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downsmail.co.uk Invicta topping schools’ league


INVICTAGrammar School (IGS) is in the top 10 secondaries in the country, according to a survey. TOP 10 KENT SCHOOLS


The Real School Guide has used


51 measures to rate IGS is number one in Kent and seventh across the country,with a five star, 86%rating. Headteacher andjointCEOof the


Valley Invicta Academies Trust (VIAT), Julie Derrick said: “It is tes- tament to the hard work of all our students, staff and parents. “I believe that the achievements


we have aredown to the fact thatwe all have a collaborative drive for the same thing: outstanding care, out- standing education andoutstanding opportunities. “If our students are happy, they


will thrive; we also work very hard to ensure that there is a balance of academia and opportunities.” MaidstoneGirls’Grammar School


also makes it into the Kent top 10 and is 60th nationally, with a five star and 76%rating. St Simon Stock Catholic School


was the highest-ranked non-selec- tive school in the Maidstone area with a near 60% ranking and a five star rating. It is rated 25th in Kent and was the only non-selective school to achieve five stars.


Head Julie Derrick with successful GCSE students at Invicta Grammar School VIAT school Valley Park was an-


other strong performer,with a three star rating and above mid-table na- tionally. It is 39th in Kent. Maplesden Noakes also takes a


three star rating, a mid-table na- tional placement and 44th in Kent. Other local secondary schools,


such as New Line Learning and Cornwallis academies, fare lesswell both locally and nationally.Neither NewLine nor Cornwalliswere pre- pared to comment.


The Real Schools Guide uses four


categories – attainment, teaching, at- tendance andoutcomes – to come to its ratings. Attainment is worth 30% of the


total score and is based on howwell pupils do in comparison with the national average, aswell as teachers' average salaries. Attendance, worth 15%, is based


on absence rates, looking at levels of sessionsmissed, aswell as unautho- rised and persistent absence.


Invicta Grammar School, Maidstone The Rochester Grammar School TunbridgeWells Girls' Grammar School Dartford Grammar School Tonbridge Grammar School Dartford Grammar School for Girls Sir JosephWilliamson's Mathematical School, Rochester Highworth Grammar School, Ashford Maidstone Grammar School for Girls BennettMemorial Diocesan School, TunbridgeWells


Outcomes is also worth 15% and


is based on what proportion of pupils continue with education, or training within three months in comparison to the national average. Scores are worked out by giving


the best performing school in each category top marks, with all other schools receivingpoints adjustedac- cording to their comparative per- formance.


LOCAL businesses are as important an element to community life as a parish council, cricket club or the Women’s Institute. Here at the Downs Mail we have always recognised the pivotal role commerce plays in a vibrant, thriving economy. Be they small, medium or large enterprises, we have tried to celebrate the great things they bring jobs, career paths, training, entrepreneurship, industry awards, innovation and prestige.


That is why we have been promoting our recently enhanced Business Notice Board (BNB) at downsmail.co.uk in recent months.


And it is paying off. Our BNB is rapidly becoming a place where the business world can communicate with one another, share ideas, offer advice, drum up business or simply promote themselves. And it is completely FREE to use.


You can use it as many times as you like without having to pay a penny. Perhaps you have news you’d like to share, seek tenders for an important contract, trumpet a new product or put feelers out for specialist expertise. Feel free. Use it, it’s yours!


16 Maidstone East August 2018


Taking notice


ORGANISATIONS are able to make as many entries and use as many categories as they wish on our Business Notice Board.


They can upload an image, headline, detailed text, contact details and links to their own and associated websites. The service is quick and easy to use go to the business notice board page on our website and just click on the red post your free listing here button or submit your business news link to get started.


Directory advert


THE Downs Mail Business Directory is a searchable database of local businesses, suppliers and tradespeople where companies can advertise for a year for just £48 plus VAT.


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