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
Laura Iles, Gurpreet Jandu & Nishita Rana	Sixth Form
Joy Price	Health and Safety
John Webster	Finance
John Webster, Joy Price & Manjit Gill	Leadership, Management and Coaching
John Webster, Joy Price & Nishita Rana	CPD and Development

Staff Organisation Chart

Senior Leadership Team
Mr C Guthrie	CEO - Endeavour MAT
Mrs M Lawson	Headteacher
Mr D Fuller	Head of School
Mrs M Dhaliwal	Deputy Headteacher
Mrs S Munden	Assistant Headteacher – Personal Development Behaviour & Welfare, DSL, oversight of Y9-Y11
Mr R Atkins	Assistant Headteacher, Head of WG6
Mr J Dufton	Assistant Headteacher – Teaching & Learning, oversight of Y7 & Y8
Ms M Dooley	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 Bassett	Exams Officer & Admissions Officer
Mrs P Addanki	Attendance Officer
Mrs L Cowey	Data & Cover Manager
Mrs K Pirapakaran	Exams & Data 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	WG6 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 Adeshina	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.