Headteacher's Letter 17.10.2025

Dear families,

It has been an incredibly busy half term. Students have now settled into their timetables, and there is a strong sense of purpose across the school as our young people engage positively with their learning. Classrooms are focused and productive, and it is encouraging to see students showing growing confidence and commitment in their studies.

The second half of this term will be a particularly important period for our Year 11 students, who will be sitting their mock examinations. These assessments are a crucial part of their GCSE preparation, giving them the opportunity to consolidate their learning, identify areas for improvement, and build the skills and resilience they will need for the summer. It is essential that they use the two-week half-term break effectively to revise, organise their notes, and prepare thoroughly.

We are grateful for the support you continue to provide in motivating and guiding students during this important stage of the year.

Highlights of the year so far

As we come to the end of a busy and rewarding first half of the autumn term, I would like to share some of the highlights and achievements from across our school community.

Enrichment and Student Opportunities

This half term has been filled with creativity, collaboration and enrichment across all year groups:

Black History Month has been celebrated through assemblies, tutor-time discussions, and creative displays exploring “Black History Beyond October.”
The Stepney All Saints Choir performed beautifully at the Tower Hamlets Schools’ Music Celebration, showcasing the exceptional musical talent of our students.
Year 10 and Year 12 students participated in inspiring careers and higher education workshops, helping them plan and prepare for their future pathways.
A group of our students represented the school at the Tower Hamlets Youth Parliament, sharing their thoughtful views on community engagement and climate action.
Year 9 students enjoyed exciting residential visits to the Mountain Centre in Wales, where they developed teamwork, leadership and resilience through outdoor learning and adventure activities. Visits will continue throughout the year.
Students who demonstrated outstanding commitment to school life and enrichment activities were rewarded with a special Enrichment Award Trip to Go Ape, where they took part in team challenges and celebrated their achievements.

International and Partnership Work

Our international partnerships continue to provide exciting global learning opportunities for students and staff. Stepney All Saints was for a second time awarded the British Council’s International School Status, in recognition of our outstanding commitment to global learning and international collaboration.
Preparations are also underway for our Turing Scheme projects to Denmark and The Gambia, which will offer students life-changing opportunities for cultural exchange later this academic year.

Community and Faith Life

Faith, unity and aspiration have remained at the heart of our school life this term:

Whole-school assemblies have reflected on our school values, encouraging students to think deeply about their personal goals, relationships and responsibilities.
A Worship Service was held featuring a visiting speaker who delivered a thoughtful message on The Parable of the Lost Son and musical performances.

Celebrating success

This week also saw our Annual Prize Giving Ceremony, where we recognised and celebrated students from across the school for their outstanding achievements, dedication and contribution to school life. It was a wonderful evening that reflected the hard work and commitment of our young people, supported by staff and families alike.

The half term has been a testament to the dedication, creativity and commitment of both our students and staff. We are immensely proud of all that has been achieved and of the enthusiasm with which our students continue to embrace every opportunity. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our staff for their tireless efforts, and to our parents and carers for their ongoing support.

We look forward to another successful and enriching half term ahead, as we continue to build on these achievements and provide every student with the opportunity to flourish — academically, personally and spiritually.

You Asked – We Did

At Stepney All Saints, we greatly value the feedback we receive from parents and carers, and we are committed to acting on it wherever possible.

Improved phone communication: Our telephone system has been upgraded so that calls to Reception are now automatically redirected to other members of the administration team when lines are busy. This will ensure that queries are handled more promptly and efficiently.
Weekly e-bulletin: Following feedback requesting more regular updates, we will be launching a weekly e-bulletin from next half term. This will provide key information, reminders, and highlights from across the school, helping to keep families informed and connected.

We appreciate your continued support in helping us strengthen communication across our school community. We will provide further updates on our response to parent and carer feedback next half term.

Key Events for this Academic Year

A number of key events take place next half term. I would also like to remind you that we break up for the half term on Friday 17^th October. This is a two-week break with lessons resuming on Monday 3^rd November. Other important dates for the diary are as follows:

November

Mon 10 – Fri 14 Nov – Anti-Bullying Week
Wed 12 Nov – Year 13 TPA Parents’ Evening (Virtual)
Thu 13 Nov – Year 13 TPA Parents’ Evening (Virtual)

December

Wed 10 Dec – Year 11 Parents’ Evening (Virtual)
Thu 11 Dec – Year 11 Parents’ Evening (Virtual) & SASS Got Talent
Fri 19 Dec – End of Term – Early Finish

The full set of dates for the academic year are available on our website, https://www.stepneyallsaints.school/Term-Dates/ and if you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with us via email on info@stepneyallsaints.school.

I hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved break and returns rested and ready for the next stage of the autumn term.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Siaw

Headteacher