Welcome to
MGGS Welcome to MGGS; a caring, distinctive and exciting place to
learn. I hope that this prospectus will give you a flavour of the
outstanding education we provide.
MGGS is a very special place, and our students and staff are
exceptional people. We celebrate and build on a distinguished
history combining innovation with the best traditions in
English education.
We know that young people flourish when they are inspired
and challenged while feeling happy and secure. To that end we are a friendly, supportive, inspirational and forward thinking
community. Our staff and students behave with integrity and
are respectful and kind to others. We work hard to build the
self-confidence, resilience, and leadership skills of our students.
We nurture individuality and scholarship to ensure that our
young people go on to take a leading role in society as happy
and fulfilled adults, bold enough to chase their dreams.
Judged by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’, we enjoy a reputation as one of the finest grammar schools in Kent, fostering academic
distinction, intellectual curiosity, creativity and courage in our
students. MGGS students love learning; they are talented,
compassionate and inquiring young people who have a deep
sense of belonging and commitment to their school. Our staff
are highly skilled, scholarly and innovative practitioners who
cultivate a lifelong love of learning by providing an exceptional balance of support and challenge for each of our students.
Welcome to
MGGS
You are welcome to make an appointment to come and visit us
at any time; simply contact the school office. I am sure you will
enjoy your visit and we very much look forward to meeting you.
Maureen Wolloshin Headteacher
nothing but praise for the school. I “loveI have the holistic approach where everything the child does matters.” Parent Grammar School for Girls is “an Maidstone outstanding school.” Ofsted I adore it here and I feel I have developed “hugely as a person.” Year 11 student
school is passionately committed “to The developing students’ scholarship and a love of learning” University of Exeter, Cognitive Education Centre
Students greatly enjoy all aspects of “school life, and this is reflected in their exemplary behaviour.” Ofsted
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Learning and Achieving
Our students enjoy their learning because it is
stimulating and challenging. We encourage them to be open-minded, to engage with new ideas, to be
creative in their thinking, and always to find the enjoyment in learning. Lessons are lively and interactive, including the use of the latest
technology. Developing self-esteem in their learning is crucial and our students are encouraged to think for themselves – questioning, analysing and
evaluating what they learn across the curriculum. We are delighted that our work has been
recognised by the University of Exeter through our accreditation as a “Thinking School”. The
university specifically commented on the
enthusiasm of the staff and the “atmosphere of
genuine inquiry and delight in learning amongst the students.”
It is designed to encourage all to develop as
Our standards and expectations are high and we
minds. We all take pride in celebrating the
pride ourselves in supporting students to achieve and fulfil them. We monitor progress closely,
working in partnership with parents at every stage. The curriculum is rich, diverse and flexible.
independent thinkers with lively and enquiring achievement of our students.
Students of all abilities achieve “exceptionally well” Ofsted
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Caring and Community
The friendliness of MGGS is one of its finest
qualities. We value highly the welcoming, caring and courteous behaviour of our students and encourage them in the development of self-discipline and responsibility throughout their time at school.
Individual identity and personal development are at the heart of the school and we are well known for the care and support we give to all of our
students. In addition, our wider programme of
study enables all to develop a good understanding of how to lead healthy and responsible lives.
A well-planned induction process ensures that new
students quickly become confident and valued
members of the community. Students feel safe to enjoy their education and relationships between
students across the school are excellent, enhanced
The large sums of money raised each year for causes
House system.
the genuine generosity of spirit of our students.
by the very active and long-established
Experience shows us that students who are well
supported, happy and confident in their work, give so much back to their school and to the wider community.
they have taken to their hearts provide evidence of
quality care and guidance result “in High a strongly inclusive and caring
atmosphere in the school, a place where students feel safe and valued. Ofsted
�
The school has exceeded all our “expectations and has transformed my
daughter’s academic performance and self esteem. She now excels in all areas of school life, thanks to MGGS. Parent
”
I feel very happy at this school and it “makes me feel safe. I feel proud to be a member of the school.” Year 7 student
The creative arts play an important role in the
overall education of our students, adding a richness to the curriculum and encouraging all students to be imaginative and innovative in the way they
express themselves. Visitors often comment on the
stunning displays of artistic work around the school that come from students’ work in Art, Graphics,
Textiles, Media and Technology or from the broader
application of these skills across the curriculum.
The performing arts have always had a strong place at MGGS with students having the opportunity to
perform before audiences within school and beyond. Our hugely successful House Arts competition has been held annually for at least 75 years and
involves every student who wishes to take part in
spectacular and energetic performances of Drama,
Dance and Music. This particular tradition is a
much-loved and enthusiastically supported aspect
of the life of the school.
Fostering creativity is not confined to the creative arts, however. Our students have highly creative minds and we encourage them to develop
A tradition of excellence in...
