Wilmington Grammar School for Girls Review 2026: STEM Strength & Joint Sixth Form

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls (WGSG) occupies a distinct position in the Kent grammar landscape. Located in Dartford, it serves as a selective hub for local girls but operates with a practical, forward-looking ethos that distinguishes it from more traditional counterparts. With a Progress 8 score of +0.76, students here achieve nearly a grade higher across all subjects than they would typically expect, placing the school in the top 5% of secondary schools in England for value-added progress.

Competition is fierce. In the most recent admissions cycle, over five applicants competed for every Year 7 place. The school is part of the Endeavour MAT, sharing a close relationship—and a joint sixth form (WG6)—with Wilmington Grammar School for Boys across the road. This partnership defines the later years, transitioning students from a single-sex environment to a co-educational pre-university setting.

The site at Wilmington Grange blends the functional with the historic, though the overriding feel is one of purposeful activity rather than hushed tradition. Visitors arriving at Parsons Lane find a school that feels busy and grounded. Unlike some grammars that lean heavily on ancient heritage, WGSG feels modern and industry-focused, a legacy of its long-standing specialism in Mathematics and Computing.

Mr Dave Fuller took up the Headship in September 2025, succeeding Mrs Michelle Lawson who moved to a senior role within the Trust. His leadership focuses on maintaining the school's high academic standards while fostering the "Wilmington Mindset"—encouraging resilience and problem-solving rather than rote learning.

The atmosphere is less "hothouse" and more "workshop." Girls are encouraged to be hands-on, particularly in STEM subjects, which are a defining pillar of the school's identity. The corridors display student artwork alongside engineering project prototypes, signalling that creativity and technical skill are valued equally.

Academic outcomes at GCSE are exceptional. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 70.2, significantly above the England average of 45.9. This performance ranks WGSG 211th in England for secondary outcomes, placing it in the top 2% of schools in England of state schools (well above England average (top 10%)).

The Progress 8 score of +0.76 is particularly telling. It indicates that the school adds significant value to students of all starting abilities, not just the high-fliers. In core subjects, 78.1% of students achieved Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, providing a robust foundation for further study.

At A-level, the picture shifts as the school transitions into the WG6 joint sixth form. The 2024 results show 49.6% of grades at A*-B, with 17% at A*/A. While these results are solid—placing the school in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (in line with the middle 35% of schools in England)—they do not match the elite ranking seen at GCSE. This reflects the broader, more inclusive intake of the joint sixth form, which serves a wider ability range than the highly selective main school.

The curriculum is ambitious and clearly structured. At Key Stage 3, students follow a broad programme that maintains a strong emphasis on core academic subjects while retaining space for the arts and technology.

A standout feature is the commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). As an accredited Engineering status school, WGSG offers opportunities rarely seen in girls' schools. The Design & Technology department is particularly well-resourced, allowing students to engage with industrial-standard CAD/CAM software and machinery. This is not a school where physics and engineering are seen as "boys' subjects"; they are central to the curriculum offer.

Teaching tends to be structured and rigorous, with high expectations for behaviour and engagement. The latest Ofsted inspection in October 2022 confirmed the school remains Good, noting that leaders have constructed a curriculum that is ambitious for all pupils.

The destinations data reflects the school's practical and career-focused ethos. While the majority of students (67%) progress to university, a significant 11% secure apprenticeships—a figure well above the national average for grammar schools. This indicates strong careers advice that values high-level vocational training, particularly in engineering and finance, alongside traditional degree routes.

In 2024, 13 students applied to Oxbridge, with one securing a place at Cambridge. The joint sixth form (WG6) sends a steady stream of students to Russell Group universities, though parents should note that the focus here is broad. The school celebrates a student securing a degree apprenticeship at Dyson or J.P. Morgan just as loudly as one heading to Durham for History.

Entry to Year 7 is determined by the Kent Test (11+). Admissions are coordinated by Kent County Council, and the process is strictly selective. Families must register their daughter for the Kent Test in the summer of Year 5 (typically June-July), with the test sat in September of Year 6.

The school is heavily oversubscribed. In 2024, there were 928 applications for approximately 180 places. Priority is given to Looked After Children, siblings, and children of staff, followed by those living within the priority area (mostly Dartford and surrounding parishes).

The "governor places" criterion is worth noting: 10% of places are awarded to students who score highest in the test, regardless of distance. For the remaining places, distance is the deciding factor. While the last distance offered varies annually, successful non-sibling applicants typically live within a 2-3 mile radius. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Pastoral care is organised through a vertical tutoring system in the upper years, though Year 7s are kept in year-group forms to help them settle. The Student Support Managers (non-teaching staff) provide a crucial layer of support, being available throughout the day to address anxieties or friendship issues without the constraints of a teaching timetable.

The school is proactive about mental health, employing school counsellors and running regular "Wellbeing Weeks." The PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) curriculum is robust, tackling modern challenges such as online safety and body image with refreshing directness.

Extracurricular life is vibrant and distinctively shaped by the school's specialisms.

STEM: Engineering the Future

The STEM provision is a genuine pillar of school life. The "F1 in Schools" challenge is taken very seriously here, with teams regularly competing at regional and national levels. The club involves designing, manufacturing, and racing miniature compressed-air powered cars, teaching students project management as much as aerodynamics.

Arts and Sport

Music and Drama are active, with the Gospel Choir and annual school productions involving large numbers of students. Sport is participatory, with Netball and Athletics being particular strengths. The location allows for cross-country running, and the gym facilities support a comprehensive fitness programme.

Trips are frequent and ambitious, ranging from Geography field trips to Iceland to History tours of Berlin and language exchanges to France and Spain.

The school day runs from 8:35am to 3:15pm. The site is located in Wilmington, a semi-rural village setting that can suffer from traffic congestion at drop-off times. A reliable network of school buses serves the surrounding areas, including Bexley, Orpington, and Gravesend, though parents should check specific routes as these are privately operated.

Breakfast club is available in the canteen from 8:00am, offering a safe space and hot food before registration.

The Sixth Form Transition: The shift from the girls-only main school to the co-educational WG6 (joint with the boys' grammar) is a significant change. While many students thrive on this new dynamic, it alters the atmosphere significantly in Year 12 and results in a wider range of academic abilities in A-level classes compared to the highly selective GCSE cohorts.

Admissions Pressure: With over five applicants for every place, the entrance process is high-stakes. Families outside the immediate catchment area face very high entry thresholds unless their daughter scores in the top 10% of the entire cohort.

Traffic: The location, shared with the boys' grammar and a primary school, creates a notorious bottleneck in the mornings. Driving to the school gate is often stressful; using the bus network is strongly encouraged.

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls offers a dynamic, grounded, and academically rigorous education. It stands out for its genuine commitment to STEM and its ability to add value to students of all abilities. Best suited to bright, practical girls who will seize the engineering and technical opportunities on offer, and who are ready to transition into a co-educational environment for sixth form. The main challenge is securing a place in this popular, oversubscribed school.