Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, Common Lane, Wilmington, Dartford, DA2 7DA
01322 223090

About Us

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

Meet Our Senior Leadership Team

Mr Charlie Guthrie

CEO – MA (HONS), EDINBURGH, NPQEL

Mr Stuart Harrington

Headteacher – BA (Hons), NPQH
    

Mr Mark Baker

Deputy Headteacher – BSc (Hons), PGCE

Miss Emma Price

Assistant Headteacher, Teaching & Learning – MSc Oxford, NPQSL

Mr Andy Smith

Assistant Headteacher – Behaviour & Welfare – BA (Hons)

Mrs Naomi Takeda

Assistant Headteacher, Safeguarding & Inclusion – BA (Hons). NPQSL

Mr Alex Watson

Assistant Headteacher WG6 – BEng (Hons); MA, Leadership in Education

Mrs Louise Wisdom

Associate Assistant Headteacher, Culture & Ethos – BA (Hons), PGCE

Mr Keith Powell

Head of Year 9 & SLT Secondment – Developing coaching

Mr Paul Anderson

School Business Manager; BSc (Hons) MSc MBA