News and views from our Senior Leadership Team

At AESG, we understand that a sense of connection can transform a child’s day – a kind word, a shared laugh, or simply knowing someone cares can make all the difference. At school, we’ve seen this in action through our celebrations for International Day of the Girl this week, where pupils from across both Prep and Senior came together for a range of inspiring activities. It was wonderful to see friendships formed, confidence shared and the joy that comes from belonging to a supportive community.  

This week, following World Mental Health Day on 10 October, we are reflecting on how vital those small moments of connection truly are. Children's mental health is shaped not just by what happens at school, but by the everyday moments they experience in each minute of the day – the chats after a busy day at school, the laughter over dinner, or the quiet reassurance at bedtime after a tough day. These simple, consistent gestures help young people build resilience and confidence in themselves and others.  

For some lovely, practical ideas to support your daughter’s mental health, visit https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/ - it’s full of tips, breathing exercises, and creative ways to relax together. Little routines like these can make a big difference in helping children find calm, manage their emotions, and build healthy coping strategies for life. 

As we reach the end of a busy and rewarding half term, we hope everyone takes time to rest, recharge, and enjoy some well-deserved family time. Wishing all our pupils and families a wonderful break - and plenty of opportunities to reconnect and unwind.

This term at AESG, our pupils have embraced a variety of enriching trips and visits that have brought learning to life in exciting and meaningful ways. These experiences have taken them beyond the classroom (sometimes just inside our school grounds!), physically and mentally, allowing them to immerse themselves in new environments, deepen their understanding, and grow as individuals. 

From exploring our village to Jodrell Bank, from the Wilmslow Kitchen Cookery School to sports competitions at St Bedes, Oldham Hulme Grammar, Priestnall and The Kings School Macclesfield, each trip has encouraged pupils to be curious, creative, and resourceful, key ‘BeMore’ attributes that underpin our approach to education. These moments of discovery help pupils connect with topics in a personal and memorable way, often sparking new interests and passions. 

Importantly, trip and visits also support our commitment to developing Bright, Balanced, and Bold learners. They challenge pupils to think independently, work collaboratively, and step outside their comfort zones. Whether navigating a new city or solving a problem in a team, our pupils show resilience and confidence, building the character and skills they’ll carry with them for life. 

We’re especially looking forward to the Year 7 team-building trip next week, which marks a key milestone in their AESG journey. It’s designed to strengthen friendships, foster collaboration, and build a sense of belonging. Through outdoor challenges and shared experiences, our newest senior pupils will have the chance to grow in confidence, resilience, and team spirit, all while having a lot of fun! Those that have just departed to start their university courses, looked back very fondly to the photos from their time on this trip! 

Thank you for your continued support in making these opportunities possible.

As we settle into October, I’m pleased to share that the term is off to a fantastic start and much of that is thanks to your continued support. 

Our new behaviour policy is now in full swing, and the feedback from both pupils and parents has been genuinely heartening. There’s a real sense of clarity and consistency across the school, and the merit system has sparked a wonderfully competitive buzz between year groups. Uniform standards have also improved significantly, and I want to thank you for your support with this. The school is looking smarter, more unified, and the pride in presentation is clear to see. 

Our Year 7 pupils have now completed their 'Girls on Board' training, and I hope they’ve come home with some top tips! Miss Scott and I will be delivering a parent session on 'Girls on Board' after half term, open to all Prep and Senior parents. We hope it will be a valuable opportunity to support your daughters as they navigate the sometimes-turbulent world of girl friendships. Details will be sent out soon, and I’d really appreciate your support with this. 

Looking ahead, we’re excited to be celebrating the International Day of the Girl in both the Prep and Senior School on Monday, 13 October. This will be a whole-school celebration of empowerment, creativity, and community, with activities ranging from art masterclasses and quizzes to team-building challenges and sport. It promises to be a wonderful opportunity to come together as a school to champion the voices and potential of our girls. 

It has been an exciting week in school, with the highlight undoubtedly being our Senior School Open Evening. The school was looking its very best, and the departments put on a wonderful range of activities – from monoprinting in Art to an ox heart dissection in Biology – giving our visiting families a real taste of the opportunities here. 
 
Above all, we must celebrate our pupils and students. Our Year 8s, 9s and 12s acted as ambassadors, while many others supported their departments in engaging our prospective Year 6s. They were an absolute credit to the school: articulate, polite and full of enthusiasm, they truly showcased the very best of Alderley Edge School for Girls. 
 
With the spotlight on Sixth Form, our Year 12s have also settled well into their new routines. They are beginning to embrace their new subjects and the challenges of A Level. Next week, the face their greatest challenge yet in our Y12 Bake-Off at Wilmslow Kitchen Cookery School. A huge thank you also goes to our Year 13 Head Girl Team – Jasmine, Ayesheh and Laura – for organising a fantastic Sixth Form versus Staff badminton event. The food was brilliant, the camaraderie was brilliant, and the competition was entertaining to say the least. We are all already looking forward to the next Sixth Form Social! 
  
We wish all our families a restful weekend. 

What shapes a child’s love of learning? How do curiosity, confidence and resilience take root in those precious early years?

Research consistently shows that the period from birth to age five is the most critical stage of development, when over 90% of brain growth takes place. During this time, children form the building blocks for language, literacy, numeracy and social skills, all of which shape how they approach education later on. The landmark UK EPPSE study found that children who experienced high-quality early years provision were not only better prepared for primary school, but showed advantages in attainment and social development well into secondary education. As early years expert Alistair Bryce-Clegg reminds us, play is the language of childhood - through it, children make sense of their world, grow in confidence and lay the foundations for lifelong learning. 

Here at AESG, our Early Years education is built on these very principles. We provide a warm, stimulating and nurturing environment where children are encouraged to be curious, independent learners who thrive through play and exploration. By working in close partnership with families, we ensure that every child feels valued and supported as they take their first steps on their educational journey. It is within this environment that children develop the confidence, resilience and love of learning that will stay with them for life. We are therefore delighted to announce the launch of our new all-year-round nursery and pre-school provision, giving families continuous, high-quality care and education throughout the year.