Newsletters

Autumn Term - 2nd October 2026

 

Welcome to our latest news update. This week, Year 11 students can start booking their slots for the LaSWAP 6th Form Open Evening in November, and there are exciting highlights from 6th form languages trips and a preview of the Year 7 Outdoor Learning Day. The most important day of next week, though, is Thursday.

Progress Review Day, Thursday 8th October

We are four weeks into the new school year and the new mixed-age tutoring arrangements, so this is a good moment to stop and check how things are going. On Thursday, every boy will have a one-to-one conversation with his tutor or Head of House, and parents and carers are warmly invited to join him.

Why we are doing this

The first half-term is when habits, friendships and attitudes begin to settle. We want to know how each boy is finding mixed-age tutoring, what he is enjoying, and what he is finding harder than expected. We also want to recognise what he has already achieved, because progress made in the first few weeks often goes unnoticed. And we want to learn something new about every boy, because the things we don't yet know are often the things that help most.

Why the relationship between tutor and family matters

A tutor is the member of staff who knows a boy best across the school day. They see him in registration, notice when something is different, and are usually the first to hear when something is troubling him. But a tutor only sees part of the picture. Families know what he is like at home, what excites him, what worries him, and what has changed over the summer or in recent weeks. When school and family share what they know, we can support him far more effectively.

That relationship is much easier to build when things are going well. If the first time a family speaks to their son's tutor is when there is a problem, the conversation is harder for everyone. If they have already met, shared a few minutes of good conversation and agreed what matters most for him this year, then a phone call about a concern or a celebration of success comes from someone he and his family already know and trust. That trust underpins both pastoral care and academic progress, and it is why we want these relationships established early.

It is also why the boys are at the centre of the day. A conversation about how he is getting on is more powerful when he is part of it, and he should hear directly from his tutor what they have noticed and appreciated.

Outdoor Learning Day for Year 7

Year 7 students will have an introduction to the Outdoor Learning that is key to our school's ethos on Thursday 15th October.

The activities are planned with the aim of building important early bonding moments between students new to the school and students will engage in four House-based activities around the school site and Hampstead
Heath, utilising a variety of skills. The sessions also encourage teamwork and socialisation between the students.

There is no cost for the activities on this day and students will have break
and lunchtimes as normal. Students must come into school in their PE kits with jackets suitable for the day’s weather.

Priority Access to LaSWAP Open Evening for Year 11 Families

Ms Wilson writes:

We are pleased to offer students and families at William Ellis an advanced booking window for LaSWAP Open Evening 2026, which runs from 4.30-7.30 on Thursday 26^th November. Please follow this link for your priority access to the entry slots. (Slots will be bookable for the general public on 15^th October.)

Last year, we had 3,000 bookings and certain entry slots are very popular, so please book a convenient slot during the advanced booking window to avoid disappointment. Please note that students cannot attend the event independently and must be accompanied by a parent/carer.

LaSWAP Open Evening is an exciting opportunity to learn about the huge variety of courses we offer at sixth form; tour two of the consortium schools with opportunities to ask subject teachers and current students questions; celebrate the excellent exam outcomes of past cohorts; and hear about sixth form life and how the consortium works from the LaSWAP headteachers and directors. It will be both an instructive and enjoyable evening.

We look forward to welcoming you on Thursday 26^th November 2026!

Year 10 Drama

Ms Hughes writes:

Year 10 have been exploring different drama practitioners this half term. Antonio Artaud was a theatre maker who believed theatre should unsettle their audience to ‘liberate them from repression’.

Year 10 have truly thrown themselves into this idea! They have used lighting, sound, ritualistic movement and symbolic sounds/gestures to brilliant, and totally weird, effect.

Celebrate Black History Season in Camden

Discover an inspiring programme of film, music, spoken word, visual art, performance, conversation and community-led events taking place across Camden.
This year’s theme, Honouring Our Communities, looks both backwards and forwards, exploring Camden’s Black histories and the people who have shaped them, while celebrating the voices, artists, communities and cultural movements shaping Camden today. Highlights include:

• Free author event - Jessica Wilson: If Afros Could Speak on Wednesday 14 October, 4pm to 5.30pm, at Swiss Cottage Library, Swiss Cottage, Central Library, 88 Avenue Road, NW3 3HA. Join award-winning author Jessica Wilson as she explores the history, symbolism and cultural meanings woven into Afro hair. Through storytelling, creative writing and a fun braiding activity, children will discover the connections between hair, identity, culture and ancestry. Suitable for children aged 7 and above, no pre-booking required
• A free Steel Pan Performance and Workshop led by Camden Music on Saturday 17 October, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, at Swiss Cottage Library, Swiss Cottage, Central Library, 88 Avenue Road, NW3 3HA. Suitable for all ages, no pre-booking required

See the full Black History Season programme.

 

National Tree Week 2026 – Pupil Posters Wanted

National Tree Week is taking place from 21 to 29 November 2026, marking the start of the annual tree-planting season.

To celebrate, Camden Council is inviting local pupils to create National Tree Week posters to be displayed in Camden’s parks and green spaces.

Posters could encourage people to plant a tree, share a favourite tree fact, explain why trees are vital for people and wildlife, or simply celebrate the trees in our local area. This is a great opportunity for pupils to get creative while learning about the importance of trees and seeing their artwork displayed in their community.

Please email your designs, as photos or pdfs, to Scarlett Weston, Community Nature Officer, at scarlett.weston@camden.gov.uk before the submission deadline of Friday 13 November.

 

Family Singing with Camden Music

Come along to Camden Music’s free Family Singing taster session on Saturday, 10 October. These fun, relaxed sessions are a great way to enjoy making music together as a family in a friendly space. All families are welcome. Choose from two locations:

• Somers Town Community Association, from 3pm to 4pm. Sign up here
• St Pancras Community Association, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Sign up here
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STEM Opportunity for Years 12 & 13: "Decoding Disease" Workshop with The Francis Crick Institute at the London AI Campus 

 The London AI Campus, in partnership with The Francis Crick Institute, is hosting an exclusive workshop, "Decoding Disease: Understanding the statistical concepts behind vaccines." Key Stage 5 students will work directly alongside world-leading researchers to solve real-world biomedical challenges, explore careers in biostatistics and AI, and earn an official certificate for their university or apprenticeship applications.

Key Facts:

• Target Audience: Camden secondary students in Years 12 & 13 (or Camden residents aged 16–18)
• Date & Time: Thursday, 22nd October | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
• Location: London AI Campus, Charrington Street, NW1 1RD
• Capacity: Strictly limited to 30 spaces
• Perks: Free drinks and snacks provided, plus an official application-boosting certificate

How to Join: fill in this form

 

Camden’s SEND Local Offer website 

Camden’s SEND Local Offer website is a 'one stop shop' for information, advice and services for 0 to 25 year-olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those who support them. Visit the website.

Introduction to SEND Services in Camden workshop

This workshop is particularly beneficial for parent carers whose child has recently received a SEND, Autism or ADHD diagnosis, as well as those whose child has just started Reception or is beginning their SEND journey. It also serves as a useful refresher for families who would like to better understand the support available in Camden and learn more about SEND processes, services, and how to navigate the system with confidence.

The Camden Parent Carer Forum is committed to ensuring families have access to information, support, and opportunities to connect with others who understand their experiences. This is their monthly Forum calendar, which includes details of upcoming workshops, support groups, wellbeing activities, and events for parent carers.

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher