Newsletters

NEWS AT WES - 13th March 2026

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Spring Term - 13th March 2026

 

Welcome to our latest news update, including highlights from an exciting Future Men workshop for Year 8 students, and a visit from some of our leading Languages students to Gospel Oak Primary School. It has also been a busy week in our careers education programme! 

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the parent governor election, and congratulations to Jeff Boudens who is our new parent governor.

You can see the full list of our governors here. 

End of Term Arrangements 

Friday 27th March will be the last day of Spring Term. Students will be dismissed at the end of period 4 on that day.

The last day of term will be Non-Uniform Day, helping to fundraise in aid of good causes supported by Scouts UK on behalf of Year 10 student Patrick.

Patrick is a dedicated scout and has been fundraising by attempting to complete the Capital Ring hiking trail in preparation for the World Scout Jamboree event next year. We wish Patrick all the best in this challenge, which will no doubt require him to use more than one of the Five Rs to complete!

 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. Please remember that on Non-Uniform Days, 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 cause are expected to wear full school uniform on 27th March.

LaSWAP Webinar: Student Finance for Year 13 Families

This webinar on 25th March will explain the Student Finance application process, including how & when to apply, what the loans cover, how much you can expect to receive, how repayment works & more key information.

Student Finance applications open for September/October 2026 entry on Monday 23rd March: https://studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk/going-to-uni-2026/

To join this session, use the meeting details below:

  • Weds 25th March, 6pm
  • https://zoom.us/j/98639443056?pwd=f1tSNQE2CaftKY3yolskJmRVCARmwk.1
  • Meeting ID: 986 3944 3056
  • Passcode: laswap

This March, any donation you make to support the work of the WES Trust can be doubled!

A generous donor has offered to match fund all donations made before the end of the month, up to a total value of £10,000. Every pound given will therefore have twice the impact.

All individual one-off donations are eligible, as are the forecast annual values of membership of our Rather Use Than Fame Club. For example, registering to make a monthly donation of £18.62 with Gift Aid would be match funded to the value of £279.30 for the 2026–27 financial year.

Supporting us means supporting the education that William Ellis School provides. It reflects our shared belief in the potential within every pupil to develop into a successful future man. It helps ensure that all pupils can experience a wide range of opportunities regardless of their financial background, and it allows us to back more of the excellent ideas put forward by the teaching body at the school.

Over the next twelve months we are planning a number of exciting initiatives, including:

• A project in which Year 10 pupils will co-produce a podcast sharing their experiences of growing up in Camden today, and their perspectives on current conversations around masculinity
• Expanding our work to support mentoring and pastoral care within the school community
• Increasing the value of our Staff Innovation Fund to support even more teacher-led ideas
• Launching a Founders’ Day to bring together the school’s wider community

You can learn more about the importance of our work here.

You can also find information about the tax relief available when making a charitable donation here.

If you have been considering making a gift, we hope you will take this opportunity to double the impact of your generosity and help us do even more in the year ahead.

To make a general donation to our work, please visit our Charities Aid Foundation Donate page.

You can learn more about the Rather Use Than Fame Club and how to join here.

If you have any questions about making a matched donation, please reach out to Will Durham, our Director, at wdurham@williamellis.camden.sch.uk who will be pleased to discuss.

Year 8 Future Men Workshop

Mr Chogah writes:

Earlier this week, Year 8 students took part in a workshop run by Future Men. The session was great. The facilitators hooked the boys from the word go, and their engaging manner allowed the boys to participate openly and respectfully. Everyone was able to feel part of the group. The facilitators challenged the idea of being men that students might have, addressed it and applying it to real life.

It was interesting to note that the view of being men for the boys was largely in the context of romantic relationships. The Future Men facilitators helped them to recognise that there are other relationships (siblings, sisters, mothers, community). The boys enjoyed it (so did I!).

We hope that other boys will get such an opportunity in future.

   

MFL at Gospel Oak Primary School's Languages Day

Ms Rodgers writes:

On Friday 27th February, a group of Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 students went to Gospel Oak Primary school as part of their Languages Day to present a mini language lesson in French, Spanish and German to some of the classes.

The students were brilliant, but of course I am biased, so please see below the feedback from the staff at Gospel Oak:

The staff at Gospel Oak said:

The William Ellis boys were all fantastic. They spoke with such confidence and clarity, and we really liked how they all assisted even if they weren’t the ones leading the session. The children at Gospel Oak really enjoyed the lessons and games and the prizes made it feel extra special. 

We really appreciate all the work and time that clearly went into the fantastic presentations and getting the boys ready to present in such an engaging manner. 

Recent Year 10 Careers Events

Mr Parry Writes:

Year 10 Financial Literacy Session – 23 February 2026
The Year 10 Financial Literacy Session took place on 23 February 2026 and focused on equipping students with essential money management skills. The session covered topics such as budgeting, saving, understanding bank accounts, and making responsible financial decisions.

Attendance was strong, with the majority of Year 10 students participating actively throughout the session. Students engaged well with the activities and discussions, demonstrating enthusiasm for developing practical financial knowledge that will support them in the future.

Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. Many commented that the session helped them better understand how to manage money and prepare for financial responsibilities later in life. The interactive format and real-life examples were particularly appreciated, helping students connect the concepts to everyday situations.

Year 10 Mock Interviews – 9 March 2026
The Year 10 Mock Interviews were held on 9 March 2026 as part of the school’s careers education programme. The event provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience a realistic interview environment and practise presenting themselves professionally.

The interviews were very well attended, with students taking part in individual interview sessions and receiving constructive feedback afterwards. Students approached the experience with a high level of professionalism and preparation, and many reported that the activity significantly improved their confidence in interview situations.

A particularly positive aspect of the event was the involvement of parents. A number of parents generously volunteered their time to conduct interviews and offer feedback to students. Their participation added authenticity to the process and provided students with valuable perspectives from outside the classroom.

Student feedback was highly favourable, with many expressing appreciation for the practical experience and personalised advice they received.

Both the Year 10 Financial Literacy Session and the Mock Interviews were highly successful events that contributed meaningfully to students’ personal development and future readiness. High attendance, strong engagement, and positive feedback from students highlight the value of these initiatives.

The active involvement of parents in the Mock Interviews further strengthened the event and demonstrated the importance of collaboration between the school community and families. Continued delivery of events such as these will play an important role in supporting students as they prepare for their next steps beyond school.


Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher


Coming Up...

10XL 'Code & Create' trip
All Day
16
March
Camden Biennale Playground Art Project
All Day
16
March
Year 13 Graphics Trip to London Zoo
All Day
17
March
Welcome Event for New Year 7 Families
5:00pm – 6:30pm
18
March
DofE Silver Qualifying Expedition
All Day
from 20 Mar until 23 Mar
20
March
Year 10 Theatre Trip - 'Romeo & Juliet'
12:30pm – 5:30pm
20
March
Year 11 Careers Carousel
11:15am – 12:15pm
23
March
Camden Biennale Art & Design session with Eleanor Palmer students
2:00pm – 3:00pm
23
March
Year 9 Vaccinations catch-up
All Day
25
March
Student Finance Webinar for Year 13 Families
6:00pm – 7:00pm
25
March