Welcome to THE AYLESBURY VALE ACADEMY SECONDARY PHASE
As Secondary Headteacher, I am proud to lead the secondary phase of Aylesbury Vale Academy, a non-selective school at the heart of our community. Everything we do is driven by a simple purpose: to make the lives of all AVA children better. We believe that every young person deserves an excellent education, regardless of their starting point, and we are relentless in our commitment to ensuring that every child can belong, achieve and thrive.
My connection to AVA is a deeply personal one. I grew up in this community and attended this school myself. Having experienced first hand the opportunities that education can create, I am privileged to now serve the community that helped shape who I am and to lead a school that is dedicated to creating those same opportunities for the next generation.
At AVA, we have high expectations for every student. We are committed to delivering high-quality teaching, an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum, and a culture where reading is at the heart of learning. We want all young people to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to achieve exceptional outcomes and to be fully prepared for their next steps in education, employment and life.
Our values of respect, aspiration and resilience underpin everything we do. Through strong pastoral care, clear routines and positive relationships, we empower students to become respectful, resilient and aspirational young people who contribute positively to their communities and approach challenges with confidence and determination.
We are also committed to ensuring that every child feels a genuine sense of belonging. This means closing gaps in attainment, behaviour, engagement and opportunity, supporting students to overcome barriers, and creating an environment where every learner feels known, valued and included. We believe that when young people feel they belong, they attend, participate and succeed. As part of a unique all-through academy, we are able to build strong foundations from the earliest years and provide a seamless educational journey through to post-16 study. Working closely with families, we create a culture of ambition, inclusion and excellence, ensuring that every young person is equipped to thrive both in school and beyond.
For me, AVA is more than a school. It is part of my story. My ambition is that every student who walks through our doors leaves with a story of their own, one defined by achievement, opportunity, belonging and the confidence to make a positive difference in the world
Our 5 Goals:
To make the lives of all AVA children better we will continue to:
- Ensure our teaching and all our work with young people is high quality and grounded in high expectations so that learners achieve and read exceptionally well.
- Deliver a high-quality, ambitious and well sequenced curriculum for all pupils which places reading at its core and allows children to thrive.
- Close gaps in attainment, behaviour, engagement, and opportunity so all learners are equally prepared to thrive in education and life.
- Empower learners to have resilient, respectful, and aspirational attitudes so they are able to thrive.
- Foster a sense of belonging in our students so that attendance is consistently above the national average.
Mrs E Jefford, Secondary Headteacher
