Headteacher's Weekly Update 24 - Friday 13th March 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this letter finds you and your families well; a Friday update for you, as always.

Attendance remains at 92%. You will be aware of our whole school target of 98%. Regular attendance at school plays a vital role in helping students remain engaged with their learning, their teachers and their peers. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring that students attend every day and arrive punctually, unless they are genuinely unwell.

Year group attendance:

• Year 7 95.37%

• Year 8 93.64%

• Year 9 91.44%

• Year 10 90.84%

• Year 11 88.38%

  
  

Next Wednesday, I will be observing a fast in support of and in solidarity with our Muslim community.  This will be the sixth year in a row that I have taken part, it is something I genuinely look forward to.  Each year it leads to meaningful conversations with students and colleagues about our shared experiences.  I particularly enjoy hearing about the traditions and practices families observe during this time, especially the importance of iftar, the meal that marks the breaking of the fast.

It has been another busy and exciting week at Kelmscott, I am pleased to share some of the achievements and activities that have taken place.

On Wednesday, some Year 10 Art students visited UCL and the Grant Museum of Zoology, as part of their Outreach and Widening Participation programme, which is aimed towards students selecting The Arts at degree level.  Former students of The Slade University put our young people through their paces with observation and drawing tasks, followed by lunch in the Uni canteen and a tour of the fine art studios. The day was capped with a tour of printmaking workrooms and the creation of a copper plate etching.  We are looking forward to a visiting workshop from UCL later this month when students will develop and create their own intaglio etchings in school, the products of which will be exhibited at UCL East later in the school year.  All students were a credit to the school and their families producing work of a high standard. 

Turning to sport, our Year 8 Inter-Form Basketball competition took place in the sports hall on Monday after school. It was great to see so many enthusiastic players representing their Tutor groups, all eager to secure the tournament title.  Following the group stage matches, forms K, L, C and O progressed to the knockout rounds. After two closely contested semi-finals, O and L emerged as the finalists and faced each other in an exciting eight-minute final.  Both teams showed off their excellent basketball skills, but it was 8O who took the trophy and the spoils.  Congratulations to all students who took part and helped make it such an enjoyable and competitive event.

Year 7 Inter-Form Basketball took place on Wednesday - another fiercely competitive tournament, with 7C taking the trophy - a more detailed report will follow in next week's update.

A huge well done to the KS3/4 sports leaders for representing Kelmscott to the highest of standards, supporting last Friday's annual Year two and three football festival. 

Our Careers Leader, Ms Ahmet, would like to invite any parents and carers who may be interested in taking part in our upcoming Careers Fair on Wednesday 29th April 2026.  During the morning session, students in Years 8 and 10 will visit the fair to explore different career paths and sectors. Volunteers will have the opportunity to talk to students about their job, what the role involves and the skills or qualifications required. Students will also have the chance to ask questions and ‘interview’ volunteers to learn more about different professions.

We would particularly welcome volunteers working in the following sectors: beauty and hair, music and performing arts, catering, transport and engineering, and travel.  If you would like to take part, please email info@kelmscott.waltham.sch.uk, with the subject heading 'Careers Fair'.  In your email, please include your job title/sector and contact details (preferably an email address and phone number).  Your support would be greatly appreciated.  This is a wonderful opportunity to help broaden our students’ understanding of the many different career paths available to them and to showcase the diversity of today’s workforce.

In a recent letter to families, I highlighted the growing concerns around harmful content being shared on TikTok and other social media platforms.  I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the importance of parents and carers, particularly those who are the account holders or bill payers for mobile devices, regularly checking privacy settings, monitoring online activity and being aware of the content young people may be accessing.

Open and ongoing conversations with your child about their online experiences are extremely important.  Encouraging them to speak up and report anything they see online that makes them feel uncomfortable, can help ensure they feel supported and safe.  If you have any safeguarding concerns, please do contact the school so that we can provide appropriate support.

I would like to remind families that electric scooters remain illegal and unsafe; they must not be used to travel to school.  Electric scooters present a significant safety risk, particularly given the speeds they are capable of reaching.

Another reminder now, Waltham Forest’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme will be running again over the Easter holidays. The programme provides funded holiday clubs offering a range of engaging activities, sports, creative opportunities, and healthy meals for eligible children and young people.  This is a fantastic local initiative that supports families during the school break. Early booking is advised.  For further details, eligibility information and guidance on how to book, please see here.

Looking ahead to next week, Eid is expected to fall on Thursday 19th or Friday 20th March.  I continue to encourage excellent attendance at school, respectfully, just one day celebrating Eid please.  To all families preparing to mark Eid, Eid Mubarak in advance.  I hope you enjoy a joyful and memorable time with your loved ones.

Finally, congratulations to the students who have accumulated the highest number of reward points for the week 2nd - 6th March 2026.  A particular well done to Fathi Yasin in 7O and Ahmad Mohammed in 7S, last week’s top reward points winners for the entire school, both earning an impressive 32 points, well done.

• Year 7, Fathi Yasin in 7O and Ahmad Mohammed in 7S with 32 points 

• Year 8, Hamza Nisar in 8T with 14 points

• Year 9, Elliot Solberg Franey in 9O and Aylin Diac in 9C with 11 points

• Year 10, a hat trick for Maryiam Mujahid in 10L, Astrid Poku in 10K and Usmaan Arain in 10O with 9 points each

• Year 11, Zahira Echeverry-Garcia in 11S with 16 points.

  
  

With every good wish,

Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher