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.

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.

HT Blog – Tuesday 3 June 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 3 June 2025

Welcome back to school and to a new term - I hope you all had a restful half term break.  We start the new term with acknowledging Pride Month.  June is the month where we raise the profile of our equality, diversity and inclusivity agenda further by shining a light on the LGBTQ+ community.  I will be launching this month’s focus at the first Quad assembly of the new term: a chance to gather the entire school community together and remind ourselves of the importance and values of being a Maidstonian and acknowledge how proud we all are of being associated with Maidstone Grammar School.

Following on from my last blog in May when I mentioned the introduction of devices to Year 7, today is the first official day when Year 7 will get a chance to use them in the classroom.  During the first period of the day all of Year 7 will receive a lesson from one of our digital champions or digital leads where they will learn more about some of the ways they will be able to use their device going forward.  It is hoped by the end of the academic year they will be using their devices in many of their lessons.  A huge thank you to Mr Hanratty, Mrs Rees, Mr Young and Mr Steel for making all of this possible.

This week is also a big week for a newest Maidstonians as we welcome into the school those students joining MGS in September to attend their respective house tea.  It will be a chance for students and parents in each house to come together and make new friends and begin their journey in being associated with MGS.  

At the weekend a number of year 9 students will be walking the footpaths and country lanes of Kent as they complete their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Assessed Expedition.  Following their practice expedition earlier in the year it is now time for the students to do the real thing.  Best wishes to them all, let’s hope the weather is kind, and thank you to the staff who will be supervising them.

HT Blog – Tuesday 20 May 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 20 May 2025

Now years 11 and 13 have formally left and are completing their respective GCSE and A-level examinations the school is much quieter.  The Refectory at lunchtime is less crowded, there is more space in the corridors during lesson changeover and many more classrooms are empty as you walk around the school.  But it is this time of year when we really begin to look ahead to the following academic year, and this week marks a significant change for MGS.  On Thursday we issue Year 7 with their own electronic device.  Over the last 12 months we have working hard behind the scenes to reach the point where we as a school can now begin the process of teaching our Maidstonians to learn in a more digital way.  Teaching is going to radically change as devices become an integral part to students’ learning within the classroom, and so the rollout this week is the beginning of that change.  We are all looking forward to seeing how this new development works out.

Congratulations to the year 8 students who took part in last week’s UKMT Mathematics Challenge - they produced the best set of results we have seen in the last five years.  A special mention must go to Ryan of College House who was one mark from qualifying for the Junior Olympiad, and an impressive six students qualified for the Kangaroo Challenge.  Well done to all who took part. 

HT Blog – Tuesday 13 May 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 13 May 2025

This week we say goodbye to Year 13 and au revoir to Year 11.  On Thursday Year 13 make the transition from being a Maidstonian to being an Old Maidstonian, and if past experience is anything to go by, there will be tears and high emotions.  You cannot leave a place such as MGS without feeling a little sad that no longer can you be a part of something special.  We wish Year 13 well.  Contrast this with Year 11 where the GCSE examinations for many form simply a hurdle to jump, as many will be returning to MGS in September.  Some however are choosing to use this point as an opportunity to continue their learning journey elsewhere, and for those Maidstonians we say thank you for choosing MGS, and best wishes for the future.

This week Year 9 will be hearing from the History Department as we host another one of our Curriculum Extra lectures.  These lectures started last year and form a part of how we are maintaining the breadth of the curriculum beyond the point when the students chose their GCSE subjects in Year 8. 

Merrick S (Year 13 and Corpus House) attended a ceremony at Buckingham Palace to collect his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award this week.  Many congratulations to him on what must have been a very proud day for him and his family.

Finally, congratulations to the U15 Football Squad who became Maidstone District Champions last week when they beat the School of Science and Technology, Maidstone (SST) 4 – 0 in the final.  Well done to the players and thank you to Mr Hughes and Mr Smith for supporting them throughout the season.

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 6 May 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 6 May 2025

Welcome back after the May Bank Holiday weekend.  The warm weather during last week is sadly over, but it does mean that we can now be slightly more comfortable in school.  This week is the last full week Year 11 and Year 13 will be in school as the GCSE and A-level examinations begin.  Starting on Thursday, Year 11 will be beginning their six-week journey of examinations with Drama, and then Year 13 start on Monday 12 May.  Good luck to them all.  

As mentioned in last week’s blog, the sport of cricket benefitted from last week’s fine weather with a senior cricket match against Oakwood Park Grammar School and an U15 match against The Judd School.  Sadly, the results did not go our way for both matches, but it was delightful sitting in the warm morning sunshine on Saturday watching the U15 team.  Bad luck boys.

On Thursday we join the Nation in acknowledging the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The CCF will be undertaking a special parade in school and spelling out VE 80 on the school field, and students who visit the school library will be reminded of those 72 Old Maidstonians who lost their lives in the 2^nd World War.

Finally, this week a group of year 10 and year 12 students travel down to Canterbury to enjoy a PE-themed day of activities.  Students will be learning more about their bodies, how they work, and having a few tests done to inform them of the BMI and how fit they are.  We have been running this trip for a few years now and it always proves to be an enjoyable one.

HT Blog – Tuesday 29 April 2025

HT Blog – Tuesday 29 April 2025

We started the week yesterday with a week-long period of examinations for Year 10.  With over half of the GCSE syllabus already covered, it is a good time for Year 10 to pause for a week and review how much they have learnt.  The examinations will be run in the same way as all public examinations which will illustrate to Year 10 what they can expect this time next year in the real GCSEs.  Good luck to them all.

Continuing the theme of examinations, and as mentioned last week, we are now at the stage when Year 11 and Year 13 are completing elements of their own respective GCSE and A-level examinations.  Year 13 PE students will be completing their practical element in front of an external moderator, GCSE MFL speaking examinations continue for Year 11, and Year 11 art students are undertaking 10 hours of their practical examination.  It certainly is a busy time for the school.  Best wishes to all students involved in examinations.

On Thursday parents of Year 9 hear how their children are getting on as they attend the Year 9 Virtual Parents’ Evening.  Year 9 are about one-third of the way through their GCSE studies, and so this week’s feedback point will provide an opportunity for parents to understand where their children are.

The summer season of cricket has begun in earnest with a few fixtures taking place across different age groups.  Apart from last Wednesday the weather has been kind to the players since we returned, with this week proving to be another bumper week for fine weather and good cricket.  Here’s hoping for prolonged good weather.

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 22 April 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 22 April 2025

Welcome back to school and to Term 5 – I hope you all had a wonderful Easter break and enjoyed the lovely weather.  We start the new term with a busy week, but before I go into that, I would like to congratulate Owen of Year 13 and Barton House who last year competed in the Powerlifting Commonwealth Championships in South Africa, coming away with a silver medal.  Well, just before Easter he took part in the British Powerlifting Championships in Wolverhampton, and on this occasion won gold in the deadlift placing him first in the UK.  In doing this he has been nominated to represent GB in the 2025 European Championships in Lithuania and the World Championships in Costa Rica.  Huge congratulations Owen.

Returning to this week and the start of term, today, all year 12 geographers travel down to Dorset for four days of fieldwork to begin collecting data for their A-level coursework.  I am sure many readers of this blog who have studied geography at school can remember the times when they would be measuring pebbles on a beach, counting cars on the side of a road, or asking local residents their views on the area.  I am sure fieldwork has not changed!

With the fast-approaching GCSE and A-level examinations just around the corner, the art practical exam and the MFL speaking exams begin this week.  This is the time of the year when the library becomes very busy, but at the same time very quiet, as the year 11 and 13 students complete their final preparations before their first exam in May.  Good luck to them all.

On Wednesday we welcome our newest and youngest Maidstonians as well as their families to the Year 6 Welcome Evening.  Back in March these boys would have heard the news that they had gained a place at MGS and so the journey to become a fully-fledged Maidstonian starts this week.  We look forward to meeting them and wish them the best for the coming years.

And on Thursday, the step to become an Old Maisdtonian becomes more real as Year 13 enjoy gathering together for the annual Year 13 leavers’ photograph.  This is always a poignant moment, as this photograph, bought by many, will be treasured for years to come; but the gathering together also represents the penultimate time when the entire year group are together as one.  I am sure there will be tears, and if not, there will definitely be tears at the leavers’ assembly two weeks after.

Finally, a huge thank you to the Premises Team, who, over the Easter break, have been working hard getting the school ready for our return.  Acknowledgement must go to the completed gym project and new Student Services Centre that are now both ready to use. 

HT Blog – Tuesday 25 March 2025

 HT Blog – Tuesday 25 March 2025

I start this week’s blog by thanking Corpus Christi House for last Friday’s Comic Relief charity day.  The weather was kind throughout the day, and so that allowed the school community to enjoy the activities that were being laid on.  The staff vs. staff darts competition was the highlight of the day, with many students flocking to the Big Hall at lunch to watch Mr Calvert, Mr Williams, Mr Owens and Mr Taylor (not Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor I hasten to add) battle it out.  As well as this, a large crowd gathered alongside the all-weather pitch after school to watch the students vs. staff football match: an event that students always look forward to; and then in the evening a hall full of students, staff and parents enjoyed a night of rock music at the Battle of the Bands event.  Congratulations to Mr Calvert for winning the darts; well done to the staff team for winning the football match 5 – 4 on penalties); and thank you Corpus Christi House for organising the charity day and for Mr Martin who made the band evening possible.  Good job everyone.

This week is a slightly quieter one for the school compared to last week and next week, but going on just off the South Circular Road in London is the world’s largest schools’ rugby tournament: the Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s.  Each year, MGS sends a number of rugby squads to the tournament, and this year is no different.  Led by Mr Saunders and the PE Department, many MGS rugby players have been taking part in numerous 7s tournaments across the term, but with the Rosslyn Park tournament being the tournament to aim for.  Good luck to all the players.  In other rugby news, during a lovely Wednesday afternoon last week, the MGS vs. DGS match to celebrate 100 years of rugby at MGS sadly ended in a 31 – 19 defeat for MGS.  Despite the result, the match was played in good spirits, with all players from both sides enjoying the occasion – even though some had lost their winter fitness!  Thank you to everyone involved in the organisation of the match. 

Saturday is a big day for the school.  Firstly, we welcome many Old Maidstonians back to their old school to enjoy the Old Maidstonian Sport Day and Old Maidstonian Supper.  Over 100 former students will be enjoying a lovely meal, each other’s company, and reminding themselves of what it was like to be a Maidstonian.  But also on Saturday the Senior Football Squad play for a chance to be Kent Champions.  At 2pm in Herne Bay the MGS 1^st XI play the Judd 1^st XI in the final of the Kent Cup.  The players have had a really good run to the final, and this would be the icing on the cake if they came away with the win.  Best of luck to the players, and many thanks to Mr Hughes for supporting the squad throughout the entire season.

Finally, massive congratulations to Dexter of Year 11 and Corpus Christi House who, over the weekend, became U18 British Champion in the Pommel winning a gold medal as well as winning a bronze medal on the Parallel Bars.  Brilliant news; well done Dexter.

HT Blog – Tuesday 18 March 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 18 March 2025

Huge congratulations to Year 9 who won the final of the U14 Kent Cup.  Many Maidstonians gathered on Friday evening at the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone to watch the players play St Colombus School and compete for the prestigious title of being called Kent Champions.  Well done to the players, and huge thanks to Mr Cooper for coaching the players throughout the season.

Thanks to the dry weather and the members of staff who slept out under the stars as well, Year 9 had a good weekend trekking across the footpaths of Kent completing the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Expedition.  There were not too many tired faces on Monday morning!

Good news within the D&T Department. Anthony in Year 11 and College House successfully got through to the interview stages of the Arkwright Scholarship, which is a fete in itself, and Theo of Year 12 and Corpus Christi House, who in previous years achieved an Arkwright Scholarship, recently secured sponsorship with a major engineering company.  Well done to them both.

On Wednesday this week Maidstone Grammar School acknowledges 100 years of rugby.  Back in March 1925 MGS played its first ever rugby fixture against Dartford Grammar School, beating them 59 – 0!  So, 100 years later, we are welcoming Dartford back to MGS to play us once more to commemorate this special occasion.  Many Maidstonians and Old Maidstonians will be gathered on the side line cheering on the players.  Good luck to everyone involved, thank you Mr Saunders and Mr Seymour for coaching the players, and thank you Mr Walker for delving into the school archives to find out more about that match 100 years ago.

This Friday is the annual Comic Relief Appeal that MGS always supports.  Led this year by Corpus Christi House, much will be going on.  There will of course be the usual non-uniform and cake sale across the school, but this year we have a darts competition taking place at lunchtime in the Big Hall, and after school there will be a staff vs. students football match on the all-weather pitch.  Much fun will be had by all.  Following the charitable events during the day, MGS hosts another of its successful Battle of the Bands events where students and staff who love a bit of rock music will be performing for the gathered crowd and aspiring to be crowned the Band of the Night.  Thank you, Mr Martin, for organising.

HT Blog – Tuesday 11 March 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 11 March 2025

Congratulations to ‘But There is an M and an E’ for winning last Friday’s MGS Parents’ Association Quiz Night.  22 teams were pitted against each other in the annual quiz – this year answering questions under the main theme of ‘There is no Me in Team’.  Fun was had by all, and thanks go to Mrs Hudson and the Parents’ Association, Mrs Friend for supporting me in the organisation, and the sixth form students who helped throughout the event.

 

This week parents of students in Year 7 will learn more about how their children are progressing at MGS at the Year 7 Virtual Parents’ Evening.  This is the first opportunity after nearly seven months for parents to hear how their children are getting on and how they can continue to support their children’s experiences.  I am sure it will be a positive evening. 

 

On Wednesday this week four students in Year 13 and from the school’s debating team will be taking part in the regional final of the ESU Mace Competition at Benenden School.  There will be tough competition, but the success the four students have had in the last 12 months make them strong competitors we wish them well.

 

On Friday, and for some of the weekend, a number of students, supported by a team of staff, will be enjoying the Kent countryside as they complete the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Expedition in and around Meopham.  The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme has been a part of MGS for many years, and so many Maidstonians have in the past gone on to complete the bronze element and achieve something significant.  Let us hope the weather remains fine for them.  Also on Friday, the U14 Football Squad plays in the final of the Kent Cup at the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone at 7.30pm.  The Squad has had an incredible season and is now only one match away from being county champions.  Good luck to all the players and thank you Mr Cooper for supporting the players throughout the season.

 

Finally, we send our thoughts and sympathies to Harrison’s family and close friends at this difficult time as the community of MGS remembers our Maidstonian who tragically died two years ago this week.  We will always remember him.

HT Blog – Tuesday 4 March 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 4 March 2025

I start this blog by congratulating Mr Hughes and the 1^st XI Football Squad for successfully reaching the final of the Kent Cup.  Following their great National Cup run, the squad had the Kent Cup to contend with, and so last Wednesday Borden Grammar School made the journey over to MGS to play in the semi-final.  The first 80 minutes of the game was tight, culminating in a 2 – 2 score line, but then the last 10 minutes saw MGS put two goals past the Borden Grammar School’s goalkeeper resulting in a 4 – 2 win.  Well done to the players and to Mr Hughes, and now we await The Judd School in the final.

Thank you to the entire cast and crew of this year’s production for three fantastic performances of Allen in Wonderland.  Just before the February half term break MGS was taken to pantomime land with excitable audiences shouting out, ‘he’s behind you’ and ‘oh yes he is’.  Particular thanks must go to Mrs Brooks who led the production over the many months of rehearsals. 

Following last week’s interviews, I am delighted to announce that Alan and Kiera have been invited to become next year’s school captain and school vice-captain.  The eight shortlisted candidates made it very difficult for the interviewing panel, but after much deliberation Alan and Kiera were selected.  Huge congratulations to them.

On Friday this week many members of the school community will be enjoying the annual Parents’ Association Quiz Night.  This year’s theme is, ‘There’s No Me in Team’, so every question is about me!!!  Good luck to everyone who is taking part, and a huge thank you to Mrs Friend who has helped me with all of the administration.

Congratulations to Justice M (Year 11, Tonbridge House) and Haydn C (Year 12, Barton House), who as members of the UK Youth Parliament, recently met at the Houses of Parliament to debate policies for their campaigns this term. Both of them, alongside other youth representatives, passionately debated issues around the voting age, public transport, and political literacy. Well done to both Justice and Haydn, who encapsulate the vital role of the youth voice in shaping national discussions and driving positive change. Well done to them both.

HT Blog – Tuesday 25 February 2025

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 25 February 2025

Welcome back to school and to the start of Term 4.  We are now into the second half of the academic year, and in just a couple of months students in years 11 and 13 will be embarking on their respective GCSE and A-level examinations.  This is the term when those same students take their studies up a notch and start to prepare for the final push.  The library this time of year certainly gets much quieter and starts to be more heavily occupied!

 

Before I continue looking ahead to this week, I wish to thank the entire school community for the generous support that they have shown Mr Saunders and his partner since we heard the very sad news of the death of their baby son Alfie.  The coming together on the last day of Term 3 for the impromptu non-uniform day was certainly appreciated by them both and illustrated how we all feel about each other.  The incredible sum of £2500 was raised which will now be sent to The Lullaby Trust: a charity dedicated to keeping babies safe and grieving families supported.

 

A huge thank you to the staff who supported a number of Maidstonians over the half term break.  Mr Hanratty accompanied a small number of sixth form students who took part in the reginal heat of the Cambridge Union Debating Competition here at MGS; Mr Wrein, Mrs Ridgeway and Mr Mole for accompanying another group of sixth form students to Austria; and Mr Smith, Mr Hughes and Mr Cooper for accompanying the Senior Football Squad to Spain on their football camp. 

 

Now looking to this week, I start this term with two days searching for the next school captain and school vice-captain.  Just before the half term break the pool of 31 applicants from Year 12 was whittled down to eight, and now those shortlisted applicants go through a rigorous two-day interview process to see who will achieve the two roles.  I have always enjoyed this time of year as I get to spend two days in the company of a group of Maidstonians that wish to lead and serve the school in the highest way possible.  The successful two candidates will be announced later this week.  Good luck to them all.

And finally best wishes and good luck to our 1st X1 squad who compete in the semi-final of the Kent Cup against Borden Grammar School tomorrow.  This is a home match with kick-off at 2.30pm, the entire school community is behind Mr Hughes and the team.

HT Blog – Tuesday 11 February 2025

HT Blog – Tuesday 11 February 2025

I start this blog by thanking Mr Hanratty for stepping in over the last two weeks and writing my headteacher’s blog.  As he explained in his first blog, I was away from school accompanying a group of year 12 students on the Harvard trip where after three days in New York spent four days in Boston attending the Harvard Model United Nations Conference.  The experience of such an opportunity was very much enjoyed by the students, and the other two staff members who were with me certainly valued watching the students take part.  Thank you to Mrs Van Mol for leading the trip, and to Mr Andrews and Isaac, this year’s school captain, for preparing the students so well over the last four months.

Thank you to Miss Alloy who accompanied a team of RAF cadets at the weekend to compete in the Regional Air Squadron Trophy Competition.  MGS has in the past done extremely well in this competition and so it is something that the older RAF cadets look forward to taking part in.  Overall, they came 7th out of 19 schools in the South East, coming 4th in Drill and First Aid and 5th in Air Rifles and the new Space task.  With two new disciplines and a large number of changes within the team, they did well.

This week we look forward to three performances of this year’s school production: Allen in Wonderland.  A crew and cast of staff, students and Old Maidstonians have been busy rehearsing over many months to now be in a position to stage this classic but contemporised pantomime to the masses.  The pantomime takes place in the Big Hall on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, with doors opening at 7pm.

Also, this week a few students in years 12 and 13 who study A-level Classics are going to be enjoying a trip to the Bloomsbury Theatre in London to see Aristophanes’ Frogs: the political but satirical play about doing things conservatively, or "the old way," instead of progressing or finding a new way of doing things.  I am sure they will enjoy the performance.

In sport, congratulations to Johan of Year 12 and Corpus House who after successfully achieving U18 Table Tennis Kent Champion progressed to the National Finals in Wolverhampton in April.  Also, at the same competition Alexander of Year 8 and Tonbridge House became the U13 Consolidation Cup Champion.  Well done to them both.  Outside of individual performances, congratulations to the MGS Senior Rugby Sevens Squad for winning all of their matches at last Wednesday’s round robin against Sutton Valance School, Gravesend Grammar School and Dartford Grammar School.  And also, despite the MGS 1^st XI Football Squad losing to Hampton School in the National Cup quarterfinals, they continue with their success in the Kent Cup by playing Borden Grammar School in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

In maths news, congratulations to Ighodaro of Year 10 and Barton House and Gus also of Year 10 and Barton House who qualified for the Pink Kangaroo Mathematics Challenge after achieving Gold in the recent UKMT Intermediate Mathematics Challenge.  Well done to them both.

And finally, bon voyage to the students and staff who are taking part in the history trip to Venice and the senior football squad tour to Valencia over the half term break.  I am sure they will have a wonderful time and thank you to the staff who are accompanying the students in their own holiday.