About Us – Wilmington Grammar School for Boys

Our Vision and Values

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys is a safe and inclusive environment. We raise aspirations and expectations across a richly diverse community. Through an ambitious, creative and forward-thinking curriculum we nurture and develop individuals who demonstrate and understand the traditional values of Personal Excellence, Respect, Innovation and Creativity, Determination and Equality for All. With a bespoke personal development programme, we reach beyond the classroom: we take every available opportunity to broaden horizons, raise ambitions and make a positive difference to the world around us.

Personal Excellence

is an aspiration for all students in order to fulfil their potential. This is achieved in WGSB by providing a personalised and appropriate curriculum with high quality teaching and learning opportunities and the setting, monitoring and support of challenging but realistic personal targets. WGSB encourages whole child enrichment and will provide varied opportunities and dedicated support for students to develop their individual personal skills and talents.

Respect & Friendship

is the foundation of the cheerful and secure culture that exists at WGSB. Students, staff and all who represent the school community will be expected to value and care for themselves and each other. Students will learn about and experience a variety of historical and contemporary spiritual, cultural and religious beliefs. The school community will actively support those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We are proud of the harmony which exists amongst our multi-cultural intake.

Innovation & Creativity

are two of the key core attributes that determine an outstanding performance in our modern society. WGSB will continually strive to develop and improve the highest quality of learning that it can provide for its students by introducing appropriate, outstanding, educational practice from national and international sources. Students in turn will be provided with many opportunities to develop and demonstrate their own innovation and enquiry skills, leadership, self-reflection and creativity throughout their school career.

Determination

is a characteristic that will develop self-belief and the resolve to succeed. The determination of WGSB to provide an outstanding educational experience to its students can only be matched by the fortitude of those same students to utilise the opportunity.

Equality for all

WGSB will ensure provision is made for the same high quality education irrespective of ability, age, gender, race or religion. Students will be expected to demonstrate the same ethics themselves.

Virtual Tour of Our School

We are delighted to share the below films which provide a virtual tour of our school and an insight into our visions and values.

School Prospectus

Please click the image below to view our prospectus

To view our WG6 Curriculum Booklet please click the image below

School History

The school has a six form entry and a total number of students on roll measuring just over 1,000 including an expanding joint Sixth Form, WG6. The school’s size and embedded ethos of care and support is a popular feature of its reputation in the local community. The acquisition of Grant Maintained Status in April 1991 and Foundation status from 1999 offered the School tremendous opportunities for development.

The school was designated as a Specialist School with Engineering College status from September 2004 followed on 1 November 2006 by a £1.35m teaching building, called the ‘Evans Building’ being officially opened. The building incorporated 12 teaching rooms and a purpose-built engineering suite for design teaching. In September 2010 this was extended to twice the size housing the new Sixth Form centre including a veranda, the Languages Specialist Area and new Food Technology facilities. These developments are being linked with a refurbishment of the remaining site to allow the opportunities for Innovative Learning Environments to be modelled and developed across the school. Our new English and Media block, the White Building, was added in 2017.

The school has a fantastic enrichment and extension programme and in 2010 was awarded the Quality in Extended Schools kitemark and Dartford Sports Partnership Platinum award. The school is also recognised as an Investor in Careers School, with work related experiences embedded into school life from Year 7 to 13. In addition the school has held Investors in People for over ten years.

In 2009 the school embarked on its second specialism as a member of the Raising Achievement Partnership Programme. This work initially focused on supporting the learning in local and regional schools but in 2010 extended as support of the British Council to work alongside and support schools in Sub Saharan Africa. In 2011 the school became an Academy and from April 2017 joined with Wilmington Grammar School for Girls under the banner of Endeavour MAT.

Our simple but relevant mission statement ‘Forward Thinking – Traditional Values’ epitomises the ethos and vision at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys as we continue to develop innovative and outstanding education in a caring environment that supports the whole child.

Governance

Endeavour MAT

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys 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).

Local Governing Body

The Scheme of Delegation for the LGB can be accessed here. The LGB has an important role to play in ensuring the strategic priorities of the MAT are implemented and is keen to ensure that every student should be given the opportunity to achieve the highest standards possible, both educationally and in terms of personal development during their time at the school. The LGB closely monitors and supports the Head Teacher and the rest of the school’s leadership team to ensure they promote and set high expectations in all aspects of their work. They test the school’s improvement planning and self-evaluation via termly full LGB meetings. All departments are required to produce their own evaluation of progress and achievement which informs their future planning. As a responsible LGB the perceived outcomes of the whole school and each department is then cross referenced against external data and other information to ensure that the highest possible education is provided to all of our students.

As Chair of Governors I am proud to say that we have a committed and enthusiastic LGB comprised of people from diverse backgrounds whose concern is to ensure that the school is a safe and supportive environment for all. We take our responsibility for safeguarding students very seriously and ensure that all the core social beliefs including equality, cultural, spiritual awareness, supporting our families and community are continually monitored.

Our own self-evaluation using data from RAISE online/ ASP, parental and student feedback together with what we observe in the classrooms and around the school supports our belief that Wilmington Grammar School for Boys offers a high quality education focused around the students.

Mr D Strachan
Chair of LGB and Trustee of Endeavour MAT

David Strachan, chairs the LGB at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys.
To contact David Strachan, please email [email protected] marking your message for his attention.

GOVERNING BODY		TERM OF OFFICE	APPOINTED BY
David Strachan (Chair of LGB & Trustee of EMAT)	Mr Strachan, an ex-pupil of Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, has been a Governor of WGSB in excess of 20 years and is Chair of the Local Governing Body. Mr Strachan is also a Trustee of Endeavour MAT. Other governor responsibilities include being the Chair at a local primary School, St Paul's CEP, Swanley Village. Mr Strachan has lived locally for many years and is able to supplement his educational experience with his local knowledge which can be invaluable in the role of Governing a local school.	31.10.19 - 30.10.25	Trust
Robert Reed	Mr Reed joined the Governing Body in 1996 for four years and again in 2001 to date. Mr Reed retired from Westminster City Council as an Assistant Service Manager and brings considerable expertise with regards to business management, licensing, health and safety and acoustics to the governing body. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Noise Abatement Society in 2012 for his work in noise control.	03.04.19 - 02.04.25	Trust
Stuart Harrington	Mr Stuart Harrington joined Wilmington Grammar School for Boys in September 2021. He joins us after a lengthy career at another local grammar school, where he was Deputy Head for six years. An English specialist, Mr Harrington studied English and Drama at Birmingham University. Mr Harrington is a firm believer in the educational value of both scholarship and experiential learning beyond the classroom. He believes strongly that all children should be given opportunities where they know what it is to be part of a team, to experience failure and to overcome adversity.	01.09.21	Ex-Officio
Josie Sole	My background is Environment, Social and Governance Management. I strongly believe in inclusiveness and that every child deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential in academic, and extra curriculum activities to receive the best education possible.	21.01.22 - 20.01.25	Parents
Jill Hawkins	Jill Hawkins joined the Governors in 2023. She has a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy which supported a long career within investment banking in the City of London. In 2008 Jill took on new challenges; a degree in History and Philosophy of Art, as well as getting sidelined during its completion by the new ambition to train as a teacher of Mathematics – achieving both. Jill taught Mathematics at Dartford Grammar School for a period of 6 years across all ages, and a maternity cover in the Mathematics department of Wilmington Grammar School for Girls. She is now Dartford Grammar School's Development Officer, running, amongst other things all fundraising and the increasingly successful alumni programme.	05.06.23 - 04.06.26	Trust
Tom Stevens	Originally from Cheltenham, Tom moved to Dartford in 2004 and has worked as a teacher of Drama and Head of Year at Dartford Grammar School for 20 years. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding pastoral care and support, as well as a highly developed understanding of school structures and curriculum planning. With his son having started in Year 7 in September 2023, Tom is keen to support his local community school and to offer his own expertise in supporting the students of Wilmington.	15.11.23 - 14.11.26	Parents
Naomi Takeda	Mrs Naomi Takeda joined WGSB from another local grammar school where she was Head of Year 11 and Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead. She has 17 years' experience teaching and leading English in both grammar and comprehensive schools in and around London. Currently halfway through an MA Education degree with Exeter University, Mrs Takeda is keen to develop and extend her own research and understanding of learning to enable all students to reach their full potential. Mrs Takeda enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog Albert, and horse riding in her spare time.	16.11.23 - 15.11.26	Staff
Sarah Habgood	Sarah has over 25 years’ experience working in trading houses and investment banks within the financial sector. She has a keen interest in supporting charities, in particular those that help the homeless. Sarah’s determination has always helped with her professional and personal goal and by being appointed a governor Sarah hopes to help the students become more confident and be ready for the exciting world that awaits them.	19.12.23 - 18.12.26	Trust

HISTORIC	STEPPED DOWN
Ms O Oluwasola	07.12.19
Mr S Baker	31.08.20
Mr P Riches	03.10.20
Ms T Burleigh	20.11.20
Ms K White	21.01.21
Ms B Rowson	28.05.21
Mr C Guthrie	31.08.21
Ms S Kenney	23.09.21
Mr J Cox	17.02.22
Mr S Ojobo	02.06.22
Mr L Ellis	30.10.22
Ms R Ogunkoya	28.06.23
Mr K Powell	15.10.23
Ms A Ogebule	10.01.24
Mr D Dowle	14.05.24
Mr P Dent	31/8/24

GOVERNOR	RESPONSIBILITY
Josie Sole & Sarah Habgood	Safeguarding
Tom Stevens, Jill Hawkins & Sarah Habgood	Education / SEND / Pupil Premium
Josie Sole	CPD & Development
David Strachan	Finance
Robert Reed	Health & Safety / Risk Management
David Strachan & Jill Hawkins	Leadership & Management

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys is part of Endeavour MAT. For Trust level information please visit:

Endeavour MAT Governance

Please see our Governance documentation below

Staff Organisation Chart

SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Mr C Guthrie	CEO - Endeavour MAT
Mr S Harrington	Head Teacher
Mr M Baker	Deputy Head Teacher
Mr A Smith	Assistant Head Teacher - Behaviour and Welfare
Miss E Price	Assistant Head Teacher - Teaching & Learning
Mr A Watson	Assistant Head Teacher - WG6
Mrs N Takeda	Assistant Head Teacher - Safeguarding & Inclusion
Mrs L Wisdom	Associate Assistant Head Teacher - School Culture & Ethos
Mr K Powell	Head of Y10 & SLT Secondment (developing coaching)
Mr P Anderson	School Business Manager

ART & DESIGN DEPARTMENT
Mrs L Wisdom	Head of Art & Design
Miss M Gubbins	Art & Design

BUSINESS STUDIES/ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT
Mr J Colledge	Head of Business studies/Economics
Mrs R Sharma	Teacher of Business studies/Economics
Miss M Spencer	2 i/c Business studies/Economics & Head of Life Programme

COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Mrs J Doughty	Head of Computer Science
Ms K Tantony	Teacher of Computer Science

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Mrs S Cross	Head of Design and Technology
Mr G Corrigan	Design and Technology
Mr J Price	Design and Technology
Mrs J Smith	Design and Technology

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Mr B Harding	Head of English
Mrs C Bartholomew-Biggs	English
Mr T Cecil	English
Ms C Kenny	English
Mrs E Kybird	English & Media Studies
Ms A Russell	English
Miss S Selby	English
Miss A Sweeney	English & Head of Year 7 & 8
Mrs N Takeda	English

HISTORY DEPARTMENT
Mrs E Price	Head of History (Temp)
Dr L Harris	History
Miss K House	History
Mr R Salt	History

GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT
Mr P Riches	Head of Geography
Mr P Clark	Geography
Mr W Darwin	Geography & Head of Year 11

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
Mrs Ermina Ramic	Head of Mathematics
Mrs L Harding	Mathematics
Mrs J McGrath	Mathematics
Miss L O'Dwyer	Mathematics 2i/c
Mrs P Prabhu	Mathematics
Mr A Pope	Mathematics
Mrs S Spall	Mathematics
Mr A Watson	Mathematics

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
Mrs Y Mimoun	Head of MFL
Mrs G Deicher	MFL
Miss S Fabert	MFL
Miss E Price	MFL
Mrs V Garcia Zapatero	MFL
Miss N Ryder	MFL
Mrs M Sivel-Dimond	MFL

PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT
Miss E Holledge	Head of Performing Arts
Miss C Dillon	Music

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Mr M Lynch	Head of Physical Education
Mr G Corrigan	Physical Education
Mr A Hook	Physical Education & Head of Y8
Mr K Powell	Physical Education & Head of Y9
Mr S Sage	Physical Education & SENDCO

RELIGIOUS & SOCIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Mrs M Lasoye	Head of Religious & Social Education
Miss E Williamson	Religious & Social Education

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Miss S Tame	Head of Science
Dr M Musami	Science & Head of Biology
Miss A Kemp	Science & Deputy Head of WG6
Miss A Horsley	Science & Head of Chemistry
Miss S Barry	Science
Mr R Clark	Science
Miss C Morrison	Science
Mr A Olufade	Science
Mr H Owen	Science

SUPPORT STAFF
Mrs E Edwards	Headteacher's PA
Mrs M Taylor	Student Manager Year 7
Mrs C Jones	Student Manager Years 8 & 9
Miss N Mager	Student Manager Years 10 & 11
Mrs A Regan	Student Manager WG6
Mrs D Latini	Academic Mentor WG6
Mrs L Horton	Office Manager / Admissions Secretary
Mrs R Barlow	Cover Secretary & Trips Co-ordinator
Mrs K Alp	Attendance Secretary
Ms L Hopkins	Receptionist (Mon, Wed, Fri)
Mrs R Eather	Receptionist (Tues, Thur)
Mrs A Sullivan	Business Admin Assistant
Mrs T Walker	Careers Leader
Mrs O Lecuona-Jimenez	Exams & Data Manager
Miss A Perez-Velez	Student Data Assistant
Mrs H Witt	WG6 Secretary
Ms T Fisk	School Librarian
Miss R Netherwood	School Librarian
Mrs M Hopkins	Reprographics Officer
Mr D Humberstone	School IT Manager
Mr V Patel	IT Technician
Mrs J Edwards	Senior Science Technician
Mr I Stimson	Science Technician
Mr N Harris	Science Technician
Ms M Southgate	Technology Technician
Mrs K Finch	Technology Technician
Mrs H Bennett	Art Technician
Mrs C Harrison	Learning Support Assistant/SEN
Mr R Long	Learning Support Assistant/SEN
Mrs O Ibitoye	Learning Support Assistant/SEN
Mrs C Norman	Learning Support Assistant/SEN
Mr T Hansford	HLTA / SEN
Mrs J Miller	HLTA / PP
Mr D Oso	Cover Supervisor
Mrs K Cast	Cover Supervisor
Mr P Bassett	Premises Manager
Mr D Frickey	Premises Assistant
Mrs T Toop	Premises Assistant
Mrs T Sykes	Cleaning Supervisor
Mrs T Huckle	Cleaning Assistant
Miss L Huckle	Cleaning Assistant
Ms C Govier	Cleaning Assistant
Mrs J Tanner	Cleaning Assistant
Ms J Stowers	Cleaning Assistant
Mr M Govier	Cleaning Assistant
Mr N Gillespie	Cleaning Assistant
Miss J Smith	Daytime Cleaning Assistant
Mr S Venus	Cleaning Assistant
Mr C Ansell	Cleaning Assistant
Miss J Fothergill	Cleaning Assistant
Ms R King	Cleaning Assistant