Anglo European School

Inclusion is a central tenet of the school’s mission statement which states: The Anglo European School seeks to develop ambitious, resilient and principled young people who recognise their common humanity and who seek to create a better and more peaceful society through inter-cultural understanding and respect. We encourage our students to become active citizens who are internationally-minded, lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

This week we hosted Neil Lawson, Lead for the Mandarin Excellence Programme & Ancient Languages, from the DFE’s Curriculum & Qualifications Group, Matt Schofield, MEP Programme Manager, UCL Institute of Education and Professor Zhu Hua, Interim Director of the Centre for Chinese Language Education, UCL Institute of Education. They spent time observing Chinese lessons, talking to students who study GCSE, IB and HSK qualifications in Chinese and talking to those who have benefitted from the funding afforded our students to travel to China and enjoy immersion and enrichment as part of the Mandarin Excellence Programme. One of the key elements of the visit was how Anglo European School has developed an Inclusion Strategy which enables those who may be vulnerable or face wider challenges to achieve academically in line with their peers. They were hugely impressed with the students they spoke to and enjoyed listening to their experiences of travelling to Beijing, Dalin, Nanjing and Xi’an, listening to their life-changing experiences on exchanges or through international work experience, building lasting friendships as well as enhancing their linguistic skills.

Our Inclusion Strategy, ensuring social mobility and equality of access and attainment for disadvantaged students, is highly successful. Indeed, there was no gap between our students and those who are disadvantaged in the English and Mathematics 5+ measure in 2025, countering all national and regional trends. In a letter to Mrs Gee this week, Bridget Phillipson wrote,

“Congratulations to you and your team on the excellent outcomes the disadvantaged pupils at Anglo European School achieved at the end of the 2024/25 academic year. Your school’s performance places it among the very best nationally, and this is a significant achievement.

This success reflects the dedication of your staff and the hard work of your pupils. It shows what can be achieved when ambition and commitment come together. Thank you for everything you do to give children the best possible opportunities to succeed.

Your school’s achievements demonstrate what is possible, and I hope you will continue to share your experience and best practice with others. Even the strongest schools can go further. We encourage you to lead the way as a system leader - sharing effective practice, championing networks, supporting collaboration, and helping raise standards across the sector.”

Our unique curriculum has changed many lives, providing equity of opportunity for students and affording many the same privileges as other students only receive in private and selective schools; experiences which are often the behest of the privileged few. This cohort have been enabled to progress to our Outstanding Sixth Form, university and apprenticeships, have grown the confidence to work abroad or in international companies. They are our future diplomats, CEOs, academics, lawyers and leaders, who can confidently communicate with their peers in at least two languages.

Mrs Edge-Baron, our Achievement Co-ordinator, whose role involves removing barriers to learning for those who may struggle or face challenges at school or home, was particularly proud of these outcomes. She said, “All pupils, regardless of background, are positive contributors to our very special school community. Their efforts plus the consistent support of staff who champion them has led to this success. I am delighted that the Secretary of State for Education has acknowledged the super results achieved by those who may have faced an additional layer of challenge.”

Well-done Anglo Family!

Year 11 students took part in our annual World of Work day on Friday 23 January. Students were encouraged to think and talk about their options after GCSEs and their future career pathway. The students participated in a range of seminars covering the labour market, finances and pensions, and apprenticeships, with entrepreneurs, and sat mock interviews with real employers. The day concluded with an assembly where the students were captivated by presentations from inspiring Anglo Alumni including a medical doctor specialising in A&E trauma and paediatrics, a research fellow from Zoological Society of London, and a secondary school teacher, all who spoke about how they took advantage of the opportunities they had whilst at AES to accelerate their career goals. The students thoroughly enjoyed the invaluable experiences from WOW Day, that will help prepare them for the year ahead.

One student commented: ‘The interviews were really useful as I have never had that experience before.’ Another said ‘Having multiple interviews with real employers has given me confidence. The first interview I had I was nervous, but I was much more confident for the second one.’

