Friday 11 September 2026
#AHSWalksTall
Embedded Files
Photo: Students taking part in Duke of Edinburgh
Headmistress' Introduction
Headmistress' Introduction
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope this letter finds you well.
We hosted two days of 11+ testing this week, for students external to Buckinghamshire. This is part of our obligation to Buckinghamshire County Council; thank you to all those who made these significant days run so smoothly.
We welcome all prospective AHS students and their families to Aylesbury High School for our upcoming Open Events during the year.
Thursday 24 September 2026, 5pm - 7.30pm - Open Evening (Booking now open, please click here)
Thursday 1 October 2026, 9am - 10.15am - Open Morning (Booking now open, please click here)
Thursday 15 October 2026, 9am - 10.15am - Open Morning (Booking will open soon)
Wednesday 18 November 2026, 5pm - 7.30pm - Sixth Form Open Evening
Tuesday 1 December 2026, 9am - 10.15am - Sixth Form Open Morning (tbc)
For those lovely AHS students who have so generously offered to help, thank you! Please kindly check your uniform so that you are super smart and represent the School, as the stars that you clearly are. Thank you.
Sport
Sport
It has been a busy, hectic and very energetic start to the term!
We have had a great turnout at the lunchtime clubs- with lots of eager students ready to learn new skills, but are hopeful even more will sign up in the coming weeks.
Our fixtures kick off next week with our Under 16's Hockey match against Dr Challoner's High School and we wish our girls the best of luck with this.
A big congratulations to Ella who has a very exciting swimming year ahead.....
Following excellent swims at the English Nationals in Sheffield this summer (an excellent achievement to be selected), Ella has just heard that she has been selected for the Swim England National Development Pathway for the 26/27 season. We are very proud of you Ella and look forward to hearing about your exciting year and achievements! Well done!
Miss Messenger
PE Technician
Shared for your information: PISA 2025: National report for England
Shared for your information: PISA 2025: National report for England
The BBC recently shared the latest PISA scores, which are a good news story for English education, and we thought you might like to share in this. It sets out the findings of the latest OECD study into science, reading and mathematics of English 15-year-olds compared to international peers. The study found England continues to perform strongly, with scores above the OECD average in all three subjects, and with a larger proportion of pupils achieving at the highest levels. Key findings include:
England’s average score was 516 in science, 497 in reading and 492 in mathematics, significantly above the OECD averages of 482, 461 and 463 respectively.
In science, only seven participating education systems performed significantly above England; in reading, three did so; and in mathematics, nine.
England performs strongly across the attainment distribution. In science, 14% of pupils reached the highest proficiency levels (Levels 5 or 6), compared with 7% across the OECD, while 16% were below Level 2 compared with 26% across the OECD. In reading, 10% reached Levels 5 or 6 compared with 6% across the OECD, and 19% were below Level 2 compared with 31%. In mathematics, 14% reached Levels 5 or 6 compared with 8%, while 25% were below Level 2 compared with 35%.
Many high-performing education systems experienced significant declines between 2022 and 2025, particularly in reading and mathematics. By contrast, England maintained stable performance in reading and mathematics over the longer term, while science performance improved significantly from 503 in 2022 to 516 in 2025.
The study also found widening gaps between girls and boys, and large gaps between the most and least disadvantaged pupils.
Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh
In July 53 students took part in their Silver and Gold DofE Expeditions. 20 Year 11 students completed their practice in the Cotswolds and then their Expedition in the Peak District. 33 Year 12 students completed their Gold Expedition in Mid Wales, walking from Llandiloes in Mid Wales across the Cambrian Mountains to Borth Beach on the coast. The hot weather made all the expeditions very challenging, but the students coped admirably and showed the AHS values throughout. All students were required to dig deep and push themselves, carrying all their kit and navigating themselves through varied countryside, overcoming many obstacles - mental and physical!
Mrs Hamilton
External Visits Coordinator and Duke of Edinburgh Manager
Tempest Photography
Tempest Photography
Tempest Photography will be coming into school on Thursday 17 September to photograph Years 7, 10 and 12.
Thank you to those parents and carers who have already given data consent to Tempest through Edulink or via email. (Year 7 parents and carers will have already completed this during enrollment.)
In order for you to be able to access the correct photos we will need to share the email address we have for you with Tempest. These addresses will not be shared with any other parties and you can find their privacy notice here.
If you wish to purchase photographs you will need to complete the parental consent for Tempest in Edulink:
Data Collection - select daughter's name - Parental Consent - Tempest, to give your permission.
Alternatively, if for any reason you are unable to complete the parental consent in Edulink then please email your consent to data@ahs.bucks.sch.uk
It is imperative that you give consent as soon as possible if you wish to order photographs and avoid disappointment. Please ensure that this is done by Monday 14 September.
Thank you.
Mrs Vikki Burt
Assistant Headteacher
Pre-loved uniform
Pre-loved uniform
If you have any unwanted uniform in good condition, we would be delighted if you could donate it to the School. We sell pre-loved uniform as part of our commitment to sustainability, to raise a little money for the School and also to assist those who may find purchasing new uniform rather expensive. If you could please ask your daughters to hand it in at reception, we would be truly grateful, thank you.
Wishing all well for a lovely weekend and thank you, as ever, for your support.
Marieke Forster
AHS School Fundraising
AHS School Fundraising
The AHS Fund helps us to enrich the curriculum and develop the school's facilities to ensure that every student is able to fulfil their potential, wherever their strengths lie. Support from our Parents, our Alumnae and our wider community allows us to provide the outstanding education you expect and the students deserve.
Please click here for further information AHS School Fundraising
Page updated
Report abuse