Blog week ending 29th January
As students across the school continue their preparations for the summer exam season, we are especially mindful of the crucial weeks ahead for our Year 11 and 13 students as they refine their GCSE and A Level preparations. The atmosphere in school is one of real purpose and determination, and we are committed to ensuring students feel fully supported, confident, and well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
Every subject area offers a carefully tailored programme of revision and guidance sessions, shaped not only by insights from recent mock examinations but also by the specific requests and needs voiced by students themselves. This personalised approach ensures that each student can focus on the areas that matter most to them as they refine their understanding and strengthen their exam technique and mark scheme knowledge.
Alongside this, our WG6 team is launching a dedicated Wednesday afternoon drop‑in programme as part of our Electives offering. These sessions will provide a calm, purposeful space where students can seek one‑to‑one advice, revisit key concepts, or take part in focused masterclasses led by our experienced A Level teaching staff. It’s an opportunity for students to take ownership of their preparation while knowing expert support is on hand.
Of course, academic preparation is only one part of the journey. Our Pastoral Team remains a constant presence, ready to offer guidance, reassurance, or simply a listening ear. We encourage every student to ‘check in’ whenever they need to, whether for practical advice or just a moment of grounding during what can be an intense period.
Together, these layers of support reflect our commitment to helping every student approach their exams with confidence, clarity, and a strong sense of wellbeing.
Mrs Munden delivered a Revision Skills assembly followed by workshops to Year 11 called the “1% Club”, a concept James Clear wrote about in his book Atomic Habits. The session revolves around the idea that small, consistent improvements can lead to significant long-term change. By creating a framework to build effective habits by focussing on small satisfying actions we can build good habits that lead to personal growth and success. This session works to complement the Maximising Success Revision Workshops which both Years 10 and 11 attend. These sessions are delivered by external specialists The Life Programme which concentrates on the 12 principals of revision helping students to find the best technique for them to order, revise and recall their knowledge.
Additionally, Pastoral Leaders offer bespoke support to Year 11 students on managing exam wellbeing with confidence and coping workshops.
Sparx Reader Update. Mrs Selby, Head of English, is delighted to share the initial findings from the introduction of the Sparx Reader scheme here at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls. Early results are extremely encouraging: 90% of students across Years 7–10 have either made excellent progress or maintained their reading and comprehension progress. This places our students well above the progress patterns typically seen nationally and reflects the strength of our whole‑school reading culture.
A significant number of students are now reading at a level equivalent to age 17, the highest level measured by Sparx and demonstrating both impressive skill and a genuine enthusiasm for reading. This excellent progress benefits not just their studies in English but supports their academic progress in all subjects as well as developing their love of independent reading!
Students in Years 7–9 receive Sparx homework every fortnight, and to celebrate commitment and consistency, those with the highest engagement in each year group will receive Waterstones vouchers at the end of Terms 2, 5 and 6.
Year 9 Options – this evening (Thursday 29th January) we will welcome students and their parents/carers to discover more about the study programmes we offer at GCSE level. Mr Lennon and Mrs Selfe will introduce the options process as well as introduce our GCSE curriculum offering. Subject specialists will be in on hand to answer questions and provide specific course information. Our Careers Programme has included sessions designed to help students explore their strengths and interests in the context of future studies and careers to support their subject decisions. To view our GCSE Options Booklet, please click here.
WG6 A Level Subject Fair. Our Year 10 and 11 students had the opportunity to explore our WG6 curriculum offering, speaking with Year 12 Subject Ambassadors as they share their experience of the course, answer questions and generally bring their A Level courses to life! This Fair is a valuable part of our Futures Programme, enabling students to get first-hand insight from those studying the courses as they plan their next-steps. To view our WG6 Courses Booklet, please click here
WG6 A Level Topic and Future Pathways session. Professor Jo House (and sister of Teacher of Politics and History at WGSB, Miss House) will be joining our Year 13 Politics students via teams to host a talk and Q&A. Jo, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Bristol will share insight to support their current Politics topic, Global Environmental Governance – and highlight related future pathways and opportunities.
Mrs Choy’s WG6 A level Chemistry students conducted a practical investigation into the levels of iron sulfates in iron tablets. Students worked in pairs, confidently carrying out the practical before using their findings to calculate the mass in each tablet as well as the experimental error – excellent work.
Year 7 Art students have been researching the work of artist Lynn Setterington as inspiration for their current textiles topic. Lynn is an internationally renowned artist who has produced a series of embroidery artworks celebrating everyday humble items. Following in that tradition students have drawn their own designs for ‘humble’ items and are now embroidering their pieces.
Miss Skrine’s Trampolining Club runs after school every Tuesday – everyone is welcome! Trampolining club gives students a brilliant mix of fitness, confidence, and coordination. It strengthens core muscles, improves balance, and teaches body control in a way that feels more like fun than exercise.
The club is a social and enjoyable space with opportunities to build on learned skills in PE, improving techniques, and if wanted, to train for participation in inter-school competitions.
Forthcoming Dates;
Years 10 & 11 Maximising Success Workshops – 29 January
Year 11 A Level Subject Fair – 29 January
Year 9 Options Evening – 29 January (in person) 6-7.30pm
All Years Student Council Meetings led by Head of Year – 2 February till 6 February
Wg6 Applications Close – 2 February
Year 10 Progress Exam Assembly – 9 February
National Apprenticeship Week – 9-15 February (a host of events please see last Blog)
Year 9 Option Choices deadline – 10 February
Year 13 Grade Report home – 10 February
Unifrog Apprenticeship Fair – 11 February 4-6pm Apprenticeship Fair.
North Kent Apprenticeship Fair – 12 February 4-6pm book here
Last Day of Term 3 -13 February
First Day of Term 4 – Tuesday 24 February
Year & Year 8 Grades home – 25 February
Year 10 Progress Exams commence – 2 March
Best wishes,
Dave Fuller
Headteacher
