Wilmington Grammar School for Girls Parsons Lane, Wilmington, Kent, DA2 7BB
01322 226351

About Us

Our Vision and Values

In Pursuit of Excellence is the school motto and this conveys our school vision:

We aim to encourage everyone within our community to pursue excellence and set their sights extremely high. We recognise however, that we are all developing at every stage of our life and that there will always be new challenges and opportunities on the horizon. The markers of excellence along the way come in many guises, be that academic success, sporting success, musical success or relationship success.

At the heart of our community is the desire to nurture a passion for learning and help our students to secure successful futures through providing an inspirational, challenging and nurturing learning environment where everyone is valued equally.

We help our girls to graduate from WGSG with essential qualities such as independence, resilience, tenacity and creativity and provide an environment where success is celebrated and where students are at the centre of the decisions we make.

Our core values are based on:

Respect and Resilience
Equality
Achievement
Community
Honesty and Integrity

Prospectus and Virtual Tour


Please click on the video on the left to view our School Tour and a welcome from Mrs Lawson, our Head Teacher
 

To view a copy of our prospectus please click the image below:
Our Year 10 GCSE Options Curriculum Booklet can be viewed by clicking the image below:
Our WG6 Curriculum booklet can be viewed by clicking the image below:

History

The site occupied by Wilmington Grammar School for Girls is rich in history and one of the special features of this school is the array of quirky buildings and mixture of old and new. The School is situated on both sides of Parsons Lane. Wilmington Grange is a beautiful old building, in which administrative offices and classrooms are currently located. In 1754 it was called The Orchard, was later mapped as the site of Wilmington Workhouse in the early 1800’s but was purchased by Kent County Council in 1954, before becoming a school for Girls which opened its doors in 1962. Behind The Grange is a more modern building, which has grown in size over the years and is still undergoing significant growth to provide room to educate the ever increasing number of students wishing to attend the school.

On the opposite side of Common Lane is Wilmington Manor. This building first received a mention in the 12th Century and was later part of the manorial property of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. Past newspaper accounts have also associated it with Dick Turpin. We are very lucky to have such a historically interesting building as part of our school premises.

I N   P U R S U I T   O F   E X C E L L E N C E

Governance

Endeavour MAT
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls is part of Endeavour MAT, which has its own website to explain the overall strategic Trust structure. At local level however, each school has its own Local Governing Body (LGB).

A message from John Webster, Chair of Local Governing Body:

It is both a responsibility and a privilege to be Chair of Governors. WGSG is special because its focus is broader than purely academic performance. Staff, students, parents, and governors work together in different ways to ensure that students achieve all that they are able, both academically and in terms of personal development.
Within the Endeavour Trust, the role of our local governing body is strategic, to oversee the direction and policies of the school, to monitor its standards and be responsible to the Trust Board for its conduct and performance. We also support the work of our excellent Head Teacher and her senior leadership team, who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the school.

Our Governors have different backgrounds, providing different perspectives, but having a common interest in helping WGSG build on its strengths. We learn more about our school through staff briefings and visits and conversations with staff, students, and parents. All the Governors have a deep commitment to the continued success of the school, ensuring that our students achieve their full potential, within a caring, harmonious, and supportive environment.

John Webster, Chair of Local Governing Body

To contact John Webster, please email [email protected] marking your message for his attention. 
Being a governor is an important role; training is provided. If you are interested in learning more, please contact the Clerk to the Governors via the school office on the above email address.

Governing Body

Term of Office

Appointed By

John Webster

(Chair)

John is married to Jenny, with three grown-up daughters, two of whom are currently living in Botswana. John is now retired from 12 years as a Civil Servant making competition work in the CMA after 25 years in banking, working on the dark side! Initially an economist, he moved to financial analysis as a management accountant.

In his retired life, John remains the under-gardener at home. He is active as a Licenced Lay Minister (formally a Reader) in the Church of England and volunteer for Prison Fellowship, facilitating on a course focussed on restorative justice at HMP Rochester. John had been looking for the right role as a school governor and hopes to add value to Wilmington Girls Grammar School.

11.03.20 -10.03.26

Trust

Joy Price
(Vice Chair)

Joy has been a Governor for the last 10 years at WGSG and previously for 8 years at her daughters’ primary school as a parent governor where she was Vice Chair and then Chair for 4 years. She was a staff governor at WGSG for many years and is now a community governor.  Prior to joining the governing board for WGSG Joy was the Finance Trustee of a local children's registered charity for 15 years.

Joy has worked in the Education Sector for the last 19 years both in primary and secondary and prior to this, worked for 15 years in IT as project manager and systems designer of finance and information management systems.  Joy is the governor with responsibility for health and safety and works with the Chair of Governors on safeguarding and parent and student voice.

18.09.19-17.09.25

Trust

Michelle Lawson

Mrs Lawson has focused her educational career around instilling in young people a love of learning and a demand to explore the ‘big questions’ that life throws at them.  As a self-confessed philosophical geek she is never happy with the simple answer and always strives to open up the students to the world of alternative possibility. Mrs Lawson is determined that Wilmington Grammar School for Girls continues to meet the demands of an ever-changing world, by equipping its students with the resilience and determination to overcome the obstacles that life can throw, whilst supporting them to grow as intellectually independent thinkers capable of coping within an increasing stressful world. 

N/A

Ex-Officio

Laura Iles

Laura has worked as a teacher at WGSG since 2016. She is currently Head of Physical Education and PSHE. She is mum to two boys who keep her busy in her spare time. Laura was elected as staff governor in February 2021 and is keen to support the school in providing all students with the best possible education whilst ensuring each individual reaches their true potential. 

25.02.21-24.02.27

Staff

Manjit Gill

Manjit joined the Local Governing Body as Parent Govenor in November 2022.  After graduating with a Business Studies degree, she then acquired a wealth of experience in management, sales and marketing in the Conference & Exhibition sector.  Her career has allowed her to travel the world which has broadened her outlook and enhanced her professional ability across commerce.

Manjit is a good empathetic communicator being able to understand and bring forward multiple ideas to help achieve a wider goal for the partners she has worked with.

Manjit has a dedicated interest in her role a Parent Govenor, she hopes her skills and experience will enable her to contribute new ideas towards the WGSG vision to improve the outcomes of the students, staff and overall management of WGSG.

08.11.22-07.11.25

Parents

Nishita Rana

Nishita joined the Governing Body on 15th November 2023.

15.11.23-14.11.26

Staff

Gurpreet Singh Jandu

Gurpreet joined the Governing Body on 18 December 2023. Having studied for a BSc in Biology, and then a Master's degree in Applied Biology (Infectious Diseases and Virology), Gurpreet has been working in the MedTech sector in various commercial divisions, primarily as a Medical Affairs or Clinical Affairs specialist. He also studied further for a Graduate Diploma in Law and has completed in-house work-related courses during his employment.

As a keen athlete and UKA official, as well as having an overall interest in sports for children and adults alike, Gurpreet is involved with a local athletics club and assists with the running of various league and club events. In 2023 he completed both the National 3 Peaks challenge and the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge in under 24h and 12h respectively (the target times for both challenges), whilst raising money for Make-A-Wish.

Approachable, committed, and not afraid to ask questions, Gurpreet has a daughter at WGSG and so is keen to bring some of his experience and skills to the Governing Body in order to achieve the best outcomes for the students, staff, and school.

18.12.23-17.12.26

Parents

Historic Members

Stepped Down

Neil Benson

19.02.20

Michael Isola

01.07.20

Stephen Thomas

01.07.20

Michele Dooley

18.11.20

Diane Connell

31.08.21

Chetan Kotecha

12.07.22

Laura Wakeling

02.03.23

Bridget Ampofo

18.05.23

Laura Wakeling

31.07.23

Catherine Goodhind

10.11.23

Shola Ojo

31.08.24

Governor

Responsibility

Joy Price

Safeguarding

John Webster, Laura Iles & Manjit Gill

Education / SEND / Pupil Premium

Joy Price & Laura Iles

Sixth Form

Joy Price

Health and Safety

John Webster

Finance

John Webster & Joy Price

Leadership, Management and Coaching

TBA

CPD and Development

Staff Organisation Chart

Senior Leadership Team

Mr C Guthrie

CEO - Endeavour MAT

Mrs M Lawson

Headteacher

Mr D Fuller

Acting Head of School

Mrs M Dhaliwal

Acting Deputy Headteacher

Mrs S Munden

Assistant Headteacher – Personal Development Behaviour & Welfare, DSL

Mr R Atkins

Assistant Headteacher, Head of WG6

Miss M Dooley

Assistant Headteacher – Teaching & Learning

Mr J Dufton

Associate Assistant Headteacher – Operations & Extra Curricular

Mrs A Brushett

School Business Manager  

Mr S Good

School Site Manager  

Art Department

Mrs J Cregan

Head of Art

Mrs E Sokolova

Teacher of Art

Computer Science Department

Mr C Green

Head of Computer Science

Mr T Slade

Teacher of Computer Science

Design Technology Department

Miss C Armstrong

Head of Technology

Mrs E Fuller

Teacher of Technology (Food & Nutrition)

