Newsletters

NEWS AT WES - 5th December 2025

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Autumn Term - 5th December 2025

 

LIDO LOOP RECORD BREAKING AND LOOKING AHEAD TO THE END OF TERM

This week's newsletter highlights our students' sporting and artistic talents and reflects on a Maths and Literacy crossover event, which saw students from Years 8, 9 and 10 working together to solve problems. 

Also included is a round up of some of our charitable efforts and community events coming up as we reach the end of Autumn Term, including our Community Hamper Project and Winter Entertainment Evening.

Year 11 students have been engaging with early steps towards their further education at last week's LaSWAP Open Evening and with recent Key Stage 5 subject masterclasses. These students will be sitting their mock exams next week. More information can be viewed on the Year 11 page of the school website.

Recent research reveals that while Year 11 attendance is important for GCSE success, your child's attendance in earlier years matters just as much. Students who missed 5-10% of school in Year 11 achieved vastly different results depending on their Year 10 attendance—a difference of over one grade per subject on average. Students with good attendance in Year 10 scored significantly higher, even when Year 11 attendance was similar. The message is clear: consistent attendance throughout Years 7-11 builds the foundation for GCSE success. Every year counts, not just the exam year.

The report found that across England:

Students who missed less than 2% of Year 11 sessions averaged grade 6 across their GCSEs, while those missing 50%+ averaged barely grade 1.

Among students with the same Year 11 attendance, those who had better attendance in Year 10 scored over one grade higher per subject.

The difference between missing less than 2% and missing 5-10% of sessions equals nearly one full grade drop per qualification.

Consistent attendance patterns across Years 10 and 11 are strongly linked—students who miss lots of school in Year 10 typically continue to do so in Year 11. "Catching up at the last minute" is not as easy as it might seem!

Attendance Rewards - Introducing our Winter Term Prize Draw! 

At the end of term we will be awarding prizes to recognise good attendance. The prizes are gift cards that can be spent at multiple shops and eateries; there will be something of interest for everyone.

  • All students who are in school for 100% of the last 2 weeks of term will be entered into the prize draw.
  • There will be one entry for each week. Two weeks = double the chances of winning!
  • 5 Students will be awarded gift cards from the prize draw
  • The draw will be made on the last day of term

Price Increase from our Uniform Supplier in 2026

Our uniform supplier, SWI, have written to us this week to make us aware of price increases which will come into effect next year. Owing to their rising business costs there will be a 3.75% increase on SWI's products from 1st February 2026. 

Families may wish to purchase blazers and PE kit items for the next year (allowing for 'growing room') in advance of this price increase.

We will also advise families of any promotional discounts SWI may offer throughout the year.

Don't forget that WESPA hold regular sales of good quality pre-owned uniform. Please contact WESPA for details of upcoming uniform sales: williamellispa@gmail.com .  

LaSWAP Open Evening and Sixth Form Masterclasses

Ms Davis, Sixth Form Engagement Officer, writes:

LaSWAP open evening last Thursday was a fantastic success. We were delighted to welcome so many Year 11 students and their families. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm as students explored subject areas, spoke with staff, and learnt about the opportunities available at LaSWAP. We were especially delighted to hear how many visitors had already taken part in our A Level masterclasses, where Year 11s have been able to observe A Level lessons and experience sixth form learning first-hand.

These masterclasses play an important role in supporting students’ transition from main school to sixth form, helping them build confidence, understand expectations, and feel more prepared. The engagement we’ve seen both during the open evening and throughout the masterclasses indicates that our students are beginning to think carefully about their next steps, and we will continue to support them as they move forward in this process.

Movember Fundraidsing

As has become an annual tradition, over the last few weeks school staff - led by the PE Department Team - have been raising money for the Movember men's health charity initiative. Staff have been growing their moustaches to help raise awareness and start conversations around men's physical and mental health.

 

You can still make donations to the team by following the link below or scanning the QR code.

https://movember.com/m/14774451?mc=1

'Tis the season...

This week, Christmas festivities have begun as our Christmas Tree has arrived and has been beautifully decorated by Year 7 students. Visitors to school will see the tree in the Reception area until the end of term. Thank you to the Parliament Hill Farmers' Market for donating this tree to us. 

    

Community Projects

Next week we will be collecting contributions to our Community Christmas Hamper Project, with each year group putting together a package of items for the residents of the Shaw Care Home on Wellesley Road. Students should please bring any items from the following list to school on Tuesday, 9th December to create the hampers, which will be delivered to the care home at the end of next week.

Students can hand gift items to their form tutor on Tuesday, 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.

We are also collecting 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.

 

Winter Entertainment Evening

We hope that families will join us for our annual evening of performance, bringing our school community together to mark the end of Autumn Term with performance, Mince Pies and good cheer!

WESPA will be running a tombola on the night, with a selection of prizes donated by local businesses. Prizes will be announced and given out on the night, so make sure you're there to be in with a chance of winning.

 

End of Term Arrangements

In the last week of term, students will come together for Christmas Lunch on Wednesday 17th December; an important part of the end of term celebrations. They will also have year group assemblies on the last day of term to reflect on achievements as we come to the end of the calendar year and look ahead to 2026.

The last day of term, Friday 19th December, will be Non-Uniform Day with proceeds going to the homeless charity Shelter. Students wishing to participate in Non-Uniform Day must make a £1 donation to the charity, which can be made through ParentPay or by card at the school office.

On Non-Uniform Day, students must:

  • Not wear any items that display slogans, insignia, logos or symbols which could cause offence or could be associated with gangs, or indicate political affiliation.
  • Not wear any head or face coverings that prevent identification or inhibit communication.
  • Not wear clothing, jewellery or shoes that are unsafe for the activities they are taking part in. 
  • Wear items that cover from their shoulders to mid-thigh.

Students not wishing to contribute to this charitable cause are expected to wear full school uniform on the day.

Students will be dismissed during period 4 on the last day of term.

NEW SCHOOL RECORD in the Lido Loop!

Mr Levitt writes:

Congratulations to Harry in 8W who set a new school record for the Lido Loop this week!

The endurance event, "The Lido Loop" has a rich history at William Ellis with ex-students, who are now parents, regularly spotted checking the records board at Open Evening to see how quick the current record is and who set it.

The previous record had stood for over 2 years and didn't look like it was getting beaten any time soon....but in cross-country club on Monday of this week, Mr Merryweather set his students a challenge to beat it, and Harry came up with a really strong time.

Congratulations Harry!

Cross Country Club runs every Monday after school. All abilities welcome.

Year 9 Artwork

Ms Sinnot writes:

Year 9’s charcoal drawings using a variation of tones.

Maths Author Talk

Ms Seifert, writes:

Last week, Ruby Jingxhuan Huang presented a talk and a taster session around the "Maths Draw Out" book she has recently published.

She presented a set of maths problems to a group of students from Years 8-10 and ran them through the thinking behind the maths questions.
The students got a good insight into her journey to self-publishing without any financial help or a helping publisher's hand; how she researched her maths problems; and how she illustrated the book, all on her ipad while she was in Year 12.

This was an engaging, thought-provoking and stimulating visit, which generated a huge amount of interest - and curious questions - from the students. It was inspiring from them to hear this story from an author of a relatable age. 

Could one of our students be Camden's next Youth MP?

Young people go to the polls in April 2026 to elect a new Camden Youth MP and two Deputy Youth MPs. Perhaps a William Ellis student will be the borough's next youth MP.

Students aged 13 to 19, who live or are educated in the borough, and want to stand as a candidate, need to apply by 30 January 2026. Find out more and apply here.

Bookings are now open for Camden's Winter HAF Programme

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme offers free enriching activities and food during school holidays. To be eligible for a free space, your child must be in Reception to Year 11, be in receipt of benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM), and live or attend school in Camden. Book places here.

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher

This Week's WESPA Round-Up:

Dear families,

It was great to see so many parents at the WESPA AGM on Tuesday. (And to stick our heads into the Jack Petchey awards upstairs and cheer on our WES boys!) This is the time when we get together and, amongst other things, choose who will represent parents as part of the committee. It is with great pleasure that I can announce the WESPA Trustees for 2026. We are in very capable hands.

Galit Ashkenazi-Golan - first elected 2022/23

Sibylle Erdmann - first elected 2023/24

Caroline Matute - first elected 2023/24

Victoria Lockwood - first elected 2023/24

Fatima Abdikarim - first elected 2024/25

Fairouz Grzyb - elected 2025

We try to limit the number of Trustees to between 4 and 8 and spanning the year groups so that everybody is represented. It is important to keep things moving and so with sadness but also huge gratitude we also say a huge thank you to the committee members who are stepping down.

Thank you to Chae Pak for all your ideas and contributions at committee meetings and events and jumping in at the deep end as a new parent. And also as a rare dad on the committee. 

To Alex, you have been such an amazing force of positivity over the many years you have been a Trustee. And not just in spirit but also with your sleeves rolled up at events, out in the borough creating opportunities for our boys and your incredible work with the music department, your support with WES Careers and as choir mother amongst many other things. You have had and brought to life so many brilliant ideas that have generated so much joy and opportunity for the boys and the wider WES community. Thank you. And on a personal note, and one of the things I love about WESPA the most, it has been wonderful to meet you and make a new friend. 

And finally, I have also stepped down. This is quite bitter sweet for me. I will welcome having a little more spare time but this will be a big change. I have been Chair of WESPA since I started at WES and so for me and my wife Alice and our two sons, Alfred who is now in Y10 and George who has just started in Y7, WES has been a very big part of our lives. It has been a huge honour to represent parents at WES and chair the committee. Collectively, as a group of parents, we have achieved many things and made a really positive contribution to school life and each other. It has also been a privilege to get to know the staff at school. I have learnt so much and have the deepest respect for all the teachers, governors, leaders and staff members who day in and day out look after and guide our children. There have been some tough times and some fun times but throughout all of it, the sense of family is so strong. William Ellis School is a special place full of wonderful people - students, parents and carers and staff alike. I may no longer be a Trustee but I will still be most definitely getting stuck in so see you soon.

Best wishes

Al

Regular WESPA member

Coming Up...

Year 11 Mock Exams
All Day
from 08 Dec until 17 Dec
08
December
Gathering of contributions for Community Christmas Hampers
All Day
09
December
Year 7 Nurture Group Trip to The Mill
9:00am – 4:00pm
from 09 Dec until 10 Dec
09
December
Year 9 & 10 Barclays Lifeskills Careers Trip
All Day
10
December
Students' Christmas Lunch
1:00pm – 2:05pm
17
December
Winter Entertainment Evening
5:00pm – 7:00pm
18
December
Last Day of Term
All Day
19
December
Non-Uniform Day - £1 donation to Shelter to take part
All Day
19
December