As we approach the festive season, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and your families on behalf of the entire Little Ilford School community.
There have been so many outstanding achievements this past term, and I want to congratulate all students for their dedication to their studies. I also want to thank all parents and carers for your continued support. We appreciate the trust you place in us every day, and we strive to continue working to the highest of expectations.
Mission:
Courage, commitment and compassion are the well-known values at Little Ilford School. Also, our vision regarding what we aim to achieve at Little Ilford School is very clear.
• We take ownership of our learning and aspirations so that we fulfil our unique potential;
• We promote equality and respect so that we feel safe, looked after and valued;
• We embrace challenge and change so that we have the confidence to broaden our horizons;
• We improve and achieve through resilience and self-reflection so that we are role models within the local community and the wider world.
During the next six months, I would like the community to join me in creating a School Mission Statement in addition to the vision and values. I will run workshops with all stakeholders and would like to invite as many parents as possible to join us. They will be held on:
16th January 2025, 4-5 pm 6th February 2025, 4-5 pm 13th March 2025, 4-5 pm
I will also run a workshop in late March on a Saturday morning if you cannot attend, and I will confirm that later. Every member of our community has a vital part in contributing to our mission, so even if you can join for one session, it would be greatly appreciated.
Wrap-around support:
Please remind parents that we run a breakfast club from 7:45 am, and the library will be open until 5 pm daily. Please encourage your children to take advantage of this provision, as your children can be supervised at school from 7:45 am until 5 pm. If you would like your child to take advantage of this and remain in the school Library until 5 pm, please let us know at info@littleilford.org.
I wish you a joyful and restful holiday season, and I look forward to welcoming the students back to school on Monday, 6th January, which will be Week B. Our Breakfast Club will be open from 7:45am, and our gates will close at 8:20am promptly.
Warm regards,
Andrew Finn Headteacher
Little Ilford School
MANCHESTER CITY VS TOTTENHAM
Students have the opportunity to watch a Premier League Football match
session with Bolton Academy coaches. The students showcased their skills, learned new techniques, and experienced a taste of professional training. It was a remarkable opportunity to grow both as players and as a team.
From thrilling matches to hands-on experiences, this trip was an incredible journey that will be remembered for years to come!
Our overnight stay in Manchester was packed with thrilling moments and unforgettable memories! The excitement kicked off with an exhilarating match between Manchester City and Tottenham. The students were on the edge of their seats, cheering and soaking in the electrifying atmosphere of a Premier League clash. Seeing their favorite players in action was a dream come true!
The next day, the adventure continued with an exclusive stadium tour that left everyone in awe. Walking through the players, tunnel, sitting in the dugout, and exploring behindthe-scenes areas brought the magic of football to life.
But the highlight for many came in the afternoon when they laced up their boots for an academy training
LITTLE ILFORD
WILLIAM MORRIS GALLERY VISIT
Students engage with historical and contemporary art
This term, our Year 10 Art students had the opportunity to visit the William Morris Gallery and the nearby Artists’ Studios in Walthamstow. The trip was an incredible learning experience that allowed students to engage with both historical and contemporary art.
The day began with a guided tour of the William Morris permanent collection, where students explored Morris’s iconic works and discovered his lasting influence on the Arts and Crafts movement. After the tour, they enjoyed a self-guided visit to the Artists’ Studios, where they had the chance to meet Anna Alcock, a South African artist based in Walthamstow.
Anna spoke to the students about her linocut practice, which is deeply connected to her African heritage, as well as her passion for mythology, feminism, and familial bonds. The students were also able to participate in a Q&A session, gaining valuable insights into the life of a professional artist and the role cultural influences play in the creative process.
MESSAGE FROM MELISSA CHATTON AT THE
ROYAL ACADEMY OF
ARTS
We had a truly spectacular Young Artists’ Summer Show exhibition this year, our sixth one and counting, and once again enjoyed celebrating the creativity, insights, stories and skill of young people aged 4-19 from across the UK.
I want to share a huge congratulations to Little Ilford School Year 9 students for your work ‘Untitled’ exploring, developing and creating a design based on the favelas in Brazil. It’s a truly wonderful accomplishment to be accepted to the show (we had over 21,500 submissions and accepted only 500 works)! In addition, to be awarded our ‘Creative Collaboration’ prize as chosen by the RA’s President, Rebecca Salter, is really special.
Year 9 students awarded the ‘Creative Collaboration’ prize by the RA’s President, Rebecca Salter
I encourage you all to continue pursuing and exploring creative practice and find ways to incorporate art and creativity into your lives. Remember that you don’t have to work as an artist to be creative, enjoy art and use your creative skills in all that you do! We hope your school will continue to apply to the Young Artists’ Summer Show in the years to come.
JOE HART FOOTBALL TRIP
The Joe Hart Football Trip was a resounding success. Our pupils excelled, reaching the semi-finals in both the 11-a-side and 5-a-side tournaments, showcasing their skill, teamwork, and determination. Student behaviour was exemplary throughout the trip. They demonstrated respect, discipline, and sportsmanship, making a strong impression on coaches and opponents alike.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, from the thrill of the matches to the camaraderie built off the field. Their enthusiasm and positive attitude made this trip both memorable and rewarding.
Students showed strength and dedication with some placing in the Top 10
16 students from Year 7-10 represented the school with pride on Wednesday 16th October at the Newham Borough Cross Country Championships. A number of them finished in top ten for their race and should now be invited to represent the Borough at the London Youth Games CC Championships at Hampstead Heath. Extra special mention goes to Anas, who won the boys Year 10/11 race!
Our students stood out for their positive influence and dedication
These players stood out not just for their abilities, but also for their positive influence on the team and their peers. Their dedication and hard work were instrumental in our success.
Special Mentions: I’ziah, Immanuel, Maxwell, Matei, Emmanuel and Dereck
NEWHAM BOROUGH
CROSS COUNTRY
RESOURCE PROVISION MUDCHUTE FARM WORK
EXPERIENCE
RP students have started Work Experience at Mudchute Farm. They have participated in recycling, cleaning and gardening activities. They also look after animals by feeding them. Students have enjoyed working at the farm and using their transferable skills. It has been an enjoyable sensory experience for all students and supporting staff! The staff have been excellent ensuring that the students have been able to engage with these activities and enhance their learning in the wider community!
Representing our school coming in Third Place
Four Year 9 Boys (Rahin, Malik, Ayaan and Abir) represented the school admirably at the Jack Petchey East London Table Tennis Team Competition on Friday 22nd November at Addey and Stanhope School in Deptford. They came third in their group and narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter finals. Well done to all!
A sensory learning experience for our students
AKRAM KHAN’S
‘GISELLE’
DRAMA EVENT
On Wednesday, 6th November, the English National Ballet led an engaging movement workshop inspired by Akram Khan’s acclaimed production of Giselle. This workshop gave students a hands-on opportunity to explore the intricate choreography and emotional depth of the performance.
Having seen the live production in September, students were able to connect their experience to the creative process behind it. This was a fantastic opportunity for Drama students, allowing them to embody the emotions and challenges faced by the performers, while gaining deeper
Experiencing theatre firsthand and being taught by professionals
On Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th November, Theatre Centre were in to perform a new play ‘Dizzy’ to all of Year 9. There were also workshops for 60 students on Tuesday where they worked with the two actors on script work and movement. This combination of performance and hands-on workshops provided an enriching experience, encouraging students to delve deeper into the creative processes behind theatre production.
insight into the physical and artistic demands of professional dance and theatre.
Students get to ‘feel’ the performance and gain experience
THEATRE CENTRE PERFORM ‘DIZZY’
YEAR 10 PINSENT MASONS
DEBATE CONTEST
On 29th November, Year 10 students competed in the annual Pinsent Masons debating contest. Despite Clapton Girls withdrawing, our team faced Pinsent Masons employees who prepared their motion last minute.
The students delivered impressive arguments under pressure from tough opponents and a prestigious judging panel. Their efforts paid off as they won their heat, impressing law professionals in attendance.
The students had a fantastic experience and received praise for their outstanding performance.
On Wednesday 27th November Year 10 students (160 in total) took part in mock interviews led by a group of corporate volunteers. The students got the opportunity to experience what a competency based interview may look like and were each given feedback at the end. It was a great experience for the students and also our volunteers who spoke so highly of our students. Some feedback I have received so far from a volunteer “The first four interviews I completed each gave better interviews than our graduates I interviewed only a few days earlier”.
Building confidence in our students with a competition in front of law professionals
YEAR 10 MOCK INTERVIEWS
Preparing our students by providing corporate-style interviews
SOCIAL ORGANISATION
FOR UNITY & LEISURE
Bringing the community together with SOUL
A local community organisation based in Plaistow who have partnered with Newham Council to provide free Christmas Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes for children aged 5-16, including those eligible for free school meals.
The programme will run from 23rd December 2024 to 3rd January 2025 across four venues in Newham (nearest location below). The activities include enriching workshops, fun games, and engaging physical sports, ensuring a memorable and educational holiday experience for all participants.
