A message from Mrs Marchant

We are in the middle of assessments for Year 8, with Upper Sixth just around the corner and Year 7 just behind us, and I am, as always, struck by the maturity and dedication of our pupil body. They have all rallied and worked hard to show us their knowledge and to push themselves to Give Their Best.  Staff are now marking papers to give informed feedback to all groups.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the schools and universities involved in the meningitis outbreak in East Kent this last week. We do not hold vaccination records for your children; if you are concerned please contact your doctor or the NHS website, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/, for information regarding vaccinations, symptoms or treatment. 

We have been very fortunate this week to experience the joy that is the Senior Concert. Ms Ives, Mrs Waddington, Mr Bicknell and the entire team have worked so hard to showcase the extraordinary talents that our pupils have. It was a resounding success – thank you all very much. It was lovely to see Mrs Humphrey there too and we look forward to seeing her upon her return in September. We have had the Upper Sixth Scripted Drama which demonstrated the sheer brilliance of our pupils who were so inventive in their approaches. Year 7 have been out to Bluewater this week and are now completing their workbooks in earnest, this is such an important introduction to Geography Fieldwork. We have had our German Exchange pupils in school this week and this has brought excitement and more trips.  

On a less positive note, I have been approached by residents of Southfield Road who are experiencing a great deal of frustration, rudeness and illegal parking by parents of TWGGS pupils. We do not want to lose the constructive relationships with the local residents that we have worked so hard to build. Parents, please be reminded that Southfield Road is not to be driven down and the turning bay is not to be used as a carpark. Parents are not entitled to wait there for their children and should be aware that residents are in contact with both the local police and the local council. The comings and goings of cars are being documented by the residents and we are supporting them with this. Parents are not permitted to come down Southfield Road, to use it as a turning circle or to wait on it for pupils to come out of school.    

This is a reminder that we break up at 1:40pm on Thursday, 2nd April. We will return to school on Monday, 20th April where pupils will be permitted to wear summer dresses should they wish to. These are available at Monkhouse School Wear. I have been informed that there is a limited stock both online and in store but they are looking to increase the stock over the next few weeks. There will be one final newsletter this term published on 2nd April.  

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Katie Marchant, Headteacher

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On My Way: TWGGS Supporting Safe Journeys to and from School

The initiative focuses on the following key strands:

Education:  We started with an assembly which informed pupils exactly what unacceptable behaviour in this context might look like. We also gave them advice on how best to deal with said unacceptable behaviour and clear guidelines on how to report it. You can view the slides from our assembly on our website.  The education will be ongoing – this is an important message that will need to be repeated and embedded over time.

Clearer reporting processes:  We aim to make the reporting processes for these types of incidents more streamlined and effective.  This involves close liaison with local schools and bus companies.  

Partnership working: Collaborating with the local schools, bus companies, local MPs and the police is the only way to make sure the message and the initiative are strong and consistent. It also helps us ensure that the messages and the same standards of behaviour apply to all the pupils sharing transport routes to and from school.

Our initiative is in its early stages, but already feedback has been very encouraging with around 90% of pupils reporting they feel more supported and safe following the launch of ‘On My Way’.  It is reassuring to know that our pupils recognise the school is taking their concerns seriously.

As part of developing this initiative, Mrs Marchant has also welcomed local MP, Mike Martin into school to discuss the issue.  He was extremely supportive of the work we are undertaking and we appreciate his offer to help us liaise with local bus companies and other partners.  His political experience and weight will certainly be useful.  

This term will see TWGGS hosting a meeting with headteachers from schools across Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas. The response so far has been extremely positive, with headteachers showing real enthusiasm for working together. Collectively, we recognise that the journey to and from school is part of our safeguarding perimeter, and that schools must work collaboratively to ensure that all pupils travel safely, comfortably and respectfully.

We are so proud of ‘On My Way’ and how TWGGS is leading this important initiative. We look forward to continuing to update you, our parents and community, as the initiative develops.

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Latest News

As ever, this week’s newsletter is packed with news and information. Links and buttons will take you outside of this document, such as the ‘View All News’ button which links to News items hosted on our website. Please don’t forget to return to the newsletter to scroll all the way through.

This edition of the newsletter contains:

• On My Way
• Policy Spotlight
• PSHE/RSE
• National College Bulletin
• Attendance Policy
• Link to school calendar
• Attendance

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TWGGS Policy Spotlight

Our featured policy this week is TWGGS’ Uniform Policy. TWGGS uniform is an essential part of the school’s identity. It instills a sense of pride and belonging in our school and signals a readiness to be part of our learning community. Through the school’s uniform we aim to encourage pride in the school; support teaching and learning and a positive work ethic; enable pupils to be comfortable, safe and secure; ensure that pupils of different social, religious and ethnic groups and gender identity feel welcome, and encourage a sense of quality and cohesion. All members of the community are expected to uphold the values of the school and share its high aspirations. To read the full policy, please click on the button below.

All of our policies and key information documents can be found on our website.

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PSHE / RSE

Parent Information Evening

Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) is an integral part of supporting pupils beyond the core curriculum at TWGGS, and is aimed to ensure our pupils can be as prepared as possible for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. It is an essential element of the curriculum and is delivered to all pupils across the school within specific timetabled lessons once per fortnight, but topics are also covered within other subjects as well as during form time activities and assemblies. PSHE has three main strands, which have historically been referred to as Relationship and Sex Education (RSE), Healthy Living and Living in the Wider World.  

The government updated its guidance in July 2025, and as such, we are currently in the process of reviewing and updating our PSHE and RSE policies ahead of it coming into force in September 2026. We are bound by the Department for Education’s RSE requirements which outlines what all pupils are expected to know by the end of secondary school: DfE RSE Guidance for Secondary Schools. These topics are all scaffolded in a spiral curriculum to allow pupils to build their knowledge on a foundation of previous learning.

As part of the process of reviewing our policies, we would like to invite any interested  parents to join a short presentation online at 4:15pm on Wednesday, 1st April where we will outline how PSHE and RSE provision is mapped and taught across the school. If you would like to participate, please fill in this Google Form before 4:00pm on Monday, 30th March. A Google Meet link to the presentation will then be sent during the morning on Wednesday, 1st April. If you do have any questions regarding our PSHE/RSE provision, please do ask these in advance of the presentation using the same Google Form. Any questions will be kept anonymous.

Year 9 PSHE: Upcoming Lessons on Contraception

As part of our RSE curriculum, between now and the end of the academic year, Year 9 pupils will participate in a session focused on contraception and reproductive health. This is being taught in a carousel. While we are acutely aware that the legal age of consent is 16, our curriculum is designed to be proactive rather than reactive. Providing this information in Year 9 aligns with Department for Education (DfE) statutory guidance, ensuring that our students are fully equipped with accurate, medical, and practical knowledge well in advance of adulthood. The lesson will be delivered in an age-appropriate and sensitive way. If you have any specific questions regarding the resources used or the content of the lesson, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs Miller or Miss Jacquin.

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Online Safety Bulletins

Online Trends Encouraging Violence

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Upcoming Events

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Attendance

Research and our own experience has consistently shown there is a direct correlation between high levels of attendance and academic success. However, attendance at school also goes beyond academic achievement and covering the curriculum, but it is also about supporting pupils to develop important life skills to set them up for life beyond TWGGS. Whilst we always aim to work in partnership with families, it is important to highlight the framework within which we operate: 

• A Statutory Duty: As a school, we have a legal obligation under Department for Education (DfE) regulations to monitor, record, and report on the attendance of every pupil.
• Regular Reporting: This means we must regularly share attendance data with parents and carers. During each academic year, we send letters home to all pupils’ whose attendance has dropped below 95% via EduLink. The most recent letters were sent last week, but up to date attendance data can also be viewed at any point through the EduLink app.
• Safeguarding: Monitoring attendance is also a vital part of our safeguarding remit. Knowing where our pupils are ensures they are safe and allows us to offer support early if barriers to attendance arise.

Whilst we encourage pupils to aim for 100% attendance wherever possible, we do also understand that illness and exceptional circumstances occur, and appreciate the contact that we have already had with parents and carers regarding pupil absence. As a quick reminder, if your child is unable to attend due to illness, please send a notification through EduLink by 9:30am for each day they are absent. 

For more information on attendance, please do also take a look at our Attendance Policy.

Absence Category	Total Days Absent	Total Lessons Missed	Overall Attendance Rate
Exceptional	0 days	0 lessons	100%
Very Good	1-2 days	5-10 lessons	99-98%
Good	3-5 days	15-25 lessons	97-96%
Concern	6-10 days	30-50 lessons	95-93%
Significant Concern	11-15 days	55-75 lessons	92-90%
Persistently Absent	16+ days	80+ lessons	Below 90%