Message from Mr Lester - End of Term 1

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff,

In news just in, we are now the biggest Duke of Edinburgh provider in all of Kent. In fact, we are 4 x bigger than our closest competitor. For both girls and parents, you'll know DoE is just one of hundreds of additional opportunities on offer here at FSG - literally something for everyone!

There's loads of research coming through that supports what we already knew and what we already do here at FSG! 

The Centre for Young Lives in their report ‘Beyond the classroom: the role of enrichment in schools" records outcomes of such enrichment opportunities as; “improved relationships with teachers, friends and family; increased integration into the community, an improved network of trusted adults and being surrounded by people who care”. They also record; “improved physical health, mental health, positivity, emotional resilience, Improved ability to cope with transitions…….”  

They also cite enrichment opportunities such as those on offer at FSG as leading to "improved understanding of own identity, improved emotion management and decision making, improved ability to cope with transitions, increased aspirations and increased ability to make intentional steps towards employment or career!"

They conclude that; “All children can benefit from an ambitious range of opportunities in and around school, but for those with special educational needs, disadvantaged children, and those with challenges at home it is particularly important. For those children who may find attending school more difficult than their peers, it can be transformational; an ambitious inclusion strategy must have enrichment and non-formal learning as one of its foundations."

Education Policy Institute (EPI) analysis suggests "worrying trends around girls' wellbeing".  Dr Jennie Golding, UCL professor and co-author of the report called for greater emphasis on "belonging and emotional security" to help girls in schools. “Start measuring those in your Ofsted inspections, and you very quickly turn around priorities in schools," she said.   Ofsted saw just that emphasis and approach at FSG.

So be it in the classroom or escape room, the wellbeing garden or the climbing wall, the dance floor or  bike trail, the evidence is there that our girls really do sign up, take part, join in, stand out! In their droves!  And that this stuff matters much, much more than just being an added bonus!

I take the opportunity to thank all of the team here at FSG that make it all happen, to thank all of the girls for grabbing it all with open hands and to parents for their ongoing support for the school. I wish you a restful half-term.

Mr Mark Lester

Principal