Invicta Grammar School is a grammar school

Grammar school

A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...

 in Maidstone

Maidstone

Maidstone is the county town of Kent, England, south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural...

, Kent. The school caters for girls between the ages of 11 and 18. Some boys are accepted into the sixth form

Sixth form

In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...

.

History

The School has previously been known as Maidstone School for Girls (similar to 'MGGS' or Maidstone Grammar school for Girls nearby) and, before that, as Maidstone Technical High School For Girls.

Specialist Status and Awards

Invicta became a specialist

Specialist school

The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...

 Business and Enterprise College

Business and Enterprise College

Business and Enterprise Colleges were introduced in 2002 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields...

 in September 2003. The school received an achievement award from the Department for Education and Skills in 2000, 2001 and 2002. It also has the Artsmark

Artsmark

Artsmark is a national award scheme managed by Arts Council England. The scheme, that is open to all schools in England, recognises schools with a high level of provision in the arts.There are three levels of award:* Artsmark Gold* Artsmark Silver...

 Gold and Sportsmark

Sportsmark

Sportsmark is Sport England's accreditation scheme for secondary schools. The scheme recognises a school's out of hours sports provision.Sportsmark awards are given to secondary schools for provision for sport and physical education. They are currently being reviewed along with Activemark awards...

 awards.

Results

The school's GCSE levels are very high with a large percentage of students achieving A*-C at GCSE and A-Level.
74% A*/B grades are achieved at A Level and 62% A*/A are achieved at GCSE.

Buildings

Invicta comprises several buildings. The reception is housed in the Main Building, which links to the dining hall,assembly hall and most form rooms (although not all). There is a purpose built drama studio as well as a gym. The music rooms are equipped with the latest in digital recording equipment, and there is a amphitheatre

Amphitheatre

An amphitheatre is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances.There are two similar, but distinct, types of structure for which the word "amphitheatre" is used: Ancient Roman amphitheatres were large central performance spaces surrounded by ascending seating, and were commonly used...

-style music auditorium for performances. The site also includes the Albion Building, hosting a range of subjects including languages,science and textiles and the Orchard Building, opened in 2005 which primarily houses the Maths department and the Orchard Library (commonly known as the Resources Centre).

Enrichment Days

These are an opportunity to study a particular theme or subject in depth. There are one or two such days every month, during which the normal timetable is collapsed and students have the opportunity to spend time exploring a particular theme or area of interest. On occasion, trips are arranged for certain year groups coninciding with these days so as not to disrupt learning. Year 7's can experience St Omer in France, Year 8's can visit the Tate Modern Gallery and many more. Some focus days are specifically designed to develop certain skills, such as enterprise, learning styles or languages. Focus days provide an excellent opportunity for students to work with peers from other forms or year groups as well as teachers to work in a more cross-curricular fashion.
Comments from students include, 'Focus Days at Invicta are great - we can explore a whole range of new ideas!'

International Trips

Invicta takes part in many international trips.

Invicta boosts being a 'World School' with strong international links, with many foreign guests visiting the school on a weekly basis.