Anglo European School

In order to ensure all Anglo students are ambitious, resilient and principled, as our mission statement claims, we work hard in KS3 to address any shortfalls in readiness. Our highly successful Thinking Reading programme ensures all students achieve their chronological reading age by the end of Key Stage 3 so no student is starting their GCSE course without full access to materials, textbooks and on-line resources; enabling them to read with comprehension swiftly, fluently and with understanding.

In Mathematics, Axiom Maths has been introduced to support small group interventions in numeracy to encourage independent problem solving, critical thinking and confidence in Mathematics in smaller "Maths Circles".

Oracy has also been a strong focus of the school development plan for the last two years and teachers are refining the planning and execution of structured talk, constructing writing using oracy strategies and dynamic group work, leading to more confident participation by all students and the development of more advanced disciplinary language.

This year we have refined our handwriting and fine motor skills strategies to ensure all students write legibly, with fluidity and speed, necessary for good communication and examination skills.

So much of our work in securing foundations is predicated on the ability to read and the desire to read more, improving our reading skills, widening our vocabulary and developing a lifelong pleasure in reading, which we know increases all students life chances. Before half term, the hall was ringing with laughter as our visiting author, Simon James Green, shared his work with our students. The students thoroughly enjoyed their time with him as he shared his work, talked about the process of writing and the importance of highlighting key themes such as inclusivity, prejudice and supporting those with protected characteristics. He was truly inspiring and the student feedback below testifies.

Good foundations are critical for magnificent cathedrals of learning to grow. A huge thank you to our amazing staff who commit to this mission every day

Written by Anwyn and Hattie, members of the Bibliomaniacs:

We were lucky enough to have award winning author Simon James Green, who has written 17 books such as Noah Can’t Even, Sleepover/Takeover and Boy Like Me, visit the school. He started by doing a character workshop with some students from Year 8 in the Library. First, we had to answer questions on a scale of 1-10 such as 'How healthy is your character’s diet?' and 'How is your character’s home life?' Then we took it in turns to pick out a card and answer the question while pretending to be our character. Finally, we did a walkthrough of our character’s bedroom in our mind to help develop who they were. It was really fun and I enjoyed learning how to create characters for our own stories.

After break, he did an assembly for Year 8, he shared some of his own catastrophically awkward childhood experiences. He talked with such enthusiasm and had everyone laughing and on the edge of their seats wondering what child Simon was going to do next. Everyone loved it, even the teachers! He also read to us from his book 'Alex in Wonderland' and talked us through his journey to being a published author. All in all, it was a wonderful experience, we are looking forward to seeing who Mrs Jamison (librarian) invites next!

Pride Club, written by Caspar:

Simon James Green was very kind to spend part of his lunch break with the AES Pride Club. He explained what his secondary school life was like and said how it was hard to be yourself in a school where LGBTQ+ rights were not recognised. He also spoke about the impact of Section 28, the law that prohibited local authorities from "promoting homosexuality", which remained in force until 2003.

Simon James Green suggested ways of tackling homophobia and how to make LGBTQ+ students feel safe in a school environment. We look forward to reading his new upcoming book, "Glitterati" when it comes out in March 2027.

Year 8 student, Jack said "The author's visit has inspired me to use my writing to stop all discrimination and prejudice. This will help me achieve my life goal of making the world a better place".

We welcomed STEM The education roadshow 2026: Material World, which took our Year 7 students behind the scenes of the ‘School of Wonders’ TV studio, where they explored the incredible science that underpins modern engineering.

Students joined three presenters on a journey from the Stone Age to the Silicon Age. They saw first-hand how material properties are manipulates to solve global challenges, from F1 racing efficiency to environmental sustainability.

This performance will hopefully help them to see how their classroom interests can grow into a meaningful career within a range of STEM field.

Year 7 students recently took part in What Went Down, an engaging theatre-in-education performance delivered by The Riot Act in partnership with Safer Essex. The play follows a group of young people whose lives are affected by risky behaviour around roads, encouraging students to consider the consequences of distractions, peer pressure and unsafe decisions. Following the performance, students participated in an interactive workshop where they explored the characters' choices, discussed road safety issues and reflected on how they can make safer decisions as pedestrians, passengers and future road users.

Our Lower Sixth Business students recently attended the Peter Jones Foundation Enterprise festival and awards ceremony. The event showcased the top contenders from the previous year’s tycoon competition, displaying the entrepreneurial skills and attributes that our students acquire as part of our connection with the foundation. This was then followed by the awards ceremony, which featured the highly anticipated National entrepreneur of the year award, a prize which many of our Lower Sixth in attendance shall hope to be nominated for at next year's ceremony. The ceremony also saw two of our students, Woody and Krishna participate in the “pitch it live” section of the ceremony, where they were selected to pitch their own business ideas to Peter Jones. This event also offered the students an incredible opportunity to network with other PJEA schools, as well as numerous entrepreneurs and businesses affiliated with the PJEA foundation. Our IBCP students were incredibly proactive in networking with a wide array of attendees, connecting with multiple entrepreneurs and business owners through LinkedIn, providing possible employment opportunities for the future.

Would you have been able to guess the language?

We were delighted to welcome Dr Roi Zur to first session of our Sixth Form Enrichment Club. 51 students across the 6th form and KS4 came to listen to a talk on 'The rise of extremist parties in Europe'. It was a fascinating talk and the students asked some wonderfully perceptive questions. Our Deputy Head Student, Kelly has organised a number of talks for the club after half term. The first of which is focused on Entrepreneurship. If you would like to be involved we still have a few slots remaining. We are also looking for help with Oxbridge and Medical interviews if you would like to be involved in these please email enquiries@aesessex.co.uk FAO Mr Porter.

You will be aware that we have been working alongside Essex Police and the University of Bath in a vape study. We are pleased to share the latest findings from the Essex-wide vape testing study, which continues to investigate the prevalence of illicit substances in confiscated vapes and e-liquids collected from schools and colleges.

In July, researchers gathered 402 samples for testing across participating schools. This follows previous collections of 167 samples in the first phase of the study and 572 samples last year, demonstrating continued commitment from schools to tackling youth vaping.

Importantly, none of the vape samples collected from our school tested positive for THC (cannabis), Spice, Etomidate, or any other illicit substance in this latest round of testing.

Across the 14 schools that participated, four schools (28%) had at least one sample containing an illicit drug. Overall, however, only 2% of all samples tested positive, which is significantly lower than previous testing rounds and below the reported national average.

The findings highlight that while the proportion of contaminated vapes remains relatively low, illicit substances in vapes continue to pose a risk to young people. Of particular concern was the discovery of one vape containing a combination of Spice and Etomidate, a powerful anaesthetic rarely identified in UK drug markets. This serves as a reminder that illicit vape products can contain unknown and potentially dangerous substances.

While we are pleased and reassured that none of the vapes collected from our school in July were found to contain illicit substances, we cannot afford to be complacent. We will continue to educate students about the health risks associated with vaping and remain vigilant in addressing vaping-related concerns in school. Students should also be aware that bringing any illegal substance onto the school site could result in serious sanctions, including permanent exclusion. We ask for the support of parents and carers in reinforcing this message at home. If you are aware that your child vapes outside of school, please help ensure that they do not bring vapes onto the school site. This expectation applies to all students, including those in the Sixth Form.

For further information about youth vaping and the wider study, visit: https://www.escb.co.uk/safeguarding-topics/youth-vaping/

Calling all revolting children (and parents, carers, grandparents and friends)! Matilda is coming, and you’d have to be a little bit naughty to miss it. Tickets are now on sale, so don’t wait for Miss Trunchbull to tell you twice. Get yours before they disappear faster than Bruce Bogtrotter’s chocolate cake!

Performances will begin promptly at 7pm on the following dates:

Tuesday 17th November

Wednesday 18th November

Thursday 19th November

Parents/Carers are encouraged to use public transport where possible as parking will be restricted on the school site. Please park considerately in surrounding areas, respecting local residents and access requirements.

Once again, we are participating in the Rotary Club Shoebox Appeal. Please could we urge parents and students to support this fantastic charity. Donations will be sent to families and children in Ukraine, deadline for all donations is Friday 13th November.

Please donate new and like-new items to be donated to families in need this Christmas! Many of the people receiving a shoebox won’t have received a gift in a long time, and the campaign is a great way to make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Please give your donations to your form tutor on or before Friday 13th November and your year group team will pick up the items and finished boxes!

Thank you so much for your donations, they make a huge difference to people’s lives!

Recommended donations for children:

• Small toys such as dolls, teddies, tennis balls, skipping ropes, dominoes, Lego
• Essentials such as mittens, scarves, hats, warm socks
• Craft supplies such as crayons, DIY kits, colouring books, puzzles, playdough
• NO war-related toys such as plastic or nerf guns

Recommended donations for teens:

• Games such as cards, chess or dominoes
• Size-neutral clothing and accessories such as hats, socks, scarves, t-shirts
• Notebooks and stationary, sewing kits
• Shower products, skincare and makeup, jewellery, hairbrushes

Recommended household donations: (for older folk & families):

• Writing pads, envelopes, stationary
• Household products such as pan scourers, plasters, toothbrushes and toothpaste, (wrapped!) scented and sensitive-skin friendly soap and shower gel
• Candles and tea lights, sewing kits, cosmetics such as lipstick

• Food or drinks, even if they are ‘cupboard’ items
• Flammables such as aerosols
• Sharp items
• Battery operated toys

We're collecting donations of small gifts and festive food items to help make this year's Senior Citizens' Christmas Party extra special. Please ensure any food donations are clearly labelled with ingredients. We would also be grateful if you could share the flyer below with friends, family and local groups to help us reach as many senior citizens in our community as possible. Thank you for your support!

On Wednesday 9th December, every pupil in Year 7 will take part in our first ever Anglo Maths Challenge.

It is a set of 20 puzzles in 45 minutes, with five answers to choose from each time, just like the National Junior Maths Challenge. The first questions are for everyone, so you can start with confidence. They get trickier, and the last few are for anyone who loves a puzzle. Nobody is expected to finish, and no marks are lost for a wrong answer.

There is nothing to revise. Bring a pencil and your curiosity.

Bronze, silver and gold certificates will celebrate great maths, and the top 60 pupils will go on to the national Junior Maths Challenge in 2027.

You are already getting ready: every Work Out Wednesday puzzle in form is practice.

Curious beats fast. We cannot wait to see what you can do!

Questions? Ask your maths teacher.

We’re halfway through the autumn term, but there’s still plenty of time to get involved and try something new! Our Extra-Curricular Programme offers a fantastic range of clubs and activities, from sport and creative opportunities to academic support and special interests. Take a look at what’s on and make the most of the rest of the term!

The Year 7 boys' football team put in a dominant performance in the league to seal a comfortable 5-0 win. Joey scored a hat-trick in the second half from midfield and Oba was excellent throughout. A very impressive team performance.

The Year 8 girls' football team put in a good performance against tough opposition. Isla, Phoebe and Zoe were chosen as joint players of the match by the team, and Miss Whitlock's player was Pippa for her excellent defending throughout. Well done girls!

A small group of students from Years 7-9 took part in a football panathlon event in Epping. It was a skills based event where they accumulated points at various stations. The Anglo team showed great skill and perseverance to finish 2nd overall. Well done to everyone who participated.

Year 9 student, Ozan has continued with his love of rowing by competing both individually and as part of a crew in competitions over the summer. At the 2026 British Rowing Club Championships, he represented Globe Rowing Club in the J14 double sculls. The crew produced a fantastic performance in the A Final, finishing just 0.99 seconds behind the winners to take 2nd place and secure a silver medal. This was an outstanding achievement at national level.

Ozan continued his strong form through the summer and into the autumn. At the Peterborough Summer Sprint Regatta, he finished 2nd in the J14 single sculls, while his double sculls crew took 1st place. At the Cambridge Autumn Regatta, he again achieved excellent results, finishing 2nd in the J15 single sculls and taking 1st place in the J15 double sculls.

These results highlight Ozan’s continued development both as an individual rower and as part of a crew, and mark an impressive period of racing.

If you would like to watch the full race at the British Championships, this can be seen on this link at 9:56:00 https://www.youtube.com/live/uPei23XHEmI?si=NWDg7xiirIfKktfX

Sixth Form student, Oscar recently took part in the launch of a Women's Safety Campaign organised by Maldon Town Council. Oscar was invited to act in a series of training films and awareness videos, taking on the role of a male harasser to help highlight the challenges women can face in public spaces. Through the project, he gained valuable filming experience while contributing to an important community initiative aimed at promoting safety and awareness.

