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Headteacher's Weekly Update 21 - Friday 13th February 2026

  • Writer: Mr S. Jones
    Mr S. Jones
  • 5 days ago
  • 6 min read

Dear Parents and Carers


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


Our whole-school attendance currently stands at 92.5%, which is 0.5% lower than the previous two weeks. We are aware that a number of seasonal illness bugs are circulating at present. Despite this, we were delighted to receive confirmation this week that we have once again achieved an FFT Attendance Award. This is excellent news for our community and a testament to the importance families place on education. That said, we will not rest on our laurels,  we remain ambitious and will continue to push for even stronger attendance in the weeks ahead.


Year group attendance:

  • Year 7 92.06%

  • Year 8 93.94%

  • Year 9 93.56%

  • Year 10 91.85%

  • Year 11 90.71%


Year 11 Mock Examinations began this week and will continue into the first week back after half term. The exams effectively bookend the holiday period and represent the final major checkpoint before the summer examinations. Conduct has been very strong so far, and students are approaching the process with the seriousness it deserves. We are proud of their maturity and focus.


On Tuesday 10th February, we celebrated Safer Internet Day, the United Kingdom’s largest event dedicated to promoting online safety. This year’s theme, “Smart tech, safe choices,” focused on the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence (AI).  As AI becomes an increasingly integrated part of everyday life, it is essential that our students feel confident and empowered to use it responsibly. Throughout the week, students have explored how AI can be used positively, while also developing the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to make safe and informed decisions online.  This theme links closely with our Computing curriculum. Year 7 students are currently building their foundations in online safety, while Year 9 students are extending their learning through topics such as Machine Learning and Cyber Crime.


Students can access the official Safer Internet Day video, interactive slides and a knowledge quiz via their Tutor Group Google Classroom. We encourage everyone to spend 10 minutes exploring these resources and testing their AI safety knowledge.  I have also included a range of guides which you may wish to explore:


Also on Tuesday, our GCSE Geographers carried out their urban fieldwork data collection in Stratford. The day began with an environmental quality survey in Westfield, where students assessed factors such as building condition, safety and levels of litter. They then worked independently in groups to collect data on the types and value of goods sold within the centre.  In the afternoon, students repeated the data collection process at the Stratford Centre, allowing them to draw comparisons between the two locations.


Throughout the day, our students demonstrated excellent teamwork, supported newer members of the class and worked with impressive independence. They represented the school superbly and should be very proud of their efforts.


Sports now; this week, we have entered two Year 8 netball teams into the Waltham Forest League. Both teams have been training weekly and have shown fantastic improvement in their gameplay, teamwork and dedication. With over twenty girls attending training this week, it is wonderful to see such enthusiasm and commitment to the sport.  Matches will begin after half term and we are excited to see how both teams progress throughout the season. Good luck to our brilliant Year 8 netballers as they prepare for a competitive league campaign.


We are also delighted to share some exciting news for next term. Our Year 10 GCSE PE cohort, along with a selected group of Year 9 students, will welcome Ashley Facey, a Paralympic GB athlete, to the school. Students will gain a valuable insight into life as an elite athlete, including the demands, discipline and pressures of competing at the highest level. Ashley will also be delivering a table tennis session, providing students with a fantastic practical experience.


A reminder to families: please only use the safeguarding@kelmscott email address for safeguarding emergencies. The vast majority of queries should be directed in the first instance to your child’s Form Tutor or Head of Year, who are best placed to respond promptly and effectively.


Our Student Survey is still live and we have now received over 300 responses. The link will remain active throughout the half-term holiday. We would very much welcome further contributions, this is a genuine opportunity for students to have their voices heard and to shape future developments in the school.


You may have noticed that our published Year 9 Options Evening date of 19th March is likely to coincide with Eid. In recognition of this, we have moved the event to Thursday 26th March. This is an extremely important evening for families and students and we hope the revised date will enable full participation.


Looking ahead, governors have approved a move to online learning for Period 3 only on Thursday 30th April (afternoon session). This will allow us to host a Middle Leader Conference that afternoon and evening. Students will be set work to complete online for whichever lesson they would normally have during Period 3. For any student who prefers to remain onsite, supervised access to our ICT suites will be available. Further details on how to access this provision will follow nearer the time.  Middle Leaders are very much the engine room of any successful school and we are confident this conference will be impactful for the continued improvement of teaching and learning. Please note that this will not become an annual event. Thank you in advance for your support.


Our school facilities are also available to hire for community events and activities. Please see the attached School Space flyer for further information and do feel free to share this opportunity within your networks.


It was wonderful to see so many families at the Year 8 Progress Evening this week. The event was extremely well attended, and our partnership with you continues to strengthen  something we value deeply.


The Waltham Forest February Half Term Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme will run from Monday 16th to Friday 20th February 2026. The programme offers a range of holiday clubs for children and young people across the borough who are in receipt of benefit-related Free School Meals (FSM).  Full details of the activities on offer and information on how to book can be found here.


An opportunity I would like to highlight now.  Spoken Minds is a youth - driven mental health and creative arts programme that will run from Monday 16th to Friday 20th February 2026 connecting Black boys and young men (10–25) with wellbeing support through culture, creativity and peer voice. For more information please see here.


As part of the work of our Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors, we are looking to enhance our garden spaces and further develop initiatives that promote sustainability and environmental awareness across the school.  We know that some of our parents and carers work in fields such as tree surgery and related environmental services and we would love to draw on this expertise to support our plans.  If you have relevant experience, skills or resources and would be willing to offer advice or practical support, we would be very grateful to hear from you.


Finally, well done to all our reward points winners for the week of 2nd - 6th February. A special mention to Malcolm Gibbons (7O), who achieved the highest number of reward points across the whole school  with 26 rewards points, keep up the great work.


     ➪ Year 7, Malcolm Gibbons in 7O with 26 points 

     ➪ Year 8, Max Rought-Richards in 8O and Sadik Aktas in 8K both with 15 points

     ➪ Year 9, Asliddin Omarov in 9T with 18 points  

     ➪ Year 10, Sameer Omar in 10C with 21 points    

     ➪ Year 11, Aleka Williams in 11L with 20 points.


I wish you all a happy half term and hope you enjoy a restful and enjoyable time together as a family. We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday 23rd February at the usual time.


Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.


With every good wish,


Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher 

 


 
 
 
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