Tuesday 27 January 2026

Hello there. Mr Hanratty here in the absence of the Head, who, along with some of our Year 12 students, Mr Andrews and Mrs Van Mol, are, as I write this, approximately two hours from landing at JFK airport. Once landed, they will make their way through snow lined streets and avenues, and across the nearly frozen Hudson River to Manhattan, where they’ll spend the next few days sightseeing before coaching it up to Boston on Friday to take part in the Harvard Model United Nations conference over the weekend. We wish them the very best of luck for the conference and know that the preparations they have been putting in since September will serve them well, and we look forward to hearing all about their experience when they return to the school at some point in the afternoon next Monday.

Now, the eagle-eyed Casual Readers amongst you are likely wondering why their journey begins on Tuesday when previous trips (almost twenty years of this trip) have taken place from the Sunday before. Well, Sunday was the original departure date, but unfortunately, due to the polar vortex that has sat over New York State and New England since late last week, all flights were grounded, meaning lots of last-minute rescheduling and changes to itineraries over the weekend to enable a departure today. It was hit and miss on many occasions over the past few days, and even up to the departure lounge this morning, but shortly after 8.20am the flight departed Heathrow. The trip will be a great experience, and the photos will be all the better with snow.

The start of this week marked the halfway point of the term, which is passing by at an incredible speed - with the Year 13 mocks now complete, their teachers have seen their marking workloads increase. We continue to appreciate the hard work they do, and, for some of them, their Year 13 workload will disappear only to be replaced by a Year 10 mock marking load, as yesterday marked the start of their fortnight of Mock Exams. This is the first time that this year group has taken on examinations of this scale, and we wish them the very best of luck in these examinations. Thank you also to the invigilation team and our exams office, who have run a tight ship over this exam period.

Eighteen fixtures took place last week and we thank and praise our PE and Sport staff for continuing to provide these opportunities and help students build lasting memories. We also had a Year 12 trip to Invicta Barracks and thank the staff who planned and led the visit.

Parents’ Evenings this year are two-part events - something the Head may have written about in his blog for you Casual Readers - and the first part of the Year 8 and Year 11 takes place this afternoon. Parents’ Evenings are often nerve racking experiences for students; however, in my experience, I enjoy celebrating the success of our students and providing tangible next steps on their continued journey toward excellence, in whatever form that looks like for that student.

Amongst another busy week of fixtures taking place this week, a special mention needs to go to our 1st XI squad who tomorrow (Wednesday) will play in Round 6 of the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) Boys’ U18 Schools’ Cup. The competition consists of nine knockout rounds, with the semi-final in Round 8 and the final in Round 9. Best wishes to the squad, Mr Hughes, and staff who travel to Forest School for this match.

And finally, we welcomed Mrs Maxwell to our staff body yesterday, and she joins us in a new role within Student Services. Mrs Maxwell brings a wealth of experience, having worked in Kent grammar schools, and we look forward to her sharing her expertise with the school.

Take care, until the next time I pen this blog.

Mr H

HT Blog – Tuesday 20 January 2026

I begin this week’s blog by congratulating our 1st XI Football Squad on their outstanding victory against Dulwich College in the last 32 of the National Cup. This much-anticipated fixture was finally played at the third time of asking, and the large crowd that gathered was certainly rewarded for their patience. The team produced a dominant and disciplined performance, securing an emphatic 6–0 win. We now look forward with excitement to the next round of the competition, which is due to be played shortly against The Forest School, London.

It was also a very successful day for our 2nd XI Football Squad, who progressed to the semi-finals of the Kent Cup following a hard-fought 3–2 victory against Beths School. Their match took place immediately before the 1st XI National Cup fixture, making it a memorable and uplifting day for the whole MGS community. The success continued later that week when the U15 Rugby Squad beat St George’s School, London 22 – 16 to progress into the quarter-final of the National Vase.  What was particularly lovely was the senior rugby players who are waiting to play the semi-final in their National Vase competition stayed behind after school to support their fellow Maidstonians.  My sincere thanks go to them, and to the PE Department for their excellent coaching, organisation and support in helping all of our teams achieve these impressive results.

This week sees the continuation of the Year 13 mock examinations, while our Year 10 students make their final preparations ahead of their exams beginning next week. These assessments are an important milestone in the academic calendar, providing valuable feedback for students, parents and staff alike. They allow us to reflect on the progress made so far in A Level and GCSE courses and to identify the next steps needed to ensure every student is well prepared for the challenges ahead.

I would also like to wish the very best of luck to our Year 11 Music students as they complete their solo performance examinations as part of their GCSE qualification. These performances represent the culmination of many hours of dedicated practice, technical development and musical interpretation. Performing individually under examination conditions requires not only musical skill but also confidence, resilience and composure, and I have been extremely impressed by the commitment shown by our students in preparing for this important component of their course. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and look forward to celebrating their achievements.

Finally, at the weekend, 16 of our Year 12 students, accompanied by Mr Andrews, Mrs Van Mol and myself, will be travelling to the United States to attend the 2026 Harvard Model United Nations Conference in Boston. MGS is the only UK school represented at this prestigious event, and it is a tremendous honour to be invited to take part. I am confident that the students will gain an exceptional educational and cultural experience, developing their debating, diplomacy and leadership skills while representing the school on an international stage.

 

HT Blog – Tuesday 13 January 2026

 

I would like to begin this week’s blog by reflecting on the strength and spirit of our school community. Last week’s challenging weather tested us all, with freezing temperatures, snow flurries and icy pathways, yet what stood out was the care, patience and consideration shown by everyone as we went about our days. There was a real sense of people looking out for one another, which is something that makes me immensely proud of our school. I would particularly like to thank our Premises Team, whose quiet dedication and tireless work throughout the week ensured that the site remained safe and welcoming, whatever the conditions outside.

That same sense of resilience and commitment can be seen across so many aspects of school life. After last week’s icy conditions forced a postponement, we now look forward to welcoming Dulwich College to MGS this Wednesday for Round 5 of the 1st XI National Cup. Reaching this stage of a national competition is no small achievement and reflects the hard work, teamwork and determination of the players. I wish them the very best of luck and thank Mr Hughes for guiding the squad so successfully on this journey.

Celebrating effort, creativity and curiosity is also very much at the heart of this week. Parents and carers of our Year 9 students studying performing arts will join us for an evening that showcases not only talent, but also the confidence, discipline and joy that come from performance. It will be a chance to recognise the commitment our young performers show week in, week out, and to share in their achievements together.

Beyond the classroom, our students continue to embrace opportunities to deepen their learning and broaden their horizons. Our Year 12 historians will spend time at Sussex University Library, engaging with the world of academic research and discovering what it truly means to study history at a higher level. Meanwhile, our Year 7 and 8 classicists will travel to London to immerse themselves in the Pompeii Exhibition, bringing to life a subject that lies at the heart of their studies. Experiences like these remind us how powerful learning can be when curiosity is given space to flourish.

HT Blog – Tuesday 6 January 2026

Welcome to my first blog of Term 3 in 2026. I hope that the Christmas break provided time for rest and reflection, and moments to reconnect with family and friends. As we return to school, there is a real sense of renewed energy around the site - the familiar hum of conversation in corridors, the return of routines, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing we are part of a community that values both achievement and belonging.

Before looking ahead, it is important to pause and celebrate the outstanding way in which our students concluded the previous term. In the final week before Christmas, our senior rugby squads gave us much to be proud of. The girls’ team secured an impressive victory against Simon Langton Grammar School, making it two wins from two and underlining the determination and teamwork that have become hallmarks of their season. The boys’ 2nd XV and 1st XV also finished strongly, both overcoming Hayes School in their final fixtures. These results mattered not only because of the wins themselves, but because of what they represented: commitment, resilience and pride in representing Maidstone Grammar School.

Equally heartening was the support shown from the side-lines. A sizeable group of students braved the cold to cheer on their peers, reminding us that sport at MGS is about far more than those on the pitch. I would like to thank the staff and volunteers who have given their time and expertise throughout the season, and all the students who played, supported and represented the school so positively. It was a fitting and uplifting way to close the term.

As we move into this week, our focus turns to Year 8, who are about to begin an important and exciting stage of their school journey. Choosing GCSE subjects is a significant milestone, and one that invites students to reflect on their interests, strengths and aspirations. On Thursday evening we look forward to welcoming parents and carers into school for our Year 8 Information Evening. This will be an opportunity to hear from key staff and students, to ask questions, and to feel reassured that these decisions are made with careful guidance and a strong support network in place.

Before turning our attention to Year 8, we must first look ahead to an important sporting fixture. Our 1st XI National Cup football match against Dulwich College, originally scheduled for December, was postponed due to widespread illness and has now been rearranged for this week. Tomorrow, our senior footballers will take to the pitch with a place in the last 16 of the competition at stake. With a large audience expected, we wish the squad the very best of luck.

Finally, later this week a small group of our navy cadets, accompanied by staff, will travel to the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. The visit promises to be a memorable experience, offering insight into naval life, leadership and service. It is another example of the breadth of opportunities available to our students, and of the curiosity and ambition they bring to everything they do.