Newsletters

If your child is ill during the school day

If your child is taken ill during the school day they should firstly report this to their teacher who will authorise them to go to the medical needs office where they will be assessed by a qualified first aider.  Parents will be notified immediately if their child requires to go home or in the case of an emergency, an ambulance may be called and parents will be notified.  It is important that students follow these procedures and do not phone home themselves.

If parents turn up without being contacted by med bay and take their child home the child's absence will be recorded as unauthorised.

Changes to the rewards system at Aylsham High School

for the past few years, our rewards system at AHS has not been used much by students. Currently  credits can be given through good work and effort in class, completing homework, getting at least 97% attendance by the end of term and for each "yes" and "exceptional" they receive in their school reports. These credits currently turn into "gold cards" which are used for hiring facilities and entering department raffles. 

As the system is not being used, we are proposing an entirely new system which I hope will enthuse students and parents/carers and hopefully be a bit of a game changer. We believe it is an essential part of school to recognise hard work and achievement where they are due. A comprehensive and well-resourced reward system should do just that.

If you would rather watch an AI video summarising the new system, click here. Alternatively, please read on.

You can also take a look at the shared folder here where you will find a summary diagram of these new systems along with other resources such as golden tickets, the latest version of the rewards catalogue, the year 7 enrichment passports, and Mr Spalding's golden ticket.

For all students:

• the credit system remains unchanged. Credits are gained through effort/achievement, attendance, homework and reports.
• The achievement/conduct count you see in SIMS is not the total amount of credits but the number of times a student was awarded 1, 2, 3 or 5 credits. The total number is likely to be higher than the one in SIMS. Students will be able to check their real count with their form tutors.
• Gold cards are now called golden tickets.
• 30 credits = 1 golden ticket
• Credits can be turned into golden tickets when needed at the STAR office.
• Golden ticket are physical cards and they are currency to spend at the rewards shop.
• The rewards shop will be open every Thursday lunch time. It will be managed by Mr Ravasse and two prefects.
• All rewards will be centralised in the rewards catalogue.
• Students can see rewards on offer by browsing the rewards catalogue, which will be in every classroom and at the reward shop. We are also going to make it viewable online, on the school website and shared via SIMS students and SIMS parents.
• Any unspent credits will be put into the end-of-year raffle for each year group. Years 7 to 10 can win an Amazon £5 voucher. Year 11 can win a free ticket to the prom.
• The number of credits shown in SIMS is the total number of credits and will not change if golden tickets are claimed. Students will be able to check with form tutors how many credits they have left to change into golden tickets. 
• Parallel to this, when students reach 200 credits, they will be given a bronze badge as recognition for their effort and hard work.

350 credits = silver badge. 450 credits = gold badge, 550 credits = platinum badge

• Mr Spalding's golden five will now be called Mr Spalding's golden ticket (worth 30 credits). This may be awarded by staff for something truly outstanding a student may have done.

For year 7 students only:

• Year 7 students will be given a new "enrichment passport" in September. Please see documents attached.
• to complete one passport, they must attend 10 enrichment activities.
• Enrichment activities include participation to:

* clubs

* sports events

* school council

* Young Chamber

* representing the school (at open evening for instance)

* performances (including rehearsals)

* House competition events

• Year 7 students will be rewarded for their 1st, 5th, 10^th and 20^th passport. We want them to throw themselves into our very rich extra-curricular life at AHS and sustain participation to these activities. We believe these are essential for their personal development as it will help them develop a variety of skills and meet new people. Rewards include golden tickets, house badges, treats and an Amazon voucher as the ultimate prize! Please see attached diagram for more details.
• It is important that year 7 students go to the teacher responsible for the club or other enrichment activity to have their passport signed and dated. 
• Any completed passport needs to be brought to the STAR office where it will be processed and tracked. Any completed passport will be replaced by a new one.
• Enrichment passports should be kept in the inside pocket of students' blazers. 

We hope that these two new systems will be popular and that students will be enthused by them. We would also appreciate your feedback, whether it be positive and/or constructive to help us review and improve the system. Please address any feedback directly to me at gravasse@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk

Dropping off & collecting students

We kindly remind parents and carers when dropping off and collecting students to avoid parking on the roads around the school.

