Headteacher's Weekly Update 38 - Friday 11th July 2025
- Mr S. Jones
- Jul 11
- 6 min read
Dear Parents/Carers
I hope this letter finds you and your families well. A Friday update for you as always.
We have had another warm week at Kelmscott and I want to thank you for your support with our relaxed uniform approach, it has made a real difference to everyone’s comfort and focus in lessons. I am pleased to confirm that this will continue into next week too: students may continue to wear their PE kit and leave their blazers at home. Just a reminder, outdoor coats or jumpers should not be worn instead of a blazer and lanyards must still be worn at all times.
On Wednesday evening, we enjoyed a truly special Evening of Excellence. This year’s theme was ‘home’ and what it means to each of us. It was wonderful to see so many moving poems and performances, all epitomising the strengths of our school community and Kelmscott as a second home for so many. A particular highlight was an incredible drone tour of Kelmscott, filmed by Filip Ionescu in 8X showcasing our school through the eyes of one of our talented students.
On Thursday, we welcomed more Year 6 students for a taster day. They had a brilliant introduction to Kelmscott life and sampled some of the exciting lessons they can look forward to in September, we can not wait to see them again soon.
It has been another action-packed week for the PE department, as they continue to provide rich and varied opportunities for our students. We were delighted to capture team photos of all our sports squads, celebrating a year filled with effort, achievement and pride across all disciplines.
Congratulations to our Year 10 cricket team, who secured a thrilling semi-final win against Willowfield by just two runs (115–113). It was a nail-biting finish, and they now look ahead to the final against Norlington in the coming days. A special mention to Avyan Arshanpally (10S) and Abdul Wudood (10K), who have both been selected to represent Waltham Forest in the upcoming Dongrey Cup fixture against Redbridge, we wish them the very best of luck.
The department also hosted a highly successful inter-year badminton tournament, which drew significant interest from students. With so many eager participants, the competition was split into Year 7 & 8 and Year 9 & 10 brackets. Our Sports Leaders, led by an exceptional team of girls, took full responsibility for umpiring, scorekeeping and overseeing the tournament, a real showcase of leadership in action.
The finals did not disappoint. In the Year 7 & 8 contest, Musa (7T) edged out Haoyu (8T) in an exhilarating 11–10 finish, cheered on by a crowd that created an electric, near-professional atmosphere. The Year 9 & 10 final saw Linus (9E) take the title after a well-fought match against Alex (9T), winning 11–7 with smart tactical play. Across both tournaments, students demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and embodied our STORM values. A huge well done to all competitors and our fantastic student officials.
Next week’s Sports Day events will take place at the Pool and Track, with the weather forecast currently predicting warm and sunny conditions—temperatures are expected to reach around 28°C. Fingers crossed for a fantastic couple of days filled with sport, teamwork and celebration.
To help everyone stay safe and comfortable, we have made the decision to finish at 1:00pm on both Sports Days. Parents and carers will receive a MyEd message confirming these updated arrangements:
Thursday (Years 7 & 8):Coaches will return students to Kelmscott from 1:00pm, with arrival expected around 1:20pm. Students will be dismissed as soon as they return. Parents collecting children should please do so promptly.
Friday (Years 9 & 10):Students will be dismissed directly from the Feel Good Centre at 1:00pm and should make their own way home. Parents collecting students from the venue should also arrive at 1:00pm.
Please ensure students are well prepared for the warm weather with sunscreen applied and a refillable water bottle in hand.
Our Comic Club also met this week, to celebrate the work they have done as a group this year. This club is a great example of the excellent co-curricular offer we have as a school. A safe space, where likeminded young people can come together to express their creativity and build friendships, wonderful to see. I look forward to sharing the latest comic with you in my letter next week.
We were thrilled to welcome back our SpringBoard alumni on Wednesday 9th July for a special afternoon at Kelmscott. These remarkable former students, now attending some of the UK’s most prestigious sixth forms, including Winchester College, Wellington College, Lancing College, City of London Freeman’s School and Epsom College returned to share their experiences and insights. They connected with our recent Year 11 leavers who have secured SpringBoard offers for September, as well as current Year 10 students exploring applications for the 2026 intake. The event was full of energy, warmth and encouragement. Our alumni spoke candidly and enthusiastically about their journeys, offering invaluable advice and inspiration.
This gathering was a proud reminder of the life-changing opportunities SpringBoard provides and the vital role Kelmscott plays in helping students unlock their potential. Once Kelmscott, always Kelmscott.
Today, twenty eight Year 10 GCSE and Vocational Business students had the exciting opportunity to visit KPMG’s main office in the heart of Canary Wharf. During the visit, they gained valuable insights into the work KPMG does and explored the different pathways into a career with the firm, including both university and apprenticeship routes.
Students then took part in a range of engaging activities focused on budgeting, tax and personal finance, helping to deepen their understanding of key business concepts. The visit concluded with a guided tour of KPMG’s impressive office space, a highlight of the day that left many students feeling inspired about their future career possibilities.
As we near the end of the school year, we invite all parents and carers to complete our annual survey. Your insights are vital in helping us reflect on successes and identify areas for improvement;
Thank you for supporting our continued growth and being such an important part of the Kelmscott community.
A quick note for Year 9 families: As part of preparing Year 9 students for their GCSEs starting in September, all students will be set work over the summer from each subject they will study. This work may include research projects, reading, or watching documentaries and films to keep them engaged and motivated. Each subject’s tasks should take no more than an hour to complete and will be acknowledged or used in the first lesson after the summer break. Details and assignments will be available on Google Classroom, with paper copies provided upon request.
We kindly ask for your support by encouraging your child to share their Google Classroom tasks with you and to show you their completed work.
An opportunity to signpost now to Year 11 students, there is an exciting Law Careers Day ‘PowerUp Fest’ 2025, a fantastic in-person law careers festival taking place in Regent’s Park, London on Monday 21st July 2025. A great opportunity to explore future pathways. For more information and to register please click on the relevant link;
In-person Registration
Virtual Registration
For families planning next steps beyond Year 11, the Waltham Forest Post-16 Prospectus is a really useful starting point for exploring the wide range of local options. It includes guidance on where to access careers advice and support within Waltham Forest, as well as an overview of the different pathways and qualifications available across England. The prospectus outlines where students can study locally and explains how to apply, alongside details of the subjects offered by sixth forms and colleges in the borough. It also features information about individual sixth forms, colleges and special schools, as well as advice on the financial support that may be available to students.
Finally, well done to all our reward points winners from each year group. A special mention must go to Eleanor Nickson in 7C, who achieved an outstanding 74 rewards points last week, the highest in the whole school.
Year 7, Eleanor Nickson in 7C with 74 points
Year 8, Kirsten Singh and Clementine Avery Archer in 8E both with 70 points
Year 9, Robert Jr Basilio in 9C with 49 points
Year 10, Daniel Farkas in 10M, Raqeeb Balogun in 10L and Usman Baccus in 10K with a hat trick of 25 points each
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. With just a week and a half of term left, there’s still plenty happening and I look forward to updating you in my final letter of the year next Friday.
With every good wish,
Mr Sam Jones
Headteacher
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