During the event, Oscar had the opportunity to meet and speak with Maldon's Chancellor, Ron Pratt, and Emily Holmes, discussing how local councils and schools can work together to create more positive and inclusive environments for women. Reflecting on his experience, Oscar said he was proud to support such an important cause and encouraged other young people to get involved in community campaigns, as local organisations are always keen to hear the views and ideas of students.

In the summer I entered the Foyle Young Poet's Competition. Writing for no theme seemed even harder to me, but I wrote the poem "Ideas for an Enterprising Summer" based on the conflicting mixture in my life of advice to apply to university and terrifying events and news on the climate. I was very excited to find out that I had been commended in the same competition of which I had read the anthologies for a few years. I attended the awards ceremony on the 12th of October, and I received a tote bag with multiple poetry pamphlets, the Poetry Society Newspaper, and a poster with "This is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams on it, from the Poems on the Underground collection, and I am excited to attend the forthcoming online workshops.

The Anglo European School Association (AESA) AGM will take place on Tuesday 10 November at 5.00pm. AESA plays a vital role in supporting the school through fundraising events and initiatives that provide valuable resources and opportunities for our students. We are always looking for new volunteers and committee members, so whether you can offer a little time or take on a more active role, we would love to hear from you or just come along to the meeting. Join us to find out more about the difference AESA makes and how you can help support our school community.

Information on how you can support the school can be found here:

https://www.aesessex.co.uk/home/about-us/support-the-school/

If you would like to make a one-off donation please use the QR code.

We are looking for a native French speaker willing to give a few hours of their time each week to support our Sixth Form French students with their speaking skills. Students would be assigned a session to you, in small groups, working with your availability and their timetables. Sessions would involve informal conversation and discussion, with all materials provided by the school. A DBS check will be completed before the role begins.

If you would enjoy helping young linguists build their confidence in French, we would love to hear from you.

27th September - 21st November - Frankfurt Long Term Exchange students at AES

Tuesday 10th November - Year 11 individual photographs / L6 Geography visit - Little Hyde Woods / Year 10 Information Evening @6pm / L6 and U6 Debating Competition

Wednesday 11th November - Remembrance Service

Thursday 12th November - Year 8 Information Evening @6pm

Friday 13th November - All day rehearsal for "Matilda"/ AAP Year 9 Career Encounter

Monday 16th November - All day rehearsal for "Matilda" and Primary School performance

Tuesday 17th/Wednesday 18th/Thursday 19th November at 7pm - School Production "Matilda"

Thursday 19th November - L6 Geography Field Visit to Stratford

Friday 20th November - Confucius Classroom Enrichment Day for 9C

Wednesday 25th November - Careers Convention

Monday 9th November - All years Boys' Swimming Gala @Brentwood School / Year 9 Girls' Futsal @Becket Keys

Tuesday 10th November - All years MESSSA Cross Country @Hylands

Wednesday 11th November - Year 10 Football @SJP / Year 8 Netball Rally @Ursuline

Thursday 12th November - Year 7/8 Netball v Ursuline @AES / Year 8 MESSSA Rugby @Mavericks / Year 8 Girls' Football Futsal @St Martins

Monday 16th November - Brentwood Schools Swimming Gala (all years) / Year 11 Essex Cup v BK @AES

Tuesday 17th November - Year 7B Netball Rally @WDF

Wednesday 18th November - Year 9 Boys Football @Moulsham / U14 Netball @Beaulieu / Year 7 Rugby @Ormiston

Thursday 19th November - Year 9/10 Girls Football @Great Baddow

Please note this is a guide only, fixtures can be subject to change or cancellation.

You can now view the full catering menu and the range of food options available around the school by following the link below.

Finance - finance@aesessex.co.uk

Admissions - admissions@aesessex.co.uk

Visits - visits@aesessex.co.uk

Attendance - report this through the Arbor using the orange tab "Quick Actions", click on Attendance and Log Absence

Email: enquiries@aesessex.co.uk
Website: aesessex.co.uk
Location: Anglo European School, CM4 0DJ, Willow Green, Ingatestone, UK
Phone: 01277 354018