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.

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

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.

Reports shared:

• Year 11 autumn report – subject version
• Year 11 autumn report – students/families (including tutor report)
• Year 11 autumn report – reference copy (including tutor report)
• Year 9 autumn report – option subject
• Year 10 autumn report – option subject

Year 7 and 8 DT/drama/food rotations

Students in years 7 and 8 complete their Design and technology (DT), drama and food and nutrition subjects as part of a rotation in approximately 6 week blocks.

The rotation schedules can be found on the school website under the learning & subjects tab: https://www.aylshamhigh.com/yr7andyr8rotationsubjects

SIMS Parent and SIMS Student will be updated to show the new rotation classes. This is usually updated the Thursday before the new rotation starts on the Monday. Student aren’t issued with new paper copies of their timetables for each rotation.

In the last week of the rotation, their teacher will let them know where they are moving to the following week.

Options information for 2026-27

All students in years 8, 9 and 10 will be asked to make option choices in the new year.  In preparation for this, and to support students with making their choices, Mr Brockington, Mr Ravasse and Mr Sweatman will be holding assemblies after half term to explain the options process for each of the year groups.

If any student is absent from an assembly they can speak with their tutor for further information about options. Students are also welcome to come to the star office, at break or lunchtimes, where staff can answer any questions that they may have regarding this process. 

Options evening for year 8 families

Our options evening will be held ‘virtually’ on Wednesday 13th January 2027; all information will be made available on the school website and we will share further information on how to ‘attend’ the virtual event nearer the time.

Options booklet

There will also be an options booklet, with all course information, along with full careers information and advice available. We will be producing a video playlist, regarding the option subjects available, on the school’s YouTube channel for families to watch. This will include a short video from each subject we have on offer.

Students will select their options via SIMS Options online which is accessed via SIMS Parent and/or SIMS Student.  Students will need to select their option choices before the deadline of Friday 12^th February 2027.  Teachers and form tutors will be available to offer support and guidance to students whilst they are making their options choices.  Parents/carers will be asked to confirm their approval of options via SIMS Parent also by this date.

Letters will be sent home to families explaining the option process in December with full details on how to access, and select, options choices via the SIMS online system.

Please note the following information regarding choices:

Students will need to make one option choice for each remaining year they have left in school. This means that year 8 students will make three choices, year 9 students two choices and year 10 students one choice. Year 9 students will also need to make a decision about geography and history for their two-year humanity.

It is essential that students think carefully about their selections as we will use these choices to plan their future curriculum. Whilst we will do our best to accommodate everyone, changes later on may limit what we can offer. Students should also be aware that it will not be possible to place all year 8 and year 9 students in their first-choice option.

We have a small number of subjects that are only offered to students who are following specific ‘pathways’. Students may only select subjects from the lists in their pathway listed in SIMS.  Further information will be given in the options letters and assemblies.

We ask that year 10 students select a ‘reserve’ option, in case a clash is created by their other choice.  We will have conversations with any students to whom we are unable to offer their first choice.

We are unable to guarantee that all options will run; final decisions can only be made once options choices have been completed.  If a decision is made not to offer an option subject any student who has selected this course will be asked to make a further choice and will be supported with this decision. 

SIMS Student

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

We are currently in the process of registering our year 7 students on SIMS Student.  This is being completed by their computing teachers in their computing lessons. Please see a letter recently sent to year 7 families about this process on the letters home page.  https://www.aylshamhigh.com/ahslettershome

To get support with SIMS Student, students can see their computing teacher or Mrs Cooke in the STAR office at break or lunch time.

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. 

Accounts for year 7 families were sent out on Wednesday 9^th September between 3.30pm and 5pm.

Two emails were sent out:

- Already registered email from simsparent@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk

- Invitation for SIMS Parent email from simsparent@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk along with an invite from noreply@sims.co.uk

Please check your email inbox and junk/spam for these emails.

If you are a year 7 parent/carer and have a child already at AHS, then your new year 7 child will appear on your existing account.

If you are a year 8-11 parent/carer and haven’t registered your SIMS Parent account, please email our SIMS Parent team to request your invite.

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

Work Experience Launch the Work Experience Launch Assembly took place on Wednesday, 8 July, introducing students to their upcoming work experience week scheduled for Monday, 12 July to Friday, 16 July 2027. Students were given information and a booklet (if you require another booklet please see Mrs Wiseman ) updated information shared regularly on google classroom please keep checking

By now, all students should have contacted prospective companies or placements to secure their position for July 2027. Work experience is a vital part of our curriculum and is compulsory for all Year 10 students, who are expected to complete the full five days.

Further information and resources are available on Unifrog.

Year 11 – Next Steps If your child is unsure about their post-16 options or would like additional support with their next steps, please encourage them to speak with us. Parents are also welcome to contact Miss Wiseman directly to arrange a check-in.

Careers Support – Room 38 Room 38 is open every Tuesday and Thursday at lunchtime for students seeking guidance on work experience placements, post-16 options, or general career pathways. Support is available from both Mrs. Wiseman and Miss Wiseman.

Year 11 Next Steps: Post-16 Your Choices Booklet & Open Days

Year 11 is a crucial year of big decisions regarding education, training, and future career pathways. To help support families through this transition, we are pleased to share the Post-16 Your Choices Booklet, which will have been emailed home already to parent/carers.

Every Year 11 student will receive a hard copy over the next few weeks during their Help You Choose session

What the booklet includes:

• Pathways Guide: Clear overviews of A-Levels, Vocational Courses, T-Levels, and Apprenticeships
• Open Days Schedule: Dates, times, and booking details for local college and sixth-form open events
• Essential Info: Application deadlines, entry requirements, and guidance on choosing the right environment

We strongly encourage parents and carers to sit down with their child to read through the guide and plan visits to open days together—it is one of the best ways to explore options and build confidence for the year ahead.

For any questions or additional support, please reach out to Miss Wiseman in the Careers Department at lwiseman@aylshamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk

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

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.

Year 8 Science Museum - deadline for consent and payment is Friday 13^th November.

Italy Ski 2027 and Naples 2027 – please check your payments are up to date in line with the payment schedule.

Please can you share the attached invitation with families on the parent bulletin.  Please note: This is an adults-only session, children will not be attending with parents/carers

Here's the link to the booking form.

Online Safety Evening Booking Form

Booking form: AHS SEND CAFE BOOKING FORM

I will make a note to adjust the publicity after the first session to remove the November date and then ask if you can kindly re share after Christmas in time for our January date.

Key points:

SEND Cafés at Aylsham High School

Three sessions throughout the year, each focusing on a different SEND topic:

• Provision in Place for SEND at AHS – Wednesday 4th November
• Option Pathways and Exam Dispensation – Tuesday 26th January
• Coffee, Cake and a Chat – Wednesday 28th April

10.30am to 12 noon

Opportunity for parents and carers to:

• Meet members of the AHS SEND team
• Ask questions and share concerns
• Learn more about the support available for students with SEND
• Connect with other parents and carers in a relaxed, informal setting

Coffee and cake provided.

To view our current vacancies please click here