Headteacher's Message

24 Oct 2025

Dear Parents, Carers and Students

Thank you for all your support during what has been a successful return to school since September. Thank you for supporting the school in ensuring that students have the correct equipment and uniform. Our new school day has also proved successful so far in reducing numbers of lates. Thank you to all parents for ensuring that your child is on time and does not miss valuable learning.

Since I wrote to you at the start of October, we have had another attack on a place of worship: this time at the Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex. Violence and threatening acts can never be justified and can never be excused. Our school values of courage and compassion are more important than ever at times like these. As a school community, we work together to promote kindness, unity and mutual respect; we stand against hatred and division. Our thoughts are with those who were affected by this horrific crime.

I know that staff, parents and students have also been alarmed by some of the violent incidents in the Walthamstow area that have taken place recently. In response, we have repeated our ‘street safety’ reminders during form time and have invited the WF Violence Against Women and Girls team to run workshops next half-term. Outside school, we are well-supported by the Safer Routes team. For more information about what they provide, please see the Waltham Forest website here: Safer Routes | London Borough of Waltham Forest

I have also written to you about financial support for the school for those who can afford it. In case you missed it, the letter is here Walthamstow School for Girls - Parents/Carers Thank you to those parents who have already responded. We will also set up an offer on Parent Pay for parents who wish to use this to donate money to the school. You will see in the Greensheet below that the school continues to organise a range of enriching activities for students but the cost of some educational visits has become prohibitive due to the need for cover. Staff are very generous in giving up their valuable time to ensure that this work continues but your donations will help us to fund a more extensive programme of trips and visits where possible.

I understand that some parents and students were concerned about the forthcoming Smartphone Free School policy, having read the article in the Evening Standard. Although this has been in the Greensheet and in parent/carer letters, I appreciate that you have not received information about how the strategy will be rolled out from September, 2026. Now we have completed our research, we will start working with focus groups of staff, students and parents, so watch this space.

We have had some very successful meetings of our PTA and we had a Halloween Movie night fundraiser on Wednesday evening which went really well with 150 excited students attending! Thank you to all parents who have supported this valuable work to raise money for the school. The PTA will report back on ways in which they provide financial support for extra-curricular activities, school events and resources.

This month is Black History Month and we have been celebrating the theme of ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’ through a programme of activities, including during lessons, through student-led talks in the LRC, cultural food in the dining room, diversity rep meetings and assemblies. It is really important that we consider the contribution of the Black Community and the importance of Black History throughout the year and not just during one month. This is therefore part of our whole school activities throughout the year.

Presentation Evening

Previous Presentation Evenings have focused only on celebrating the achievements of our year 11 students who have just left us. It will be different this year and will include students from all year groups. The aim is to further develop the culture of praise and achievement in the school and ensure that a wider range of students benefit from praise and rewards. Presentation Evening will take place from 5.30 – 6.45 p.m. on Wednesday 26th November. We will be sending out ‘save the date’ invitations for parents/carers of nominees next week.

Some dates for your diary:

See below for forthcoming events for parents to note next half term:

Year 11 Mock Exams - Monday 10th November to Friday 21st November

Presentation Evening - Wednesday 26th November 17.30-19.00

Culture day - Thursday 27th November

Year 10 Parents Evening (In Person) - 4th December 16.30-19.00

Winter Concert - 11th December 18.00-20.00

Christmas lunch for students - Wednesday 17th December

Year 11 Mock Results - Wednesday 17th December

Christmas Jumper day - Friday 19th December

Some members of our school community recently celebrated Diwali. If you did, I wish joy, peace and prosperity to you and your family for the coming year.

Next week will be a well-earned rest for staff and students over the half-term break. Please make sure you take time to look after yourselves and ‘recharge your batteries’, particularly as we head towards winter.

With all good wishes

Ms Marriott