Archived News

Sky TV - Whatif Workshop

During May a group of Year 9 Business Studies students took part in a workshop provided by Sky TV and the creative agency Whatif.

The event was designed to give students firsthand experience of the Research & Development process in Business.

The Students enthusiastically took part in a number of creative activities before taking part in an exercise to design the entertainment system of the future.

Louise Sellon from Whatif said how impressed the team were with the behaviour, creativity and willingness to participate of the Walthamstow Academy students.

Year 9 Football - Champions
On Tuesday 3 May the final of the Waltham Forest Year 9 Football Championships took place at Wadham Lodge between Walthamstow Academy and Lammas School.

It was a closely fought match between two sides with a great deal of ability and was played with great sportsmanship. Lammas led on two occasions but the Academy boys ran out eventual winners.

Walthamstow had seen off opposition from Willowfield School and Heathcote School in previous rounds of the competition.

Team coach from the Academy, PE teacher, Mr T Mercer was extremely proud of the boys ‘They were committed and determined throughout the match... To come back from a goal down on two occasions showed real spirit.’ Congratulations to all of the team we look forward to further success next season.

Army Careers Day

A group of Year 9 students from the Academy had a chance to find out all about the armed and uniformed services when they recently visited Bassingbourne Army Training Barracks.

The group travelled by coach to Bassingbourne, in Hertfordshire, where they spent the day exploring the exhibition which gave them an insight into all the pathways the Army offers including careers in catering, administration and dentistry.

As well as seeing a number of demonstrations including combat, motorcycles and marching bands students got the chance to talk to young soldiers about their working lives and aspirations.

For more information on the Army, click here

Professional Interview Day

Year 10 students at the Academy got a taste of working life in May when they took part in our Professional Interview Day.

The Academy hosted business people, from a range of different organisations including Longman Books, Whipps Cross Hospital and GK Locksmiths, who gave our students practice at writing a job application and taking part in a formal interview.

Every student was given feedback on what they could do, in the future, to strengthen their application, Curriculum Vitae and interview technique.

We were extremely proud of all the students who took part in the event, they looked extremely professional in their business attire and left a real impression on the interviewers who commented on how well they presented themselves and prepared they were.

Cultural Evening 2010

To view the video of the 2010 Cultural Evening please click on the picture:

Investor in Careers Award

It was agreed by the Local Governing Body on 2^nd November 2010 that Walthamstow Academy will be working towards achieving the Investor in Careers Award. (IiC)

IiC is a nationally recognised standard Award. Administered by Careers SW and encompasses a whole school involvement and undertaking to improve Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) within the Academy.

This in turn ensures compliance with the new statutory guidance for CEIAG issued on 26th Oct 09 which came into effect in 2010.

During this academic year, I will be leading the process of auditing and documenting CEIAG and Work Related Learning throughout the academy, identifying any areas for improvement and putting in place measures to improve our CEIAG offer to our pupils. This in turn will lead to pupils leaving the Academy fully prepared for the world of work and the challenges it offers them.

If you would like further information, please contact me.

Ms J Colledge
Work Related Learning Manager

Pakistan Appeal

The flood victims in Pakistan are still suffering and the charity representatives decided they would like to raise money for the appeal. Charity reps from each class collected small change from students and managed to raise £215.19! 8C raised the most money over the two weeks, £36.89, and will receive a prize from Ms Landon in recognition for their support of the appeal. A cheque is being sent to the Disasters Emergency Committee.

GCSE 2010 Results - Top students and their thoughts

21.2% of our GCSE entries achieved A*/A

Andy shows his GCSE results

Andy 4A* and 6A

Feelings: surprised I got my results but happy and relieved.

Mottos - "Work hard play harder", "Keep your mind in the game"

GCSE A students

Aaron 7A* and 3A
(Aaron is on the right of this picture.)

I'm ecstatic. I'm just trying to let it sink in at the moment. I've got a lot to thank this school for, specifically my results but also the 5 great years I've spent here. They've really helped me to build a successful future for myself as well as the other students. I have to thank Mr Bujarh who's been a brilliant tutor for 5 years.

Ifra reads her GCSE results

Ifra 9A* and 2A

5 years in Walthamstow Academy have been the greatest. It was hard and tough but one thing I learnt is determination really pays off.

I am extremely pleased with what I achieved and am very grateful to God. The feeling is inexplicable.

Jaroslaw shows his GCSE results

Jaroslaw 12A*-C (including 5A* and 4A)

Amazing five years of secondary school and only one nervous day of truth. Nothing is more exciting than the GCSE results day.

Mahnoor is surprised by her GCSE results

Mahnoor 7A* and 4A

I am feeling unexplainable. I have to admit - I was worrying like I was suffocating. However, as soon as I got my results I felt as if I could breathe again. Freedom!! Walthamstow Academy is the best place you could go if you want to achieve perfection. It's the best ever...thanks to all those who were there for me all the 5 years.

Mumne is happy with her results

Mumne 5A* and 5A

Official Opening Ceremony

Walthamstow Academy was officially opened on Wednesday 24 March by
Vernon Coaker MP, Minister of State for Schools and Learners.

Pictures of Academy Tour Maths lesson 1 The Sixth Form Study Maths lesson 2

I had the pleasure of escorting the Minister along with dignitaries from Waltham Forest, London and ULT, on a tour of the Academy. This gave us the opportunity to show off our state of the art building and its exceptional facilities as well as our brilliant students and staff. The tour was followed by a formal opening ceremony where students impressed all guests with their musical, dance and public speaking talents. Mr Coaker then unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion.

Performances from Layla (singing, accompanied by Andrai), Sayid and Ayesha (with their Speak Out Challenge speeches) Performances from Zareena (singing) and Jerome's dance group, Connexions

The opening ceremony marks the next stage in the exciting journey that the students, staff and parents of Walthamstow Academy are taking to make sure we bring out the best in everyone and I was thrilled that the Minister and important members of our local community could share such a momentous day with us. The Academy is continuously improving and providing an increasing number of opportunities for our students.

Declaration and Dedication Vernon Coaker MP unveils the Commemorative Plaque Bishop Hawkins pronounces the Dedication

Sir Ewan Harper, Chief Executive of the United Learning Trust, which sponsors the academy, commented on how far the Academy has come in just three and a half years.

Vernon Coaker, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, said: "Thanks to the hard work of students, teachers and staff, GCSE results have doubled in just over three years. So it’s great to be here to officially open the school and congratulate everyone on their hard work which I am sure will continue."

The Commemorative Plaque Vernon Coaker signs the Walthamstow Academy Book of Achievement
watched by Emma Skae (Principal), Sir Ewan Harper (Chief
Exec ULT) and Cllr Anna Mbachu (Mayor)

The students of Walthamstow Academy are our hopes, our dreams and our future and we will do everything we can to ensure that this future is the best it can be.

Ms Emma Skae
Walthamstow Academy Principal

Official Opening Ceremony (Student Report)

A report by Aaliyah and Shola, Year 10 Media students

Wednesday 24 March 2010 saw the Official Opening of Walthamstow Academy. Students moved into the new Academy building in January 2008, with all of its amazing facilities, none of which existed in the previous McEntee School. The Academy has continued to develop over the years, increasing the percentage of A*-C grades.

This event was a landmark day for the Academy as it signified the movement into the new era of success. There was a tour around the school to show off the excellent facilities as well as us, the amazing students and our helpful and supportive teaching staff.

The acting Chairman of ULT said this opening ceremony for Walthamstow Academy is very important because it's a "new beginning".

The event and the performances were very victorious. There were many performances from pupils in front of a packed audience of students and special guests, who were astonished by the performances. The following students performed:

Connexions, an upcoming dance group led by Jerome
Layla, accompanied by Andrai
Zerena
Sayid
Ayesha

We had many special guests attending our ceremony such as:

The Mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Anna Mbachu
Sir Ewan Harper, Chief Executive of the United Learning Trust
Vernon Coaker, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, who also unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion.

In his speech, Mr Coaker said "It's a privilege to be here at this wonderful Academy. The performances were stunning. In every lesson there was purposeful activity. The Academy drives the students, ensuring every young person achieves what they should."

The Mayor with Year 10 students
We interviewed the Mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Anna Mbachu who said "The facilities are great, which encourages the students to learn. The buildings are very up to date and the performances were wonderful, especially the speakers who were very confident."

Students, staff and visitors all thought this was a very important and memorable day, a day where our school showed wonderful performances and a new beginning for each and every pupil. The ceremony ended with a final comment from the Principal:

"The students of Walthamstow Academy are our hopes, our dreams and our future and we will do everything we can to ensure that this future is the best it can be."

Sir Ewan Harper with Year 10 students