known for the musical abilities of its pupils. There is an orchestra, a flute choir, a main (voice) choir, a gospel choir, a chamber choir, a year seven choir and 'NChant', a choir formed of students from years 9-13 who audition to become members. Year 8 students also are able to reach a bronze Arts Award. Notable former pupils Natasha Brennan (1986-), rugby player Kat Driscoll (1986-), Team GB Trampolinist Evelyn Dunbar (1906–1960), war artist Charlotte Evans (1991-), Team GB Paralympic Skier Guide Caroline Feraday (1988 -), broadcaster Diane James (1959-), former UK Independence Party leader-elect, and MEP Alice Oseman (1994 -), author Mildred Ratcliffe (1899-1988), painter, commercial artist & calligrapher Dame Sybil Thorndike (1882-1976), actress Sophia Webster (1985-), fashion designer Controversies In April 2016 the Chief Executive Officer of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, to which RGS belongs, and former Headteacher Denise Shepherd were suspended due to allegations of snooping on staff emails, bullying staff and doctoring parts of an external inspection report. In July 2016, the Thinking Schools Academy Trust Chairman, Peter Martin paid tribute to Ms Shepherd, who had since resigned, stating that: "The Trust undertook a formal investigation, into allegations of misconduct made against Ms Shepherd. This has now concluded, with no further action required to be taken. It is extremely regrettable that these allegations were leaked to the press by an unknown source." In July 2017 RGS received national media coverage when it was disclosed that the History Department, when teaching pupils about the 19th Century African Slave Trade, had provided a worksheet that invited Year 8 pupils to take part in a fictional slave auction, using stereotypical negative qualities about African people. The Head of the History Department later apologised on behalf of the school. In June 2018 the school lost an unencrypted memory stick containing data of more than 1,000 pupils. References Girls' schools in Kent Educational institutions established in 1888 Grammar schools in Medway 1888 establishments in England Academies in Medway International Baccalaureate schools in England