Aylesford Weekly News - 25 September 2026

Weekly Update from The Headteacher

Looking forward to Open Evening next Wednesday and I hope to see lots of prospective parents having a look at our beautiful new buildings and facilities.  The part I am most looking forward to is sharing the vision for Aylesford School, heavily influenced by our current parents last term when we asked about the values you want you child to learn.  We will follow up our Open Evening with a paper to all parents which will explain how the next 3-5 years will look at Aylesford and how we will ensure all your children are ready for successful futures.  

In many ways, next week marks the end of the previous chapter and the beginning of the next one for our school and I am looking forward to sharing it with you all in the coming weeks.

Best wishes

Mr Perry

Meet Richard Hatton - SENDCo

It is a privilege to be the new SENDCo at Aylesford School. Over the last 13 years, I have worked across the Primary and Secondary phases as a Primary school teacher, Secondary Science teacher and Head of Year as well as being involved in working with trainee teachers and implementing the Early Career Framework for those new to the profession. As you will read in my letter to parents introducing my department, I am committed to inclusion as a way of teaching and a way of belonging. I am looking forward to working closely with parents and the wider community to provide the best possible provision for our young people.

Included here is a poem written by one of our students. It exemplifies the culture of belonging and ambition that my department stands for.

 

Richard Hatton

B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc, QTS

SENDCo

 

Post-16 Destinations 

On Tuesday, we welcomed a number of local colleges, sixth forms and apprenticeship providers to Aylesford School to meet with our Year 11 students and discuss the exciting opportunities available to them after Key Stage 4.

Representatives from Myton Sixth Form College, Solihull Sixth Form College, Campion Sixth Form, Stratford-upon-Avon College, Warwickshire College Group, MPCT Military Academies, Warwickshire County Council Apprenticeships, and Siemens Energy attended the event, offering valuable insight into a wide range of post-16 pathways.

The event created a real buzz around school, with students engaging in meaningful conversations about their future aspirations, further education options, apprenticeships and career opportunities. It was fantastic to see our Year 11 students taking such an active interest in planning their next steps and exploring the many routes available to them beyond secondary education.

We would like to thank all of the providers who gave their time to support our students and help them make informed decisions about their future.

 

 

 

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award

We are looking to run Bronze Award for Year 9 students and Silver Award for Year 10 students (numbers willing). Do keep an eye out for letters which should be coming out soon with further details.

 

Aylesford School is a smart phone free school

This is a reminder that we are a smartphone free school. 

If you wish your child to bring their phone to school, you will be required to purchase a Yondr pouch to place their phone in for the duration of the day as we operate a phone free policy.

Yondr Pouches can be purchased on ParentPay.

If you child is found with their phone during school without a Yondr pouch, the phone will be confiscated and the necessary actions taken.

 

Homework at Aylesford School

At Aylesford, we have high expectations for our young people. Homework helps them make progress, build independence and develop curiosity beyond the classroom. Establishing good study habits from Year 7 prepares students for GCSE study.

The Education Endowment Foundation finds that homework has a positive impact on learning on average, equivalent to five additional months of progress, particularly for secondary pupils.

Now that pupils have settled into their new timetables, regular homework is being set to help them:

• practise and consolidate new learning;

• recall knowledge taught previously;

• prepare for upcoming lessons; and

• extend their learning where appropriate.

Homework is set on Synergy with clear instructions and deadlines. The table below gives our suggested total study time on days when homework is completed. These are guidelines, not a requirement to study for the full time every evening.

Year group	Suggested time
Year 7	30–45 minutes
Year 8	45–60 minutes
Year 9	60–75 minutes
Year 10	75–90 minutes
Year 11	90–120 minutes

A quiet space helps pupils concentrate. If this is difficult at home, the school library has quiet spaces and computers available Monday to Thursday until 4.15 pm. If your child is struggling with homework, please contact their form tutor first for support and guidance.

Extra-Curricular PE Opportunities 

Key Dates:

A reminder that Wednesday 30 September 2026 is an Inset Day for all students.