Dear Parents/Carers
I hope this letter finds you and your families well, as we settle into another exciting and productive term at Kelmscott.
This week has been a monumental one for the school, as we welcomed Ofsted inspectors for the first time in almost five years, to the day, since our last inspection. As Headteacher, my hope was that inspectors would experience two typical Kelmscott days and see the vibrant, hardworking, and inclusive community we are so proud of. Two typical days is exactly what they saw and I am pleased to say they were very impressed with all aspects of our school.
This was an ‘ungraded inspection’, designed to confirm that we have maintained our previous 'Good' judgment. However, I was eager for them to witness how much progress we’ve made in the past five years—moving, in my view, from a good school to a really good school. While I can’t share full details until the report is published in a month or so, I can say that the inspectors were particularly impressed by our students; in lessons, in meetings with inspectors or as tour guides. Students’ pride in the school shone through, something that was really lovely to see. The engagement and support from our families also stood out, and I want to thank everyone who contributed to the parent survey or sent messages of encouragement. Our community can be very proud indeed.
We are thrilled to be attending the Waltham Forest Chess Tournament today with our talented team. Representing the Year 7/8 group are Samuel, Barnaby and Asliddin, while Linus, Milo and Misbah will take on the competition for the Year 9/10 group. Last year, Linus claimed the title of WF Borough Champion in the Year 7/8 category, with Samuel securing second place.
Breaking News: Chess Tournament Success. Hot off the press, the results are in. I am very pleased to share the outstanding achievements of our chess team:
Year 9/10 Championship:
Misbah secured 4th place.
Linus claimed an impressive 3rd place.
Year 7/8 Championship:
Asliddin earned 3rd place.
Samuel took 1st place, becoming the Champion of the Year 7/8 category.
Kelmscott proudly retains the title for the 7/8 category. A huge congratulations to all the team, really impressive achievements.
Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Henry, a lecturer from Edge Hill University in Ormskirk, who specialises in Education Studies. Dr. Henry led thought-provoking sessions with our Year 9 to Year 11 students, where they explored and discussed fascinating concepts such as intentionality, feminism, and the social purpose of writing. Students also had the unique opportunity to experience a university-style seminar, offering a glimpse into higher education and encouraging critical thinking and lively discussions. It was an inspiring session that left many students eager to engage further with these important topics.
As promised in my update to families last week, some more details about the Young Green Briton Challenge and the amazing work of our Year 8 students. Our students showcased remarkable creativity and commitment by developing innovative project ideas to address the climate and sustainability crisis in Walthamstow. The facilitators from YGBC and our teachers were incredibly impressed with the energy, passion, and confidence they brought to the challenge, particularly during their project pitches to their form groups. Some standout concepts included imaginative solutions like drones designed to water green spaces and drop seeds to boost biodiversity, and making rope from discarded banana skins. Students also proposed practical, community-focused initiatives such as clothing swaps at Kelmscott and in the local area to combat fast fashion waste, as well as repair workshops to teach skills for extending the life of clothing. The success of the day was a testament to the teamwork, motivation, and innovative thinking of our Year 8 students. Their enthusiasm and ingenuity have been truly inspiring as they work toward creating a greener, more sustainable future for our community.
Hopefully, you’ve had a chance to complete the follow-up survey regarding our caterers, The Pantry. Your feedback is vital in ensuring a positive dining experience for all students, and it allows us to hold our partners accountable. If you have not yet completed the survey, you can access it here. Thank you for your participation.
A thrilling week for Kelmscott athletes. It has been a jam-packed week of fixtures for the Kelmscott PE department, showcasing the talent, resilience, and sportsmanship of our students across multiple sports.
Year 7/8 Boys Basketball The boys took on Buxton on Monday, displaying great determination throughout the game. A strong performance in the 3rd and 4th quarters kept the game close, but they narrowly lost by just two baskets, with a final score of 12-8. POTM: Matthew Zakharkov 7K.
Year 9 Girls BasketballOn Wednesday, the Year 9 girls faced Holy Family in a thrilling, high-scoring match. The team outdid themselves by exceeding their previous game’s points total by ten. Despite their incredible efforts, they fell short with a score of 20-13 in this exciting end-to-end game. POTM: Myah Farrugia.
Year 7 Boys FootballThe Year 7 boys kept up their winning streak during a local mini football tournament featuring Lammas and a strong Salaam Peace team. Joel Guenther, 7E scored a last-minute winner in the final to secure the win for Kelmscott. POTM: Joel Guenther 7E.
Year 9 Girls FootballThe Year 9 girls played their first group matches against Walthamstow School for Girls and Heathcote. While the team did not win on this occasion, they played with incredible heart and embodied Kelmscott’s STORM values. POTM: Alexandra Gutoiu 9C.
A big win for Kelmscott PE. Barclays Girls' Football Partnership has recognised Kelmscott for providing equal access to football for girls, both in our curriculum and through our co-curricular activities. This is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and excellence in sports.
All in all, another fantastic week for our PE Department and sporting teams, well done.
Our School Council met this week to share their thoughts and ideas about life at Kelmscott. These will be discussed at our senior leadership team meeting on Tuesday, and I look forward to updating you on any developments.
Looking ahead, Project Zero will host a Careers Fayre during the half-term break on Saturday, 17th February, from 11am-2pm. This is a fantastic opportunity for students and families to explore a wide range of career pathways. For more information please see here.
For those interested in exploring careers in Design and Illustration, I would like to highlight the following event which is free to attend virtually; Hachette, one of the UK’s largest publishing groups, invites black students in Years 10–12 who are interested in Design and Illustration to a Design Webinar. Date: Thursday, 30th January 2025 Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM For more information and to register please see here.
For additional ideas to support positive relationships with your children at home, The Roots London is offering a supportive workshop for parents and carers of children aged 12–18. For more details please see here.
Lastly, I am delighted to share the reward points winners for this week. Congratulations to Barnaby Lawson-Blackwell (7T) and Lukas Petrovas (10L), who both achieved 28 points each, the most in the school.
Year 7, Barnaby Lawson-Blackwell in 7T with 28 points
Year 8, Ayyub Rehman in 8S with 19 points
Year 9, Maariya Munshi in 9M with 21 points
Year 10, Lukas Petrovas in 10L with 28 points
Year 11, Jada Arthur in 11E with 16 points
With every good wish for 2025.
Mr Sam Jones
Headteacher
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