We are aware that the roads become very busy during these times but for the safety of pedestrians please make sure vehicles are not mounting the pavements. 

Parking is available both in the front and back car parks:

• Front car park – For those who need to collect their child promptly at the bell, please use the front car park as a “drive-through” system. Park to the left-hand side and, once your child arrives, pull out to allow other cars to move forward.  This can also be used to drop off of that beginning of the school day too.
• Back car park – For those who are able to wait a little longer until the buses have departed, we ask that you use the back car park. This is the safest option and there is always ample parking available.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us to keep the school site safe and accessible for everyone.

Check out our Instagram page

Aylsham High School Instagram page

Timetable for September 2027

When we return to school in September, we will be on week 1 of the timetable.  Students return on Thursday 3^rd September 2025 – week 1 Thursday.

Students will follow the same timetable as they have in June and July. 

DT/drama/food rotation for year 8 – this will start back on the subject listed on students’ paper copies of their timetable.  SIMS Student and SIMS Parent will show the correct subject too.  We will update the timetable for each rotation across the year.  Rotation schedules can be found here: www.aylshamhigh.com/yr7andyr8rotationsubjects

School Reports

The following reports have been shared via SIMS Parent and SIMS Student.   Please ensure that you read your child’s report on SIMS Parent and then complete the parent/carer feedback form which can be found in the report letter.

If you have any issues with accessing SIMS Parent or your child’s report, please email our SIMS Parent team simsparent@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk.

Year group	Reports shared
Year 7 (new 8)	Year 7 summer report
Year 8 (new 9)	Year 8 summer report
Year 9 (new 10)	Year 9 summer report – to include core subjects (Please note – options information is from March/April)
Year 10 (new 11)	Year 10 summer report – to include core subjects (Please note – options information is from March/April)

SIMS Student

Students have access to SIMS Student using their school alf.education email address. 

To get support with SIMS Student, students can see their computing teacher or Mrs Cooke in the STAR office at break or lunch time.  They are also able to visit room 34 at break or lunch.

For more information about SIMS Student, please see the SIMS Student page on the school website under the students tab.

https://www.aylshamhigh.com/ahssimsstudent

SIMS Parent

All parents/carers with parental responsibility are able to access SIMS Parent once registered. 

To get support with SIMS Parent, parents/carers can email simsparent@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk.

For more information about SIMS Parent including guidance on how to register, access SIMS Parent and about the information being shared with you, please see the SIMS Parent page on the school website under the parents & carers tab.

https://www.aylshamhigh.com/ahssimsparent

Clubs for students

To view all clubs please click here

Work Experience and Careers Update

Year 10
All work experience placements have now been successfully completed on Unifrog, and health and safety checks have been carried out.

There will be a Year 10 assembly on Thursday 2 July during tutor time. It is important that all students taking part in the July work experience programme attend. During this session, students placed in educational settings will also receive a safeguarding briefing.

Students are reminded to contact their employers before the placement week begins. They will also need to collect a folder containing important information about their placement.

Year 9
A work experience launch assembly for current Year 9 students will take place on Wednesday 8 July during tutor time. This will introduce their work experience week, scheduled for Monday 12 July to Friday 16 July 2027.

It is never too early to begin considering and securing a placement. Work experience is a key part of our curriculum and will be compulsory for all students in Year 10, who are expected to complete the full five days.

Further information can be found via Unifrog (Aylsham High School).

Year 11 – Next Steps
If your child is feeling unsure or would like additional support with their next steps, please encourage them to speak to us. Parents can also contact Miss Wiseman, who will be happy to arrange a check-in.

Careers Support – Room 38
Room 38 is open at lunchtimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays for any students seeking guidance on work experience placements, post-16 options, or further education pathways.

Support is available from Mrs Wiseman and Miss Wiseman.

Virtual Work Experience

Amazing opportunities on this link for virtual work experience all on line certification at the end of completing!

https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/future-creators-wanted-virtual-work-experience-with-thales/WEXP-00487

Activities Week 13th-17th July 

Activity                                 Daily Meeting points 2026

Arts and crafts                                             Room 19

Adventure Week (all groups)                    Gym

Camping – Forest Park                              Room 9 (Monday only) front of school for coaches

Day Trippers                                                Sports Hall

Derbyshire                                                   Room 20 (Monday only)

Dungeons and Dragons                            Room 10

Eagles                                                           Nurture / the Nest

Normandy France                                       Depart AHS Monday 13 July 12.30am hrs Back Car Park

Rugby Academy                                          Room 35                           

Sports games and fun                               Room 36

Watersports                                                Dining room

Water Walks and windmills                       Library

Wizardry, Wildlife and Wild Rides             Room 7 Depart 13 July 9am back car park

Other rooms are use during the week,

Arts and crafts 19 19A 20 21 textiles 15 food room 12 and DT room 16 and library

Sports Fun in school 36 37 38 and sports hall

TACT (Families)

Please click here to view upcoming courses and events organised by our Family Learning team.  

FREE Workshops available to book.  Please click on the link above to get booked onto the courses

Payment Reminders

Any items available for payment will be listed on your ParentPay account.

Please pay for your house pin badge on ParentPay before the end of the summer holidays.

Canada 2026 and Italy Ski 2027 – Please check your payments are up to date in line with the payment schedule.

New year 8 Hospitality and Catering ingredient contributions (rotation 1) are now due for payment.  Payable on ParentPay.

New GCSE Contributions are now due for Construction, DT, and Food and Nutrition, Art, Graphics and Textiles.  Payable on ParentPay

New Youth Wellbeing Initiative

Be part of something bigger. Help make a change in your community.

Norwich City Community Sports Foundation is launching United for Change — an exciting free programme led by young people giving you the chance to take action on the issues that matter most to you. 

From improving mental health and wellbeing to building skills for jobs and making communities safer, this project gives young people the opportunity to turn your ideas into real change.

Through hands-on activities, leadership opportunities, and practical training they will build confidence, develop valuable skills and gain real experience that helps them stand out. 

As part of the programme, young people aged 14-20 years old will become Wellbeing Champions, running workshops across Norfolk and supporting other young people. Along the way, they’ll meet like-minded people, take part in fun team activities, and even get involved with our Youth Voice Council to help shape real change.

It gives young people real experience they can use in UCAS applications and CVs, helping them stand out to universities and employers.

If you’re passionate about making a difference — or know someone who is — this is where that journey can begin.

?? Join us at our Wellbeing Champion Recruitment Day

?? The Nest, Holt Road, Norwich, NR10 3AQ

??     Friday 21st July 2026

?     10:00am – 12:30pm

Come along to find out more, meet the team, and discover how you can get involved.

?? Spaces are limited — CLICK HERE for more info and to register and take the first step towards inspiring change. 

From Monday 3rd -  Saturday 15th, a group of 8-18 year olds will craft a production of Peter Pan. Filled with pirates, fairies, lost boys and girls and so much more!

At the end of the 2 weeks, they will perform 4 performances of the show in our fantastic theatre.

Adult Counselling Skills Level 2 Course.

We are offering this course in partnership with East Coast College.

Details: 30 weeks (term time only) 2 hours per week. 

Start Date: Monday 14th September 6.15pm - 8.15pm

Venue: Aylsham High School

Cost: £10 non-refundable fee each half term.  Remaining fees are free if your annual income is £25,750 per year or you are in receipt of benefits.  If you do not meet this criteria, there will be a course fee payable.

Booking: Places are limited, booking is required. 

Here is the link to book: Counselling Skills Level 2 Course

British Sign Language (BSL) Level 1 Award.

We are offering this course in partnership with East Coast College.

Details: 32-week (term time only) 2 hours per week. Beginner-friendly course leading to the nationally recognised Signature BSL Level 1 Award.

Start Date:  Monday 14^th September 6pm - 8pm

Venue: Aylsham High School 

Cost: £10 non-refundable fee each half term.  

Booking: Places are limited, booking is required. 

Here is the link to book:  British Sign Language Level 1 Course

To view our current vacancies please click here