Headteacher's Weekly Update 18 - Friday 23rd January 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this letter finds you and your families well.

Attendance this week stands at 92%. While this continues to sit above the national average, we are determined to improve attendance further still. Attendance matters enormously: one day missed each week equates to around 38 days of learning lost over a school year; one day each month adds up to more than a week of learning; and even a single day missed each half term soon accumulates. We know how much learning takes place in our classrooms every day, and your continued support in prioritising attendance is vital.

Year group attendance:

• Year 7  -  94.07%

• Year 8  -  94.24%

• Year 9  -  94.22%

• Year 10 - 88.19%

• Year 11 - 90.25%

It was lovely to meet so many Year 7 families for the first time at Progress Evening on Thursday.  I hope you valued the opportunity to speak with your child’s teachers about the progress they are making across their subjects.  This marks the start of what we hope will be a strong and productive partnership between home and school, working together to maximise each child’s potential.  Feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive and it is clear that our new Year 7 students have made a very strong start.

This week also saw a successful trip organised by Ms Ridler.  A mixed group of Year 7–10 students took part in an Ecology Walking Tour on Tuesday, covering over 10km through Epping Forest. Along the way, they explored the local natural world and learned about the ecosystems that exist so close to our homes.  Students identified different types of fungi and discovered how they grow and develop.

At The Hive Lodge, the group joined a collage-making workshop focused on tolerance and acceptance in nature, before ending the trip with marshmallow toasting around the campfire.  The tour guide was extremely impressed with how engaged, curious and sensible Kelmscott students were throughout the day.

In sport, our Year 7 and 8 basketball teams faced Leytonstone this week.  The match was finely balanced at the end of the second quarter, but a strong Leytonstone side ultimately came out on top.  There was, however, much for our teams to be proud of in terms of effort, teamwork and sportsmanship.  Players of the season are Moises Martis, Daniel Ace Estremadura and Renis Cuka. 

There has been much discussion nationally about a rise in complaints to schools. Thankfully, levels here remain very low, which we hope reflects the strong relationships we have with our families. That said, we know we are not perfect and we always welcome feedback.  We would far rather talk through any concerns over a cup of tea or coffee than allow issues to escalate unnecessarily.  A new guide has been released very recently, it highlights that most concerns are best resolved quickly and positively through early, direct communication with the school.  Working in partnership, assuming positive intent and following the school’s procedures helps prevent issues escalating and supports the best outcomes for children.  You can access the guide in full here.

I would also like to remind families of the importance we place on smart uniform at Kelmscott.  We do pay close attention to the small details, shirts tucked in, top buttons done up and black socks only, to name a few.  Our belief is simple: when we take care of the small things, the big things tend to take care of themselves.  We are grateful for your continued support, particularly as ensuring uniform fits well can be a challenge during the inevitable growth spurts of adolescence.

Assemblies this week were led by Mr Hailes and focused on neurodiversity.  Mr Hailes spoke openly and vulnerably about his own experiences growing up neurodivergent and how these have shaped him as an adult, he spoke how kindness, understanding and peer support can make a lasting difference.  We were also moved by a powerful contribution from Year 8 student Ayman Mulla, who spoke with great honesty and courage.  The central message was a hopeful one: that every individual has unlimited potential.  Together, their words reminded us all of the importance of being seen, valued and cherished for who we are and of creating a school culture where individuality is celebrated rather than hidden.  The assemblies prompted a warm and thoughtful response from students and staff, with many sharing kind and encouraging messages afterwards. We are grateful to everyone involved and would particularly like to recognise Ms Warren for her ongoing work in leading the Neurodiversity Ambassadors and strengthening support for our neurodiverse community.

“Imagine for a moment a garden. If every single plant in that garden was a red rose, identical in height, colour and scent, it might be beautiful for a moment, but it wouldn't be an ecosystem. It wouldn't have the resilience of a landscape filled with wildflowers, sturdy oaks and climbing ivy. It's exactly the same with neurodiversity. You might think we’re all the same, but we’re different: no one is the same.” Ayman Mulla, Year 8.

I would like to highlight an opportunity for our musicians to perform as part of a large ensemble, with Waltham Forest Music Service.  Musicians (Year 4 and above), working at Grade 1–5 standard, are invited to take part in an ensemble experience on Saturday 14th March 2026, from 2.00pm to 4.30pm, at Walthamstow School for Girls.  For more information please see here.  Please note that this is not a free event.

Looking ahead to the half-term break, the Waltham Forest Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) will be running once again, offering a range of free activities and meals for eligible children and young people.  For more details please see here.

As part of our commitment to supporting our whole school community, we are pleased to share information about local English language support available to families.  The Waltham Forest ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Single Point of Contact (SPOC) team provides guidance and access to English classes matched to individual needs and ability levels.  Most ESOL courses are free for residents.   For further information, families are encouraged to contact the SPOC team directly.

Finally, well done to all our reward points winners for the week of 12th - 16th January 2026.  A special congratulations goes to Crystal Cesionyte-Cisneros in 7C who topped the charts for the entire school.  A fantastic effort, keep up the excellent work.

     ➪ Year 7, Crystal Cesionyte-Cisneros in 7C with 32 points

     ➪ Year 8, Ylva Finn in 8K with 21 points

     ➪ Year 9, Samuel Burnside in 9C with 31 points

     ➪ Year 10, Zikrea Turkmani in 10E and George Lupu in 10C with 22 points each

     ➪ Year 11, Aleka Williams in 11L with 17 points

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

With every good wish,

Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher