HT Blog – Tuesday 25 November 2025

 

I begin this week’s blog with some outstanding sporting achievements. Last Wednesday, the 1st XV Rugby Squad delivered a nail-biting performance to defeat Duke of York School 16-15 in the last 16 of the National Vase, securing a well-deserved place in the quarter finals. Despite facing a physically imposing opposition, the heart, determination, and teamwork of our MGS players shone throughout. Huge congratulations to the entire squad.

That same afternoon brought further success across the school. The Senior Netball Squad battled their way to a superb 19-17 victory over Maidstone Girls’ Grammar School, while the 1st XI Football Squad continued their strong form with a 2-1 win against Simon Langton Grammar School in the Kent Cup. As reigning Kent Cup champions, the team carried the weight of expectation with confidence and composure - well done to all involved.

Our week of sporting triumphs concluded yesterday with another excellent result for the 1st XI Football Squad, who secured a commanding 3-0 victory over The Judd School in the National Cup. This win sees them advance to the last 32 of the competition. Congratulations to the players - what an exceptional few days it has been for the school!

This week also marks an important moment in the school calendar: the start of our Sixth Form Open Events. We begin with two open mornings, leading up to our main open evening on Thursday. This is the time of year when schools across the county open their doors to prospective sixth form students, but what we offer at MGS makes our events particularly special. Our sixth form is not only academically strong but also rich in opportunities - whether through subject enrichment, leadership roles, co-curricular activities, or the pastoral support that helps our students thrive. These events allow families to see first-hand the breadth and quality of what we provide, and we are expecting significant interest once again this year. My sincere thanks go to the many staff and students who give their time to showcase our school so brilliantly.

Yesterday, some of our debating students welcomed a visiting barrister to join their weekly session as they prepare for the upcoming Mock Trial Competition in early December. Our debaters have achieved considerable success in recent years, including qualification for both the Oxford and Cambridge Union competitions, and this expert guidance will only strengthen their skills as they move into the final stages of preparation.

HT Blog – Tuesday 18 November 2025

 Firstly, I would like to extend a huge thank you to the staff and students of College House for organising Friday’s charity day in aid of BBC Children in Need. Despite the persistent wet weather, spirits remained wonderfully high and the atmosphere across the school was filled with enthusiasm. The delicious cakes were enjoyed by many, and the main attraction of the day – the Staff vs. Student Football Match – drew an impressive crowd. Thank you, Mr Musendo, for scoring the equalising goal to leave the final score 1-1.  I am delighted to share that College House raised £2278, bringing a welcome burst of cheer to the whole school community. Thank you to everyone who contributed, participated, and supported the event.

I would also like to thank the staff and students who accompanied me on Saturday’s first Everest Base Camp Practice Walk. Our route began and ended at Cobtree Manor Park, with a challenging 21km trek between the two points. The rain that had soaked us on Friday provided slippery and muddy conditions on the walk, but I was reminded of my mother’s wise words: there’s never really bad weather, only inappropriate clothing! The resilience and positivity shown by the group were fantastic, and it was a pleasure to spend the day with such determined young people.

This week, our Year 11 mock examinations continue and draw to a close. The bulk of the hard work is now behind the students; aside from a couple of whole-year examinations, the remaining papers are the smaller, subject-specific ones. Keep going, boys - your effort and focus will pay off.

Parents and carers of Years 9 and 12 will be logging onto our School Cloud platform this week for their respective parents’ evenings. These year groups represent the starting points of the GCSE and A-level journeys, making these evenings an invaluable opportunity to gain insight into how students are settling in, progressing, and preparing for the important years ahead.

In addition, Year 10 parents and carers are warmly invited to an evening of music and drama as our talented GCSE performers take to the stage for the Year 10 Music and Drama Presentation Evening. This event is always an enjoyable one as well as being a wonderful celebration of the creativity and confidence of our students.

In sports news, congratulations to the U15 Rugby Squad, who continue their exceptional season with a 46–0 victory in the National Cup, securing their place in the next round. Well done, boys, and thank you to Mr Cooper for your dedication and support. Looking ahead, our senior rugby players face the Duke of York School on Wednesday in their next national competition fixture. A win would see them progress to the quarterfinals, and we wish them the very best of luck.

Oh, and finally, good luck to the students who are talking part in GCSE Latin and Ancient World Olympiad on Friday. 

HT Blog – Tuesday 11 November 2025

 

As we have reached Remembrance Day, I would like to begin by expressing my sincere thanks to all the CCF cadets and adult volunteers who represented MGS so proudly at the Maidstone Remembrance Parade on Sunday. With many Old Maidstonians having made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, it is vital that we, as a school community, continue to honour their memory and recognise the significance of the Armistice.

Today, on 11 November, the whole school will come together for a special MGS remembrance service, pausing in silence at 11am to reflect and pay tribute to the fallen.

Turning to recent school achievements, I would like to congratulate our senior rugby players for an outstanding week last week. Not only did they take part in the eagerly anticipated MGS vs Sutton Valence School derby on Friday night (where we won both games), but they also secured a place in the last 16 of the National Cup after a 35–14 victory over Christ’s Hospital School on Tuesday. My thanks go to Mr Saunders, Mr Seymour, Mr Smith, and Mr Dadd for their continued dedication, and to all those who came to support the squad under the floodlights on Friday evening.  The success in rugby continued on Saturday against Sutton Valence School for many of our younger rugby squads. 

In other sporting news, our Girls’ Netball Squad enjoyed a competitive away fixture at Sevenoaks School last week, sadly losing though 21-16, the Senior Football Squad recorded a strong 5-1 win over Dane Court Grammar School, and our basketball players continued their success with another well-deserved victory. Congratulations to all involved!

This week marks the start of the two-week mock examination period for our Year 11 students. These GCSE-style assessments provide valuable experience and insight into what lies ahead next summer. I wish every student the very best as they put their hard work into practice.

Looking ahead to Friday, College House will be leading our next school charity day, supporting BBC Children in Need. As always, students are invited to wear non-uniform for a £1 donation at the gate, and there will be a range of additional fundraising activities throughout the day to support this important national cause.

Finally, on Saturday, I will be joining the students and staff preparing for the Everest Base Camp 2026 expedition on their first practice walk along the North Downs. While the Kent hills may not quite rival the Himalayas, the six-hour trek will certainly test stamina and serve as excellent preparation. Let us hope the weather is kind to us.

Oh, and good luck to the MGS Chess Team who will be competing in the National Chess Competition Qualifier at The Judd School today and congratulations to College House for winning this year’s Inter-House General Knowledge Quiz.

HT Blog – Tuesday 4 November 2025

 

Before looking ahead to the week to come, I would like to begin by expressing my sincere thanks to Mrs Hudson, the MGS Parents’ Association, staff, students, and friends of the school who helped to organise and support the MGS PA Fireworks Display. Thankfully, the weather held, allowing the large crowd from both the school and the wider community to enjoy a truly spectacular evening of fireworks and celebration.

The weekend also saw our rugby squads take part in the annual fixtures against The Judd School. Beginning on Friday with the U12 and 1st XV matches, all of our players rose to the occasion, demonstrating great determination and teamwork against one of the strongest rugby schools in Kent. Well done to every player for their effort, commitment, and sportsmanship on the pitch.

After a particularly busy week, the coming days will be somewhat quieter. Our Year 11 students are spending their final week in lessons before beginning their GCSE mock examinations next week, while our CCF cadets are preparing to represent the school at the Remembrance Sunday Parade in Maidstone town centre this weekend.

With a little more calm in the school calendar, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight our social media channels, where we regularly share updates, stories, and achievements from across the MGS community. Our newly established Development and Alumni Office has been posting a range of interesting features that we hope our wider community will enjoy. One of these is ‘Throwback Thursday’, a weekly post designed to take Old Maidstonians on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.  Do take a moment to follow our social media platforms to stay connected with all that is happening at MGS - past and present.

HT Blog – Tuesday 28 October 2025

 

Welcome back to school and to the start of Term 2. I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable half-term break.

Before we look ahead, I want to take a moment to thank the hundreds of students and staff who supported our 11+ Open Evening - the largest event in the school calendar. We were delighted to welcome over 850 visitors to MGS, all of whom had the chance to experience our school in action and witness first-hand the pride we all share in being part of this community. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many guests expressing a strong desire to be associated with the school in the future.

I am proud to acknowledge Mr Rai and Rafael in Year 12 of College House, who were both honoured with a Lord Lieutenant Award last week in recognition of their outstanding service and contributions to the CCF.  I had the pleasure of attending the award ceremony and witnessing their achievements being formally recognised.  Well done to both Mr Rai and Rafael on this well-deserved honour.

As we move into this eight-week term, we face the seasonal challenges of darker evenings and colder days - but also the promise of many exciting opportunities and highlights.

This week alone is filled with key events that showcase the talent, commitment, and spirit of MGS. On Wednesday, our musicians and performers will take to the stage in the Autumn Showcase, celebrating the musical and dramatic talents of our students. Then on Friday evening, the 1st XV Rugby Squad travels to Tonbridge to take on The Judd School in what is always a competitive and eagerly anticipated fixture.

To round off the week, our annual MGS Firework Display will take place on Saturday evening, led by our fantastic Parents’ Association. This much-loved event brings together thousands from across the school and wider community to enjoy an evening of entertainment and spectacular fireworks. Gates open at 5pm, with the display starting at 7pm. Tickets are still available, and we look forward to seeing many of you there.

Alongside these events, we are also beginning to support Year 11 students as they start to look ahead and plan for life beyond GCSEs. Yesterday, we welcomed parents and carers into school for an evening of guidance and discussion around the important decisions that lie ahead. This continues today with our A Level Subject Fair, giving students the opportunity to meet with teachers and subject specialists to explore their options and make informed choices about their future pathways.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the remarkable growth of girls’ sport at MGS. Thanks to the energy and commitment of Mrs Coveney, Miss Dimmick, Miss Chesterton and the wider PE department, girls’ sport is now one of the fastest-growing areas in school life. Just before half term, two of our netball teams competed in a tournament against Gravesend Grammar School, and this week our girls' rugby squad will take part in a competitive fixture. Plans are also underway to introduce volleyball and badminton as part of our expanding Girls’ Sport Programme. A huge thank you to the students who are embracing these opportunities, and to the staff who are making them possible.

HT Blog – Tuesday 14 October 2025

 

It is hard to believe that I am writing the final blog of Term 1—where has the time gone? It feels as though we only just returned from the summer holidays, and yet we are already heading into the October Half Term break.

This week, we have continued to welcome the wider community through our doors, with both our Open Morning and Open Evening events taking place. On Thursday evening, over 400 of our students will be involved in guiding visitors and sharing their experiences of life at MGS. Open Evening is always a highlight of the school year—an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate everything that makes our school so special. It is a day when we can all feel truly proud to be part of MGS.

Our Year 7 trips to Waterstones also continue this week, made possible thanks to the generous support of the Parents’ Association. Their donation has allowed us to buy every Year 7 student a brand-new book. I had the pleasure of accompanying one of the classes last week, and it was a real joy to see their excitement on the walk into town and to hear their thoughtful conversations as they chose their books. A heartfelt thank you to the Parents’ Association for making this experience possible.

In sporting news, our senior rugby squads are enjoying a strong run of form after a challenging start to the season. They have recorded excellent wins over Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School and Cranbrook School in recent days. Let us hope their success continues through the rest of the season—momentum is a powerful thing!

This week also marked an exciting milestone for our Year 7 students, who received their new digital devices as part of our Digital Device Scheme. Every student joining MGS is now issued with a device to enhance their learning and prepare them for future online assessments. With both Year 7 and Year 8 now equipped, we are already seeing the impact this technology is having on classroom learning and teaching.

Finally, I wish to congratulate Harry of Year 10 and College House who won Cadets’ Cadet and the award for NCO Junior Corporal for the Year at an RAF cadet competition at the weekend.  Well done, Harry.

Wishing all our students, staff, and families a restful and enjoyable half term break

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 7 October 2025

 

I would like to begin this week by extending my sincere thanks to the staff, parents, and friends of the school who helped organise and support last week’s Year 7 trip to Bewl Water. I had the pleasure of joining one of the groups for the day—and what a day it was! Glorious sunshine, water-based adventures, and even some surprisingly good axe-throwing skills on display made for a brilliant experience. It was a fantastic opportunity for our newest students to bond and build memories. Thank you to everyone involved in making it such a success.

Congratulations are also in order for our Netball Squad, who played their first competitive fixture of the season last Wednesday—and won in style, beating Mascalls School 29–11. A huge well done to the team, and many thanks to Miss Dimmick and Mrs Coveney for their expert coaching and support.

This week marks the beginning of an exciting fortnight at MGS, as we welcome prospective students and their families for our Year 5 and 6 Open Mornings. Today’s event is the first of several opportunities for visitors to explore our school, meet our staff and students, and get a sense of what life is like at MGS. Our Year 7 students—still only five weeks into their time with us—will be acting as tour guides, proudly showing off their school with confidence and enthusiasm. If previous years are anything to go by, we are expecting a lively and inspiring morning.

Finally, we are looking forward to our first Band Evening of the academic year, taking place this Friday. These events have quickly become highlights in the school calendar, with many of our talented musicians keen to perform on stage in front of their peers. A huge thank you to Mr Martin for once again organising what promises to be an exciting and memorable evening.

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.