Headteacher's Weekly Update 14 - Friday 12th December 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this letter finds you and your families well.  As we move into the final full week of term, there is lots to celebrate and share with you.

Thank you once again for your patience following last week’s electrical fire in the canteen. The team has worked incredibly hard to get things back up and running and we returned to full service today.  I will update you immediately if any further issues arise, but hopefully we are out the other side now.  Your understanding has been greatly appreciated.

Following last week’s disruption, we took the opportunity to review our business continuity plan. Overall, it held up very well and ensured we were able to keep the school community safe and informed.  A couple of points did emerge: a number of students did not know their home address or an emergency phone number from memory and some emergency contact details held by the school were out of date.  Please take a moment to check that we have your most current information and if your child does not yet know their address and at least one emergency number by heart, please help them learn it.

My week began on a real high working with sixteen hand-picked Year 7 students to decorate the Kelmscott Christmas tree.  The year team found it very difficult to select just 16 — Year 7 have had an exceptional first term and continue to impress us daily.  Together, we studded clementines with cloves and hand-painted small wooden trees to add to the main display which looks and smells great.  A huge well done to all those selected.

I am very much looking forward to this evening's Illuminations Evening and performance of The Importance of Being Earnest.  Wonderful reminders of the creativity and talent within our school community.  The culmination of countless hours of hard work from students and staff alike.  We are incredibly proud of everyone involved for bringing such vibrant experiences to Kelmscott. Evenings such as these enrich our school culture and showcase what our young people can achieve.

I am keen to start a new section in this letter that highlights the successes and journeys of Kelmscott alumni.  If you know any former students who have gone on to exciting achievements, running their own business, contributing to the community, thriving in a specialist field, or working in a high-profile role, please do get in touch.  Celebrating their stories will hopefully inspire the next generation.

The new Ofsted framework went live this week.  Although we are unlikely to be inspected again for around four years following our visit in January 2025, Ofsted have shared a helpful video summarising the key changes.  To view the video please see here.

As a staff team, instead of exchanging cards or gifts, we have once again chosen to make a donation to charity.  UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the school hardship fund.  A few families have asked how they might also contribute, please know there is absolutely no expectation, but if you would like the details, they are here.  It is always heartening to see our community come together at this time of year to support those who need it most.

If you know a young person who is making a positive difference in our community, someone who shows kindness, initiative and compassion, they can be nominated for the Superkind Changemaker of the Year Award.  For more information and the nomination form please see here.

Attendance this week sits at 92%, which mirrors the very high levels of cold and flu being reported nationally.  We continue to emphasise the importance of good attendance and were struck by a Fisher Family Trust graphic illustrating the strong link between attendance and Year 11 attainment across England last year.  It is a timely reminder that every day matters. 

• Year 7  -  92.41%

• Year 8 -  93.43%

• Year 9 -  90.44&

• Year 10 - 91.03%

• Year 11 - 92.20%         

  
  

National Average Attainment 8 score by Year 11 absence % 

This graphic shows the link between pupil absence in Year 11 and their average Attainment 8 score (the measure used nationally to show GCSE outcomes across eight subjects).  The chart highlights a national trend: The more school a student misses in Year 11, the lower their Attainment 8 score tends to be and students with low absence generally achieve higher GCSE outcomes, while those with higher absence typically achieve lower outcomes.  Essentially the graphic shows how strongly good attendance supports academic success, especially in a crucial GCSE year.

BeeZee Bodies continue to offer excellent support for families in Waltham Forest around healthy lifestyles, nutrition and wellbeing.  Please see here to view their latest flyer for upcoming programmes and opportunities.  It has been a busy and exciting week of fixtures for our boys’ and girls’ basketball teams.  It is wonderful to see so many students representing Kelmscott with pride, determination and exemplary conduct.  Congratulations to all our athletes.

Year 10 Boys – vs Lammas.  Our Year 10 team produced a fantastic performance on Wednesday evening.  The team showed great resilience, working together.  Outstanding effort from the whole squad, particularly Lorence Capilli and Timmi Zybowski (Year 9), Kelmscott secured a well-deserved 39–31 win.  Player of the Match: Lorence Capilli, who scored the majority of our points through a combination of layups, three-pointers and free throws.

Year 7/8 Boys – vs Lammas.  Our Year 7/8 team played at home and showed excellent teamwork and energy throughout.  Player of the Match (Year 8): Daniel Ace Estremadura and Player of the Match (Year 7): Renis Cuka, both made impressive contributions.  Kelmscott narrowly missed out on the win, with a final score of  19–17 in the final two minutes.  A strong performance and we look forward to two more games next week against Leytonstone and Norlington.

Year 10 Girls – vs Walthamstow School for Girls.  Our Year 10 girls travelled away on Wednesday and delivered a very impressive display, narrowly missing out on a win by just six points.  Special mentions go to Melany Kocheva (10S) and Hannah Arthur (10O) for their excellent defensive organisation, and to Sirine Alem (10L) and Alisha Mahmood (10L) for their creativity and composure in attack.

The Mayor of Waltham Forest is currently gathering young people’s views on crime and safety across the borough. It would be fantastic for Kelmscott students’ voices to be strongly represented.  Students can complete the survey using the following link. 

Lloyd Park will be hosting its annual Festive Fayre this Sunday, featuring artisan stalls, performances, food, drink and family activities, a lovely way to begin the festive season.  For more details please see here.

With costs such as food, rent and energy bills increasingly challenging, Waltham Forest Council has shared a range of support options that may be helpful to families in our community.   The Council’s website provides information on financial support, community food hubs across the borough and guidance on accessing employment or training opportunities.

If you would prefer to speak to someone in person, trained staff and volunteers are available at Waltham Forest Max community drop-ins, held weekly in libraries across the borough.  They can help with checking eligibility for benefits, advice on energy costs and signposting to opportunities and services.   Citizens Advice and Walthamstow Welcomes Café may also be able to offer support with budgeting, debt advice and help with forms and paperwork.

Congratulations to our reward points winners for each year group for the week of Monday 1st – Friday 5th December 2025. 

➪ Year 7, Alaysiah-Mai Thomas in 7S with 21 points

➪ Year 8, Ariel Reinisch-Jones in 8E with 28 points

➪ Year 9, Filip Ionescu in 9S with 13 points

➪ Year 10, Ezinne Kandji in 10O with 18 points

➪ Year 11, A hat trick for Yan Lin Weng, Mathilda Eisenstein 11O and Anton Mastrangelo  11K all with 7 points.

A special well done to Ariel Reinisch-Jones in 8E, who topped the entire school with an impressive 28 points.

We finish for the Christmas holidays on Friday 19th December, with a 12.40pm finish as is the norm.  Non-uniform/Christmas jumper day will be on Thursday 18th December, raising funds for the school hardship fund.  Celebration assemblies will take place throughout next week to reflect on the many successes of this term.  Christmas lunch will be served in the hall on Wednesday, priced at £3.50, always a great event.  For more information please see here.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It has been a fantastic term, and we look forward to finishing it on a high next week.

With every good wish,

Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher