BUILDING FOR OUR FUTURE
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (MGGS) has been on the Great Buckland Site since 1938. During that time, the school has developed and expanded and work is nearly complete on our newest building, the Helen Keen building.
This building will give us the opportunity to replace two temporary buildings: T and N Blocks and will also house a visitor centre to enable more of our local community to experience our unique Second World War tunnels. These tunnels are a key historical site within the borough of Maidstone with high demand created from the sale of over 12,000 copies of our book, A Schoolgirl's War, detailing what school life was like at MGGS during WWII.
This will enable the school to create more outdoor facilities for students, without altering the current view of the 1930s building at the front of the school. A reconfiguration of some of our current spaces, in particular for Design Technology, will allow us to continue to offer a broad curriculum for all students. The History department, currently split across two buildings, will be located in one place. The new building will also enable the current M Block to be repurposed with a significantly enlarged canteen and more space for student services. Science at MGGS is a strong academic subject and our new building will have five Science laboratories to replace those in T Block, which are no longer fit for purpose.
The Helen Keen building will also have a new Music suite with, in addition to classrooms, five dedicated music practice rooms and an ensemble room. Many of our students use music to support their wellbeing, mental health and for relaxation, as well as studying Music within the curriculum.
The school's motto is 'non sibi sed omnibus'- not for one's self but for all. This expansion of the school will enable MGGS to support the local community by providing additional places for students from this locality, as well as proactively engaging with our community, both young and old, in the development of its visitor centre.
Thank you for your ongoing support for MGGS — we truly appreciate it.
It's never too late to make a difference. Below are the ways you can contribute and leave a lasting legacy at MGGS.
Here's how you can help make a difference today
You can help us by making a donation towards one or more of the departments that will be housed in the new building, or you can leave a legacy by sponsoring a specific item or even a room! See below for more information.
Our Biology department is currently housed in T Block which was only meant as a temporary building back in the 1950s.
Although it has had a few makeovers since, it is desperate for its new home in the new building. Alongside three new Biology laboratories there will be one Physics Laboratory and one KS3 Science laboratory. Science will be able to increase the level of practical lessons they provide, ensuring students have the most enriched and rounded learning experience possible.
'Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science' ~ Edwin Hubble
The new building will allow the Science department to evolve and develop into the future, aiming to use the most economical and environmentally friendly methods. Using up to date technologies we are aiming to become as close to carbon neutral as we possibly can within the new building. If you would like to help us please click the button below to donate.
MGGS Music Department will soon have a brand-new home on the third floor - a fully equipped, professional music suite designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and excellence. This exciting new space will feature two large specialist classrooms; one with a class suite of PCs with access to the latest music production and notation software and each having a dedicated performance area with a drum kit and grand piano. In addition, there will be a spacious rehearsal room specifically for contemporary bands, instrumental ensembles and recording, with a drum kit, guitar amps and acoustic panels, as well as five sound-proof practice rooms with fully reconditioned acoustic pianos, electric drum kits and mirrors. The music suite will also include essential storage facilities, helping us keep our growing collection of instruments and equipment safe, organized, and accessible.
'Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.' ~ Plato
This transformational project will elevate music education at MGGS, giving our students the opportunity to learn, rehearse, and perform in an inspiring space with outstanding acoustics and resources.
If you would like to help us please click the button below to donate.
The History department at MGGS offers a broad and balanced curriculum, in which students explore more than 1000 years of history across Key Stage 3. We aim to be as diverse as possible, by looking at a range of topics, which include African Empires, Black British Rights in the 20th century and the history of LGBTQ rights. We also aim to engage students in a range of different life skills through history such as justifying arguments and analysing text for subjectiveness and inaccuracies. We aim to continue this at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 covering topics that include British, European, Asian and American History. The changes we have made to the curriculum over the last 5 years have had a very positive impact, with the department having some of the best results in the school at both Key Stage 4 and 5 in summer 2024.
'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it' ~ George Santayana
As a department we are currently split across the school, between A block and T block. The lack of a shared space creates limitations on what we can achieve. For example, when teaching Jack the Ripper, we would love to enhance student experiences through developing a crime scene that students can engage with and make more of being in close proximity to the WW2 Visitor Centre and tunnels. A further project we are keen to develop is an active timeline to help students really understand the concept of the time in which they are studying, as 1000 years is a long time frame to understand. This would also allow students to appreciate the history of the school in relation to wider world events.
Background
MGGS has a rich history, opening in 1888. During WW2, the school's tunnels provided shelter and continued education for students amidst frequent air raids. These tunnels together with a book of detailed paintings created by an Art teacher at the school during the war and the reminiscences of 51 former students of the time offer a unique insight into wartime life. The former Headteacher of MGGS has written a book that has sold over 12,000 and has delivered over 750 talks about life at MGGS during the war.
The Opportunity
MGGS aims to fully realise the educational and community potential of these tunnels. Challenges include limited space for visits, lack of visitor facilities, accessibility issues, and the need for preservation. MGGS ran a successful primary educational programme pre 2020, but there is no longer space within the school to do so. There is also demand to open to the general public.
Planned Enhancements
The project includes creating a dedicated visitor centre with a replica 1940s classroom, preservation of the tunnels, and developing immersive experiences, including VR tours to make the visits more inclusive. This will enhance visitor experience, cater to larger groups, and provide educational opportunities for students.
Community Involvement
The project aims to engage the wider community, by sharing the school's history and providing a platform to record and share their stories.
Impact
The visitor centre will provide educational opportunities for MGGS Students, primary schools and the general public, it will foster intergenerational connections, develop volunteer skills, and engage the community.
Donations made to the WW2 Visitor Centre will be matched and doubled by the Rochester Bridge Trust!
LATEST NEWS
Grant Awarded for Music
STOP PRESS!! We have big news!! We're thrilled to announce that the J & C Findlay Charitable Foundation has generously awarded us a £25,000 grant towards a Music classroom in our new building! We are incredibly grateful for their support, which will make a significant difference to our Music Department and, most importantly, will have a lasting positive impact on the lives of our students. Thank you, J & C Findlay Charitable Foundation!
Grant Awarded for Science and Music
Breaking News!! We are pleased to announce that the William and Edith Oldham Charitable Trust (WEOCT) has agreed to give a generous grant of £50,000 to sponsor a Science laboratory and a Music classroom in our new building.
Funding these rooms will make a huge difference to MGGS students both now and in the future. We are extremely grateful to the trustees of the William and Edith Oldham Charitable Trust for their continuing support of our school.
Steve Songhurst, Chair of the WEOCT, commented "Paul Oldham, the founder of our charity, long admired the academic and vocational achievements of MGGS and although Paul is longer with us, the trustees are delighted to have the opportunity to help the school maintain its teaching excellence and build for the future".
Donations Matched and Doubled!!
We are thrilled to share that thanks to the generosity of the Rochester Bridge Trust, donations made to the WW2 Visitor Centre, up to £50,000, will be doubled! This means your support will have twice the impact.
Football Sponsor
We'd like to say a huge thank you to KHP Country Homes who were the official sponsors of our football match at The Gallagher Stadium on 20th June 2025.
Garfield Weston Approve Grant of £25,000
Building Work Almost Complete - It's Happening!!