Aylesford Weekly News - 13 November 2026

Welcome 

Dear Parents/Carers

I am writing this weekly news on Friday 13^th on the assumption that the worldwide Microsoft outage does get resolved so you get this at some point and isn't the first signs of an AI induced apocalypse which reduces us to a hunter gatherer society, living off bottled water, spam and Fray Bentos, and throwing punches to secure the last toilet roll.

Today (or tomorrow, or the next day - thanks Microsoft) we launch a consultation on a new uniform policy for the Secondary School at Aylesford.  As we are building our amazing school with a new vision, new values and huge ambition, the time is right to consider our uniform for the future.  A uniform is vital for a school in my opinion but it must contribute to the overall experience of school, ensure students can learn in all weathers, be smart and identify students as Aylesford.  Therefore the Governors and I would like to hear your feedback on the proposal we move from our current blazer, shirt and tie version to a polo shirt and sweatshirt/cardigan version.  There are some other changes proposed as well but this is the key one.  The detailed consultation document sets out the details including the costs of the options.

Parents and carers will receive the consultation letter via Synergy and students and staff will receive it via email which gives details of the proposed change, why we are doing this now and how to respond.  This is a key opportunity for all parents, carers, students and staff to have a say in this decision and I very much look forward to your response. 

Welcome SLT - Mrs Meeson Second in Primary

My name is Mrs Meeson and I have been part of our school community since the primary phase first opened in 2015! Throughout that time I have had the privilege of teaching in Unicorn Class, Reception, where the magic starts! There is something incredibly special about being there at the very beginning of a child’s school journey, helping them take those first steps into school life and watching their confidence, independence and love of learning begin to grow.

Alongside my role in Unicorn Class, I am currently Second in Primary, which gives me the opportunity to work more widely across the primary phase and help shape the experiences our children have as they move through the whole school. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to combine a role I love in Reception with the opportunity to contribute to the continued development of our school as a whole.

Having been at the school since 2015, it has been wonderful to see our first Reception children grow through the primary phase and now into secondary school. Seeing children I once taught as four and five year olds developing into confident young people is incredibly rewarding and one of the things that makes working in an all-through school so special. It is a reminder that the foundations we build in those earliest years really do matter.

As our school continues to develop, I am excited about strengthening connections across our 4–16 community. Although our pupils change enormously between Reception and Year 11, the principles at the heart of great learning remain the same: curiosity, confidence, positive relationships and a willingness to keep trying. I feel very fortunate to have been part of the primary school’s story from the beginning and proud to continue playing a part in helping our children develop not only as learners, but as happy, confident young people.

Lest We Forget

On Wednesday, we paused to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice and service of those who have served our country.

We are incredibly proud of our students who are members of the Sea, Army, Air and Police Cadets, who led our Remembrance Parade through the school.

Their commitment, respect and leadership helped mark this important occasion and ensured that the spirit of remembrance was observed with dignity and pride.

We are also delighted to share that our students raised an incredible £110 for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Thank you to everyone who contributed, and well done to all involved.

Preparing for Year 11 MOCKS

Small Bursts, Big Progress!

With Year 11 mock examinations starting on 1 December, revision is moving up the agenda! Parents and carers can make a big difference by helping students find a balance between focused preparation and time to recharge.

Think manageable chunks, regular breaks and plenty of encouragement.

Ready, Set… Revise! 

We recommend approximately 1–1.5 hours of focused study each evening, depending on individual needs and commitments. Try this simple routine:

20 minutes of revision → 5-minute break → repeat three times.

After three rounds, take a longer break or finish for the evening, depending on your child’s needs. Breaks are a chance to stretch, grab a drink and step away from the desk.

Remember: it’s what students do with their revision time that counts, rather than how long they sit with a textbook open!

Your Role: Chief Encouragement Officer! 

You don’t need to remember algebra or explain Shakespeare to be a brilliant revision supporter.

Here are six ways to help:

• Make a plan: Help your child create a realistic revision timetable, giving extra attention to topics they find tricky.

• Become the quizmaster: Offer to test them using flashcards. Encourage self-testing and past examination questions, rather than simply rereading notes.

• Keep the basics covered: Sleep, regular meals, water and exercise all help students feel ready to learn.

• Create a calm base: A quiet workspace and equipment packed the night before can make life a little easier.

• Be their biggest supporter: Notice effort, celebrate small achievements and avoid comparisons with others.

• Protect downtime: Football, dancing, hobbies and family time still belong in the diary!

Keep Mocks in Perspective 

A tricky paper is a chance to discover what needs more practice. If an examination doesn’t go as hoped, a reassuring conversation can help your child move forward and focus on the next one.

A little structure, plenty of encouragement and time to recharge can go a long way. Thank you for supporting our Year 11 students as they prepare!

The Year 11 Team
Aylesford School

Year 10 Cookie Challenge

Our Year 10 GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition group took on a delicious cookie challenge this week!