One professional said: ‘Having just finished a morning of mock interviews with your Year 11 World of Workers, I wanted to tell you how inspiring an experience it was. I met young people with the belief and conviction to become surgeons, human rights lawyers, classical musicians, teachers, research scientists, screenwriters and international campaigners. Time and again I found myself writing feedback 'extremely impressive', 'dedicated and focused' and 'articulate and thoughtful'.’

Another professional commented, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to help in some small way, these students. Every single person I interviewed came across so well and had so much ambition and potential. It made me very optimistic about the future of our country if these are the types of individuals who will be shaping it in the future.’

We extend huge thanks to the professionals that volunteered their time and expertise to help our students, we couldn’t run this event without them. If you would like to volunteer for our events, or find out more about how you can help the Careers Department at AES, please email enterprise@aesessex.co.uk

This week, our Year 7 and 8 students took part in an engaging and informative visit from the Essex Fire Safety Team. Students learned about fire safety in the home, the importance of having working smoke alarms, and how to stay safe around water. The team also explained some of the specialist equipment they use on a daily basis, giving students a real insight into the life of a firefighter. The assembly was made even more memorable with help from our teachers, who dressed up as firefighters and took part in a fun “rescue” of a human dummy.

Students were also informed about the Fire Cadets programme, learning how they can get involved and how it can provide a valuable pathway towards a future career in the fire service. The Fire Cadets also work alongside the Duke of Edinburgh Award, offering further opportunities for personal development. More information can be found https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/fire-cadets

Tuesday 27th January is Holocaust Memorial Day. Our assemblies this week, in line with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, have been on the theme of bridging generations. Mr Russell (Subject Leader for RS and Philosophy) and Mr Hills (Head of Citizenship) led the assemblies with five Sixth Form students who spoke about their recent experiences visiting the sites of the Auschwitz camps and Oskar Schindler factory in Poland.

Mr Russell explained to students that as time has progressed, most of those who survived the Holocaust are no longer with us to tell us of their experiences and reflections and how we need to ensure that generations are bridged and these harrowing, but important human experiences are not lost. If these accounts are forgotten, we run the risk of these happening again. Indeed, there have been many genocides since the Holocaust where the warnings from history have not been acted upon. Sadly, there will be many attempts in the future.

Mr Hills spoke briefly about the visits to Poland before introducing our students who spoke with passion about what impacted them on their visits to some of the sites of the Holocaust in Poland. Eddie spoke about the vastness of the Auschwitz Birkenau camp and how it was clearly so deliberately planned to systematically wipe out over a million lives. Tilly and Imogen spoke of the dehumanising conditions of the sleeping arrangements and how peoples' clothes and hair, important symbols of our identity, were taken and used as commodities. Sara explained how she was told when there that when leaving the Auschwitz Birkenau camp through the infamous gatehouse, she had a choice to leave that most of the victims never had, therefore reflecting on our situation today of having freedom to learn about and learn from the Holocaust. Joseph explained how he was impacted by the visit to Oskar Schindler's enamel factory in Krakow and how the 'Nazification' of Poland and the destruction of the Jewish communities was so deliberate and planned. Joseph reminded us about the importance of knowing the wider societal role in the Holocaust but that people such as Oskar Schindler who were initially complicit in the persecution were able to do good things to help victims. Our thanks to our Sixth Form students who gave up their time to prepare and deliver their important contributions to these assemblies.

Mr Hills concluded the assemblies by reminding students of another hero. Sir Nicholas Winton (1909-2015) save 669 children from Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia between 1938 and 1939. Students were shown a clip from the That's Life broadcast in the 1980s where Nicholas Winton's story was told and he was surprised to meet many of the children who he helped rescue from Czechoslovakia. It is a reminder that ordinary people can do wonderful things during times of darkness and misery. The challenge for the students was to consider what they can do if the events of prejudice, discrimination and persecution occurred in the future. The adapted words of Martin Niemoller were left of students to ponder at the end:

As part of our Tutor Period guest speakers programme, we welcomed Anglo Alumna Captain Emma Henderson MBE to speak to the Sixth Form today. As a former airline captain, Emma spoke of resilience, setting ambitious goals and the importance of being open minded to various career opportunities. Emma studied the IB Diploma and spoke of how the Anglo inspired her thirst for travel and her understanding of the world in which we live. Students asked well considered questions and were amazed by her story. She also met with our Year 11 student, Till who as you may recall from last week's publication is a Speedbird-Z Influencer.

As we look back into 2025 and launch into the Year of Reading 2026, here are a few key facts and figures from our school library. All throughout 2025, we have witnessed our pupils engaging with a rich variety of formats, topics, and reading levels, helping them shape their own reading identities and contributing to stronger academic outcomes.

Topping the list of most borrowed author is Tatsuya Endo, creator of the popular manga Spy x Family series, loaned 250 times.

Other popular series were: The Summer I turned Pretty, Heartstopper, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

Most borrowed non-fiction: An Illustrated History of Urban Legends

In 2025 an impressive 6,885 loans were recorded across 2,356 individual copies, reflecting just how enthusiastically our pupils and staff engaged with the available collections.

Over the past 12 months, our inquisitive readers have carried out 15,379 searches, with 13,852 searches finding the books they needed in our library. This strong success rate shows that readers not only engage actively with our library search tools but also find them genuinely effective in helping them discover the information they need.

Finally, we couldn’t have done it all without your continued support. We would like to take this opportunity to extend a big Thank You to everyone who has donated to the growth of our library collections, with an impressive 170 good quality and relevant books donated since September.

Lower Sixth students attended Anglia Ruskin University on Wednesday to start their academic projects. Students complete a range of projects in our Sixth Form which include Extended Essays, Reflective Projects, Internal Assessments, MOOCs, essay writing competitions and the Extended Project Qualification. On the visit, all students learnt how to craft an essay title, how to research for academic articles and how to reference. In addition, students were given a campus tour and networked with ARU student ambassadors from the schools of medicine and engineering. Students also attended a "Why go to university?" and "Understanding student finance" workshops, allowing them to begin their post-18 destinations research. -need photo

School isn’t just about classes—it’s about discovering what makes you you. Joining an extracurricular activity is your chance to explore new interests, build confidence, make friends, and learn skills that last way beyond the classroom. Whether it’s sports, music, drama, debate, art, coding, or a club you’ve never heard of before, there’s something waiting for you. You don’t have to be an expert—just curious. Take the leap, try something new!

Year 11 and Upper Sixth students: As exams approach, students are strongly encouraged to attend scheduled revision classes. These sessions are a valuable opportunity to strengthen understanding, clarify difficult topics, and build confidence ahead of assessments. Regular attendance, active participation, and consistent revision can make a real difference—make the most of the support available and give yourself the best chance to succeed.

We are excited to share a new addition to our extra-curricular repertoire—the Exploding Kittens Club, the brainchild of a Year 8 student, Benjamin. Exploding Kittens is a fast-paced, highly strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette designed for 2–5 players.

After noticing that many students, like himself, were not particularly sporty and preferred indoor games during lunchtime, Benjamin decided to set up a club that would appeal to them. He worked closely with teachers to develop his idea, designing eye-catching posters, creating a presentation to promote the club, and taking full responsibility for its organisation and day-to-day running.

The response has been fantastic, with around 15 students queuing outside L Block to join the club this week. Congratulations, Benjamin — we look forward to seeing the club continue to grow and thrive!

Raise and Give Week will take place during the week commencing Monday 9th March, and we are kindly asking for donations of chocolate to support our tombola stall. Any chocolate donations, large or small, would be greatly appreciated and will help us raise funds for our chosen school charities. Students, please take donations to Student Services, parents/visitors please leave donations with the Main School Office. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support in helping to make Raise and Give Week a success.

We are delighted to share that, thanks to the continued generosity and support of our parent community, AESA has recently approved funding totalling £7,072 to support a range of important school initiatives.

The committee voted to fund the following areas:

• Inclusion Strategy – £3,500
• Step Up to English – £700
• Music GCSE – £980
• Drama Staging – £200
• Specific Curriculum Investment – £1,692

These investments will directly enhance learning opportunities and experiences for our students across the curriculum. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all parents and carers for your ongoing support of AESA.

This May, we are planning to run a Grand Prize Draw and we are currently seeking donations of high-value prizes.

If you, or someone you know, would be willing to donate a fantastic prize, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us at aesa@aesessex.co.uk.

Thank you for your continued support - every contribution helps make a difference!

To find out more about 2026 Fundraising Events please visit our AESA Events page.

https://www.aesessex.co.uk/home/parents/anglo-european-school-association-aesa/aesa-events/

Parents and students over 16 are warmly invited to join us for Quiz Night—an evening of fun, friendly competition, and community spirit. Come test your knowledge, work as a team, and enjoy plenty of laughs along the way. It’s a great chance for families to connect, support the school, and spend quality time together outside the classroom. We hope to see you there! Get your ticket now!

Anglo European Quiz Night Friday 27th February 2026 7.00pm - 10.00pm – Fill in form

Following up on the email sent earlier this week, we want to ensure our community stays one step ahead of digital scammers. Phishing attacks—fake messages designed to steal passwords or financial info—are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Please keep these "Red Flags" in mind before clicking any links:

• The "Urgency" Trap: Scammers often use high-pressure language (e.g., "Your account will be suspended in 2 hours!") to make you act without thinking.
• Slightly "Off" Email Addresses: Look closely at the sender. A scammer might use office@school-name.co instead of our official domain.
• Unexpected Attachments: We will never send you unsolicited .zip or .exe files. When in doubt, don't download.
• Requests for Sensitive Info: We will never ask for your password or full credit card details via email.

How to Stay Safe

1. Inspect the Link: On a computer, hover your mouse over a link (without clicking) to see the actual destination URL. If it looks like a string of random characters, stay away.
2. Keep Software Current: Ensure your phone and computer have the latest antivirus and system updates installed. These updates often contain critical patches that block known phishing sites and malware.
3. Trust Your Gut: If a message feels out of character or looks visually "cluttered," it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Congratulations to Beatrix Cooke who competed in the Essex Schools cross country championships representing AES. She finished 3rd after a hard fought race in heavy mud conditions. As a result of this fantastic achievement, she has qualified for the National Schools Cross Country Championships in Liverpool on March 14th, where she will once again represent Anglo and Essex Schools. She is delighted with her qualification and is already preparing to step up her training as she looks ahead to the national event. We wish her the very best of luck in Liverpool.

Year 7 student, Benn competed in the Liverpool Karate Open International and performed exceptionally well, earning a silver medal in the Under 12 Nihon Team Fight. He was the last competitor to enter the mat during the final match, under significant pressure, and delivered his strongest performance to date with a 4–2 win against a very strong Polish team. Due to technical scoring, the team were awarded silver rather than gold, despite scoring the highest number of points overall. Well done Benn, we look forward to following your progression in Karate.

18th January to 14th March - Year 10 Frankfurt Long Term Exchange

2nd - 6th February - Lower Sixth Geography Field Study Visit to Slapton Leys

Wednesday 4th February - Year 9 Home Fire Safety / Year 10, 11, L6 Parents' Information Evening re Applying to Oxbridge (virtual event)

Thursday 5th February - Year 9Y Parents' Evening (virtual)

Tuesday 10th February - Dinan, Weisbaden and Blanes virtual parents' evening

Thursday 12th February - Themed lunch: Chinese

16th to 20th February - HALF TERM

Monday 2nd February - Year 8 Boys' Football @CVHS

Wednesday 4th February - Year 11 Football @Forest School / Year 7 Boys' Football @Moulsham

Thursday 5th February - Year 9 Rugby v Shenfield @AES

Monday 9th February - Year 9 Basketball v NewHall @AES/ Year 7 Basketball @Plume

Wednesday 11th February - Year 8 Boys' Football @Moulsham / Year 10 Netball vSJP @AES / Kurling Inclusion Event

Thursday 12th February - Year 9 Basketball @Shenfield / Year 9 and 10 Girls' Football v Ormiston @AES

Please note fixtures are organised by all schools so can be subject to change and last minute cancellations - the PE staff will keep those involved in fixtures up to date with information.

Term Dates 2025-2027 - https://www.aesessex.co.uk/assets/Documents/Attachments/Term-Dates-2025-2027.pdf

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