Miss F Armellino

Teacher of Technology

Mrs S Baillie

Teacher of Technology & SENCO

English Department

Mrs M Dhaliwal

Head of English

Mrs L Sloane

Teacher of English

Miss B Mead

Teacher of English

Ms S Thomas

Teacher of English

Mr J Williams

Teacher of English

Miss H Osmond

Teacher of English

Geography Department

Mrs K Barclay

Head of Geography

Mr G Simmons

Teacher of Geography

Mrs L Drew

Teacher of Geography

History Department

Mr F Lennon

Head of History

Mr S Biggenden

Teacher of History

Miss J Slade

Teacher of History

Mathematics Department

Mr N Harrison

Head of Mathematics

Mrs L Atkins

KS5 Lead - Teacher of Mathematics 

Mrs F Maycock

KS3 Lead - Teacher of Mathematics

Miss M Dooley

Teacher of Mathematics

Mrs L Anane

Teacher of Mathematics

Ms S Bocus

Teacher of Mathematics

Mrs K Soulika

Teacher of Mathematics

Dr P Suman

Teacher of Mathematics

Mrs M Hasa

Teacher of Mathematics

MFL Department

Mr J Dufton

Head of MFL

Mrs A Rubbera

Teacher of MFL

Mrs J Cai

Teacher of MFL - Mandarin

Mrs C Pickstone

Teacher of MFL

Miss E Serra

Teacher of MFL

Miss M Tavares

Teacher of MFL

Mrs E Bright

Teacher of MFL

Music Department

Mrs A Dent

Head of Music 

Drama Department

Head of Drama

Miss G Cullingham

PE Department

Mrs L Iles

Head of Physical Education Department

Mrs G Selfe

Teacher of Physical Education

Mrs H Shooman-Taylor

Teacher of Physical Education

Miss G Cullingham

Teacher of Physical Education

Miss E Skrine

Teacher of Physical Education & Head of Year 7

Science Department

Mr Barnes

Head of Department

Dr R Nisi

Head of Physics

Ms W Aggrey

Head of Chemistry

Mr S Munden

Teacher of Science & Forensics

Mrs I Ahmad

Teacher of Science

Mrs M Benn

Teacher of Science

Mrs L Bryant 

Teacher of Science

Mrs N Carwithen 

Teacher of Science

Miss G Mbu

Teacher of Science

Dr K Newson

Teacher of Science

Dr G Novikova

Teacher of Science

Miss S Pinder

Teacher of Science

Religious Studies Department

Ms M Clark

Head of Religious Studies Department

Miss J Slade

Teacher of Religious Studies

Mrs K Oseni 

Teacher of Religious Studies

Mr J Alexander

Teacher of Religious Studies

Social Science Department

Mr J Alexander

Teacher of Sociology and Law

Miss J Smith

Teacher of Psychology & Deputy Head of WG6

Mrs M Develeski

Teacher of Sociology

Support Staff

Mrs N Rana

Head Teacher's P.A. & Office Manager

Mrs J Price

Exams Officer & Data Manager

Mrs P Addanki

Attendance Officer

Mrs L Cowey

Administration Assistant 

Mrs J Bassett

Admissions Officer & Exams Assistant

Mrs K Russell

Receptionist (AM)

Miss S Mullins

Receptionist (PM)

Miss G Wellcoat

Marketing and Communications Officer

Mrs J Murray

Careers & Work Experience Officer

Ms E Booth

Librarian

Mrs C Pike

Safeguarding & Pupil Premium Manager

Mrs E Smith

Pastoral and Wellbeing Manager SEN

Mrs J Robertson

Pastoral and Wellbeing Manager SEN

Mrs R Martin

WGS Administrator

Mrs L Hatton

Pastoral and Wellbeing Manager Year 7

Miss G McKay

Pastoral and Wellbeing Manager Year 8 & 9 

Ms H Gaines

Pastoral and Wellbeing Manager Year 10 & 11

Mrs S Wheatley

Student Support WG6 (WGSG site)

TBC

Medical Teaching Assistant

Mr C Willis

School IT Manager

Mr D Smith

IT Technician

Miss R Holden

Senior Science Technician

Mrs H Lloyd

Science Technician

Miss T Jarvis

Science Technician

Mrs L Waite

Science Technician

Mrs O Bukoye

Food Technician

Mrs S Daniels

Art & DT Technician

Mr G Richards

Head of Premises & Estates

Mr S Good

Premises Manager

Mr R Booker

Assistant Premises Manager

Mr B Woodbridge

Assistant Premises Manager

Ms E Russell

Cover Supervisor

Mrs R Sharma

Cover Supervisor

Our Senior Leadership Team

Meet our dedicated team of educators and administrators at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls. They are committed to nurturing our students’ minds and talents, providing a supportive and enriching learning environment.

Mr Charlie Guthrie

CEO – Endeavour MAT
MA (HONS), EDINBURGH, NPQEL
 

Mrs Michelle Lawson

Headteacher BA (HONS), MA LONDON, NPQH
 

Mr Dave Fuller

Deputy Headteacher
BSC (HONS), MSC OXFORD 
 

Mrs Sam Munden

Assistant Headteacher
(DSL, Behaviour & Wellbeing)

BSC (HONS) ASTON

Mrs Mandy Dhaliwal

Assistant Headteacher
(Teaching & Learning)
MED, MASTERS IN EDUCATION (OU)
  

Mr Robert Atkins

Assistant Headteacher
(Head of WG6)
BA (HONS) SOUTHAMPTON
  

Miss Michelle Dooley

Associate Assistant Headteacher
(Operations)
BSC ABERYSTWYTH
  

Mr Jim Dufton

Associate Assistant Headteacher
(Teaching and Learning &
Head of MFL)
MA OXFORD

Mr Sam Biggenden

Senior Head of Year

Mrs Annette Brushett

School Business Manager