Blog week ending 9th October
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls is a place where learning goes far beyond the classroom. It’s a vibrant community where students are encouraged to explore their passions, form lasting friendships, and create unforgettable experiences. One of the most enriching ways to make the most of school life is by getting involved in our wide range of extra-curricular clubs and societies.
Whether your child is drawn to the expressive world of Drama or Art Club, enjoys the challenge of strategic thinking in Debating Club, or is curious about innovation through STEM and Coding, WGSG offers something for every interest. Our clubs span academic, creative, athletic, and leadership-focused activities – each designed to support personal growth and spark new enthusiasm. Clubs, workshops, study trips and overseas travel opportunities together with academic classroom-based study offer a rigorous and ambitious curriculum, blending academic, social and personal development.
Participation in extra-curricular activities helps students develop essential life skills such as collaboration, resilience, time management, and creativity. It’s also a brilliant way to boost confidence, build community, and, most importantly – have fun!
Please take a moment to explore the full schedule with your child and encourage them to join at least one club. It’s the first step toward a richer, more rewarding school experience. To view our latest schedule click here.
Our Year 10 students have returned from their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition around the beautiful countryside of Westerham, Kent – and what a triumph it was! Over two days of hiking and camping, they demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and a fantastic spirit of adventure.
Navigating challenging routes, cooking meals outdoors, and setting up camp, students embraced every aspect of the experience with enthusiasm and maturity. Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed, our DofE assessor was full of praise for their organisation, determination, and positive attitude throughout the journey.
We’re thrilled to report that every student passed the expedition section, a testament to their hard work and preparation. Beyond the maps and miles, they’ve built confidence, strengthened friendships, and gained valuable life skills that will serve them well in the future. Congratulations to all involved—you’ve done yourselves and WGSG proud!
Our famous (and highly popular!) Glee Club is in full swing! A joyous and uplifting club welcoming students from all year groups! Come along, join in the fun. Students will be working on a few new numbers next month in readiness for Christmas. Sessions are taken by professional singing coach, Mrs Wright and supported by Mrs Dent. Mrs Dent hosts a wide range of Clubs including Samba, Orchestra and Guitar. All are welcome, please do encourage your child to come and give one of our Music clubs a go!
Throughout this term, external specialists from our local Emotional Wellbeing Team have been providing workshops with our Year 7 students to support their transition into secondary school and for Year 11 as they embark upon their GCSE studies.
Year 7 have worked on Universal Worries and have talked about how to cope with “normal” worries associated with starting secondary school and how to manage with them.
Year 11 students have taken part in Exam Workshops ahead of their mock exams later this year and have been provided with useful hints and tips to cope with the challenges that this year can bring.
If you have any questions about support that the Emotional Wellbeing Team can provide, please contact Mrs Pike.
Last week, our Year 11 GCSE Geography students visited East London for a dynamic day of human geography fieldwork in Stratford. Once known for its industrial roots, Stratford has undergone a remarkable transformation making it the perfect case study for urban regeneration and sustainable development.
Students explored key sites including the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Westfield Shopping Centre, and surrounding residential areas. They conducted surveys, environmental quality assessments, and land-use mapping to investigate how regeneration has impacted the local economy, environment, and community.
The trip offered a valuable opportunity to apply classroom theory to real-world settings, deepening students’ understanding of topics such as urbanisation, inequality, and planning. It also helped build essential skills in data collection, analysis, and teamwork, core components of the GCSE Geography course.
Mrs Carwithen’s Year 7 Biologists have been investigating specialised cells. Using microscopes students viewed a range of cells including blood cells, eggs and nerve cells. Students completed a scientific table to catalogue the specialisation of each cell and the ‘job’ it does. Next term the Science Department will launch a new KS3 Science Club – look out for posters round school and updates in this Blog!
This Term’s House Challenge was set by our English Department – “The Great Literary Showdown”. Mrs Sloane was thrilled to receive so many bold and engaging entries. Huge congratulations to Year 9 students Alayna S and Hollie F for their excellent winning entry – brimming with originality and creativity!
Maisie C, our WG6 Correspondent, is in Year 13 at WG6 and has written an article to support students when considering their ‘next steps’ after GCSEs.
“Being in Year 11 can be extremely daunting, you’ve got exams coming up and your future laying in the palm of your hand. You’ve probably started hearing a lot about next steps, open days, and subject choices — and if you’re anything like I was, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and panic; choosing what to do next can feel huge, especially when everyone around you seems to have their future planned already. But here’s the truth, while it may seem that way, it’s likely that everyone around you is in the exact same boat!
When I was deciding, the first thing I looked at was subjects. Sixth form is your chance to focus on what you really enjoy, so pick courses that genuinely interest you, not just what your friends are doing, because after the first week I had made lots of new and interesting friends whom I spend lessons with. Honestly, I think it has been incredible for my close friendships to not be in lessons with them – it’s given us all space to branch out and meet new people, giving us independence and pushing us outside of our comfort zones! Then there’s the environment. Every sixth form has its own vibe. Some are super academic and fast-paced; others feel more laid-back and personal. Ask yourself what kind of learner you are. For me, I knew I wanted teachers I could talk to easily and a place that felt familiar rather than overwhelming, and ultimately that’s why I decided to stay at WGSG for my A Levels.
It’s also worth checking how those subjects are taught too – some places are more exam-heavy, while others give more coursework or practical options. There is no right or wrong way, just the way which will be most beneficial to you in the long run! Open days are honestly the best way to figure this out. Go and talk to current students – they’ll tell you the truth about the workload, how supportive the teachers are, and what student life feels like day-to-day. It’s also important to think about support. Sixth form can be challenging at times, so find out what help is available, both academically and emotionally. Some places, like WG6, have incredible mentors and wellbeing teams, that can make a massive difference when things get tough. Then there’s the practical elements – which sounds boring, but trust me, it matters. Think about how far you’ll have to travel, what the facilities are like for your subjects, and whether it’s somewhere you can imagine spending most of your week. Going to sixth form can feel like a full-time job at times, so picking somewhere you will feel comfortable and can see yourself spending time at is the best way!
And of course, there’s the social side. Sixth form isn’t just about studying – it’s also about growing up, meeting new people, and figuring out who you are. Some people love the idea of a completely new start, while others prefer to stay somewhere familiar. For me, I decided to stay at Wilmington for sixth form. It offered the subjects I wanted (Business studies, Psychology and Media Studies), and I already felt comfortable here. I knew the teachers, the environment, and the people – and that made the step up to sixth form a lot less scary. A lot of people told me to go somewhere new, but I realised I didn’t have to sacrifice familiarity to get a good education. Staying where I already felt supported has honestly helped me settle in and focus on doing my best. That being said, college or moving to a different school is a completely valid choice too. If you prefer a more hands-on or practical approach, or you want to study something vocational like sport, or health and social care, college might be the perfect fit – and that’s totally okay. Whether you choose a sixth form or college, the most important thing is picking the place where you’ll be happy and motivated to learn. So don’t worry too much about making the “perfect” choice. Visit places, ask questions, and listen to your instincts, you’ll know when somewhere feels right – and that’s probably where you belong!” Save the Date – our WG6 Open Event is on Wednesday 3rd December! More information and booking will be announced soon.
Our WGSG art students are on the main Global Website for the Hayward Gallery of Art London! Our Art students are regular visitors to various London galleries, and this photo was snapped on a recent GCSE trip to the Haywards Gallery. Our Art Department have new and exciting trips planned for this academic year – starting from next term.
Please join me in congratulating WG6 student Tilly G of Year 12 who has recently been selected for the U18 Girls Kent County RFU Squad. Following a hugely successful two-year stint at U16 level, Tilly will continue her Rugby journey with the U18s. What makes her achievement that bit more special is that Tilly will be the youngest player in the squad!
Our wonderful PFA organise events and initiatives to raise funds that directly enhance our students’ learning experience at WGSG … If you would like to get involved in any way (no matter how much or little spare time you have we would be grateful for your support!) contact wgsgpfa@gmail.com
Forthcoming Dates;
Year 11 Parent/Carers’ Evening (in person) 9 Oct (tonight!)
Year 11 Mock Exam Student Assembly – 13 Oct
Year 6 Open Evening – 16 Oct 5-8pm
Year 6 Open Day (by appointment only) 17 Oct
Year 13 Reports & Grades home – 17 Oct
Last Day of Term 1 – 17 Oct
First Day of Term 2 – Thursday 30 Oct
Year 11 Mocks start – 3 Nov
WG6 Applications Open – 31 Oct
PFA School Disco – 7 Nov (see poster!)
Sixth Form (WG6) Open Event – Wednesday 3rd December
Best wishes,
Dave Fuller
Headteacher
