William Ellis School Parent Portal - NEWS AT WES

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Summer Term - 17th April 2026

It was great to welcome students back on Monday, and we hope that you all had a good Easter break. Welcome to our latest news update, with plenty to get excited about this term! Year 7–9 students can train AI models with Google researchers at the London AI Campus on 22nd April, and our KS3 Fun Run around Parliament Hill is back on 8th May — raising funds for new rowing and gym equipment. Sixth formers can access a five-week Life Sciences career series featuring GSK and Google Health. Plus, free art, design and woodwork projects are available locally through ShiftED.

Year 11 GCSE Exam Arrangements

Year 11 written exams start on Friday 8^th May. There are some practical exams and Language orals before that. Timetables have been sent home, and it is students' responsibility to know the times of the exams and where their exams are.

Students must be present at the door of the exam 15 minutes before the start time.

All exams other than Art a require full uniform
Students will be required in school for all exams and lessons in between exams until 19^th June. When there are afternoon exams they will be able to leave school directly from the exams.
Students will be able to have lunch at an earlier time when they have an afternoon exam.

KS3 Fun Run (supported by WESPA), Friday 8^th May

The annual fun run for students in Years 7-9 takes place next month. Boys complete a 3km route starting from the school, going around Parliament Hill, and returning to the school for the finish. The run will take place from 2:00–3:00pm on 8th May.

This is a fundraising event, with WESPA hoping to raise £3000 for the PE Department to purchase 2 rowing machines for the ever-growing indoor rowing club and some second-hand exercise bikes for the gym.

All donations can be made via the Givey website:

https://www.givey.com/williamellisschoolfunrunmay2026

Please see WESPA's section below to find out more about additional ways to help with this event.

Free parent webinars: HPV vaccine

Later this term, Year 8 students will be offered the HPV vaccination in school. RM Partners is hosting a series of free online webinars to help parents learn more about the HPV vaccine, how it protects against cancer, and what to expect on vaccination day. Sessions include a Q&A with local GPs. Sign up for the webinar by completing this short form: Register for the HPV Vaccine Webinar

Year 8 families will receive further details of the date for the HPV vaccination when we have had a session scheduled by the borough nursing team.

Camden Youth MP Election held in schools and youth centres

Young people go to the polls from 20 April to 1 May 2026 to elect a new Camden Youth MP and two Deputy Youth MPs. There are nine candidates.

Young people aged 11-19 (or up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities) who live, study or work in Camden can vote in their secondary school or youth centre. All the candidates are listed on Camden Rise website and you can also watch their campaign videos there. The Camden Youth MP Election 2026 is run by the children and young people’s participation service within Children and Learning at Camden Council. If you have any questions, please email rashid.ali@camden.gov.uk.

Become a Climate Researcher with Google: Earth Day Quest for Year 7-9s

Join Google at the London AI Campus on Charrington Street for a hands-on session where students will build and train their own AI models to predict floods in the interactive ‘Market Marshes’ AI Quests mission. They’ll also get to sit down for a live Q&A with a Google Researcher to talk about careers in tech and how this work is saving lives right now.

When: 22nd April, 16:00 – 17:00
Where: London AI Campus, Charrington Street, NW1 1RD
Who: Camden students in Years 7-9

Scan the QR code on the poster above to register.

AI & The Future of Life Sciences: Career Series (Years 12-13)

This five-week series is designed to strengthen UCAS and apprenticeship applications by giving students direct access to world-leading organisations.

Industry Insights: Featuring weekly sessions with GSK, Google Health, Novo Nordisk, and LifeArc.
Certification: Students will receive an official Certificate of Attendance from the London AI Campus and the Knowledge Quarter to include in their personal statements.
Logistics: Every Tuesday (Starting 21st April), 16:00 – 17:00 | London AI Campus, Charrington St, NW1 1RD.

See the Life Sciences series poster here to sign up and for more information.

ShiftED - Summer Term 2026 After-School Art, Design & Craft Projects

ShiftED offer high quality art, craft and design projects across a range of specialisms for children in aged 10-14, which run Mon-Thu, 4.25-6.15pm. They have a dedicated makerspace in Holborn library, Camden, and all sessions are run by qualified teachers alongside professional artists/designers.

This term, ShiftED are offering specialisms in:

Woodwork
Textiles and lino printing
Screen printing
Architectural model making

Click here to choose a programme and apply for a place for your child or view the QR code:

All programmes are free in order to make design and making opportunities accessible to everyone. If this term's programmes are not available or of interest, you can join the mailing list to be sent notifications about upcoming programmes.

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher

This Week's WESPA Round-Up:

KS3 Fun Run (supported by WESPA), Friday 8^th May

To help the Fun Run event run smoothly, Mirzeta is looking for 15 parent volunteers to assist on the day. Gathering and preparation will begin at 1:15 pm behind the school, outside the café. The run will start at 2:00 pm and finish at approximately 3:15 pm.

Of the 15 volunteers, 10 will help marshal the boys around the park along the route, while 5 will remain at the school to assist teachers and form tutors.

If you are a Year 7, 8 or 9 parent and available to help, please let us know as soon as possible and join our WhatsApp volunteer group. If you cannot commit to help with marshalling the run, you are also very welcome to join and cheer the boys on their way.