Headteacher's Letter 04.04.2025
Dear families,
The past weeks of term have been incredibly busy, filled with purposeful learning, enrichment activities, and preparation for the important exam season ahead. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all students, staff, and families for their continued commitment, resilience, and support throughout this term.
As we reach the end of term, we find ourselves in a period marked by deep spiritual reflection and celebration. Easter, one of the most important events in the Christian calendar, invites us to reflect on themes of hope, renewal, and new beginnings—values that resonate deeply with our school’s Christian ethos. At this special time, we wish all members of our community a peaceful and joyful Easter.
In addition, as the holy month of Ramadan recently came to an end, we hope that all those in our school community who observed this sacred time had a meaningful and fulfilling celebration. We extend our warmest wishes to everyone who celebrated Eid, and trust it was a joyful occasion shared with family and friends.
Examinations – Years 11 & 13
Guiding and supporting students in preparation for their exams remains a high priority for us. It is essential that our GCSE and A-level students fully engage in serious revision during the Easter break. This is a critical time, and the effort invested now will have a direct impact on outcomes in the summer.
We encourage students to follow a well-balanced revision timetable, incorporating time for rest and wellbeing. Revision should be structured and purposeful, focusing on key areas for improvement. Students are reminded to make good use of the resources provided by their subject teachers.
Parents and carers play a vital role during this period, and we are grateful for your continued support. Establishing positive routines at home—such as a quiet study environment, regular sleep patterns, and healthy meals—can make a significant difference to your child’s ability to focus and retain information.
In-school revision sessions and targeted interventions will also take place over Easter. The full programme can be downloaded from the school website here. It has also been posted on the Year 11 Google Classroom for all students.
We warmly encourage any student who may be feeling anxious or uncertain during the examination period to reach out to their teachers or pastoral staff—support is always available, and no concern is too small.
We are immensely proud of the determination and resilience that our Year 11 and Year 13 students have shown throughout the year. As they enter the final phase of their courses, we wish them every success and confidence as they prepare to demonstrate all they have achieved.
Sixth Form Applications
We are delighted to share that we have received a record number of applications for our Outstanding Sixth Form, both from our current Year 11 students and from external candidates. We look forward to welcoming many of these students into our Sixth Form community in September.
Please note that the deadline for Sixth Form applications for the 2025/2026 academic year has now passed. If you have submitted an application, you will receive a notification from us shortly outlining the next steps in the process. For more information about our Sixth Form, please visit our website.
End-of-Term Arrangements
The term will end on Tuesday 8th April. Arrangements for the day are as follows:
- Periods 1 & 2: Normal lessons
- 10.50am: Students return to their form rooms for tutorial time
- 11.10am: Dismissal by Heads of Year
All students are expected to have left the school premises by 11.45am, and full school uniform must be worn as normal.
Students eligible for free school meals may order a packed lunch via their form tutor by Friday 4th April. These will be available for collection during form time at 11.00am on Tuesday 8th April.
School resumes on Tuesday 22nd April (Week 2).
Key Dates and Events
This is a busy time, and we encourage families to note the following key dates:
- Year 10 Examinations: From Tuesday 1st April (these continue after the Easter break)
- Start of summer term: Tuesday 22nd April
- Eucharist: Thursday 1st May
- Bank Holiday Monday: 5th May
- Year 10 Parents’ Evening (online): Wednesday 14th + Thursday 15th May
The full set of term dates for the academic year are available on our website – click HERE.
To remain up-to-date on what is happening in school, click HERE for our latest news articles and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram @StepneyAS for a wealth of content from students and staff.
As the forty days of Lent draw to a close, and Easter—the most significant celebration in the Christian calendar—approaches, I wish you and your family a peaceful and restful break. I look forward to welcoming all students back to school at the start of the summer term.
Warm regards,
Ben Siaw
Headteacher
