A message from Mrs Marchant

Welcome to the final newsletter of the academic year. This year we are saying goodbye to staff who are moving on: Mrs S Bloom is retiring after 11 years as our Biology Lab Technician, Mr K Tugby who is moving on from being our Curriculum Leader of English from the last five years to be a Lead Practitioner closer to home, Mrs N Foster who is moving to Sevenoaks school for a promotion from teacher of Biology after two years with us and Mr I Fan who is leaving us as Physics Lab Technician to pursue higher education.

As one door closes, another opens and we are very pleased to be at full capacity from September. We have a number of new staff joining us: Mrs H Buchanan in Maths, Mrs A Patience in History, Mr J Stephens as our new Curriculum Leader for English. Mrs R Truman has been persuaded to hang up her technician lab coat and is now a Biology teacher, Mrs R Hawley joins as Mrs S Vaidya’s maternity cover. Mrs Vaidya will go on maternity mid-September and we look forward to hearing her happy news. Mrs V Clarke joins us as Physics Lab Technician and Mrs K Chui as Biology Lab Technician.  We welcome back Miss B Smith as Careers Lead and Geography teacher after her period of illness and recovery.   

We have packed a great deal into this academic year and I cannot really believe that we are round to mid July again! Our school has truly shone this year and we have shown real resilience, not least whilst dealing with the water crisis and recent heatwave. What has shone through for me this year has been the absolute definition of friendship that has been shown by pupils and by staff. This year saw the passing of one of our pupils and the loss that we have felt from this has been clear across the school. Roma’s legacy of kindness and passion is clear from the way that our pupils and staff have helped each other through this time.  

2025-2026 has seen trips and enrichment opportunities including the Bay of Naples, Glyndebourne, Slapton Ley, Bluewater, Andalucia, Isle of Wight, Skiing and The Globe. We have hosted guest speakers, debated books with Boys’ Grammar and Skinners’ and thrown a Feminist Rave. We’ve taken part in #makeupfreeday, performed in the Year 7 Music Festival, sung at the Junior Concert and dazzled in Sixth Form Cabaret. We have virtually presented our Carol Concert due to the water crisis and our sporting successes have been wide including our Ski Team, Dance Championships, Rowing, Netball, Hockey and Swimming. We have trekked miles in our Duke of Edinburgh practice and real expeditions, camped with the CCF, engaged in bubble football and laser tag and crocheted for charity. Pupils have set up new clubs including Marine Conservation and The Ripple Effect and we have been to Parliament to discuss the importance of female safety.  We have raised thousands of pounds for charity and have changed the lives of people both locally and more remotely.  Our pupils have lived our values of Community, Challenge and Character and it has been lovely to see these virtues rewarded in our end of year assemblies and awards.  

I wish to thank every single member of the school community for a very fruitful academic year and I hope that they have a restful holiday; we look forward to seeing all of our pupils on 2nd September 2026. 

Mrs Katie Marchant, Headteacher

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Free School Meals

From September, eligibility for free school meals in England is significantly expanding. All children whose households receive Universal Credit are now entitled to free school lunches, removing the previous income cap.

If your child already receives free school meals, you do not need to take any further action. f you think that your child may now be eligible, please apply via the KCC link below:

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals

Applications are processed straight away. If your application is successful, TWGGS will be notified and your child will start to receive free school meals from the start of the autumn term.

Great British Summer Savings

From 25th June to 1st September 2026, the Government is temporarily cutting VAT from 20% to 5% on children’s meals in restaurants, children and family tickets to cinemas, theatres, concerts and exhibitions, and admission to a wide range of attractions. Combined with free bus travel during August for children aged 5 to 15 in England, families and young people will be able to enjoy experiences that make summer special, including visits to the kinds of cultural and educational attractions that enrich children’s lives outside the classroom.

As part of this campaign, the Government has launched an attraction finder website which allows families to type in their postcode and find participating venues near them to make the most of summer savings. To use the attraction finder, please visit https://summersavings.gov.uk. Businesses can also find out more about the VAT reduction by visiting GOV.UK and searching ‘Temporary reduced rate of VAT for family attractions’.

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Latest News

As ever, this week’s newsletter is packed with news and information. There are a total of twenty stories for you to enjoy! 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:

• Free School Meals and Summer Savings
• Policy Spotlight
• Understanding Extremism
• National College Bulletin
• MenB and Flu Vaccinations
• Safeguarding and Pupil Wellbeing
• NCA Guidance: Children’s Images Online
• Summer Holiday Concern Advice
• External Support Information
• White Ribbon UK
• Library News
• Give Your Best
• The Other Side of TWGGS
• Link to school calendar
• Attendance

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TWGGS Policy Spotlight

Our featured policies this week are TWGGS’ Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) Policy and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Policy. PSHE education is a planned programme of learning through which pupils acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future. As part of a whole school approach, it develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is about providing young people the information they need to help them develop healthy relationships of all kinds, including intimate relationships, family relationships and friendships, and therefore recognise what is considered to be acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. This will help pupils understand the positive effects that good relationships can have on their mental wellbeing, identify when relationships are not right and understand how such situations can be managed and where to access support. Both policies can be accessed via the buttons below.

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

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Understanding Extremism

Please click here to access slides from our recent assembly on Understanding Extremism in 2026: Recognising radicalisation, misogyny and keeping ourselves and others safe.

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Online Safety Bulletins

This week we have two bulletins: Helping neurodivergent children navigate the online world, and tips for a tech-free summer for teens. Please click on the posters for useful advice understanding the benefits and risks of technology for your neurodivergent child, and how to lessen screen time to encourage your young person to reconnect with friendships, creativity and independence over the summer holidays.

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NHS MenB Vaccination Appointments

From 13th July, a new service opened allowing students to book free Meningococcal B disease (MenB) vaccinations before starting university and residential further education colleges in autumn 2026. This is a one-off, time-limited vaccine programme following recent MenB outbreaks.

Online booking opened on 13th July 2026, for people born between 1st September 2007 and 31 August 2008.

Students aged 24 or under and starting university or some types of residential further education can get vaccinations at walk-in vaccination sites. Walk-in vaccinations will be available from Monday, 20th July 2026. Find pharmacies offering walk-in MenB vaccinations for young people.

Both doses should be prioritised before the academic year 2026 to 2027 begins. The DfE has published a blog on The Education Hub for young people wanting to find out more about getting the MenB vaccine ahead of starting university or college.

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Flu Vaccinations

The School Aged Immunisation Service will be visiting TWGGS to deliver the annual Flu Vaccination to those pupils who will be in Years 7-11 on 10th September 2026. Flu can be an unpleasant illness and can cause serious complications. Having the flu vaccine protects your child and your family and friends, by preventing the spread of the illness. It is recommended by the NHS that children have the vaccine every year as the type of flu can vary each winter. The vaccination is a quick and painless spray up the nose.

The attached letter has already been sent via EduLink to all parents and carers of pupils currently in Years 7-10, and we kindly ask parents/carers to access the consent form via the link within the letter. Alternatively, you can also visit: https://www.kentimmunisations.co.uk/ and select Seasonal Flu to complete the consent form. Please note that you are asked to complete the form for both a YES or DECLINE consent. When completing the consent, you will be asked for our school code: KT118789.  We cannot take consent, this has to be done through the NHS link.

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Safeguarding and Pupil Wellbeing

Meta Glasses

As technology continues to evolve, new devices are reshaping the way we connect, learn, and share information. One of the latest innovations is Smart Glasses – eyewear that looks like ordinary spectacles but can include built-in cameras, microphones, and internet connectivity. 

Products such as Ray-Ban Meta Glasses highlight how accessible and affordable this technology has now become. While these developments are exciting, they also raise important questions about privacy and safety in a school environment. Smart glasses can discreetly record, live-stream, or share content instantly, and therefore can pose risks to pupils, staff, and visitors.

In particular: 

• Privacy: Images or videos can be captured without consent. 
• Safeguarding: Live-streaming may inadvertently expose sensitive or identifying information about pupils.
• Data protection: Such recordings could breach UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

In response to this, and to ensure our community remains a safe and secure place, the use of smart glasses will not be permitted within the school grounds, or for use on any trips by pupils, parents, visitors, or staff. We kindly ask for your support in this measure. If smart glasses are brought onto site, they will be confiscated until they can be taken home. Thank you for working with us to embrace technology responsibly, whilst protecting the privacy and wellbeing of all pupils. 

NCA Guidance to Parents: Children’s Images Online

In line with the guidance to schools, the National Crime Agency and the Internet Watch Foundation have now issued guidance for parents. 

AI is being used to turn ordinary photos of children into sexual abuse material. The National Crime Agency and Internet Watch Foundation have issued new guidance to help parents make informed choices about sharing images of their children online. It covers reviewing privacy settings, revisiting consent with your child as they grow, and what to do if you’re worried. The parent’s guidance can be found here: https://www.iwf.org.uk/resources/ai-child-abuse-imagery-parent-guide/ 

What to do if you are concerned about a child during the Summer Holidays?

External Support Available

In addition, pupils all have access in both their year group Google Wellbeing Classroom and their TWGGS Planners to information about external support agencies available during the holidays. Please click on the infographic to find out more.

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White Ribbon

As part of our ongoing work around empowering pupils and supporting their safety and wellbeing, we are proudly recognised as an accredited school who supports the national White Ribbon campaign. White Ribbon UK is the leading charity in England and Wales working to prevent violence against women and girls. As part of this, we are working with local schools and our local community policing team to identify ways in which we can advocate for and support our pupils in feeling safe within the wider community. The White Ribbon work also aligns very closely to our ‘On My Way’ campaign, where we are also continuing to grow ways in which we are working within our community to support pupils on their journeys to and from school. 

In order to gain pupil voice and ensure we are acting in ways to directly support their needs, we have a team of ambassadors with representatives from each year group across the school. We met for the first time this term, and are already considering how we can work together next year to raise awareness both within and beyond the school community. Part of this will include delivering assemblies and linking with ambassadors from other schools around White Ribbon Day on November 25th, where this year’s national theme is: It Takes Us All.

We are very excited to grow our work and look forward to being able to provide updates over the coming months.

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Library News

We are very proud of this year’s book group who were a credit to the school as part of the Carnegie interschool debate with Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys and The Skinners’ School on 23rd June.

Twenty-three pupils from Years 7 to 9 worked in mixed groups. Their job was to represent one of the eight Carnegie shortlisted books and make a presentation to the judges, including Dr Blanch, Mr Wesson of Skinners’ and Miss Bott from TWGSB, arguing the case for their book to ‘win’.

The winning team at the debate represented ‘The Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody‘ by Patrick Ness, with two of our Year 7 pupils on the winning team: Holly M and Sophie W, both 7S.

In addition to the debate the book clubbers from all three schools were invited to enter a competition in which they could submit an entry of a Book Review or an Alternative Book Cover for one of the shortlisted books; the overall winner of the alternative book cover was Molly B, 7Y (Wolf Siren) and runner up was Amelie M, 8S (The Boy I Love). 

Huge congratulations to the winners and everyone who took part. 

Pre-Loved Book Sale

Thanks to everyone who supported our little pre-loved book sale in the Library last week. This is a great way for us to give a second chance to our duplicate book stock and for our community to pick up a bargain summer read. Proceeds are put towards new books for everyone to enjoy!

Summer Reading on the SORA App

Remember, it’s FREE to all pupils and staff with a school google account and is very simple to access. Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store or soraapp.com. 

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Give Your Best

• Emma C (Year 10) – For overcoming her recent challenges and doing so well in her exams.
• Poppy D (Year 10) – For her bravery and grace, in her Speaking and Listening exam, this whole year, and every day.
• Sabah H (Lower Sixth) – For showing amazing growth and personal development when confronted with difficult situations.
• Claudia M (Lower Sixth) – For showing amazing resilience.
• Ledare Y (Lower Sixth) – For being an all-round superstar.

Staff Star Nominations

Congratulations to Mr Breeze, our Staff Star and winner of the Costa voucher prize!

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The Other Side of TWGGS

Mrs Maywood’s love for hockey began exactly where many of our pupils are now – on the school pitches. She carried that passion through her university years and transitioned into club-level hockey immediately after graduating. It has been a lifelong journey that has never really slowed down.

‘To play at a competitive level,’ she says, ‘consistency is key. I have a dedicated team training session every Tuesday evening and match days every Saturday. Beyond the pitch, I make sure to stay active six days a week with various forms of exercise; at this stage in the game, keeping my fitness up is essential to performing my best on the weekend.’

Her dedication was put to the test following a serious skiing accident where she tore both her MCL and ACL. She underwent full reconstruction surgery, and it was a long road back. However, the desire to get back on her skis and, more importantly, back on the hockey pitch served as her primary motivation, telling us, ‘that drive fuelled my rehabilitation and taught me a lot about resilience.’

Having been selected for the South East Over-55’s Masters squad, she reveals how this has impacted her life. ‘I was incredibly proud to have been selected. We completed three intensive training camps as we prepared for a major tournament in May. The hard work paid off as we came fourth out of seven regions. It’s proof that you never stop reaching for new goals, regardless of your age!’ So how does she balance her these activities with school life? Finding balance, she says, is all about rhythm. ‘I normally train after the school day ends, which provides a fantastic mental break. Then I find I’m recharged and ready to tackle my marking and prep for the next school day.’

So, how can you get involved? ‘If you’re interested in picking up a stick – whether you’re a total beginner or a returning player – I highly recommend checking out the Tunbridge Wells Hockey Club (TWHC) website. They offer fantastic training sessions for both juniors and seniors. It’s a brilliant way to stay fit and find your own community!’

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Upcoming Events

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Attendance