Consultation on joining the Girls’ Learning Trust
The Trustees of Weald of Kent Grammar School are exploring the possibility of the school joining the Girls’ Learning Trust, a highly successful trust focused on girls’ education.
This exploration follows a careful and wide-ranging review by the Trustees. A number of potential trust partners were considered, representing different sizes, structures, and educational approaches. Through this process, the Trustees have been clear that any future partnership must align strongly with the Weald’s values, protect its distinctive ethos, and support long-term educational excellence.
Initial discussions with the Girls’ Learning Trust have been positive. The Trustees believe there are clear strengths in consulting on a partnership with a trust whose education mission is to empower girls to thrive through a holistic, rigorous, and transformative education — one that values academic achievement alongside wellbeing, character, leadership, and inclusion. This alignment of educational purpose is central to the Trustees’ thinking.
No decision has been made.
How will a decision be made?
Any final decision will be taken by the Trustees of both organisations and will be informed by:
- The outcome of a comprehensive due diligence process
- Formal consideration and approval by both Trust Boards
- Ratification by the Department for Education
The stakeholder consultation will run from 9 to 23 March 2026 and provides staff, parents and carers, students, and other interested parties with the opportunity to learn more about the proposal and to share their views.
Both Trust Boards are aiming to reach a decision before the end of April. Subject to agreement and external approval, the anticipated date for Weald to join the Girls’ Learning Trust would be November 2026.
How can I find out more and take part?
We encourage all staff, parents and carers, students, and other interested parties to take part in the consultation. Your views are important and will help the Trustees understand perspectives across the school community as they consider this proposal.
You can take part in the consultation in the following ways:
- Read the consultation information booklet (FAQs), which sets out the rationale for exploring this proposal and what it could mean in practice: here.
- Watch a short video introduction from the Chief Executive Officer of the Girls’ Learning Trust on their website, outlining the Trust’s education mission and approach to growth:here.
- Attend one of the parent and stakeholder meetings, where Trustees and members of the executive team will be available to explain the proposal and respond to questions:
Tuesday 17 March at 1800: Sevenoaks Parent and Stakeholder Meeting. Book here
Wednesday 18 March at 1800: Tonbridge Parent and Stakeholder Meeting. Book here
- Share your views by completing the online consultation response form, which allows you to comment on the proposal and raise any questions or concerns: available from Monday 9 March to Monday 23 March.
- Submit questions or comments by email to trustquestions@wealdgs.org, if you prefer to respond in writing, please include ‘Joining GLT Consultation’ in the subject line.
The consultation will close at 3.30pm on Monday 23 March 2026. All feedback received during the consultation period will be reviewed carefully by the Trustees and will form an important part of the information considered before any decision is made.
Your engagement will help ensure that any future decision is thoughtful, well-informed, and firmly focused on what is in the best interests of students and the wider school community.
Robin Jones, Chair of Trustees – Introduction video: