Headteacher's Letter 20.01.2026

Dear families,

As this is my first letter of the New Year, I would like to begin by extending my warmest wishes to all for a safe, happy and successful 2026. The coming months promise much for Stepney All Saints students and, as we throw ourselves back into school life and embrace our vision, “We will achieve excellence and inspire generations the All Saints Way” we can look forward to strong progress and great achievements. We have a busy half-term ahead and a number of key events in our school calendar fast approaching.

Update on School Buildings and RAAC

I would like to provide an update regarding the school building and developments linked to RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) which was found to be present in the roof of the main building.

You may be aware that RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete that was used in some buildings constructed between the 1950s and 1990s. Following national guidance and safety checks, the fourth floor of the main building was closed as a precautionary measure to ensure the ongoing safety of students and staff.

As families will be aware, a new temporary teaching block was installed on site. This enabled us to continue delivering Science lessons without disruption, while maintaining safe and appropriate learning spaces for all students.

We have welcomed visits from the Department for Education (DfE), who have been working closely with the school to review the site and plan the next steps. The DfE will be visiting again in the coming weeks as part of this ongoing process, to support longer-term decisions about the building. We will keep you informed as further updates become available.

Mock Examinations Year 11

The next series of Year 11 mock examinations will begin on Monday 9^th February. The full exam timetable has already been shared with students and is also available on the Year 11 Google Classroom. We encourage families to support their child in planning a structured revision timetable and beginning their revision in good time. A range of revision guidance and subject-specific support materials can be found on the school website here.

Saturday School Intervention Programme – Years 11 + 13

The school will be open on Saturdays from 9.00am to 12.00pm as part of our Saturday School Intervention Programme for Year 11 and Year 13 students. These sessions are designed to support academic progress by providing targeted intervention for students selected by subject teachers, as well as structured independent study opportunities in the library.

Students wishing to use the library must sign up in advance using the Google Form provided, as places are limited to 100 students per session. All students are expected to wear their school ID, arrive on time via the Sixth Form entrance, remain for the full session, and use the time productively for exam preparation, coursework or addressing areas for improvement. Attendance will be recorded and all school and library policies must be followed; failure to do so may result in students being unable to attend future sessions.

I strongly encourage all eligible students to take full advantage of this valuable opportunity to maximise their progress and achieve their full potential.

Mobile Phone Policy Reminder

We would like to remind students and families that Stepney All Saints School operates a gate-to-gate mobile phone policy. This means mobile phones must not be used at any point during the school day, from arrival at the school gates until students leave at the end of the day. If a mobile phone is seen or used, it will be confiscated by a member of staff and can only be collected by a parent or carer on Friday after school.

As part of our ongoing work to ensure a calm, focused and safe learning environment for all students, the school is currently considering the introduction of a total ban on mobile phones. Before any decision is made, we will consult with students, families and staff to gather views and feedback. Further information about this consultation process will be shared in due course.

Enrichment Activities

A reminder that all students in Years 7, 8 and 9 are expected to take part in enrichment activities at Stepney All Saints. We want our students to excel in all aspects of school life, and regular attendance at enrichment is a key part of this. Enrichment attendance is monitored and will be reflected in students’ reports at Academic Review Day in March. Well done to those students who received awards at the end of term for their outstanding contribution to enrichment. An updated list of after-school and lunchtime clubs is available to view here.

Key Dates and Events

As we move through the term, there are a number of key dates for your diary:

• Year 9 Option Evening (online): Tuesday 3^rd February
• Half term: Monday 16^th – Friday 20^th February
• Academic Review Day: Friday 13^th March

The full set of term dates for the academic year are available on our website 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.

Thank you for your continued support. We remain committed to working closely with families and are always happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Warm regards,