William Ellis School Parent Portal - NEWS AT WES

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Autumn Term - 17th October 2025

Welcome to our latest news update, including important information for Year 11 families: the priority booking link for the LaSWAP Open Evening, and the provisional timetable for Year 11 mock exams. We hope that other families also find these useful for thinking about what comes in the years ahead.

As we move towards half term, a reminder that Friday 24th October is a normal school timetable, but is a fundraising non-uniform day in aid of UNICEF. Students are asked to make a £1 donation, or what they can afford. School resumes on Monday 3rd November (week A).

LaSWAP Open Evening!

Priority booking has opened for Year 11 WES students, to secure their place at LaSWAP Open Evening. This will be taking place on Thursday, 27^th November at Parliament Hill and William Ellis schools – it is always a really busy and very exciting event, so book your place before public bookings open, to ensure that you can attend and see what studying at LaSWAP is like!

Click the link below to register

https://laswap.applicaa.com/events/0199dd93-2450-7505-8b0b-8556ec648e2d

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Year 11 families can find key information, including this year's revision guide with details of the GCSE exam specifications for 2025-26, this term's schedule of Subject Interventions and the Mock Exam timetable for December and January, on the Year 11 page of the school website. Should there be any changes to the Mock Exam timetable due to unforeseen circumstances, Year 11 families will be notified directly.

As we move further into Autumn, attendance for all students at school remains important. For their academic progress and wellbeing, they need to be here, every day and on time.

Year 10 Art 'Identity' Project Work

Here are some examples of excellent homework made by Year 10 Art students, who are working on a project called 'Identity'. They had to choose some consumables to draw. We were really impressed with the quality of these artworks!

Year 12 Graphics 'Journeys' Project

Year 12 Graphics students started their 'Journeys' project with a sunny Autumn walk on the Heath to produce recording in different media. They considered how to use typography, drawing and paint to record the walk. We are looking forward to seeing what else they produce!

Year 13 Graphics Higher Education Insight

Year 13 Graphics students were visited recently by Nathan from UAL to hear about their insights and portfolio advice programme. This supports students in applying for Creative Arts degree courses, and in the past we have had students who have been supported onto their degree courses through attending insightful sessions like this.

Uniform Supplier Discount

Our uniform supplier, SWI, has asked us to share details of a promotion that runs from 27th October-9th November, offering 20% off all orders during this period.

To place your orders for any new blazers or PE kit, please see SWI's website and use code SAVE20 to claim the discount.

National Green Careers Week 2025

National Careers Week runs from 3rd-8th November and the 2025 Parents' Guide to Green Careers can be downloaded here.

This free and practical guide will help families:

✅ Understand what “green careers” really mean

✅ Discover routes into sustainable jobs – after GCSEs, sixth form or university

✅ Start meaningful conversations about the future

✅ Access resources, quizzes and work experience ideas

Yellow Days - Holiday Camp Booking Marketplace

We have been asked to share news of this promotion for 10% off Half Term Holiday Camps booked via Yellow Days

Yellow days work with national and local providers such as Camp Beaumont, Barracudas, Activate, The Genies Camp, NS Sports, Lazer Lions and Dramacube.

For 10% off in October Half Term, use code HELLOAUTUMN when booking.

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher

This Week's WESPA Round-Up:

Dear families,

In the WESPA meeting last month there were requests for socials at the pub and also venues that do not serve alcohol. It was nice to see some parents at the cafe social last weekend and the next will be at the pub on Saturday 25th. Please do come along if you’d like to hang out, meet new parents, or catch up with some old friends. They are always fun.

Where: Duke of St Albans, 15 Highgate Rd, London NW5 1QX

When: Saturday, 25th October

What time: 7pm onwards

Clubs

It has been a great pleasure to be in school this term helping out our brilliant new head of music Courtney Wood with band club - the Y7 and Y8 groups have made a cracking start and hopefully will make it on to a stage very soon!

There are a number of parents who help run clubs and this makes a really valuable contribution to school. Huge thanks to Hugh and Ruth who have got Debate Club up and running and also to Hugh for masterminding the rowing club and ergos. Another long-standing club is the WES Eco Club run by Y10 parent Jane and head of Y12 Andrew Mangham (more news from Eco club in next week's newsletter). If any parents are interested in supporting school with a club, please email williamellispa@gmail.com.

It always surprises me how quickly the first half of the autumn term whizzes by. Well done to all the Y7s for making such a great start and to all the other years for getting stuck in with your usual enthusiasm. It is always brilliant to walk down the corridors of WES and see the hustle and bustle and smiling faces of the boys going about their business in school.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the last week of the half term.

Best wishes,

Chair WESPA