Students chose their own recipes and had one hour to prepare and bake their creations. The standard was incredibly high, and we were so impressed by the skill, effort and creativity shown by everyone involved.

Well done to all of our students. The photos below showcase some fantastic results, and we're pleased to report that the cookies tasted just as good as they looked!

Year 11 Drama Performances

Our Year 11 Drama students completed their Component 1 examinations this week, showcasing the performances they have been developing through dedication, creativity and teamwork. The standard of work was exceptional, and students should be proud of the commitment and maturity they demonstrated throughout the process. Congratulations to all involved on such a successful week of performances. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Netball Fixtures

A Year 7 team and a combined year 8 and 9 team travelled to Finham school on Wednesday 11^th November to play their first away league game of the season. 

Year 7 (Miss Javadi)
The team showed outstanding determination and teamwork against a strong Finham side, with every player giving 100% effort throughout the match. In a closely contested game, Aylesford narrowly lost 6-5, with the score remaining tight from start to finish. Congratulations to Grace , who was awarded Player of the Match by the opposition team.

Year 8 & 9 (Miss Salmon)
A combined Year 8 and 9 squad took on a strong Finham team, with the Year 8 students stepping up to compete in a Year 9 league fixture. The defence was exceptional, producing numerous interceptions and demonstrating excellent teamwork in their first full match together. The game remained neck and neck throughout, ending in a narrow 6-5 defeat. Congratulations to Lola, who was named Player of the Match by the opposition team.

Well done to all of the students who represented Aylesford School Warwick with such commitment, resilience and teamwork. We look forward to following their progress throughout the rest of the season.

Year 11 Geography Field Trip

Last week, year 11s went on their second GCSE geography compulsory fieldwork, but this time for the human geography side of their course. They headed into Birmingham to collect data across the inner city areas in Highgate/Digbeth to assess the quality of life; such as noise, traffic, environmental quality. They then headed to the outer suburbs of Monkspath in Solihull to repeat data collection. In class this week we will be able to compare this data in order to make a judgement on how quality of life varies across Birmingham. 

During the fieldwork, it was also a great opportunity for pupils to see the places that they have studied, in real life. We went through Moseley (which the pupils have looked at in class around changing character) and walked past the Millennium Point (which pupils have looked at for redevelopment and regeneration). 

However, if you ask pupils, they will probably tell you that they had a great time on the geography trip to KFC, where we stopped for lunch.

Italian Week at The Enterprise Café

This week our Enterprise Café students tested out their Italian skills producing mini calzone, pasta bake and tiramisu which was a sell out! 

Well done to the team for testing their culinary skills to raise money for our three chosen charities: Cancer Research UK, Rethink Mental Illness and Guide Dogs. 

A huge well done to the students and staff who made this week's event such a success, and thank you to everyone who came along and purchased some of the fantastic food.

Next week: Indian Week, look out for the menu coming soon!

Year 11 Spanish trip to University of Warwick

On Wednesday 11th November, our Year 11 Spanish students visited the University of Warwick for an exciting Language Taster Day.

Students discovered the many opportunities available for studying languages at university and took part in engaging workshops, including an introduction to Russian and an exploration of environmental politics through songs by Bad Bunny and the reggaetón genre.

The visit provided a fascinating insight into the value of language learning and the wide range of pathways it can open in the future.

Mrs Rossier

Loudmouth Visit Year 8

This week, we were pleased to welcome Loudmouth Education and Training to Aylesford School to deliver A Step Too Far, an interactive theatre-in-education programme for our Year 8 students.

Through a powerful combination of drama and discussion, students explored important topics including bullying, online safety, healthy relationships, respect, and recognising abusive behaviours, helping them develop the knowledge and confidence to keep themselves and others safe.

On Monday 16 November, Aylesford School will be taking part in Anti-Bullying Week, beginning with Odd Socks Day. Students are invited to show their support by wearing odd socks to school. Odd Socks Day is a fun way to celebrate individuality and promote kindness, respect and inclusion for all.

Aylesford Christmas Card Competition

 

We're looking for our talented students to bring their creative flair and help design this year's Aylesford School Christmas Cards!

This year, four winning designs will be selected and professionally printed as Aylesford School Christmas cards.

 Prizes include:

An Amazon gift voucher for each winner

10 printed copies of their winning Christmas card

Reward points for all secondary school entrants

So get creative, grab your pencils, paints or digital design tools, and show us your festive masterpiece!

Full details on how to enter can be found on the poster.

 Good luck to all entrants

Extra-Curricular PE Opportunities

Key Dates and Events

Monday 16 November 2026 - Anti-Bullying Week - Wear odd socks to school Day

17-19 November 2026 - Year 11 Mock Speaking Exams 

Friday 27 November 2026 - INSET DAY - school is closed to all students

Other Information