Blog week ending 29th January
As we move through the Spring term, many students are steadily building towards their summer assessments, with our Year 11 and Year 13 cohorts particularly focused on the weeks ahead. Their preparation is becoming increasingly purposeful, and we remain committed to helping them feel supported, organised, and ready for the challenges of GCSEs and A Levels.
Across all subjects, staff continue to offer a thoughtful programme of revision sessions and targeted guidance. These opportunities draw on insights from recent mock exams as well as the specific areas students have highlighted as priorities. This responsive approach enables each learner to concentrate on the topics and skills that will make the greatest difference to their confidence, understanding, and exam technique.
Alongside this, our WG6 team is launching a dedicated Wednesday afternoon drop‑in programme as part of our Electives offering. These sessions will provide a calm, purposeful space where students can seek one‑to‑one advice, revisit key concepts, or take part in focused masterclasses led by our experienced A Level teaching staff. It’s an opportunity for students to take ownership of their preparation while knowing expert support is right beside them. A weekly programme of Year 13 exam preparation assemblies provides additional support with step-by-step exam preparation guidance including; creating study timetables, identifying and addressing any potential gaps in knowledge as well as study and revision techniques.
Of course, academic preparation is only one part of the journey. Our Pastoral Team remains a constant presence, ready to offer guidance, reassurance, or simply a listening ear. We encourage every student to ‘check in’ whenever they need to, whether for practical advice or just a moment of grounding during what can be an intense period.
Together, these layers of support reflect our commitment to helping every student approach their exams with confidence, clarity, and a strong sense of wellbeing.
WG6 A Level Topic and Future Pathways session. Professor Jo House (and sister of Teacher of Politics and History, Miss House) will be joining our Year 13 Politics students via teams to host a talk and Q&A. Jo, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Bristol will share insight to support their current Politics topic, Global Environmental Governance – and highlight related future pathways and opportunities.
Our Librarian, Miss Netherwood, has designed a series of Learning Skills lessons which she delivers during Library lessons. In the featured Year 8 lesson, Effective Note Taking, students practised the Cornell Note-Taking method to transform lesson information into concise structured Notes, Cues, and Summary study notes. This structured approach encourages active engagement with the material, making it easier to review and retain information. Students practised their new skills using the below 5 Rs checklist. The Cornell Method is widely used in further education – and is a great tool to support GCSE study and revision.
Miss Gubbins’ Year 8 Art students are currently working on a sculpture topic, which combines design and then photography of their finished piece. Using the work of sculptor and artist Roland David Smith as inspiration, students made their own linear sculptures using their House and House colour as the basis of the design – in this class, Brunel.
Mrs Choy’s WG6 A level Chemistry students conducted a practical investigation into the levels of iron sulfates in iron tablets. Students worked in pairs, confidently carrying out the practical before using their findings to calculate the mass in each tablet as well as the experimental error – excellent work.
Mrs Morrison’s Y11 GCSE Biology students’ current topic of study is micro-biology, and in this lesson specifically, investigating the effect of antiseptics and antibiotics on bacterial growth using agar plates. The zones of inhibitions will later be measured and the most effective antiseptic or antibiotic will have had the greatest effect on reducing bacterial growth.
Our students continue to set the bar high when it comes to commitment and enthusiasm. The sheer volume of merits awarded speaks volumes about their dedication, not only to their academic progress but also to the positive impact they make across the school community. Their consistent effort, curiosity, and willingness to contribute creates an environment where everyone can thrive. It’s inspiring to see such energy driving our school forward. Special congratulations go to those students listed below.
Top Merit Achievers KS3
Top Merit Achievers KS4
Mrs Mott’s Year 9 Design and Technology students are working on a desk buddy challenge and are currently refining their design and building prototypes. In addition, Year 10 are taking part in a focussed practical task making an adjustable lamp using recycled HDPE bottle tops, which they repurpose, modelling them into striking shades. We are collecting HDPE bottle tops around school, but would welcome any donations from our families!
Congratulations are in order for Aarush in 9J who recently competed at the Kent Swimming Championships at the London Aquatic Centre (LAC). Aarush qualified for the finals for both the 100m backstroke and 50m backstroke events, coming 8th in both – receiving finalist medals! Additionally, Aarush won the Medway A.S.A Westover Trophy. The Westover Trophy is an annual award presented to a swimmer in recognition of their endeavour during the five championship galas held by Medway Amateur Swimming Association. A fitting accolade marking your achievement, skill and commitment.
I am delighted to share the news that talented musician and singer-songwriter, Otis C (of Y9), performed his first solo gig last weekend! I caught up with Otis earlier this week to congratulate him and find out more – “it was a brilliant experience, even though I was apprehensive beforehand, as soon as I started, I relaxed and really enjoyed myself – fortunately so did everyone else, I got great feed-back from the audience! I’m working on my own songs but haven’t started performing them just yet.”
Please do keep us posted with details of forthcoming gigs Otis!
Model Railway Club exhibited the layouts which they’ve made ‘Aberilmington’ and ‘Wilmington Grammar School for Trains’. at the Erith Model Railway Exhibition at the weekend. This was part of one of the largest Model Railway Exhibitions in the Southeast, which featured over 30 layouts. Throughout the weekend, members of the public continually commented on the excellent efforts of our students, which was a pleasure to hear. Over the course of the two days eight students attended the exhibition acquitted themselves admirably, speaking to members of the club about what they’d produced and their pride in doing so. They also worked hard on improving their layout, gaining inspiration from other layouts on display. They were all a real credit to the school. Thank you to all the staff that came along to support the students (including those pictured)
Congratulations to the students involved, they all represented the school fantastically: Eden L, Hardik P & Armaan M Y7 – Edoardo C Y9 – Reuben B & Luke P Y11 – Oscar B Y12 – Jake L Y13
Although his dedication to air-cadets meant he couldn’t come along, also Ben K, who has done so much work on the project and a massive thanks to Mr Kindersman for helping out and providing transport for the layout! Dr Harris
Forthcoming Dates;
WGSB 1st XI v Hayes School – 4 February
Year 9 Subject Parents’ Evening (in person) – 5 February 4-7.30pm
Year 9 Option choices deadline – 11 February
Ski Trip parent/carer briefing – 11 February 5.30-7pm
Unifrog Apprenticeship Fair – 11 February 4-6pm Apprenticeship Fair.
North Kent Apprenticeship Fair – 12 February 4-6pm book here
Year 13 Grade report home – 13 February
PTA Doughnut & Samosa sale at break – 13 February
Last Day of Term 3 – Friday 13 February
Year 13 New York Trip Saturday 14 February – 19 February
First Day of Term 4 – Tuesday 24 February
Year 10 Progress Exams – commence 24 February
PTA Pizza Making Evening – 26 February 6-8pm
Best wishes,
Stuart Harrington
Headteacher
