A Brief History of MGGS…
By 1900, the school had 100 pupils. In 1912, Miss Kidd became Headmistress and, as Freda Cornell, a student from 1918 – 1925, tells us
“Pupils were absolutely terrified of her…but the best thing was to keep calm and in the end you found she was human and quite funny.”
One of the school’s rules advised that:
“Amusements or social engagements are not accepted as an excuse for neglected homework.”
The school continued to grow, and a new building commenced. Moving into its new premises in 1938, the Headmistress, Miss Bartels, felt she was
“Leading the children into a land flowing with milk and honey. At last a dream has come true, and we have a beautiful school to work in: a place built for peace, happiness and sunshine and all that we can desire.”
With the outbreak of War in 1939, everything changed… Windows were blocked up and netting placed across them, and blast and baffle walls were built.
Margaret Amos, a student from 1934 – 1942, recalls
“We always had our gas-masks with us. If the air-raid warning went, we used to have to go down in the shelters. We used to think it was rather fun. Of course it was an absolute nightmare for the poor staff.”
Miss Keen, the Art teacher during World War Two, sketched and painted many scenes from the time.
Three sets of air raid shelters were built to house the school community, with 180 pupils in each complex. Students spent up to 7 hours in the tunnels. However, school life continued. Lessons were taught and lunch served, all underground. The 1940 school magazine describes them as
“…not exactly cosy … (and) some people may have been heard to complain of water dripping down their necks (but) …we now feel prepared for any emergency.”
When the War finished, the school gradually began to return to normal.
The building still impressed its students. Jose Cox (1946 – 1952) remembers
“The size of the school took my breath away”
2003
The school officially achieved Specialist School for Science and Mathematics status
2008
With a rapidly growing student population, the school creatively expanded its outside environment by opening the ‘Woodland Walk’.
See how our site has changed over the years…
2012
Buckland House was officially opened, marking the school’s first major new building project since the 1960s. Designed to meet the demands of a growing student body, the state-of-the-art facility became the new home for Sixth Form facilities alongside the English, Media, Art and Social Sciences departments.
2013
The school community came together to celebrate a double milestone: the 125th aniversary of the founding of MGGS in 1888, alongside the 75th anniversary of the school relocating to its current Buckland Road site in 1938.
2016
The Molly Tipples Sports Hall was officially opened. Named in honour of the late Chairman of Governors
2019
The MGGS Woodland Garden was created as ‘Our Space to Remember and Reflect’.
2023
MGGS was officially rated as ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted. The report highly praised the school’s exceptional standard of education, its robust community spirit, and the dedication of both staff and students in upholding a historic tradition of academic excellence and superb pastoral support.
2026
MGGS proudly marked the completion and opening of the Helen Keen Building. This was built to house History, Music and Science departments, as well as serving as the hub for a new school WWII Visitor Centre. The building was named in honour of Helen Keen, the inspiring MGGS Art teacher who famously sketched and documented underground school life in the air-raid shelters during World War Two.
The school’s motto is ‘non sibi sed omnibus’ – not for one’s self but for all.
Certainly, we all look forward to seeing what awaits MGGS as we move through the 21st Century and beyond…
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