Headteacher's Weekly Update 39 - Friday 17th July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this letter finds you and your families well. A Friday update for you as we reach the end of another successful academic year.

Whole-school attendance for the week  13th - 17th July 2026 was 89.18% 

Attendance by Year group:

• Year 7 91.54%

• Year 8 88.75%

• Year 9 90.08%

• Year 10 86.36%

  
  

As another school year draws to a close, I would like to begin by thanking all of our families for the support you have shown the school over the past twelve months. Schools work best when there is a genuine partnership between home and school, and your encouragement, trust and support have helped make this another successful year for our students. We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved.

This week, a group of our Year 8 and Year 9 students were invited to contribute to discussions around the development of the new local Education Strategy. They represented Kelmscott superbly, speaking with confidence, maturity and thoughtfulness. Their insightful contributions were very well received by those leading the work, demonstrating that our young people have an important voice in shaping the future of education. They really are the leaders of tomorrow.

Congratulations also to  Hannah Arthur and Jude Cambridge Brown, who have now formally taken up their roles as our Head Students. Throughout the selection process they demonstrated integrity, humility and a genuine commitment to serving our school community. They are exceptional role models and I know they will represent Kelmscott with distinction over the coming year. 

It has been another excellent week for sport. On Tuesday evening, our final Interform Football competition of the year took place, with Year 10 forms battling it out after group matches played throughout the term. Congratulations to 10E, who were crowned champions with an impressive 3-0 victory over 10S in the final. Well done to every form that took part for the enthusiasm and sportsmanship shown throughout the competition.

Our Year 10 girls also represented the school brilliantly at the Waltham Forest Rounders Tournament alongside Lammas and Willowfield. Winning one match and narrowly losing the other by just half a rounder meant they once again finished second in the borough—an outstanding achievement they have now maintained for three consecutive years. Congratulations to Alexandra Gutiou, 10C for her excellent leadership as team captain, and to the whole squad for another consistently excellent season.

Congratulations too to our Year 10 and Year 11 students, Alisha Mahmood, Hannah Arthur, Nevaeh Beadell-Alexander, Sirine Alem, Maria-Bianca Voicu , Valentina Tarallo, Melany Kocheva, Aishah Salim, Rebeca Sukai, Lina Boultouak and Alexandra Gutoiu who have successfully achieved their Level 2 Sports Leaders Qualification in Community Sport. Throughout the course they have planned and delivered sporting sessions to primary and secondary pupils, developing their leadership, organisation and communication skills. We are immensely proud of everything they have achieved and look forward to welcoming another cohort onto the programme next year.

The sporting success did not stop there. Our students produced one of Kelmscott's strongest ever performances at the Waltham Forest Borough Athletics Championships. For the first time in the school's history, we achieved two second-place team finishes—a remarkable accomplishment. Final standings included:

• Year 7 Girls – 3rd

• Year 8 Girls – 5th

• Year 9 Girls – 7th

• Year 10 Girls – 2nd

• Year 7 Boys – 4th

• Year 8 Boys – 3rd

• Year 9 Boys – 9th

• Year 10 Boys – 2nd

  
  

Congratulations to every student who represented the school and to our PE Department for another outstanding year of sporting achievement.

Our annual Uniform Bank will take place on Tuesday 18 August, between 9.00am and 2.00pm in the school hall. All uniform has been kindly donated, is clean and ready to wear, and is available free of charge. No referral or proof of income is required. Please note that stock is limited and items are available on a strictly first come, first served basis. 

If your child has outgrown any Kelmscott uniform that remains in good condition, we would be extremely grateful for any donations. Your generosity helps support families within our community and ensures we can continue running this valuable event each year.

As we head into the summer holidays, I hope all of our students enjoy a well-earned break. I encourage them to spend quality time with family and friends, make new memories and return in September refreshed and ready for another exciting year. For students moving into Years 9, 10 and 11, there will be a small amount of summer work to complete, but I would encourage everyone to strike a healthy balance between preparation and enjoying the holidays.

Students in Years 8–11 will return to school on Thursday 3 September. I will write to families during August with full details regarding arrangements for the start of the new academic year.

Finally, congratulations to all reward points champions for the week 2026 champions with Riya Nilosan, 7T and Cosmo Mastrangelo also 7T, who both finished the week with an outstanding 37 reward points, topping the school leaderboard. A fantastic achievement and a fitting way to end another excellent year.

Rewards Points winners:

• Year 7, Riya Nilosan and Cosmo Mastrangelo  in 7T with 37 points

• Year 8,Eleanor Nickson in 8C with 33 points

• Year 9, Muhammad Azan in 9K with 24 points

• Year 10, Lass Swara in 10S with 24 points.

  
  

Hot off the press; Congratulations to Ms Hill, whose application to the UCL Schools for Sustainable Futures programme has been successful. Kelmscott has been selected to take part in the first full pilot of the programme and will benefit from mentoring through UCL. 

Thank you once again for your continued support throughout the year. On behalf of everyone at Kelmscott School, I wish you and your families a safe, restful and enjoyable summer.

With every good wish,

Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher