Headteacher's Letter 09.12.2025
Dear families,
As we find ourselves in the season of Advent and look ahead to the Christmas period, we take time to reflect on the themes of hope, renewal and community that this special time brings. As we prepare for the end of term and the start of a new year, I am writing to share several important updates with you.
Visit by Dame Rachel de Souza
Last week, we were honoured to welcome Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England — and a former teacher here at Stepney All Saints. In her national role, Dame Rachel works to promote and protect the rights, wellbeing, and voices of young people, ensuring they are heard at the highest levels.
During her visit, she spent time speaking with our students and staff, learning more about our school’s commitment to student voice, character development, and wellbeing. She was highly impressed by the confidence, courtesy, and maturity of our young people, as well as the strong sense of community and ambition that defines Stepney All Saints.
Dame Rachel expressed how proud she was to see the progress and achievements of the school she once worked, and to witness firsthand the aspirations and talents of our students.
Her visit was truly inspiring for all involved and served as a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact of education and the strength of our school community.
Charity Events — Supporting Our Local Community
As part of our commitment to supporting others during the month of December we are collecting non-perishable food donations for our local food bank at St Dunstan & All Saints Church which provides vital support to individuals and families in our community who may be experiencing financial difficulty.
Students are encouraged to bring items such as canned goods, pasta, rice, and long-life foods. Donations can be handed in by students during morning registration or by families at reception throughout the school day. All contributions will be gratefully received.
Thank you for helping us make a positive difference to those in need within our local community.
Farewell to Karen Dalton – A Valued Member of Our School Community
At the end of this term, we will be saying a heartfelt farewell to Karen Dalton, who has been a dedicated and highly respected member of staff for more than 16 years. Since joining Stepney All Saints on 20th July 2009, as PA to the headteacher, Karen has been at the very heart of school life, supporting leaders, staff, students, and families with unwavering professionalism.
Karen’s calm presence, kind manner, and exceptional organisational skills have made a significant and lasting impact on our school community. She is often the first point of contact for many, always greeting others with warmth and a smile and ensuring that everything behind the scenes runs smoothly.
We are incredibly grateful for her loyalty, commitment, and service over so many years. She will be truly missed by all of us and we wish her every happiness and success in the future.
Mock Examination Preparation – Years 11 & 13
Following the Christmas break, students in Years 11 and 13 will begin their mock examinations. This is an important opportunity for them to demonstrate their progress so far and to identify areas where further support or revision may be needed before the summer examinations.
While the holidays are a valuable time for rest and spending time with family, we ask that students also use this period wisely to consolidate their learning. We encourage them to review class notes, complete revision tasks set by teachers and make use of the online resources available through the school. Establishing a balanced routine of rest and purposeful study will help ensure that they return in January feeling confident and well prepared.
We appreciate your continued support in helping students stay focused and motivated at this key stage in their education.
Sixth Form Open Evening – Monday 19th January
Choosing the right Sixth Form is an important step in every student’s future. Visiting in person provides the best opportunity to explore our facilities, meet our expert staff, learn about our wide range of subjects and hear directly from students about life at Stepney All Saints. It allows families to make a fully informed decision about the next stage of their education.
Our Sixth Form Open Evening will take place on Monday 19th January 2026, between 4:30pm and 6:30pm. We kindly ask that all prospective students and parents/carers wishing to attend complete the online registration form linked below. Registration must be completed by 12th January and an email confirmation number will be sent to you in the week leading up to the event.
Students MUST register to attend the Sixth Form Open Evening.
Please note:
- Students must arrive in smart clothing in line with our Sixth Form dress code (click HERE to view)
- Students must attend with a parent/carer (not a sibling)
To register for the Open Evening, please visit:
https://www.stepneyallsaints.school/Open-Evenings
To access the Sixth Form application form, please visit:
https://www.stepneyallsaints.school/Sixth-Form-Application-Form
For further information, please contact: sixthform@stepneyallsaints.school
Key Dates and Events
This is also a busy time with a number of key dates in the diary for the coming weeks as follows:
- Year 11 Parents’ Evenings: Wednesday 11th + Thursday 12th December
- Year 7 Carol Service: Wednesday 17th December
- End of term: Friday 19th December
- Start of term for students: Monday 5th January 2026
- Sixth Form Open Evening: Monday 19th January 2026
The full set of term dates for the academic year are available on our website, https://stepneyallsaints.school/our-school/term-dates-school-hours/.
End of Autumn Term Arrangements
School will close for the Christmas break on Friday 19th December. Arrangements for the day are as follows:
- Periods 1 + 2: Normal lessons
- 11.00am: Students return to their form rooms for tutorial time
- 11.15am: From 11.15am onwards, students will be dismissed by their Head of Year
It is anticipated that all students will have left the school premises by 11.45am. Full uniform must be worn as normal.
Students eligible for free school meals can order a packed lunch from their form tutor by Friday 12th December. These will be distributed to students during form time at 11.00am on Friday 19th December.
All students will return to school on Monday 5th January 2026.
I look forward to seeing all students back refreshed in school in January, ready for the term ahead. I hope that you have a very peaceful and restful Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Siaw
Headteacher
