Headmaster’s Welcome

Welcome to the Aylesburian magazine for 2018-2019. Once again, this publication stands as the definitive historical reference for the School and so we hope that you enjoy it. All our thanks go to Mr Dallas for once again editing this year’s publication.

I was hoping never to have to repeat the words of 2015 and 2018 when expressing our deepest sense of loss for one of our Aylesburians. However, we demonstrate our true character at such challenging times, and to Year 10 at the time, Phillips House, and most importantly, the Emburey family, we thank you for your strength and humility. To Ben, we say goodbye, but not forgotten. He will always be remembered, once an Aylesburian, always an Aylesburian. The academic year also provided opportunity for reflection, growth and success across the School. From the whole School photograph to thanking three members of staff for their selfless commitment of 25 years each to the School and to education. Priceless opportunities to stand back and reflect upon what it means to be an Aylesburian. To be a part of this historic institution, with over 400 years of tradition, but also to witness the success and future of each student as they leave us for the next stage of their life. It is why we teach, but more importantly, why we teach here.

In order to validate the culture and impact of the School, we invited reviews of our core work from other senior school leaders and headteachers, as well as expert consultants throughout the year. The Challenge Partners Network, of which we are a member and now host the Aylesbury Vale Hub, came to the school in November. With five senior leaders from other schools and a lead reviewer, the team spent three days immersing themselves into the life of the school.

Their verdict was one of great pride for all involved and summed up by the following quote from the report: “The school motto of ‘Respect and Aspire’ permeates all aspects of school life. All who work at the school have the highest aspirations for themselves and for the other members of the school community. Their pride in the school, support for each other and enjoyment of their work, create an environment in which all are encouraged to flourish and develop.” We also invited a full review of our safeguarding procedures, in order to verify the work that we do in this area and identify where we can improve. After a rigorous process, we were hailed as adding value to the whole school experience in all areas. A fine testament to the work, time, commitment and care of the whole school but most notably the safeguarding team and pastoral team. One quote exemplifies this level of care. When asked if the school kept its promises, one student replied “it went beyond that, they more than keep their promises” and the report highlighted a culture where “Students feel happy and cared for”.

We further developed the collaborative culture of the school in January when we invited headteachers from feeder primary schools to come and visit to discuss the challenges of their schools as well as having a tour from their exprimary students. The connection between the headteachers and some of their exstudents was a really proud moment for all involved and cemented the view that we are all very proud of our School. The comments returned surrounded the range of opportunities on offer at our School and the quality of learning that is evident. After the examination results of 2018, the progress figures at GCSE and A Level put the School in an extremely positive position. At GCSE the progress 8 score of 0.91 placed us as the top performing boys’ school in Buckinghamshire, while the value added score of 0.22 at A Level placed us the top performing school overall in Buckinghamshire for A Levels. Our whole-hearted congratulations to the staff and students of the 2018 cohort.

In 2019 we continued to face the changes to the curriculum with tougher, linear courses. This brings many unknowns in the examination process, requiring resilience, courage and excellence from all involved. Once again, the students responded magnificently and rose to the challenge with some outstanding outcomes.

Across the School we continue to make improvements to the environment and facilities. We installed new gates around the 6th Form area to improve security, refurbished the IT rooms with new hardware and furniture, improved CCTV across the site to ensure we are all safer. We have increased the size and quality of the changing facilities in the swimming pool, and in the summer of 2019 refurbished the Mathematics classrooms, upgraded the Drama studio, installed new boilers and improved the environment in Geography and Languages. New recycling bins across the school demonstrate our growing focus on social responsibility and the future generations. There is much to do, but we are making outstanding progress, despite the constant challenges of educational funding. This is thanks to the amazing contributions of the PTA, parents and alumni through the Aylesburian Annual Fund. We thank everyone for their contribution. In further activities away from the classroom, our Geology team came runners up in the National Competition. We had amazing success in Physics and Chemistry Olympiads, Computing and Maths competitions, Young Enterprise and Engineering, and our educational visits reached as far as Argentina, Uruguay, Malawi and Borneo. The House competition remains the vibrant heart beat of the School. With the array of competitions and events ensuring every student can participate in the life of the house. Once again Denson House have swept the board and are double double winners of the Watson and Brodie Trophies. A fitting legacy for the departing Head of House, Mr Streat.

In sport we were ranked by the School Sport Magazine as one of the top 10 Schools for sport nationally. This is a sensational achievement, made possible by the staff and supported by the parents. Success in swimming, football, rugby, tennis and squash are all testament to the extensive opportunities on offer to the students.

In Handball the Under 15 side are national champions. The school was very proud to see James Richardson representing English Schools’ FA Under 18s last season in football and Nathan McDonald, currently in Year 11, has gone on to represent Great Britain Under 18s in handball.

Finally, in July we invited exHeadmaster Keith Smith to School to celebrate his 90th birthday. With many ex-staff, students, governors and parents returning to share their memories and stories. At 90 years old, Keith spoke for half an hour, without notes, thanking all those who had made the school such a success during his time.

A humble, respectful and honest recollection of what makes this a wonderful place to learn. Respecting our traditions and history, but aspiring to a bright and wonderful future

The past year has once again seen our students and staff excel and we are rightly proud of all of them as they exhibit the characteristics of our core values, to respect and aspire.

We hope you enjoy this publication.

M Sturgeon Headmaster

Head Boy’s Reflections 2018 - 19

It’s a hazy Tuesday morning in August and I’m currently sat at my bedroom desk next to a pile of dusty books I was revising from two months ago.

Now seems like a good opportunity to reflect on the year just gone, even if doing justice to a year at AGS is something of a herculean task- there have been simply too many sporting fixtures, concerts, clubs, trips, memories and stories even to list in a few hundred words, let alone properly reflect on. Is that a shameless cop out? A generic, catch-all statement that spares me having to recount event after event? Yes. But to reflect on the year properly and to bring out more broadly what it has meant to me to be part of the AGS community, robotically working through the year isn’t going to cut it…

As Head Boy I’ve hugely enjoyed being involved in a variety of aspects of school life. Sammy Robertson, Finn Bell and I have focussed on reducing the school’s environmental impact and improving sustainability, and we hope that this will remain a central focus for students and the wider school community going forward. We have also taken a lot from involvement in school councils, assemblies and other school events, contributing to my belief that it is the enduringly dynamic and inspiring atmosphere of the school that has had the biggest impact on me.

This atmosphere is the product of the amazing community of people at AGS. The friendships I’ve forged have made the last seven years happier, funnier and more interesting, as well as providing the best support base imaginable. From my immediate form-group friends to those in my A-Level classes (the consistently opinionated and at times utterly ridiculous French class, and the English class that never

should have gelled but somehow did, despite the initial divide between bookworms, the somewhat edgier drama students, and those for whom English was primarily taken to fill the third A-level option box…), to those in my wider year group; each of you has contributed so much to my school experience, for which I am so grateful.

I am also greatly indebted to all the teachers who have taught me, and to the staff who ensure the day-today smooth running of the school. In particular, I will never forget the MFL and English teachers who have sparked and developed my love of these subjects, and I know the same rings true across the year group and in all subject areas- the consistently inspiring enthusiasm of AGS teachers and their work both in- and outside the classroom make the school a truly formative, exciting and stimulating environment.

Whilst in some ways AGS is like any school- simply a community of students and teachers- the underlying attitude and character promoted are distinctive, ensuring that this community not only functions but flourishes. Respect permeates all levels and aspiration is constantly encouraged and facilitated. And so, as my eyes flick from the dusty textbooks to the glossy University books lying freshly opened on the floor, I am acutely aware of how much I owe to AGS. It has been

a pleasure to serve as Head Boy, especially working alongside Finn and Sammy, and I wish Denzel, Dylan and Ben every success for the year ahead.

With gratitude to all those who have made the last seven years so unforgettable.

Sam Carter – Lee 13