Aylesford Weekly News - 2 October 2026

Welcome from Mr Perry

We were delighted with Open Evening this week, thank you to all the families who came to have a look at Aylesford School and hear about what the coming years will bring.  The theme was celebrating a new start for our school, built on a new vision and values which current parents shared their ideas about last July at our open event and in subsequent newsletters.  The atmosphere around the school throughout the evening was fantastic and positive and as ever, it is our students who advertise our school.  I would like to thank all those students who spent their evening with us, in departments, cooking, playing sport, performing or guiding families around the school.  Our students are our best asset and it was a pleasure to see them get the recognition they deserved.

Please take the time to look at the some of the pictures of our Open Evening at the end of the newsletter, it was a really enjoyable event.

Mr Perry

Meet Ms Nunweiler - Assistant Headteacher: Behaviour & Pastoral Care

I have been part of the Aylesford School community for the past three years, initially serving as a Head of Year before taking on my current role as Assistant Headteacher for Behaviour and Pastoral Care. Over the course of nearly 20 years in education, I have had the privilege of teaching thousands of young people across Drama, Media Studies and English. While I have loved every aspect of my teaching career, what makes me look forward to coming to work each day at Aylesford is the opportunity to work with your wonderful children.

Pastoral care has always been at the heart of what I do. I am deeply committed to ensuring that every student feels supported, valued and able to thrive. Together with our dedicated Heads of Year and Behaviour Team, I strive to provide the very best care, guidance and encouragement for every young person in our school.

To borrow a quote from An Inspector Calls, which our Year 10 students are currently studying, I firmly believe that at Aylesford, “We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.” That sense of collective responsibility and genuine care for one another is what makes our school so special.

As an English teacher, I am also reminded of Shakespeare's image of “the seeds of time.” Every child who walks through our doors has enormous potential, and it is our privilege to nurture those seeds through support, encouragement and challenge.

I am incredibly proud to be part of the Aylesford community and equally proud to live within it, sharing in the experiences, successes and aspirations of the families we serve.

A Huge Thank You to Our Student Helpers

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all our student helpers who generously gave up their evening to help us showcase Aylesford School at our Open Evening this week.

Our students played a vital role in the success of the event, from leading guided tours for prospective families to supporting departments in demonstrating the wonderful learning opportunities and subjects we offer.

The feedback we received from visitors about our students was truly phenomenal. Their professionalism, confidence, enthusiasm and pride in our school were noted repeatedly by both staff and prospective families, who praised the warm welcome they received throughout the evening.

Our students were exceptional ambassadors for Aylesford School and demonstrated the very best of our school community.

Thank you for your commitment, support and dedication. We are incredibly proud of you all and would like to say a very big well done!

European Day of Languages Bake Off!

Last week, our students were invited to take part in the European Day of Languages Bake Off. Thank you to everyone who entered; we received some fantastic submissions and were impressed by the creativity and effort on display.

We are delighted to announce our winners:

Winner
Jaelah (Year 7) for her wonderful French-inspired cupcakes. Jaelah was awarded the coveted Bake Off Spoon, rolling pin and cookbook.

Runner-Up
Rosie and Elissa (Year 9) for their impressive Spanish-inspired farm cake.

Bien hecho a todos! Well done to everyone who took part and helped make the competition such a success.

Free Breakfast Club for our Secondary Students

Start your day the delicious way!

Join us every morning before school for our free Breakfast Club. Meet Ms Rogers in Reception at 7.50am for toast, cereal and hot chocolate.

Open to all secondary students.

We look forward to seeing you there!

10WLC Adopt Ilya the Snow Leopard

As part of their morning enrichment sessions, Year 10 tutor groups have been exploring the work of different charities. For 10WLC, this quickly turned into a world-saving mission after learning about the WWF and the incredible conservation work they carry out across the globe.

Inspired by what they discovered, the students persuaded their tutor that the group should adopt an animal through the WWF. After much discussion and a very diplomatic decision-making process involving a spinner wheel, the winner was chosen. It is therefore our pleasure to introduce Ilya the Snow Leopard, the newest member of 10WLC!

Ilya has already enjoyed an action-packed start to life with 10WLC, joining Aylesford staff on a trip to Twickenham to watch the Red Roses defeat the Black Ferns before heading to a Coventry Blaze victory over the Sheffield Steelers, much to Miss Wilcock's disappointment as a Steelers fan!

Keep an eye out for more of Ilya's adventures throughout the year.

Extra-Curricular PE Opportunities

Our Open Evening

What a fantastic evening! Here are just a few of the wonderful moments we captured during our Open Evening this week. It was a pleasure to welcome so many prospective students and their families and showcase everything that Aylesford has to offer.

Our Vacancies