul and Karen on Kings Monkton’s vision and mission:
OUR PRINCIPAL, PAUL NORTON BA (HONS), MA, PGCFE, MA(ED), NPQH
“We are an inclusive school that focuses on building confidence and character. We believe that the high level of grounding and learning achieved with us is a crucial factor in helping our pupils go on to become successful, fulfilled adults.
We aim to develop well-rounded children, both academically and socially, so you can feel confident that your child will get the best possible start in life. We recognise that every child is an individual, and as such have tailored curriculums for each pupil, valuing academic outcomes as well as attainment.
The school’s great history, coupled with our holistic approach and focus on wellbeing, means our pupils benefit from a style of education that upholds important values, combined with the latest learning methods, technology and innovations in the classroom. We invite you to visit us and see for yourself what our school can offer your child.”
OUR VICE-PRINCIPAL, KAREN NORTON BSC (HONS), PGCE, MA(ED), NPQH
As a mathematics graduate, Karen started her career by teaching mathematics at GCSE and A level before becoming Head of Mathematics and then a senior leader, gaining a post graduate degree in Education Leadership. Karen has experience in all areas of school leadership; pastoral and wellbeing, Additional Learning needs, Data management, Assessment & Reporting and curriculum design, writing the timetable.
Karen has supported headteachers in both primary and secondary schools to develop literacy and numeracy, specialising in numerical reasoning as Senior partner for the National Support Programme, a Welsh Government initiative. She led supported marking events for secondary teachers across Wales to ensure consistency in the marking of national tests. Karen joined Kings Monkton in 2015 as Vice Principal and Headteacher of our Primary School.
At Kings Monkton School, our values reflect our passions and goals, and they are what drive us and our pupils forward. Find out more below.