Nurturing creativity
imaginative and innovative responses to everything that they undertake. Finding creative solutions to problems and using initiative to find new ways to
approach challenges are transferable skills which students are encouraged to develop across
the curriculum.
I am VERY happy at this school and I “really enjoy my lessons.” Year 9 student
enjoy excellent relationships “withStudents one another and with adults, and
have an exceptionally mature and positive attitude to their learning. Ofsted
”
the annual traditions such as “RagI think Week and House Arts are great and give wonderful school memories.� Parent
We aim to extend and enrich the experience of
students both within and beyond the classroom to
offer more unusual choices such as rowing, archery
Students are encouraged to participate in the full
abroad, also widen and enrich student experience
provide a rich programme of opportunities for all.
Extending and enriching
MGGS experience, with its strong emphasis on
A tradition of excellence in...
As well as most of the traditional sports, we also
community and charity work; dramatic, musical
and sports events; trips, visits and extra-curricular
clubs; special events and themed days.
To give just a flavour of these opportunities,
students have: tried out a new musical instrument
for a day; taken part in a medieval fayre complete with hog roast and apothecary’s stall; competed
successfully in national rowing competitions; made
films of school life; led primary school sports
events; achieved Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze,
Silver and Gold Awards; and sung at the O2.
Gifted and talented students have rich
opportunities to enjoy activities which stretch and challenge their abilities. Our status as a science
specialist school gives further opportunities, such as designing and marketing a new lipstick, studying GCSE Astronomy after school, taking Open
University modules in Genetics or Forensic Science. Sport is played in a spirit of griendly competition, with appreciation of fitness and health, and with
opportunities to take part at the highest level for
our most talented.
and self-defence. Trips and visits, both locally and and form an important part of our curriculum.
Students are well prepared for further “study; not only are their academic
standards, high, but they also develop as confident articulate individuals. Ofsted
”
enjoy success in “an Students extremely wide range of
extra-curricular activities which include many cultural, sporting and musical opportunities. Ofsted
”
The standards of teaching, “pastoral care and results have been first class.” Ofsted
absolutely adore this school. “It’sI literally been a second home
for me and has made me who I am today. School spirit is amazing and my teachers have done nothing but support me. Sixth form student
”
Students achieve outstandingly well “throughout their time in the school, and as a result overall standards in external texts and examinations are exceptionally high. Ofsted
”
choices about their futures so we make sure they
have access to high quality guidance and up-to-date information. We deliver a comprehensive careers
programme throughout the school and are delighted
that we have been awarded the prestigious Investors in Careers Stage 3 award. Our students leave school
ready to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead wide range of higher education courses and careers. Our highly successful mixed sixth form offers exciting opportunities for academic achievement and personal development. Having such a large sixth form enables
us to offer a comprehensive range of courses and considerable flexibility in personalising the programme of study for each student.
The school has an outstanding record of success at Advanced Level, enabling students to access
university courses and careers of their choice. An
extensive range of extra curricular activities is also available to our sixth form students. Highlights
include: the organisation of an annual Rag Week,
which regularly raises over £4000 for local and
national charities; an exceptionally large and
successful Duke of Edinburgh’s Award unit; higher and community Sports Leader Awards; English
Speaking Board and Personal Finance qualifications;
Open University modules; a university-style lecture series; the opportunity to act as head and senior
students and as school governors. Find out more
about the sixth form at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls in our sixth form prospectus.
a fantastic 7 years our daughter “hasWhat had! What a wonderful springboard for university and life after education!” Parent
Raising aspirations
of them – and take their places in an impressively
A tradition of excellence in...
We want students to make informed and confident
A tradition of excellence in...
MGGS in Maidstone The school has been serving the local community since 1888, firstly in the centre of town and from
1939 on our current site. We are proud of the part
the school has played in pioneering education for
girls. From the start there was a focus on ensuring
that girls experienced the full curriculum
including, very unusually, science in dedicated
laboratories. Our beautiful new teaching block, Buckland House, was opened in 2012.
The school has recently built up a fascinating
A tradition of excellence in...
MGGS in Maidstone
archive documenting the role of the school in the lives of so many young Maidstone women from
Victorian times, through two world wars to the
present day. This archive is regularly used by
students at the school in helping them to
understand the social effects of historical
developments. Since the school’s earliest days,
girls, and more recently boys, have progressed into careers in all walks of life – the arts, engineering, medicine, law, journalism, politics and business. We look forward confidently to continuing this
work with the young people of Kent in the future.
BUCKLAND ROAD MAIDSTONE
KENT ME16 0SF TELEPHONE: 01622 752103 FAX:
01622 681947
WEBSITE:
www.mggs.org
EMAIL:
central@mggs.org