MAIDSTONE GRAMMAR SCHOOL Learning for Life INFORMATION PACK (sent to Y6 parents) MAIDSTONE GRAMMAR SCHOOL – From the Headmaster Thank you for your interest in our remarkable School. Maidstone Grammar School was founded in 1549 when the town’s first charter gave ‘the mayor, juratts and commonalty full power and authority to set up a grammar school.’ The School used the Corpus Christi Hall in Earl Street and later moved to Tonbridge Road. We moved to Barton Road in 1930, thanks to a gift of land by George Foster Clark. Our self-contained, sixteen-acre site has allowed us to expand to meet new demands. Our main school building is around a Tudor-style quadrangle with a cloister on one side. A block was added in the 1960s. A Sixth form and arts and crafts block was added in 1981. This newer building completes a second quadrangle. We have thirteen science laboratories, a language laboratory, seven computer rooms, a set of music rooms, lecture theatre, gymnasium and sports hall. As well as our 15 classroom teaching block and refectory, our 3 classroom Applied Learning Centre opened in September 2009 and in September 2011 our new Sixth Form Centre and Food Technology building opened. At the beginning of September 2007 the School changed its status from a ‘voluntary controlled School’ to a ‘Foundation School,’ This means that the governing body owns the land and buildings and employs the staff. However, we continue to maintain our close links with Kent County Council. Maidstone Grammar School has 1270 pupils and 130 staff. We take boys at 11 Plus by examination and boys and girls at 16 Plus on their GCSE results. We can take boys into other years if they have passed the Kent Selection Test and we have places. Maidstone Grammar School is essentially a place of learning. The pupils not only achieve academically, but are inspired, and develop a respect for scholarship and learning as things worthwhile in themselves. We intend that they also develop an appreciation for human achievement in art, music, science and literature. They develop the ability to think critically, to respect evidence, to distinguish between opinions and prejudices and to make balanced judgements of their own. Through involvement in our varied extra-curricular programme every pupil develops and grows intellectually, physically and spiritually. Maidstone Grammar School is a caring and supportive school. No young person learns effectively unless they feel happy and secure. At Maidstone Grammar we try to address the particular needs of every pupil through a comprehensive, supportive and flexible pastoral system. At Maidstone Grammar we value everyone as unique and special, capable of spiritual, moral, intellectual and physical development. As such we work together to develop self respect, self discipline and self understanding. We aim to make responsible use of our talents and opportunities, strive for wisdom and knowledge and take responsibility for our own lives. Maidstone Grammar School is most certainly a community. We respect others for themselves, not for what they have or what they can do for us. We believe that the capacity to form strong relationships is the foundation of a happy and fulfilled life. As such we all strive to show others that they are valued, to earn the trust and loyalty of others and to work together co-operatively. Maidstone Grammar School is at the heart of a wider community. We learn to take on our responsibilities as citizens. We respect and celebrate religious and cultural diversity. We promote opportunities for all. We place integrity, honesty, kindness and goodwill at the heart of our public and private lives. The ethic of service is more highly valued by us than that of self- interest. We believe that from those to whom much is given, much is expected. M Tomkins Headmaster Student Services Department Mrs Michele Anderson is Deputy Head, Staff and Student Development. Learning Managers have responsibility to track and monitor the progress of our pupils both from curriculum and pastoral points of view. The above are assisted by other members of the Student Services Department. These consist of staff who are on hand to deal with a wide range of non-academic issues. MGS aims to support your child as a whole in their development while they are with us. We have a dedicated team of staff to ensure that all pupils achieve their potential academically, socially and personally. Student Services includes: Mrs Michele Anderson, Deputy Head, Staff & Student Development Mr Michael Hall, Learning Manager for Year 7 Mrs Naomi Lumutenga, Learning Manager for Year 8 Mr Paul Highway, Learning Manager for Year 9 Miss Alexia Lang, Learning Manager for Year 10 Miss Rachel Johnson, Learning Manager for Year 11 Dr Keith Derrett, Head of Sixth Form Ms Sharon Kennedy, Assistant Head of Sixth Form with responsibility for Year 13 Mr Paul Conisbee, Student Services Manager Mr John Arnold, Behaviour Manager Mrs Ann Lawrence, SEN Manager Mrs Michele Spendley, Attendance Officer The Learning Managers work closely with form tutors, other members of the Student Services Department, subject teachers, parents and if necessary professionals from outside agencies, to monitor pupil progress and to help them with any problems that they encounter. The form tutor is the first point of contact and can be contacted by letter, School Planner, email or telephone. Mr Paul Smith, Deputy Headmaster is responsible for curriculum matters. He works closely with Heads of Subject Departments who are responsible for teaching and learning in a particular subject. Behaviour Pupils are expected to work to the best of their ability and adhere to deadlines for the completion of work. They are expected to behave in a way which shows respect for all members of the school and wider community. They should also expect to be treated with respect by others. We believe behaviour should be excellent on the way to and from school and on school trips. The Headmaster, staff and prefects will take action if work or behaviour is unacceptable. Sanctions include order marks, lunchtime detention, detention after school or on Saturday morning. In the most serious cases pupils may be suspended for a period or expelled. The Headmaster reserves the right not to enter candidates for public examinations if work and preparation have been negligent and there is no realistic chance of success. Attendance The School supports the DfE and Local Authority advice that children should not be removed during term time for holidays. Our default position is that requests for term time holiday will not be authorised. Should there be a need to apply for extraordinary leave of absence a form is available from the School Office or the School’s website for completion and return to Mrs M Anderson, Deputy Head no less than 2 weeks before a planned absence. Parents should not enter into any holiday commitments before obtaining leave of absence. Only the School can authorise absence. In the case of illness we ask that parents phone the School Attendance Line on 01622 623922 at once and provide a letter for your son or daughter later. Difficult or urgent problems should be referred to the Student Services Department. Recognising Diversity MGS aims to ensure the right of every child in the school to learn in a safe, secure and supported environment where they feel free from the fear of intimidation, harassment, victimisation or ridicule from other pupils, staff or from groups of individuals. MGS aims to integrate the promotion of equality and recognition of diversity into all its activities from key policy decisions through to day-to-day operations. It does not tolerate harassment, victimisation or unjustified discrimination. MGS acknowledges that bullying, whether physical or non-physical, may lead to lasting psychological damage for the individual. We promote a climate where bullying and violence are not tolerated and cannot flourish. Our policy on bullying has been developed in full consultation with parties within the school community. “We believe that in the vast majority of cases the staff at MGS take appropriate action over bullying. We feel that the punishments for bullying should be severe but also that they should be aimed at ensuring that bullies learn from their mistakes. We are pleased to see that the School takes bullying seriously and action is taken quickly as we feel that bullying should not ever be dismissed as something less serious. We are also glad to see that this policy recognises all types of bullying as we feel this hasn’t always happened in the past. Finally, we strongly agree with the way that this policy reinforces the need for communication between the pupil, the parent and the School as we feel this is essential to combating bullying.” MGS School Council 2012 Child Protection Any case involving danger to a child should be reported to Mrs M Anderson, Deputy Head who is the Designated Child Protection Coordinator (DCPC). She can if necessary, discuss intimate matters in complete confidence. Mr P Conisbee, Student Services Manager is Deputy DCPC. If Mrs Anderson is unable to act, you should approach the Headmaster. In all cases we keep parents informed. Special Educational Needs All pupils follow an inclusive timetable. This includes those with special needs. Where a special need has been established before a pupil arrives at the School, we take over the responsibility. Where parents express concern, we investigate and offer an assessment. If you require further details about our SEN procedures or have other general enquiries, you should contact our SEN Manager, Mrs Ann Lawrence. Gifted & Talented All pupils within a grammar school are gifted by national standards and our curriculum provision for all reflects this.