News MGS slips in


Ofsted rating MAIDSTONE Grammar School has slipped from being an “out- standing” to a “good” school after itsmost recentOfsted inspection. Headmaster Mark Tomkins has


written to parents accepting the “entirely fair, ac- curate andrealis- tic” assesment of the school’spres- ent position. Inspectors


went to the Bar- ton Road school


on January 15 and 16. The last in- spectionwas in 2013. Mr Tomkins, pictured, writes:


“Governors identified the very manypositive aspects of the report and remain confident that young people will leave MGS very well prepared to make the most of fu- ture opportunities.They recognise, however, that improvements are needed in respect of teaching and learning and support thework un- derway in this area as the best means of bringing about those im- provements.” TheOfstedteamnotedthatGCSE


andA level results dipped in 2017, but school leaders instituted“rigor- ous accountability systems” to monitor progress. The Ofsted re- port concludes the management has improved teaching quality, but there are still inconsistencies. he re- port says: “Better teaching over the last 18monthsmeans thatoutcomes have improved.Attainment is well above national levels.” Inspectors rated pupils’ personal


development, behaviour and wel- fare asoutstanding.The curriculum is “broad, rich and ambitious” and the headmaster anddeputies “lead the schoolwith passion and deter- mination”.


MGS was shut on February 25 after a water supply cut due to works.


vinyl_banner.pdf 1 31/01/2019 14:55


downsmail.co.uk


Pupils leave grammar after drug allegations


THREE pupils at Invicta Grammar School have left over allegations of “drugmisuse”.


The students in year 13 agreedto


leave after “discussions” with IGS management. Kent Police became involved at the behest of the school, but did not proceedwith a criminal investigation. Apolice statement fromSgtNick


Hatcher, of Kent Police’s Commu- nity SafetyUnit, said: “Kent Police was notified of an allegation relat- ing to drug misuse at a school in Maidstone. “The allegations were reviewed


with the school and, as there was insufficient evidence to support a police prosecution, thematterwas leftwith the school to progress.” Head teacher Julie Derrick said:


“We can confirm that following a thorough investigation by the school and Kent Police, action has been taken with appropriate sup- port, in linewith our school policy. “We have a zero tolerance ap-


staff and a range of other profes- sionals, including Kent Police in this case.” Earlier this year, the school was


proach todrugs.However,we also have a strong and supportive drugs education programme aimed at helping students under- stand the dangers of using drugs. “These students have unfortu-


nately made a wrong decision by getting involved in drugs, having notpreviously hada history of bad behaviour. “Our pastoral system ensures that all students are supported by


listed in the top 10 best secondar- ies in the country, based on official data. The Real School Guide used 51measures to come to its conclu- sions andranks IGS seventh across the country and among the very best in Kent, with a five star, 86% rating. In July, head teacher and joint


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


we have are down to the fact that we all have a collaborative drive for the same thing: outstanding care, outstanding education and outstanding opportunities.”


Jobs opportunites for students


SIXTH formers and scores of leading employersmet inMaid- stone this month to tackle skills shortages in the workplace and forge new careers. About 1,000 students andrepre-


sentatives from 50 local compa- nies and organisations packed intoMaidstoneLeisureCentre for the town’s secondannual appren- ticeship fair in early February. Year 12 and year 13 pupils


from Maidstone Grammar School, The Lenham School,


Oakwood Park, Walderslade Girls School, Valley Park, The Malling School and Maidstone Girls’ Grammar were among those who attended. The event, organised by local


Members of Parliament, gave students the opportunity tomeet potential employers and explore apprenticeship opportunities. Many of the exhibitors – who


included Bank of England, Gal- lagher Group, Arriva, Kent CountyCouncil,Kent Police, the


C M Y CM MY CY CMY K


Make your breakfast count this March


4 Maidstone Weald March 2019


RAF, Transport for London and Network Rail – advertised live vacancies, giving some pupils the opportunity to apply at the fair and secure interviews before leaving the premises. In addition to chatting with


professionals, the sixth-formers also experienced interactive dis- plays, including simulated fly- ing with BAE systems, audio visual missions with the Army, and UK Border Force’s state-of- the-art technology.


21-24 March 2019


Organise or attend a breakfast or make a donation. The money you raise will support our nurses to provide outstanding care to our patients and their families.


www.hokh.org/breakfast


RCN No. 298164


Have a hearty breakfast


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