Newsletters

Autumn Term - 19th September 2025

Welcome to our latest news update, including more news about our transition events for entry into secondary school 2026, and information about using the MCAS app and bookings for upcoming parents' evenings.

Upcoming transition events for next year

Open mornings: Wednesdays between now and the end of October

Open Evening: this Thursday, 25th October

We have already welcomed almost 50 families to the school at our Open Mornings so far, and Open Event season has just begun! As well as giving prosective students and their families the opportunity to see our school and what it can offer, they also offer our current students the opportunity to take pride in what they do in school and what they have achieved, and also act as ambassadors - whether as guides or as speakers during the events.

If you'd like to know more about transition to school or would like to pass information on to someone else who you think might be looking for a place in school for their son, please go to https://www.williamellis.camden.sch.uk/secondary-transition where you can see practical details and a video explaining how we approach transition at William Ellis. 

A reminder that there will be an early finish for Students on Thursday, 25th September, with students dismissed at 1.10pm on that day in order to prepare the school for Open Evening. 

Students will be registered by their Form Tutor at 1pm and will be able to get a grab-and-go lunch from the canteen before leaving.

The following day, Friday 27th September, there will be a late start for students. Registration will be at 9.35am.

Warning of Fraudulent App Mimicking ParentPay

ParentPay have alerted us to a fraudulent app in the Apple App Store that mimics ParentPay branding.  

Please be aware: 

• ParentPay does not have an app available for download from any app stores 

• To use ParentPay, parents should visit https://www.parentpay.com/ from a mobile phone or computer 

• After logging in, parents can save a shortcut onto their phone’s home screen 

Parents’ Evenings and MCAS (My Child At School)

Parents’ Evenings this academic year will be scheduled as follows:

All Parents' Evenings begin at 4.30pm, with appointments up to 7pm.

Appointment booking for Parents’ Evenings will be via your child’s MCAS account. You will be notified when booking opens for your child’s year group. If you do not already regularly use MCAS, please click on the following link to set up your account: https://www.mychildatschool.com/MCAS/MCSForgottenLogin (you will need to use the email address to which this newsletter has been sent).

If you need support in setting up an account or if you have queries about an existing account, guidance can be found here: https://docs.bromcom.com/article-categories/for-parents/ . You can also contact us via info@williamellis.camden.sch.uk

MCAS is also used for issuing academic progress information and grade sheets and parents/carers can monitor behaviour and attendance information from this portal. Please do use the portal to engage with your child’s education if you do not already do so. 

Student logins: reminder for parents

William Ellis students in years 7 to 11 have multiple logins for their use of computer-based software. All students have a Microsoft Office account that allows them to use all Microsoft programmes at school and at home. Any Year 7 students who have not been given their login information will have it this week.

Network Account for computers at school:                 

USERNAME:  student-username

PASSWORD:  student-password   

SATCHEL ONE Account to see their timetable and homework:   

Email Username: student-username@wes.camden.school     

Email Password:  student-password

 Kerboodle Account to complete homework for some subjects: E.G JOHN SMITH (jsmith)

 Kerboodle Username: First letter of forename+ Full Surname 

 Kerboodle Password: First letter of forename+ Full Surname 

 Institution Code: teh4 

 Or

 Email Username: student-username@wes.camden.school     

 Email Password:  student-password

 Ms Office 365 / Ms Teams Account / Seneca / Sparx to access Microsoft applications and to complete homework for some subjects:    

 Email URL: office.com     

 Email Address: student-username@wes.camden.school     

 Email Username: student-username@wes.camden.school     

 Email Password: student-password

There will also be a range of MFL enrichment activities throughout this year, including a French Cinema experience for all Year 7, a German Performance workshop for Year 10 students and study days at the BFI for Sixth Form students.

William Ellis Trust Event, 23rd October

The William Ellis Trust works on behalf of our school and the local community to develop and support initiatives that add genuine value to the education of our students.

The Trust is hosting a special event next month to launch a new phase of their work supporting the education and life chances of the pupils at William Ellis School. 

Parents and carers are welcome to join us for an evening of thoughtful discussion and celebration as we welcome renowned writer, broadcaster, and podcaster Alastair Campbell for a special conversation with William Ellis students. Together, they will explore themes of community, identity, and positive masculinity – values that lie at the heart of our school's ethos and the Trust's vision. There will be Q&A within the discussion, allowing you to be part of the conversation.

Date: Thursday 23^rd October 2025
Time: Guests are welcome to arrive from 5.45pm with the conversation starting from 6.15pm. The event will run until 9pm.
Venue: William Ellis School, Highgate Road, London, NW5 1RN

Please RSVP by securing your free ticket via Eventbrite here.

If you’d like to donate to support the Trust's work you can do so here. The Trust's new website will be launching publicly on Monday 22^nd September 2025.

ShiftED - After School Creative Workshops for Years 6–10

Holborn Library is hosting FREE after-school sessions run by qualified teachers and artists/designers for children aged 10–15 who love making and designing.

Sessions run 4.15-6.15pm:

Tuesdays (from 23 Sept): Sew Many Choices – Textiles (Y6–9)

Wednesdays (from 24 Sept): Muttering Bird – Woodwork (Y6–9)

Thursdays (from 25 Sept): Giant Gooners – Prop-Making (Y9–10)

Find out more here and click here to register

Camden Youth MP Election 2026 

Young people go to the polls in April 2026 to elect a new Camden Youth MP and two Deputy Youth MPs. Could your child be the borough's next youth MP?

If they're aged 13 to 19, live or are educated in Camden, and want to stand as a candidate, they need to apply by 30 January:

• Download a candidate pack and fill in the application form
• View or download a flyer
• Email rashid.ali@camden.gov.uk or phone 07760 275 382.

Camden’s Youth MP and Deputy Youth MPs are the voice for Camden young people, putting forward their interests in local decision-making, as well as representing the views and interests of local young people at regional and national level. Find out more on Camden Rise website.

Camden's Black History Season Workshops 

Camden Libraries are celebrating Black History Season with creative workshops for children and families, including Kente-inspired crafts, storytelling, and activities honouring inspiring Black women and girls. Events run across multiple libraries during October half term. Find out more here!

Camden Music Youth Voice Panel – meeting on 2 October 

Youth Voice panel is a group of young people who meet to suggest ideas for making Camden Music even better. The panel represents all young people in Camden Music. They would like to hear from passionate young people who enjoy discussing ideas for change, taking part and working as a team.

The next meeting of Camden Music’s Youth Voice Panel is on Thursday 2 October, from 4.30 to 5.30pm at the Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD. They will be discussing planning a Camden Music Valentine’s Event – for and with young musicians.

To attend Youth Voice panel, please email caroline.jeyaratnam-joyner@camden.gov.uk.

ARUP Apprenticeship Online Event for Sixth Form Students

ARUP is hosting apprenticeship events for students considering alternatives to university. Their first online event is on Wednesday 24th September, 5:30-6:30pm  and would be ideal for students exploring apprenticeship pathways in engineering and design sectors instead of traditional university routes. Additional virtual and in-person London events are planned over coming weeks. Register at: Careers | ARUP. 

SEND Notices

Camden's SEND Local Offer Roadshow – 19 to 30 September 

Camden Council's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Engagement Team are visiting schools in the Community Bus from now until Tuesday 30 September. They aim to improve knowledge of local services - including education and employment, health and social care - to enable parents and carers to ask questions and gather their feedback. Check out the flyer for all the dates and locations.

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher