Maidstone Grammar School

About the School

Maidstone Grammar School is like an extended but close-knit family. Every family has different age groups, abilities, interests and personalities. Families change; they move, extend, embrace newcomers and say goodbye to leavers. Family members welcome diversity whilst remaining strong and committed to each other; they keep in touch so they can celebrate successes, occasions and achievements, and even though every family has disagreements and tough times, it works together to get through those difficult periods.

Maidstone Grammar School's aims are also the same as every family's: to keep children and young people safe, to meet their needs, to build ties and bonds within the wider community, and to support them in times of challenge and adversity. This includes developing morals and fostering patience, humility, courage, ambition, drive and enthusiasm. Maidstone Grammar School respects individuals and individuality but all share common goals, beliefs and values, irrespective of age, gender or background.

The school encourages all students to be interesting and interested, aspirational and inspirational. Maidstone Grammar School would like their students to leave school as young adults that any family would wish their child to be when they leave home: Confident, self-assured, with a strong work ethic and better prepared both academically and socially to go out into an ever-changing world.

Staff are dedicated to ensuring that all students fulfil their potential, have goals and ambitions, and are happy and successful whilst at school. Staff also wish to help pupils develop those characteristics, morals and values that will underpin their future lives. Staff want them to become young people to whom others will look up to.

Maidstone Grammar School is essentially a place of teaching and learning, although education is no longer solely about the three Rs. Whilst they are at school, staff aim to support and promote students' academic achievement but also want them to find pleasure in life-long learning and see them grow into well-rounded, grounded and sound young men and women. Students should develop enquiring minds, the ability to think critically, respect evidence and recognise prejudice, learning to distinguish between fact and opinion, and to make balanced, reasoned judgements of their own.

Maidstone Grammar School is also at the heart of a wider community and pupils understand and are prepared to take on their responsibilities as citizens. Maidstone Grammar School respects and celebrates religious and cultural diversity, promote opportunities for all and place integrity, honesty, kindness and goodwill at the heart of our public and private lives.

Both in school and outside its gates, pupils respect others for who they are, not for what they have or what they can do for us. Staff strive to show pupils that they are valued, to gain respect, earn trust, command loyalty and to work together co-operatively.

Maidstone Grammar School looks forward to its future but they also value their past and particularly their traditions, believing they provide a solid and stable foundation for the whole school. Maidstone Grammar School believes that forming strong and lasting relationships is the basis of a successful and fulfilling school life and is one of their greatest strengths.

No young person learns effectively unless he or she feels safe, secure and happy. Maidstone Grammar School is a caring and supportive school and staff try to address the individual needs of every student through a comprehensive, flexible pastoral system. As such, everyone works together to develop self-respect, self-discipline and self-understanding.

Through involvement in a varied and extensive extra-curricular and enrichment programmes, students also develop an appreciation for human achievement in art, music, science and literature. Every student has the opportunity to develop and grow intellectually, physically and spiritually.

Sport also plays a significant part in school life. There is a varied programme supported by committed staff and played by dedicated students, with many wishing to represent their school. MGS students have gone on to represent their country in their chosen sport but, even if not destined to be a future international sportsperson, all students are encouraged to participate to the very best of their ability. To support MGS sport a new sports pavilion was opened in July 2018 and a 3G All-Weather Pitch in April 2021.

To support performing arts at MGS Maidstone Grammar School recently opened a new Performing Arts Centre which houses a large performance space, music and music technology classrooms, four practice rooms and a recording studio.

The flagship of their enrichment programme, the Combined Cadet Force, was established 112 years ago. Over 250 students take part in the Army, Navy and Air Force contingents and learn much about camaraderie, service and leadership. Maidstone Grammar School CCF students are always a credit to the school; the RAF Section regularly wins the RAF National Ground Training Competition and our Army Section has won the Brigade Patrol Competition. All sections have the opportunity to attend summer camps and other training takes place throughout the year.

Maidstone Grammar School's charitable nature deserves a special mention, having been identified by both staff and students as a core value. Over the last five years they have raised over £75,000 for a variety of good causes and have been placed in the top 100 schools for raising the highest amount for the bi-annual Sport Relief Day.

Maidstone Grammar School is fortunate to have a committed and supportive Parents' Association, which all parents are warmly invited to join. Maidstone Grammar School recognises and values the importance of parental support and encouragement, whether they are the parent on the touchline cheering the rugby team in the sleet and snow, attending the summer concert or the school play, or making tea at our fireworks display. Parents' support is also vital in respect of upholding school rules, discipline, behaviour and dress code and we work together to ensure our high standards and expectations are maintained.

Staff hope that a student's time at MGS will be remembered fondly and that he or she will have achieved their academic potential, formed strong friendships and leave as a confident, mature, responsible and capable young adult. This is really the best measure of any school and staff work to ensure that Maidstone Grammar School measures up.