William Ellis School Parent Portal - NEWS AT WES

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Autumn Term - 9th October 2026

Welcome to our latest news update, including a call out for volunteers to help us plant our new sensory garden at the front of the school, highlights from trips and visits and important information about school uniform.

Before that I want to share with you that this week we were given a national award for improving attendance over the course of last year. This newsletter has had regular updates about the importance of attendance, and I want to thank all the families who have worked so closely with us to make sure that students are in school every day, ready to learn and on time - our "WES HEROES". As we come into the winter, maintaining that strong attendance needs to continue to be important for everyone - that will definitely be the case in school!

VOLUNTEER WITH US - IT'S SUCH A REWARDING AND WORTHWHILE THING TO DO

Our vision is to build a vibrant and inclusive school community where volunteers play a vital role in enriching the educational experience of every student. We strive to create an environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and inspired to contribute their time, skills, and passion.

Several volunteers - current and former parents and former students - already volunteer in the school, as well as those who give their time and energy to WESPA and the governing body. Volunteering can provide a good opportunity for people of any age and background to gain and use new skills, and to strengthen a CV.

We are particularly looking for volunteers to help with the following:

PLANTING OUR NEW SENSORY GARDEN

If you have visited the school recently, you will have seen the new garden that has been developed for students at the front of the school. However, we had a total grant £500,000 from Camden to redevelop the internal SEND spaces and also the outside. That has covered all the building work and internal improvements, but now we need to do the garden!

Can you plant?

Can you dig?

Can you make tea and food for people who garden?

If so, we would love to have you join us on Friday 27th November to plant hedges and trees, and to fill in the decorative bark. Bring friends, family or colleagues, and garden tools if you have them! If you think you would be able to help, please complete this form: Help build our garden on Friday 27th November – Fill in form

Changes to our School Uniform provider

Families will benefit from:

Easier browsing and improved school search
Faster checkout
Apple and Google Pay
Spreading the cost with Klarna
Improved order updates
Access to a wider range of schoolwear, footwear and accessories

Parents and carers will be able to browse the school uniform range without creating an account. When they are ready to purchase, they'll simply create a new Monkhouse account during checkout.

This change is expected to come into effect in December.

Non Uniform Day, Friday 23rd October

The Rights Respecting Schools student group has chosen Magic Breakfast as the charity we will support through the next non-uniform day at the end of this half term.

Magic Breakfast is a UK charity that provides healthy breakfasts to children and young people who may otherwise start the school day hungry. The charity helps ensure that pupils are ready to learn, improve their wellbeing, and have the best possible chance to succeed in school. This links closely to children's rights, particularly the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to education.

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.

German Exchange Trip 2026

From Monday 21st to Saturday 26th September, thirteen Year 11 students of German took part in a German exchange programme with students of Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Gymnasium Wiehl. The students each stayed in the home of a German family with their German partner and became fully immersed in their culture. During the week, students took part in a jam-packed programme of activities: team-building games in the sports hall; a variety of sports (volleyball, basketball, handball, skateboarding); a dripstone cave tour; a day in Cologne including an escape room and a street art tour; BBQ and games in the park, and ice skating.

Each student came back home full of stories and excitement about the trip and we cannot wait to welcome the German students when they come to stay in March. A particular shout-out to Tyrese in K1, who captured some of the best moments of the trip in an expertly-edited video, which was voted the funniest and best overall video by his WES and German peers!

Half term free and low-cost activities for young people

Find free and low-cost sports and physical activities during half-term week (26 to 30 October) for children of all ages, including Kids Swim for a Quid, free Girls Get Moving Monday, free Active Wednesday, Arsenal in the Community free football sessions, Multi-Sports Camp and Mini-Gymnastics Camp. Find and more and book places, email sportsdevelopment@camden.gov.uk, or call 020 7974 8754.

Pirate's Castle Canoeing and Kayaking

Term-time Pirate Club youth paddlesport sessions run weekly throughout the year, apart from during school holidays when their Holiday Schemes take place.

All Pirate Club sessions are progressive and led by Paddle UK coaches and instructors. From absolute beginners to more experienced paddlers, there's no better way for children aged 8 and above to have safe, adventurous fun, let off steam and learn new skills on the Regent's Canal in the heart of Camden Town. Find out more.

With a focus on adventurous fun, discovery and learning, Pirate Castle’s School Holiday Schemes provide affordable opportunities for 8 to 17 year-olds to experience kayaking, canoeing and canal boating on the Regent's Canal in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment that welcomes everyone. Gain skills, have lots of laughs, make friends and explore Camden's waterways. Suitable for children with mild to moderate additional support needs. Find out more.

Camden School Readiness Campaign

Camden’s Health and Wellbeing team, School Admissions, Family Hubs and Camden Learning have worked together to develop a school readiness campaign for children starting reception in the 2027/28 intake. The campaign involves providing parents who apply for a Camden reception place with ideas for simple things they can practice with their child at home, to help them have a smoother start to school. Parents will receive consistent messages at various points between the time they apply for a reception place and the time they receive their offer. You can learn more about the key messages here: Starting Reception - Learners from Birth

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher