HT Blog – Tuesday 30 September 2025

 

I would like to begin this week’s blog by extending my sincere thanks to Barton House and Mrs Rees for organising last Friday’s Macmillan Coffee Morning. The Big Hall was buzzing with students, staff, parents, and friends of MGS – all coming together to support a fantastic cause over tea, coffee, and cake. It was wonderful to see the school community in full force, and I am pleased to share that we raised around £2000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Last week also saw a fantastic opportunity for our Classics students, who attended a conference at Wycombe Abbey. Joining over 200 other young Classicists, they enjoyed a series of lectures delivered by leading academics from Oxford and Cambridge. It was an inspiring and enriching experience, and I am very grateful to the Classics Department for making this happen.

This week, our Year 7 students are heading off for their induction trip to Bewl Water. This outing, now a much-loved part of our Year 7 programme, provides students with a chance to build friendships, strengthen bonds, and simply enjoy time together outside the classroom. A huge thank you to the staff involved in organising and accompanying the trip.

Continuing the focus on our newest Maidstonians, we are looking forward to welcoming Year 7 families into school this Thursday for our annual Year 7 Welcome Evening. This event offers parents and carers the chance to meet form tutors, hear from key staff, and learn more about the year ahead. One of the highlights of the evening is the student-led tour of the school – a real ‘show and tell’ moment where pupils proudly share their new environment with their families. It is always a lovely evening, and we are excited to see many there.

Looking ahead to Friday, we are thrilled to be hosting author and illustrator Curtis Jobling, as part of both our Literacy Programme and the Maidstone Literary Festival. Best known as the creator of Bob the Builder, Curtis will be spending time with Year 8, sharing insights into his career and creative process. We are certain it will be a memorable and inspiring visit for our students.

Finally, a big congratulations to some of our sports teams. The 1st XV Rugby Squad secured an emphatic 76–0 win over Oakwood Park Grammar School, while the 1st XI Football Squad triumphed 3–0 against Rainham Mark Grammar School – both in national cup competitions. Special recognition also goes to our U15 Rugby Squad, who remain unbeaten this academic year. A brilliant effort from all involved.

HT Blog – Tuesday 23 September 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 23 September 2025

I would like to begin by extending my sincere thanks to everyone who attended and helped organise last week’s Higher Education Fair. With over 1,500 visitors exploring the school site and engaging with representatives from more than 50 universities, the event was a tremendous success. It was especially rewarding to welcome students not only from our own school but from over 15 local schools, all eager to explore their aspirations and future pathways.

After a particularly busy few weeks, this one brings a slightly steadier pace. The highlight will undoubtedly be our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday. This long-standing tradition is a much-valued opportunity for our school community to come together in support of a vital cause. Sharing a cup of tea and a slice of cake may seem simple, but it speaks volumes about the spirit and generosity of our community. It is always a popular and well-supported event.

On the sporting front, congratulations go to our 1st XI Football Squad, who delivered an impressive 5–0 victory against Queen Elizabeth Grammar School last Wednesday. This week, attention turns to rugby as our 1st XV Rugby Squad faces Oakwood Park Grammar School in the second round of the National Vase. It is an important fixture—not only in terms of progression in the competition but also as we look to maintain a clean sheet against our local (and friendly) rivals. Best of luck to all involved.

In other news, the CCF has made a fantastic start to the new school year. We are delighted to welcome 70 new recruits to the contingent, and we are pleased to announce that a parent has joined the RAF Section as an adult volunteer. At the recent Cadet Skill at Arms Meeting, the Army Section shooting team performed exceptionally well, earning a Silver medal in the Fire Control Assessment and a Bronze in the Advance to Contact shoot. Congratulations also go to Staff Sergeant Rist, who has been appointed one of the Lord Lieutenant of Kent’s Cadets for this academic year. In October, Lt Rai will be presented with the Lord Lieutenant’s Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the CCF.

HT Blog – Tuesday 16 September 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 16 September 2025

I would like to begin this week’s blog by extending my heartfelt thanks to the entire school community for their support, patience, and understanding during what was undoubtedly a challenging time last week. With a significant number of staff absent due to illness, our ability to deliver the usual Maidstonian experience was tested. However, thanks to the unwavering support of my colleagues and the resilience and maturity shown by our students, we navigated the week with strength and grace. It truly became a moment of pride for our school. Thank you all.

A special congratulation goes to our senior rugby and football squads, who started their respective seasons with excellent performances. The 1st XV triumphed over St Lawrence College with a 34–8 victory, the 1st XI secured a 3–1 win against Oakwood Park Grammar School, and the 2nd XI impressed with a 9–2 result against Simon Langton Grammar School. Well done to all involved – a great start to the sporting year.

Now in our third week of the new academic year, the rhythm of school life has returned. Lessons are in full flow, our extra-curricular programme is up and running, and students have once again embraced the spirit of the Maidstonian community. It is genuinely uplifting to see school life return to its usual, vibrant routine.

Looking ahead, we are once again excited to host our annual Higher Education Fair this Wednesday. We will be welcoming over 1,000 visitors to the school as they explore the Big Hall and corridors, engaging with representatives from a wide range of universities and higher education institutions. This event is a cornerstone of our careers provision, and I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Careers Team for their outstanding work in organising it.

HT Blog – Tuesday 2 September 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 2 September 2025

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the start of the new academic year—and to my first blog post. I hope everyone who was able to take a break over the summer had a restful and enjoyable time with family and friends.

We return this week following an exceptional set of public examination results. These were the strongest outcomes the school has achieved outside of the COVID years, and they are a testament to the dedication and hard work of both our students and staff. My sincere congratulations to all involved.

This week, we are welcoming students back in a staggered manner. Today we greet Years 7, 12 and 13, while the remaining year groups will join us from Wednesday. Weather permitting, we are planning a whole-school assembly in the Quad on Wednesday morning—a valued tradition and a wonderful opportunity for our entire community to come together and celebrate being Maidstonians once more. It is always a joy to see the whole school gathered in one place.

In addition to our returning students—and the many new students beginning their journey with us—we are also pleased to welcome 15 new members of staff across various departments. We look forward to getting to know them and hope they find MGS to be a warm and rewarding place to work.

At the end of this first week, we look forward to celebrating Upper School Speech Day. This is always a highlight of the school calendar, offering one final opportunity to come together with our outgoing Year 13 cohort before they move on to new adventures. This year’s guest of honour is Old Maidstonian and former School Captain, Chris Boobier, who left MGS 20 years ago. We are delighted to welcome him back as he presents awards to our senior students.

Finally, I would like to offer our congratulations to Old Maidstonian Jacob Safa, who has recently signed a professional football contract with Charlton Athletic. Jacob was an exceptional footballer during his time at MGS and an outstanding member of the school community. We are immensely proud of his achievement.

Wishing you all a successful and positive start to the term

HT Blog – Tuesday 15 July 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 15 July 2025

As we approach the final days of the 2024–25 academic year, it’s hard to believe how quickly the time has flown. This has been another challenging yet remarkable year in the life of MGS, and with the summer holidays now in sight, a well-earned rest awaits us all before we begin afresh in September.

But before we officially wrap up the year, we still have one more important and eventful week ahead.

Our final week is a little different from the usual. With lessons set aside, we enter Enrichment Week—a time for students to step outside their normal timetables and take part in a range of exciting, diverse activities designed to broaden their horizons and spark new interests. Alongside this, we’ll also enjoy our festival-style Sports Day, our traditional Founders’ Day Service and Lower School Speech Day, and the Biennial Inspection of the CCF led by Brigadier Lamb. It may be the last week of term, but it certainly won't be a quiet one!

As is customary at this time of year, we also take a moment to say goodbye and thank you to some much-valued members of staff who are moving on: Mr Sharp (Design & Technology) has made a strong impression in his single year with us. He now moves into an exciting new role at the Rochester Bridge Trust, continuing his journey in education beyond the classroom. Mr Knight, who returned to support the English Department this year, now resumes his well-earned retirement. His guidance and experience have been much appreciated. Mrs Handley, from our Finance Team, departs after an extraordinary 19 years of service. Her meticulous approach to school budgeting has kept us on track—and we are deeply grateful. Mrs Van Mol, also retiring after 19 years at MGS (and an incredible 49 years in education), has been a steadfast presence in our school community. Her legacy will be long remembered.

Mr Young, our Head of Computing and E-Learning Manager, retires after 27 years at MGS. Thanks to his vision and dedication, our Computing Department has become one of the best in the county—and arguably the country. His impact on generations of students is immeasurable. We thank each of them for their dedication and service. They leave behind not only a professional legacy but also warm memories, and we wish them all the very best for the future.

Before I sign off, I’d like to share a final piece of good news from the student community: Michael in Year 11 recently took part in the Rugby Americas North U19 Championship, where he not only scored two tries, but also earned a mention for Maidstone Grammar School from the commentators! A fantastic achievement—well done, Michael.

To everyone in the MGS community—students, staff, families, and friends—thank you for another incredible year. I wish you all a relaxing, refreshing, and well-deserved summer break.

See you in September.

HT Blog Tuesday 8 July 2025

 

HT Blog -Tuesday 8 July 2025

Hello there, Mr Hanratty here. Yesterday marked the start of Extended Learning Week for Year 7 to 9. ELW is a unique feature of our curriculum and a week many students and staff look forward to, with many arguing it is the best week of the year. This is because during ELW we suspend the normal timetable and provide learning and enrichment experiences that students wouldn’t normally experience through the formal curriculum, including residentials and trips.

Some of our popular activities include Basketball Camp, Chess, Debating, DT Soap Box (a high-energy, Grand Prix-style race where teams will put their soapboxes they’ve been building all week to the test), Golf Academy at Tudor Park Golf Club in Bearsted, Harry Potter Workshop at (of course) Harry Potter Studios, MGS Bake Off, Rowing, Special Effects Makeup, Water sports on St Andrews Lakes (very popular), and Wrestler Bootcamp where students meet real professional wrestlers, create their own wrestler persona, and take part in appropriate exercises that would one day make them ring-ready!

Many of the activities on offer run for 2 and a half days until tomorrow lunchtime, and then we have a reset for those students who have signed up for two 2.5-day activities. There are also 5-day activities such as golf, and of course trips - these include visits to France, Spain, and our CCF contingents travelling to different corners of the UK. We will update our social media over this week with many photos from the various trips and activities and will also publish a rundown of the week in our end of term newsletter.

And while speaking about end of term, next week is the final week of the academic year - and a busy one to end on. On Monday we will celebrate Founders’ Day with our annual service at All Saints Church in Maidstone. The school will walk to the church for the service in the morning and walk back in the afternoon to join our Lower School Speech Day, where subject prizes and top scholar awards will be awarded. The list of prize winners will be published in next week’s end of term newsletter.

On Wednesday we will hold our Sports Day (weather permitting, of course), and you can feel the excitement building amongst the students for this day - they say boys tend to have a competitive streak - well, you really see it when it comes to Sports Day. Like previous years, parents and carers are invited to come along for the day or part of it.

On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, we will be suspending the normal timetable for enrichment activities - similar to this week’s Extended Learning Week - but the focus is more academic in nature, with students given the opportunity to explore academic subjects they wouldn’t normally get exposed to. For example, Year 7 will take part in Film and Media workshops, and Year 10 will take part in Politics and Philosophy lessons.

While on the subject of Year 10, this year group, along with Year 12, are involved in work experience this week while everyone else takes part in ELW. Thank you to our Careers Team for supporting them in finding positions and thank you also to the many employers who have supported our work experience programme.

Finally, looking back at last week, Thursday was really a day of two bookends - with Year 6 Induction Day held during the school day and Year 13 Prom in the evening and night.

On Thursday we were pleased to welcome our soon-to-be Maidstonians from Year 6 to their Year 7 Induction Day with us. They took part in a carousel of activities and team building opportunities and joined the whole school for one of our assemblies in the Quad. We hope they enjoy their final weeks at primary school, have a great summer, and we look forward to welcoming them in September as our 477^th cohort.

And following the Induction Day, that night Year 13 celebrated the end of their MGS journey at their Prom at Leeds Castle. It was great to hear them speak so positively about their time at the school and their recent exam experience. Speeches, prize giving, and quizzes took place between a fantastic three course meal, with plenty of laughter, singing, and some questionable dance moves (including from staff!). A big thank you to the Prom Committee for organising and running such a successful event, and to Leeds Castle for hosting us. We look forward to seeing Year 13 again on A Level Results Day on the 14 August and hope they all have a wonderful summer in the meantime.

As we quickly now approach the end of term, I’m sure the Head will share his closing message with all you Constant Readers, but as I will not have the opportunity, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all an enjoyable summer with sunshine and laughs wherever you may be. I may write to you all again in the future through this blog, so until then, take care.

HT Blog – Tuesday 1 July 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 1 July 2025

Firstly, I would like to recognise Old Maidstonian Professor Peter Brennan, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, who has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. This prestigious recognition reflects his outstanding contribution to the field of surgery and his commitment to improving patient safety. Our heartfelt congratulations go to Peter on this well-deserved honour.

This week, our Year 9 students are taking part in the Business Enterprise Challenge – a two-and-a-half-day event where the entire year group collaborates with external facilitators to tackle a range of business scenarios. The programme culminates in a presentation afternoon, during which students pitch their ideas to a panel of expert judges and MGS staff. It promises to be a valuable and inspiring experience for all involved.

Continuing the theme of business and the world of work, on Thursday our Year 8 students will be out of school for their Workplace Shadowing Day. This initiative gives them the opportunity to experience a day in the professional world—many alongside their parents, while others venture further afield. Whatever the setting, we hope the day offers a meaningful insight into life beyond MGS.

Also on Thursday, we are delighted to welcome the newest members of our community for the Year 6 Induction Day. These future Maidstonians will spend the day getting to know their new school and each other, as they prepare for the exciting step into secondary education in September. And while the school may be filled with the energy of our youngest pupils during the day, we will be celebrating at the other end of the journey in the evening, as over 150 students and many staff members come together at Leeds Castle for the MGS Leavers’ Prom. It will be a wonderful evening of reflection, celebration, and farewell—with, no doubt, a few tired faces the following morning!

For next week’s HT Blog, I will be handing over the reins to Mr. Hanratty. It is Extended Learning Week, with Years 7 to 9 participating in a range of exciting activities, while Years 10 and 12 engage in valuable work experience. I will be out of school for the entire week, as I will be involved in one of the activities myself.

 

HT Blog - Tuesday 24 June 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 24 June 2025

This week marks an exciting time at MGS as we welcome over 250 prospective students for our Sixth Form Induction Week. Students from MGS and other schools will join us for three days to experience life in our Sixth Form. During their visit, they’ll attend sample A-level lessons in their chosen subjects, explore the school through guided tours, spend time in the Sixth Form Common Room and Library, and take part in a range of ‘getting-to-know-you’ activities. We hope they find the experience valuable and choose to begin their Sixth Form journey with us in September.

While our future sixth formers are getting a taste of life at MGS, our current Year 12 students are in the midst of their UCAS examinations. Over the next two weeks, they will be completing these important assessments, which play a key role in determining their predicted grades for university applications. These are the most significant exams they’ve sat since their GCSEs, and we wish them all the very best.

This past weekend, 18 Year 10 students successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Assessed Expedition in the New Forest, accompanied by Ms Alloy and Mr Pinn. The hot weather presented an extra challenge, but with careful planning and early starts, the group had a safe and rewarding experience. A huge thank you to our staff for their support and encouragement throughout the trip.

Looking ahead to the end of the week, we’re excited to host our fourth annual Pride BBQ on Friday. This much-loved event brings together students and staff in the Quad for a lunchtime celebration featuring great food provided by our caterers, Cucina, and a soundtrack of music from iconic artists. Let’s hope the sunshine continues to make it a perfect day.

 

 

 

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 17 June 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 17 June 2025

After five weeks the GCSE and A-level examinations begin to wind down.  Years 11 and 13 can now see the light at the end of the tunnel and so look forward to a long and well-deserved summer.  We now wait a couple of months for the results to be released later in the summer.

This week we welcome students from our local feeder primary schools into MGS to enjoy two outreach activities.  On Tuesday the young students will be transported to Pompeii to learn about what life was like during the Roman Empire.  They will learn a little bit of Latin, make some authentic Roman food, and produce some artwork that would have been seen 2000 years ago.  On Wednesday we change tact somewhat and leave Pompeii to put on a morning of rugby.  Thank you to the staff for organising these two days.

On Wednesday we host the last virtual parents’ evening of the year, with year 10 parents being invited to hear from their child’s teachers on how they have been getting on.  This is a crucial time of year for Year 10 as within weeks of starting Year 11 in September they will be preparing for mock examinations and considering their futures beyond GCSEs.  I am sure the evening will be a positive one.  And on Thursday this week we welcome to the school our newest and youngest Maidstonians who will be in Barton House next year to the re-scheduled Year 6 Barton House Tea.  I am sure they will have an enjoyable time and have an opportunity to meet new friends.

HT Blog – Tuesday 10 June 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 10 June 2025

I am delighted to begin this week’s blog by sharing a lovely story about a Maidstonian and their kind actions which was featured on the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2 last week.  The story was about the difficulties of barcode train tickets.  A member of the public phoned into the radio show praising the kind actions of a student from Maidstone Grammar School who had kindly purchased a physical ticket when they were having trouble with their electronic one.  The fact that the person phoned into a radio show to share this story with the wider public illustrates that kind actions seen each and every day are being recognised and appreciated. 

At the weekend I enjoyed a couple of hours just south of Tunbridge Wells in the company of Year 9 and those staff accompanying them on the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Assessed Expedition.  The weather held for the day’s walking, but the heavens opened as the students returned to the campsite to pitch their tents.  There were a few damp tents.

Also, at the weekend Old Maidstonian Billy Leyland joined Hull Kingston Rovers at Wembley Stadium to win the 2025 Men’s Rugby League Challenge Cup.  Billy, as well as his brother Oli, both pursued careers in rugby league, and we have been following their successes since leaving MGS.  We are delighted for Billy and his Challenge Cup win.

This week is another busy week for MGS.  Year 10 geographers travel to Stratford to complete essential fieldwork as part of their GCSE studies.  Yesterday we welcomed BAE Systems into the school to share with some students their RAF and Navy Education Programme in the hope that it will inspire more young people to pursue engineering as a career.  Today a group of younger students take part in the UK Junior Mathematics Challenge.  On Wednesday we not only welcome some primary school students into MGS to take part in our Football Outreach Day we also invite the wider school community in to enjoy the annual MGS Art Exhibition.  The MGS Art Exhibition exhibits work from years 11, 12 and 13, and it takes place in the Big Hall from 4pm.  Do come along.  And on Friday a group of students, accompanied by the English Department, visit the Globe Theatre to enjoy a Shakespeare play.

This week, for me, however, means travelling into London to attend the annual Grammar School Heads Association Annual Conference.  Each year, over two days in the second week of June, all headteachers of grammar schools across the UK come together to share stories, learn about new educational developments, and understand more how they can improve their respective schools.  From previous experience, I am sure I will come back with some good ideas.

Finally, huge congratulations to art teacher, Mr Ashenfelter, who, with his team, became the 2025 GB Masters Over-60 Basketball Champions.  Well done Mr Ashenfelter.