The Eltham Foundation School Student Council have taken an innovative approach to helping the community to become a safer and better place. They have pledged to display a positive image of young people in the local community in the form of a ‘Code of Conduct.’ The code outlines rules and behaviours that our students will adhere to include treating others in the same way they wanted to be treated themselves and not getting involved in bullying or violence. The Code of Conduct has been distributed to shops and businesses in the local area. There is a telephone number and email address to contact if somebody witnesses a student in breach of the code. Local MP, Clive Efford praised the Student Council saying: "I am delighted that students are taking the initiative. I think the Code of Conduct is excellent and other schools could follow."

Please click HERE to view our Code Of Conduct.

Friday 27th January:

Independent Learning – Deadline for your Childs Independent Learning to be handed in.

Thursday 2nd February:

Year 9 Options Evening  6-8pm.

Wednesday 22nd February:

Parents Forum - Come and chat to the Heads at 7pm in the conference room. No Appointment Necessary.

Dear Parents / Guardians

Happy New Year...and we look forward to the term ahead.

We have had a very positive start back from the Christmas holidays with the highest ever school attendance and excellent behaviour, something we have now come to expect from our students of course. Year 11 sat their early entry maths and English exams this week and their conduct was exemplary; we continue to be pleased with their attitudes to learning – the average attendance for after school / Saturday maths, English and science revision is well over 70.

This term we are focusing on taking the school out of Special Measures which the staff and pupils now deserve. From achieving the best ever school results last year, we are on track once again to be not only the most improved school in Greenwich but the most improved school in England if we achieve 65% 5A*C including maths and English. Our maths results from November are really encouraging and point to a great summer. The results we predict would actually rank us as one of the best state schools in Greenwich.
In terms of priorities, the standard of teaching and learning is at the forefront of our minds as this has the biggest impact on children. In the new Ofsted framework, it is quite rightly given centre stage. Our professional development programme for staff is second to none and we conduct more formal observations of teachers than any other school. Last term alone we conducted over 180 formal lesson observations, along with daily learning walks and informal no-notice observations. We consistently aim to have no inadequate lessons and the vast majority of teaching to be at least good or outstanding: ‘satisfactory’ is not enough for our students.

The one new area of focus for us is ‘Literacy and Communication’ across the curriculum. This means that teachers will be helping students with their literacy not just in English but in every subject including mathematics and PE. Studies have shown that poor literacy limits life chances and happiness, not just school GCSE results so we have a responsibility to change this. Our focus primarily will be on improving reading and writing. You can do your bit for your child by encouraging him/her to read a wide variety of texts as often as possible and to ensure that all Independent Learning is completed to a high standard. If your child struggles to read, don’t let him/her give up – read with them daily but for (at first) shorter periods of time.

This is such an important term for The Eltham Foundation School and the local community. Please continue to support us by ensuring your child is in full uniform, at school every day and on time, with all the necessary equipment. This includes a positive attitude to learning!

Yours faithfully

George McMillan               Chris Tomlinson
Head of School                Executive Headteacher