Headteacher's Weekly Update 8 - Friday 24th October 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this letter finds you and your families well; a Friday update for you as we finish for the half term.

It is pleasing to share that this week our whole-school attendance has risen to 94.41%, up from 94.09% last week. This is a positive step in the right direction and highlights the impact of regular attendance on student progress and wellbeing. Your support is invaluable in helping us move closer to our whole-school target of 98%.  Every day in school truly makes a difference, thank you for your continued support here.

It has been another eventful and inspiring week at Kelmscott, with students making the most of opportunities in and beyond the classroom.  Our Year 10 and 11 budding scientists had a highly successful trip to the Excel Arena on Monday for the 2025 New Scientist Live Exhibition, where they explored cutting-edge innovations and exciting career pathways in STEM.  The event featured inspiring exhibitors and speakers from world-renowned universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, leading companies including Yakult and Weetabix and representatives from the Royal Air Force, showcasing the vast and diverse opportunities within science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Tuesday saw our Year 9 and Year 11 students take part in the College Roadshow, an excellent chance to meet a wide range of post-16 providers and gain insight into the different pathways available after Kelmscott.  Choosing what to do next can be a difficult decision, and events like this help students explore the many options open to them from A-levels and BTECs to apprenticeships and vocational training.  It was wonderful to see our students asking thoughtful questions and engaging so positively with visitors.

A large group of our Year 10 students took part in an ICEE workshop on Wednesday, run by a network of successful business men and women who share their experiences and expertise with young people. The session focused on developing key soft skills such as teamwork, presentation, communication and strategic thinking, while also building resilience and confidence.  It was very well received by the group, who enjoyed the challenge and the chance to think differently about leadership and personal growth.  We look forward to welcoming ICEE back later this school year for further sessions.

A big thank you to all the families who attended our Year 11 Progress Evening on Thursday.  These events are vital in helping students understand their current progress and identify the next steps as they prepare for mock exams after half term and their GCSEs next summer.  As ever, the formula for success remains the same, hard work in and outside the classroom and excellent attendance.  It was lovely to see so many of you there supporting your children as they enter this crucial stage of their journey.

Sports now and a full week of fixtures for our athletes.  The Year 9s played a fantastic netball match against Leytonstone on Monday 20th October.  From the very start, the team showed great skill and determination, maintaining control throughout both halves to secure an impressive 12–1 victory.  Players of the Match:  Marlene McNamara, Yasmine Betka, Chloe Bird, Ines Boumehira, Kirsten Singh, Amina Yusuf and Ziyadah Shobande.

The Year 7 Boys football team played their first match against Lammas last Friday and secured an impressive 7–1 victory.  Meanwhile, our second Year 7 team faced Norlington in a rearranged fixture at Douglas Eyre. The boys showed fantastic team spirit and came away with a 5–0 win against a tough Norlington side. Special mention to Fadlullah Shobande (7O), who was named Player of the Match after scoring a second-half hat-trick in under 10 minutes.

We are proud to celebrate Sercan Kuucuk (10E), who has been selected for the U15 Essex football squad, representing some of the most talented U15 boys in the county.  Well done, Sercan and well done to all Kelmscott athletes. 

It has been wonderful to see the excitement and enthusiasm around the variety of Black History Month events this October.  Students have explored spoken word poetry during form time, written and performed their own pieces, made Caribbean sweets, learned new games, created clay pots, discovered Black history in the ancient world, crafted empowering collages, attended film screenings, and contributed to a collaborative booklet reflecting on why we celebrate Black History Month each year.  As a lovely way to end the half term and celebrate the culmination of Black History Month, half of the proceeds from yesterday’s non-uniform day will go to Crowned with Care, a wonderful charity supporting looked-after Black and mixed-heritage children with specialist haircare and confidence-building experiences.  Thank you all for your support and contributions.

An exciting student leadership opportunity now, we are looking for enthusiastic students to represent and be the voice of their year group as STORM Ambassadors, promoting Kelmscott’s core values of Self-Control, Tolerance, Optimism, Resilience, and Motivation.  Ambassadors will share ideas, lead activities and be positive role models around the school.

📅 Apply by: 10th November 2025 by submitting a short statement via Google Classroom (code: jiavfka).

I would like to highlight a key resource that may support students to make informed choices about their next steps post Kelmscott.  Waltham Forest’s online post-16 prospectus outlines the full range of options for students in the 2026–27 academic year.   The prospectus includes details on courses, school sixth forms and colleges, available pathways, open events, information for learners with an EHCP or additional needs, careers advice and guidance and financial support.  

With the colder weather approaching, I would be grateful if families could use some time during the half term holiday to check that uniforms still fit properly, shoes are in good condition and winter jackets are suitable, plain black or navy, as per our uniform policy.  A belt is also a strongly recommended investment to ensure trousers fit smartly.  We see these standards as part of preparing our students for life beyond Kelmscott, learning to take pride in their appearance and professionalism.

As we reach the end of this first half term, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what has been a really successful start to the year and to thank our staff, governors, students and families.  The energy around school has been excellent, lessons purposeful and students focused.  A particular mention goes to our new Year 7 students, who have settled in brilliantly and are already making their mark on our community. 

We were thrilled to host one of our busiest Open Evenings this half term and since then have been delighted to welcome many families for tours of our school. It is always a great honour to share our school with prospective families and to showcase the vibrant, supportive and inspiring community we are so proud of.  Thank you for being an integral part of making Kelmscott such a special place.

For families with younger children currently in primary school who are interested in securing a place at Kelmscott for next September, a timely reminder that the application window for secondary school places (September 2026 start) closes on 31 October 2025 at 11.59pm.  Applications submitted after this date will not be processed until after National Offer Day in March 2026, which may reduce the chance of securing your preferred school.

A reminder that school finishes today for the half-term holiday.  We hope everyone enjoys a well-earned rest.  Please note the additional holiday days on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th November, meaning students return at the usual time on Wednesday 5th November.

Finally, a huge well done to all students who topped the reward points charts for their year groups for the week Monday 13th – Friday 17th October 2025.  A special congratulations goes to Lily Van Weert (7M), who led the entire school leaderboard with an impressive 38 points.  Keep up the fantastic work.

➪ Year 7, Lily Van Weert in 7M with 38 points

➪ Year 8, Penelope Long in 8M with 27 points

➪ Year 9, David Nucsoreanu in 9K and Eissa Akhtar in 9O with 20 points

➪ Year 10, Sanjana Mathews in 10K with 20 points

➪ Year 11, Ebru Yesildas in 11S with 13 points.

Have a wonderful and restful half term, everyone.

Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher