AYLESBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL Founded 1598
1
NURTURING CHARACTER SINCE 1598 Aylesbury Grammar School has a long history of inspiring and nurturing our young people to explore for themselves who they want to be and find their place in the world. The value of education and the strength of character of the next generation has never been greater. We are expertly placed to enable our students to flourish academically whilst also ensuring they are well equipped to understand and meet the challenges they face with empathy and humility. Through knowing and understanding each individual, not just through their academic achievements, our students flourish in all they do. The School is committed to a culture of innovative learning and achievement through our pioneering expertise, an uncompromised curriculum and life-enriching opportunities across both curricular and extra-curricular activities, all within an extraordinarily caring and supportive environment. Our history of nearly 425 years is celebrated in all aspects of school life, none more so than in our House system which provides a sense of ownership, belonging and a healthy level of competition and camaraderie.
“ While young men and boys can and do excel in many types of educational institutions, schools for boys focus with intention on learning that addresses not only how to excel in academics but also how to grow into a young man of integrity and empathy.” International Boys’ Schools Coalition
Aylesburians are, for years to come, loyal to their School with many returning to celebrate at Old Aylesburian events. Their achievements and personal development at School continue to contribute to their sense of identity and growth throughout their lives. We hope you get a sense of what it means to learn and be part of our community and how we might be the right place for your son to nurture his character. Mark Sturgeon Headmaster since 2014
2
EN LI
GE RA
U CO
CE
OWNERSHIP
RE SI
IN N
N IO AT IV OT M
OV AT IO N
PIONEERING EXPERTISE IN LEARNING
AGS Learner
The AGS Learner provides the backbone of learning and teaching throughout the School encouraging independent learners, equipped with all the skills to adapt successfully to life beyond school. Our staff use professional research and pioneering expertise both in and outside the School. They collaborate with international partners and always look to improve the School, ensuring it is uniquely placed to prepare the next generation of students and staff. Through an uncompromised curriculum with unparalleled breadth of choices our students’ development and achievements are celebrated throughout their time at the School. The School is committed to a culture of high expectations which promotes exceptional behaviour, attitude and effort. The students are our greatest ambassadors promoting courage, resilience, innovation, motivation and ownership and developing unique relationships based on mutual respect and aspiration.
“ Students say there is a very strong bond between themselves and teachers, and that adults within the school are very supportive of them. Students feel safe to ask questions and engage well in teacher-led discussions – they feel heard and respected by teachers.” Challenge Partners Review 2020
EXTRAORDINARY CARE & SUPPORT At the heart of all we do is nurturing our students’ character and providing them with the highest levels of pastoral care and support. Fundamental to this are our core values of respect and aspire, to treat others with empathy and humility. From the end of Year 6, our tailored induction programme sees our staff visiting every new student in his primary school before attending the Year 6 Induction Day and joining the School in Year 7. New students are supported by Year 8 Buddies, Junior and School Prefects, their Form Tutor, Head of House and Head of Year. Our pastoral teams nurture a sense of identity and support through each year group and across each House, to give the students a unique opportunity to share, grow and celebrate as a family within the School. We organise a number of activities to promote emotional intelligence and interpersonal communication skills through our Year 7 Residential, Year 8 Team Building Days, Year 10 Health Day and Enterprise Days alongside an extensive programme of educational visits.
“ We are incredibly grateful for the support that AGS provided our son at a time in his life when he was most in need of understanding and engagement. You could not have done more...” Parent
4
“ The House system is a fundamental feature of school life. It helps to create that sense of community which makes the school such a secure and happy place.” Challenge Partners Review 2018
BELONGING & IDENTITY Our well established ‘House System’ has a hugely positive impact on our students in their academic work, extra-curricular contribution and development into authentic, empathetic and resilient young adults. Students in the same House share a sense of belonging, loyalty and camaraderie, where younger students are given valuable support and guidance by School and Senior Prefects and Head Boys of House. The development of well-rounded students whose skill sets go far beyond academic aptitude is fulfilled through the keenly contested Brodie and Watson Trophies for sporting, artistic, performing and expressive events. As we strive to nurture our students’ character across every interaction throughout their school life, we encourage them to undertake meaningful roles of responsibility and leadership, including student-led councils to feed back and generate ideas for a better School.
“ The system at AGS is exceptional. It builds on long traditions and encompasses all aspects of school life.” Challenge Partners Review 2018
The uncompromised breadth of the curriculum available enables all students to pursue the widest range of careers and studies at university or in the workplace. Through exceptional advice and guidance our students leave the School with aspirations to the most highly ranked courses and careers, at organisations and universities across the country where they will feel fulfilled and happy.
O F ORS; I HAVE DO
We are proud and remain humble that our School is consistently celebrated as one of the top state schools in the country - recently the top performing grammar school in Buckinghamshire for Value Added at A Level. In Key Stage 3, GCSE and A Level, our students make outstanding progress and are prepared for the next stage of their education or chosen career with confidence.
Former students often keep close links with the School and they are found in many fields of employment and life. They bring a unique sense of aspiration and reality to the lives of the students, helping them to find what motivates and drives their passions.
“ Students are enthusiastic about learning and curious to learn more. The classroom is a safe environment where students are not afraid to ask questions or to make mistakes.” Challenge Partners Review 2018
Y T RIE
“AGS OPEN S A WID E VA
Once an Aylesburian, always an Aylesburian.
THS I NEVER KN E W
GROWTH THROUGH ACHIEVEMENT
DISCOVE
T R S E D NG ER
5
I HA
D”
Six
th
For m
Stu
de
nt
6
LIFE-ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES Our School actively promotes self-discovery through participation in areas that students are passionate about, as well as encouraging them to attempt new and unfamiliar activities to broaden their horizons. These life-enriching opportunities are extensive with clubs and activities taking place across the school day enhancing classroom learning and enjoyment. The development of new skills and passions allows the students to explore ideas outside the curriculum. Our colourful range of music, drama, performing arts and clubs/societies provides all students with the opportunity to participate, to collaborate and be part of School life. Educational and recreational visits are available in every year group, with a variety of day and residential destinations. Our programme of educational visits supports our nurturing of character and is offered across the local landscape as well as further afield, both nationally and internationally. All visits are inclusive and made available to all students, irrespective of background, providing an unparalleled breadth of opportunity. Our language exchanges with France, Germany and Spain deepen our partnerships and links with Europe and we have a unique and well-established connection with Malosa Secondary School and the local region in Malawi.
“ The school does not pigeonhole boys into traditional masculine roles. Boys can be who they want to be.” Exceptional Schools Award 2016
SELF-DISCOVERY THROUGH PARTICIPATION Physical activity is key to maintaining a healthy, active, balanced lifestyle, supporting physical and mental well-being. Our sports clubs and practices are open to all students, irrespective of ability and passion promoting a selfless commitment to their chosen sport. Whether an elite, representative, House or recreational sportsman, the School encourages and provides opportunities for everyone to participate. School teams and matches involve a large number of students and nearly all students participate in the vast programme of House sports competitions. Our offering is extensive ranging from cricket, handball, badminton, athletics, rugby, football, swimming, squash, tennis, basketball, and cross country – see website for further details. Success and participation have ensured the School competes in a full range of sports with other schools from across the region and country, promoting healthy competition, but also encouraging growth and progression. Life-enriching tours and visits are arranged within the UK and abroad giving our students an opportunity to flourish outside of their academic subjects.
“ One of the important advantages of a single-sex education is the opportunity it presents to create a learning environment, literally and figuratively, that accommodates what boys and young men need.” International Boys’ Schools Coalition
8
FLOREAT AILESBURIA Founded by Sir Henry Lee in 1598, Champion of Queen Elizabeth I, Aylesbury Grammar School was a ‘free school for Aylesbury’ with the vision to promote the local area to flourish through educating and nurturing its young people. Initially based in the centre of Aylesbury, in 1907 the School moved to its present site and became co-educational. In 1959 the creation of Aylesbury High School meant the girls moved next door and Aylesbury Grammar School returned to being a boys’ school.
Despite the separate site, our strong links with our sister school remain and provide a unique opportunity for our boys to grow up in their formative years in the company of their female counterparts, whilst also benefitting from the advantages of focused learning amongst their peer group. As well as travelling to and from School together, concerts, musicals and productions are run jointly with Aylesbury High School. Educational visits, exchanges, various curriculum areas and both the Year 11 and Sixth Form Ball all form part of this ongoing and expanding collaboration, providing a sensitive, mature and wellrounded interaction for our boys to develop a true sense of character and flourish in today’s world.
“ A grammar school in its purest form: purposeful, determined and socially diverse.” Good Schools Guide 2016
“ Our students are growing up in complex times, with a great many opportunities, but also new challenges. As the leaders of two exceptional schools we are in a unique position – situated side by side – to be able to offer our students the ‘best of both worlds’. They are given the time and space to grow through unselfconsciously being involved in many opportunities across each School whilst benefitting from the specialist teaching, care and support. They share new experiences, and gain different perspectives from each other, through their varied interactions. The development of social skills is of enormous benefit to all our students who leave us as confident and resilient young adults, better prepared for life ahead, with a mutual respect for each other and all aspects of society.” Mark Sturgeon, Headmaster, Aylesbury Grammar School
Marieke Forster, Headmistress, Aylesbury High School
Tel: 01296 484545 Web: ags.bucks.sch.uk Aylesbury Grammar School, Walton Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7RP
Registered Charity No. 1089244 0920