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  • UKMT Teams Challenge 2026

    Published 09/02/26

    We are delighted to celebrate the fantastic success of students from Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls and Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys who took part in this year’s UKMT Team Maths Challenge.

    The girls’ team finished in 15th place and the boys’ team in 16th place, separated by just a single point - a clear reflection of how closely matched, focused, and competitive the event was. Competing against grammar, private, and international schools, both teams demonstrated impressive mathematical ability, teamwork, and resilience throughout the day.

    The Trust extends a huge thank you to the Premises Team for supporting with transport and remaining with the group for the entire day. Sincere thanks also go to the wider team for their invaluable support with logistics. Mr M. Barrett and Mrs F. Abdulsalam‑Mustafa are recognised for their ongoing commitment to supporting both teams every Tuesday.

    Message from Ms Williams, Headteacher of Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls: “Well done! It is always wonderful to see our girls and boys working together. This was a great opportunity for them to showcase their skills and build their confidence. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this happen!”

    Message from Mr Lawrence, Headteacher of Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys: “Well done to all the students who took part in this year’s UKMT Team Maths Challenge. Their teamwork, determination, and enthusiasm were outstanding. It is fantastic to see our boys and girls working together and embracing the challenge. Thank you to all staff whose support made this opportunity possible.”

    Read More

  • Reminder: Year 11 Parents’ Evening - Wednesday 11 February

    Published 09/02/26

    We look forward to welcoming Year 11 families to our upcoming Parents’ Evening on Wednesday 11 February, taking place in person at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls from 3:00 pm to 6:15 pm.

    This is a key moment in the Year 11 journey and the final Parents’ Evening before students sit their GCSE exams this summer. Attending ensures you have the most up‑to‑date understanding of your daughter’s progress and the steps that will support her success in the months ahead.

    What to Expect

    • You will receive your daughter’s latest academic report.

    • You will have the opportunity to speak with subject teachers about progress, strengths, and next steps.

    Booking Appointments

    Appointments can be booked via SchoolCloud from Wednesday 28 January at 3:00 pm:

    Important: Please enter your daughter’s legal name exactly as it appears on MCAS when booking. This ensures the system recognises her correctly.

    A step‑by‑step booking guide is available to support you through the process.

    If you are unable to book in advance, you are still very welcome to attend - teachers will be available to speak with you.

    Your Support Matters

    Your engagement at this stage makes a meaningful difference. By attending, you help us provide the strongest foundation for your daughter’s success in Year 11 and beyond.

    We look forward to seeing you there.

    Ms C Sehested

    Assistant Head Teacher

    Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls

    Read More

  • Inspiring Futures Together: Careers Carousel for International Women’s Day at WPSfG

    Published 06/02/26

    Inspiring Futures Together: Careers Carousel for International Women’s Day at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls

    On Friday 6 March, we will be welcoming women from a wide range of professions to Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls for our Careers Carousel Event, held in celebration of International Women’s Day.

    This annual event is a fantastic opportunity to connect, collaborate, and help inspire the young women in our school as they explore the many career paths open to them. Your experiences and insights can make a real difference in shaping the confidence and aspirations of the next generation of female leaders.

    If you’re interested in taking part this year, please contact Miss Burrows at RBurrows@polymat.co.uk for more information. Feel free to pass this on to anyone in your network who might be interested.

    Below is a snapshot from last year’s incredible event.

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  • Enjoy FREE activities in Greenwich & London this February Half Term 2026!

    Published 05/02/26

    Please find below a curated selection of useful links highlighting a variety of free events and activities available during the upcoming February half‑term. These include opportunities taking place locally within Greenwich, across central London, as well as a number of events celebrating the Lunar New Year.

    We always take great pride in putting these lists together, as they allow us to support our families and the wider community in planning an enjoyable and engaging half‑term break.

    Greenwich

    Central London

    Lunar New Year

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  • Safer Internet Day 2026 - Helpful AI Safety Resources for Parents and Carers

    Published 05/02/26
    Safer Internet Day 2026: Helpful AI Safety Resources for Parents and Carers

    Safer Internet Day 2026 takes place on Tuesday 10 February, with the theme “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI.” This theme reflects how artificial intelligence now shapes many aspects of children’s online lives, from personalised recommendations to voice assistants and homework tools.

    To support families, we have gathered a collection of trusted UK-specific resources offering practical guidance, conversation ideas, and age-appropriate support.

    Official Guidance from the UK Safer Internet Centre

    The UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) provides the key resources for Safer Internet Day 2026. Their dedicated hub includes advice on using AI safely, talking to children about new technologies, and supporting responsible digital choices at home.

    Practical Advice and Conversation Starters

    A parent-friendly information letter is also available. It explains how AI affects the information children see online, how AI may be used during homework, and the potential risks linked with misuse such as scams or manipulated images. It also provides conversation starters to help families approach the topic confidently.
    Download the letter

    ParentLine – UK’s AI Online Safety Assistant

    ParentLine is the UK’s first AI‑powered online safety assistant for parents. It provides clear, practical guidance on online risks, apps, games, social media, AI tools, cyberbullying, privacy settings and more. It uses verified information from the NSPCC, Internet Matters and the UK Safer Internet Centre.

    AI Safety Resources Designed for Parents

    The London Grid for Learning (LGfL) offers specific materials to help families navigate generative AI. These include an explainer video, a downloadable parent letter, and a ready-made presentation for running parent information sessions.
    LGfL resources

    NSPCC – AI Safety Tips for Parents

    The NSPCC provides trusted, expert‑backed tips on how AI tools work, what risks they pose to children, how to recognise AI‑generated content and how to talk to children about what they’re seeing online.

    UNICEF – Guidance on AI and Children

    Global guidance focused on children’s rights in the age of AI. Helps parents understand AI risks, child data protection, fairness, transparency and how global changes affect young people.

    Why These Resources Matter

    AI is increasingly present in children’s everyday digital interactions. Whether through search results, games, online platforms, homework support or social media, children often engage with AI without realising it. Providing families with accurate information and practical tools helps children:

    • Recognise when AI is being used
    • Think critically about information online
    • Understand the limitations and risks of AI
    • Make safe and responsible choices

    These resources empower parents and carers to guide children confidently and support positive digital experiences.

    Read More

  • Football Club runs every Monday from 3:15 - 4:30pm

    Published 30/01/26

    Kickstart Your Week on the Pitch

    Football Club runs every Monday from 3:15 - 4:30pm

    Students just need suitable footwear and a change of clothes or kit - see you on the pitch!

    Why Should Students Join Football Club?

    • Regular training helps students stay active, healthy, and full of energy.
    • Football teaches communication, leadership, and trust - skills that transfer far beyond the pitch.
    • Students connect with others across year groups, creating a real sense of belonging.
    • Training, practice, and match play help students learn commitment, perseverance, and how to bounce back.
    • Physical activity and team environments are proven to lift mood and reduce stress.
    • Whether students are beginners or experienced players, there’s space for everyone to grow and enjoy the game.
    Read More
  • neon green triangles and tetrahedron final model made by year 7

    Year 7 Take On the Tetrahedron Challenge with The Helix Group

    Published 27/01/26

    Year 7 Take On the Tetrahedron Challenge with The Helix Group

    On Monday 26th January, our Year 7 students took part in an exciting Tetrahedron Challenge led by the Helix Group and they absolutely rose to the occasion.

    Throughout the workshop, students developed key transferable skills including communication, teamwork, active listening, and problem‑solving as they worked together to design and build a prototype tetrahedron for a playground structure.

    They also had the chance to explore a range of careers within the construction industry, learning about roles such as quantity surveyor, health and safety manager, and engineer. This hands‑on insight opened their eyes to the many pathways available in STEM and the built environment.

    We are especially proud that our girls were the first students in the country to take part in this new workshop, which will soon be rolled out nationwide. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and natural aptitude for STEM shone through from start to finish.

    Thank you to Ms Barrett for bringing this wonderful learning opportunity to our students. A huge well done to all involved - the future of engineering is looking bright.

     

    Read More
  • hands holding hearts graphic - free parent/carer workshop understanding self-harm in adolescent girls

    FREE Parent/Carer Workshop: Understanding self-harm in adolescent girls

    Published 27/01/26

    Supporting Daughters Through Adolescence – Parent & Carer Workshop

    Adolescence can be an emotionally intense and challenging time for many young people. Some girls experience feelings that are difficult to express or manage, and this can sometimes lead to unhealthy coping behaviours.

    To help families feel informed, confident, and supported, a dedicated workshop is being offered for parents and carers. The session aims to provide clear guidance, reassurance, and practical ways to nurture young people’s wellbeing with compassion and understanding.

    What the workshop will cover

    • Understanding what self-harm is - and what it is not
    • Common myths and misconceptions
    • Emotional, social, and developmental factors
    • Why some young people may struggle with overwhelming feelings
    • Helpful approaches for supportive conversations
    • When and how to seek additional help
    • School and community pathways available to families

    Early understanding and open, caring communication can make a meaningful difference in a young person’s life.

    Workshop Details

    • Date: Tuesday 3 February 2026
    • Time: 10am–12 noon
    • Venue: The Moorings Sociable Club, Arnott Close, Thamesmead, SE28 8BG

     

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  • FREE NVR Parent Programme

    Published 27/01/26

    This 11-week course primarily offers effective strategies to manage the challenges of parenting teenagers. The skills learned are transferable and have increased in their use in other areas e.g., schools and workplace settings and other agencies and services. They have been endorsed by employers.

    NVR stands for non-violent resistance, and the programme addresses challenging, problematic, and self-destructive, concerning behaviours in children and adolescents. The methods and ideas of non-violent resistance were first introduced by Professor Haim Omer in Tel Aviv and stem from the political struggles of such figures as Mahatma Gandhi, and civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks. They are used in family settings and the wider community. The course can help parents and carers overcome their sometimes sense of helplessness, develop a support network that helps address destructive behaviours both in and out of the home and improve relationships between family members and the outside world.

    Attendees will explore how they can:

    • Become a positive, authoritative presence in their children’s lives.
    • Strengthen relationships.
    • De-escalate challenging situations.
    • Develop a robust network of supporters.
    • Take a firm, authoritative stance against behaviours of concern.
    • Explore how the strategies can be utilised in other settings.

    • Start date: 3 February 2026 (10am – 12noon)
    • Duration: Every Tuesday for 11 weeks
    • Venue: Moorings Sociable Club, Arnotts Close, Thamesmead SE28 8BG
    • Cost: Free
    • Audience: Parents/carers of young people who attend Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls 

    Coordinators:
    Jane Prescott – NVR Coordinator/Member of the NVR association
    Natasha Friend - School Counsellor

    To register email: JaPrescott@woolwichpolygirls.co.uk

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  • Holocaust Memorial Day 27th January

    Published 27/01/26

    Holocaust Memorial Day is a national day that takes place on 27 January. We commemorate the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, and the millions more murdered under Nazi persecution. Prejudice still continues today within our communities and across the UK. We also learn and commemorate where persecution led in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

    The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has confirmed that the theme for HMD 2026 is “Bridging Generations”. This theme highlights the vital role each generation plays in carrying forward the memory of the Holocaust and more recent genocides. As survivors grow older, the responsibility to listen, learn, and share their stories becomes a collective act of remembrance and a commitment to building a safer, more compassionate future.

    It encourages communities, schools, and organisations to explore how memory is passed on, how stories shape understanding, and how we can all contribute to safeguarding truth against distortion or denial.

    It Began with Words – New Holocaust Memorial Day Film

    It Began with Words explores how the Holocaust began not with violence, but with words, with stereotypes, prejudice and silence. Through survivor testimony and historical insight, it shows how ordinary people and everyday choices allowed hatred to grow. By understanding how the Holocaust unfolded, we can recognise the warning signs of prejudice today and use our voices to stand against it. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | It Began with Words – New Holocaust Memorial Day Film

    Helpful UK Resources

    A selection of trusted, accessible UK organisations offering guidance, educational materials, and support for commemorations:

    Light the Darkness

    Each year people from across the UK take part in our Light the Darkness national moment for Holocaust Memorial Day.

    At 8pm on 27 January people across the nation will light candles and put them safely in their windows to:

    • remember those who were murdered for who they were
    • stand against prejudice and hatred today
    • Iconic buildings and landmarks will light up in purple during this powerful national moment of commemoration and solidarity
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  • Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls Celebrated Nationally for Outstanding Outcomes for Disadvantaged Students

    Published 26/01/26

    Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls has been formally commended by the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, for achieving exceptional outcomes for disadvantaged pupils at the end of the 2024/25 academic year. The school’s performance places it among the highest‑achieving schools nationally, marking a significant milestone for the community.

    In her letter of congratulations, the Secretary of State praised the school’s “excellent outcomes” and highlighted the dedication of staff and the hard work of pupils as key drivers of success. She noted that Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls’ achievements “show what can be achieved when ambition and commitment come together,” and encouraged the school to continue leading the way in sharing best practice across the sector.

    The Department for Education has also identified opportunities for the school to support wider system improvement, including through active engagement with RISE networks, collaboration with local schools and trusts, and continued focus on raising outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

    This national recognition reflects the collective effort of teaching and associate staff, whose commitment to excellence has helped secure life‑changing opportunities for young people across the community.

    Comment from Ms L Williams, Headteacher, Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls

    “I am delighted that Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls has been recognised nationally for the exceptional outcomes achieved by our disadvantaged pupils. Receiving this commendation from the Secretary of State is a testament to the relentless dedication of our staff and the determination of our students, who consistently rise to every challenge with ambition and resilience.

    This achievement reflects the strength of our community - a community built on high expectations, compassion, and a shared belief in the potential of every girl who walks through our doors. I am incredibly proud of our teachers, support staff, and pupils whose collective effort has made this recognition possible.

    We remain committed to sustaining this excellence, continuing to champion disadvantaged pupils, and working collaboratively with partners across the sector to share what works. Thank you to everyone who contributes to making our school such a powerful place for young people to thrive.”

    Comment from Mr T Plumb, CEO of PolyMAT

    “Congratulations and thank you. I want every member of staff across both schools to know just how significant this recognition is. To receive commendations from the Secretary of State is a rare honour, and it speaks directly to the exceptional standard of care, teaching, and support that defines our Trust.

    I am incredibly proud of and deeply grateful to all our staff and students. This achievement reflects the extraordinary difference you make to the lives of young people every single day. Your dedication ensures that our pupils, particularly those facing the greatest challenges, are given the opportunities, encouragement, and belief they need to thrive.

    This is a moment for our whole Trust to celebrate. It reinforces what we already know: that PolyMAT is a community of excellence, compassion, and ambition. Thank you for everything you do and for the impact you have on the futures of our young people.”

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  • Important Travel Update - Introduction of New Superloop SL11 Route

    Published 22/01/26

    Important Travel Update - Introduction of New Superloop SL11 Route

    We want to make you aware of upcoming changes to local bus services that may affect your child’s journey to and from school. From Saturday 24 January 2026, Transport for London (TfL) will introduce a new Superloop route, SL11, operating between North Greenwich Bus Station and Abbey Wood Station via Woolwich town centre.

    New SL11 Route

    The SL11 will run a limited‑stop service between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood. It will only stop at specific bus stops along the route, including:

    Towards Abbeywood:

    • North Greenwich Bus Station - stop A named North Greenwich Station 
    • Stop MC named Millennium Village / Oval Square located on West Parkside 
    • Stop MF named Millennium Leisure Park East at Greenwich Peninsula 
    • Stop MA named Peninsular Park Road located on Bugsbys Way 
    • Stop E at Charlton Station 
    • Stop K at Woolwich Elizabeth Line Station 
    • Stop A at Plumstead Bus Garage 
    • Stop F opposite Belmarsh Prison 
    • Stop Y on Central Way named Thamesmead / Grasshaven Way 
    • Stop J on Central Way named Thamesmead Town Centre / Watersmeet Place 
    • Stop D named Linton Mead Primary School located on Central Way 
    • Stop NG on Crossway named Thamesmead North / Eastgate Close 
    • Stop SJ named Thamesmead / Carlyle Road located on Carlyle Road 
    • Stop D opposite Abbey Wood Station on Harrow Manorway 
    • Stop F on Gayton Road named Gayton Road / Abbey Wood Station

    Towards North Greenwich Bus Station buses will only stop at the following bus stops: 

    • Stop F on Gayton Road named Gayton Road / Abbey Wood Station 
    • Stop C outside Abbey Wood Station on Harrow Manorway 
    • Stop SK named Thamesmead / Carlyle Road located on Carlyle Road 
    • Stop NC on Crossway named Thamesmead North / Manordene Road 
    • Stop E named Linton Mead Primary School located on Central Way 
    • Stop H on Central Way named Thamesmead Town Centre / Watersmeet Place 
    • Stop X on Central Way named Thamesmead / Grasshaven Way 
    • Stop G outside Belmarsh Prison 
    • Stop WL named Plumstead Road / Plumstead Station located on Plumstead Road 
    • Stop D at Woolwich Elizabeth Line Station 
    • Stop G named Anchor & Hope Lane located on Anchor & Hope Lane 
    • Stop MB named Peninsular Park Road located on Bugsbys Way 
    • Stop MH named Millennium Leisure Park East at Greenwich Peninsula 
    • Stop ML named Millennium Village / Oval Square located on West Parkside 
    • Buses set down at stop E at North Greenwich Bus Station 

    Service Frequency

    • Monday–Friday: every 12 minutes before 06:30, every 6 minutes until around 21:00, then every 10 minutes
    • Saturday: every 12 minutes before 07:30, every 6 minutes until around 20:00, then every 10 minutes
    • Sunday: every 15 minutes before 09:30, then every 12 minutes
    • First buses will depart at 04:58 from Abbey Wood and 05:00 from North Greenwich daily. Last buses will run at 00:00 (midnight) from both ends of the route.

    Changes to Route 472

    • As part of these changes:
    • Route 472 will be withdrawn.
    • The SL11 will replace the 472 only at the stops it serves.
    • A new night service, N472, will operate every 30 minutes between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood, serving all current 472 stops overnight.

    If Your Child Uses Route 472

    Some stops previously served by the 472 will not be served by the SL11. 

    These stops will continue to be served by other frequent local routes, including 161, 177, 180, 244, 301 and 380.

    Families may need to plan for:

    • A change of bus during the journey
    • Slightly longer travel times
    • Adjustments to morning or afternoon routines

    Further Information

    You can check updated timetables and plan journeys using the TfL Journey Planner

    More details about the Superloop network are available here

    Read More

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