Newsletters

NEWS AT WES - 14th November 2025

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Autumn Term - 14th November 2025

 

Welcome to our latest news update, including a review of the inaugural William Ellis Trust event that took place at school just before half term. The Trust supports the school to provide an enhanced quality of education for the students, especially around three themes: community, boyhood and entrepreneurship. There are also details of our community collections in the run up to Christmas and upcoming bookings for Year 7 parents' evening.

A reminder that the LaSWAP Open Evening takes place on Thursday 27th November across our school site and that of Parliament Hill School. To prepare for this event we will be dismissing Year 7-10 students at 1.10pm on that day.

Families of students in Years 11, 12 and 13 should please note that these year groups will stay in school for their period 5 lessons.

Students in Years 7-10 will be registered by their Form Tutor at 1pm on this day and will be able to get a grab-and-go lunch from the canteen before leaving at 1.10pm.

The following day, Friday 28th November, will be a Staff Professional Development Day and school will be closed.

Year 7 parents' evening: booking appointments for Thursday 4th December

Year 7 families will today have received details of their first Parents' Evening, which is coming up on Thursday 4th December. Booking appointment slots with teachers will open next Thursday on MCAS. If you are not already familiar with MCAS, please take the time to login over the next few days, ready for when booking opens. A guide to the booking system can be found on the Parents' Evening page of the school website.  

A reminder that the rest of the lower school Parents' Evenings for this academic year are as follows:

Year 9 – 15th January

Year 11 – 28th January

Year 10 – 5th March

Year 8 – 23rd April

An Evening with Alastair Campbell and William Ellis Students

Will Durham, Trust Director, writes:

Just before half-term, the William Ellis Trust hosted An Evening with Alastair Campbell — and what a success it was! Over 140 alumni, parents, staff, and supporters came together to hear a powerful and inspiring discussion between Alastair and six of our students.

There was a real feeling of energy and optimism during the event. It was wonderful to bring so many members of our community, past and present, together and to see people leaving the event so enthused about supporting the school moving forward.

Taking inspiration from Alastair Campbell’s bestselling book But What Can I Do?, the event sparked conversations about how each of us can make a difference. You’ll find some suggestions on the Trust's website on how we can start to build on this — and we hope you’ll join us for our next event, where we’ll explore that question even further.

Anybody who wasn't able to attend the event is encouraged to please take a few minutes to watch a short film capturing key moments from the evening, which is available to watch here. 

We know that as evenings get darker and colder and students are at home more, time on screens becomes ever more tempting. We also know from conversations at school that students who have their phones confiscated find being without them very difficult because they are used to having their phone constantly with them. This seemed like a good time to re-share the poster above, with the four principles around managing technology at home.

We also know that balancing homework and screen time can feel like an endless battle. The new Young Minds App offers a fresh approach to digital wellbeing for families. Rather than simply blocking content, it teaches boys why boundaries matter through engaging, gamified lessons about online safety.

Parents can set study modes that allow educational apps while limiting distractions, and track device usage with clear insights. Boys earn rewards for making responsible digital choices, building genuine independence rather than resentment.

This is currently available for Android devices, with iOS launching soon. The app combines protection with positive education, replacing daily conflicts with constructive conversations about healthy digital habits. Learn more: screen.youngmindsapp.co.uk

Support for Our Local Community this Christmas

In the run up to Christmas our school is supporting the Camden Foodbank and Wellesley Road Care Home with donations to members of our community in need.

Donations to Camden Foodbank

As usual for this time of year, we are collecting donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries for the Camden Foodbank.

The Foodbank's 'wishlist' includes: Breakfast items; tinned goods (meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, custard, rice pudding etc.); Pasta, rice and noodles; Instant mashed potato; Pasta sauce; Jam, marmalade and Peanut butter; Sweets, biscuits and snacks; Tea bags, coffee and long-life milk; Juice; Toiletries (including sanitary products); Baby products (formula and nappies) and household cleaning items like laundry powder and bleach.

At this time of year, items such as mince pies and Christmas chocolates and biscuits are also very much appreciated.

Items can be dropped off at the School Office anytime between now and 9th December.

Care Hampers for Wellesley Road Care Home

Next month, students from all year groups will be creating festive hampers for the elderly residents of the Wellesley Road Care Home.

Residents would be grateful to receive gifts from the following list:

  • Coffee (Instant & Ground coffee)
  • Tea (English breakfast, Earl grey, Herbal tea etc.)
  • Hot chocolate
  • Biscuits
  • Chocolate
  • Sweets
  • Dried fruits
  • Mince pies
  • Crackers
  • Panettone
  • Fruit cake
  • Jam/Marmalades
  • Chutneys
  • Christmas pudding
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Shower Gel
  • Deodorant
  • Soap
  • Hand cream
  • Lip balm
  • Hairbrushes/combs
  • Nail brushes
  • Board games
  • Books
  • Socks (Fluffy, non-slip & normal socks)
  • Craft supplies
  • Slippers

We will be taking in donations for the hampers on Tuesday 9th December. Students can hand gift items to their form tutor on that day, to create the hamper for their year group. Items can also be dropped off at the school office on that day (if handing in at the office, please ensure donations on 9th December are marked for the Care Home and with your child's year group).

We thank families in advance for any donations they are able to make and hope to be able to help a number of vulnerable people in our community with these projects.

Sixth Form Charity Fundraising

Well done to Eva, who along with her friends Cornelia, Kaliyah and Manesha raised over £100 this week for Mind, by baking cakes on Wednesday afternoon and selling them to other students at Thursday lunchtime.

As you can see from the photo, it was a complete sell-out with nothing but crumbs left! Well done for really embodying the WES motto of Rather Use Than Fame.

WES @ LaSWAP

 

Many Year 11 students have been participating in WES@LaSWAP Masterclasses this week – attending current A Levels, to get a flavour of the expected standard of learning in these courses, as well as to see what interesting content they would be studying in different subjects. These have proved so popular that we are organising more over the coming weeks, until the night of Open Evening – though not afterwards, as Year 11s will need to prioritise their GCSEs rather than their A Levels over the next few months. There are more transition activities planned, though – so watch this space!

 

We are delighted that so many Year 11 students have already booked their slot for LaSWAP Open Evening. For those Year 11 students and parents who have not yet done so, please do not delay – we only have a limited number of tickets still available, which can be booked here: https://laswap.applicaa.com/events/0199dd93-2450-7505-8b0b-8556ec648e2d

Year 11 Art Trip to the Grant Museum

Ms Madsen writes:

Last week, Year 11 Art students visited the Grant Museum of Zoology. This is a small museum which is part of UCL university, and houses many fascinating specimens related to the study of animals.

The Year 11 students worked very hard and produced some interesting drawings which will be part of their coursework project themed 'Together and apart'.

Free after-school taster sessions for Camden secondary students 

A brand-new series of free after-school sessions for Camden secondary students aged 14 to 16 has been launched at the borough's Opportunity Centres, from Monday 24 November to Friday 5 December 2025. Food and drinks will be provided at each session.

The programme aims to ignite curiosity, build real-world skills and empower young people in Camden to explore unconventional and exciting topics beyond the classroom. There's something for everyone - technology, fashion, finance, creativity and more. Students can find out more and sign up here.

 

Black Women Behind the Lens - Triumphs & Challenges: Thursday 20 November 6.30 to 10pm at BFI Stephen Street 

Fully Focused & Million Youth Media [MYM] with support from Camden Council’s Culture Service for Black History Season welcome Camden students to an uplifting space celebrating a new generation of Black women writers and directors as they share their creative journeys. From film festivals to brand collaborations, making waves across genres. 

Join an inspiring evening of short film screenings, engaging Q&As, and networking with fellow creatives.

This is a free event, aimed at a youth audience. Tickets via Eventbrite

 

Join Go Live Theatre! Free drama-based programmes and £10* tickets to West End Shows! 

Go Live Theatre. Relaxed performance of Sister Act. Photo by Bonnie Britain

Go Live Theatre is a young people’s charity that has brought the joy of theatre to over 250,000 young people throughout London. They believe that all children and young people should have the opportunity to experience the life-enhancing benefits of seeing and participating in live theatre, and work with schools to offer £10 tickets to top West End shows and FREE drama-based programmes in mainstream and alternative educational settings, so all young people can experience the joy of theatre!

To find out more and sign up to our mailing list please visit our website: Go Live Theatre - Creating Inspiring Experiences

 

Free Family Festival at the British Library – 22 November 

A young girl stands at a craft table with colourful paper and glue sticks on top. She looks up at a woman who is bending down and showing her something in her hands.

The free Imaginary Worlds Family Festival, from 12noon to 4pm on Saturday 22 November, is a chance to make, move, sign and explore through fun and play. The event is fully accessible for families with D/deaf children, parents and carers.

Hosted by the British Library, in partnership with the British Museum, Camden Council’s Family Learning Team and Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children, the day will include over 24 organisations, delivering accessible and inclusive family activities across the British Library.

The day will include creative workshops and activities from organisations such as the Foundling Museum, Francis Crick Institute, London Zoo, October Gallery, Origami Society, Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, Royal Institute of British Architects, Sadler’s Wells, The Place, The Postal Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

It’s free to drop in at any time; all ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Find out more.

 

Free webinar for parents and carers – teen dating and relationship abuse 

Free for parents and carers in Camden and Islington, this webinar on 26th November, from 6pm to 8pm, will explore what abuse looks like in young people’s relationships, including:

  • Coercive control and emotional abuse
  • How parents can spot the signs and how you can talk with your children and young people if you are worried about experiencing abuse
  • If young people are being abusive to their partner, what to do.

This will be facilitated by Violence Against Women and Girls Workforce Development Manager, Aisling Barker, and Parent Empowerment Champion, Nicole Kavanagh. Find out more and sign up here or, if you have any questions please email VRUREFERRALS@islington.gov.uk

 

Queen's Crescent Winter Light Festival

On Saturday, 29 November, from 12noon to 6pm, Queen's Crescent will be hosting a market event that will bring some light to the winter months. This family-friendly event will see delicious food and drinks, handmade products, live entertainment from local artists, community stalls and visits from live animals - all alongside the usual Saturday market goods. More information can be found on the website.

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher


This Week's WESPA Round-Up:

Dear families,

It’s now or never if you need some pizza to boost your quizzing skills on Wednesday! We’ll be letting Bistro Laz know about pizza orders at the weekend so if you're planning on coming, please sign up for your ticket asap! The event is open to all parents, friends, alumni, staff and boys too. All U18s must be accompanied by an adult.

WESPA Quiz and pizza evening - book now!

Where: School Hall

When: 19th November, 5.45pm doors

Tickets: https://www.ticketebo.co.uk/wespa/wespa-winter-quiz-2025 (free for students and siblings)

And whilst we’re talking dates don’t forget to etch in the AGM:

WESPA AGM

Where: WES School Library

When: 2nd December, 6pm

And… Winter Entertainment! Parents in Y8 and above will know about this one but for our new families this is an evening hosted by the William Ellis drama and music departments in the school and features musical and spoken performances by many of our boys. WESPA runs a bar and it’s a lovely chance to get together before we break for the winter holiday.

Winter Entertainment

Where: WES School Hall

When: 18th December, 5pm

Tickets: Free and no ticket required!

So lots to look forward to. But first the quiz! See you on Wednesday…

Best wishes,

Al

Chair WESPA

Coming Up...

'Where Can Languages Take Me' Online Event
9:00am – 10:00am
18
November
WESPA Quiz Night
6:00pm – 8:00pm
19
November
LSBN Debating Club Trip
All Day
20
November
Year 10 Economics M&G Investment Challenge
11:00am – 3:00pm
20
November
Year 13 Spanish Film Study Day at the BFI
All Day
21
November
Year 9 'Stranger Things' Theatre Trip
11:30am – 4:00pm
21
November
Year 11 Art & Graphics Exam Prep. Session
9:00am – 1:00pm
22
November
Partial early close for Open Evening - Year 7-10 Students dismissed at 1.10pm
1:10pm – 1:30pm
27
November
LaSWAP Open Evening
5:00pm – 8:00pm
27
November
Staff Professional Development Day - school closed to students
All Day
28
November