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Dear Parents and Carers,
As we reach the end of this incredibly busy and rewarding first term of the 2025-2026 academic year, we wanted to extend our warmest wishes and sincere thanks and highlight some of the successes.
It is with immense pride and a truly celebratory spirit that we reflect on everything we have achieved together. Our students have navigated this term with fantastic energy, enthusiasm, and a remarkable commitment to learning. We have seen tremendous growth, exciting new friendships blossom, and countless moments of sheer academic joy in the classrooms.
There are many personal shoutouts I would like to make: firstly, I would like to thank our Sancho tutors who have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to supporting the personal development of our students; the students of Sancho college who are consistently showing up and living our LAB values; all of you who continue to support us and your children; and finally a massive thank you to Mr Smith, Ms Coulter, and Ms Kerr for their commitment and dedication in supporting us all.
Also, we are overjoyed to welcome a new edition to Sancho: Mr Smith and his wife have welcomed a healthy and happy baby girl. We send our warmest congratulations!
Our New Year 7s
Our new Year 7 cohort have transitioned to secondary school exceptionally well. They have achieved some of the highest conduct points across the school, conducted themselves with integrity, ambition and respect during their residential trip, and been celebrated at our college breakfasts and hot chocolate with the Principal rewards! We’re really proud of you: keep it up!
7E and 7B Tutor groups with Mr O’Dywer and Mr Sinclair.
Attendance and Merits
Evidence demonstrates that strong attendance and punctuality is vital for improving the life chances of young people. For example:
at KS4, pupils who attended school nearly every day (with an attendance rate of 95-100%) were 1.9 times more likely to achieve a Grade 5 in English and Maths GCSE compared to pupils who only attended 90-95% of the time and 3 times more likely than persistently absent pupils who only attend 85-90% of the time. This means missing just 10 days of school reduced the likelihood of achieving grade 5 in English and Maths by around 50%.
We find a one day increase in absence in Years 10 and 11 is associated with a 0.8% decrease in total yearly earnings at age 28. The likelihood of being in sustained employment for 12 months decreases by approximately 60% for pupils who are classified as persistently absent and approximately 75% for those who are classified as severely absent (below 50%).
One day of additional absence (below 95%) between Years 7 to 11 for a typical student was associated with an approximate £750 loss in future earnings.
We have made a significant push to reach an overall attendance percentage of 96%. We also began the year with 31 students arriving late and are really pleased to inform you that the number has been reduced to 5. Therefore, the majority of our students are arriving on time to school everyday, maximising every minute of their learning.
Academic Engagement
We have held two Progress Evenings this term for our KS4 students and had an incredible turn out: 95% of Y11 students and their families attended and 98% of Y10 students and their families attended - the highest percentage in Sancho history. Thank you as parents and carers for showing up to these events.
In English, Sancho students have completed some of the highest amounts of homework. The percentage rates of completion are below:
KS4 English: Year 10 - 86.9%; Year 11 - 70% .
A core focus of Term 2 will be continuing to increase the completion rates of homework across all year groups. If your child is struggling to access or complete homework, please reach out to the Sancho Mailbox so that we can direct your query to the appropriate team.
Personal Achievements
The musical talents of our students performing at one of our Open Evening events!
Linara S 10E, Max W 10B, Kaiwan Z 8E
Sancho College Reward Breakfast - Module 1
Daniel K has had many achievements, in school and out of school, including karate, surfing and his music submission!
Elisha D has been working incredibly hard in the run up to her mock exams, and still found the time to be named Player of the Year at her netball club in recognition of her hard work, dedication, and consistently high-level performances. In addition to her club success, she has represented at a regional level playing Centre (C), where she has continued to grow in confidence and skill. This season, she was also appointed team captain, a role she has embraced with great leadership and enthusiasm. We are incredibly proud of all she has achieved.
Onora R-H was offered a trial for Greenwich Royals Swimming Club last month, and was offered a place in their development squad. She is now training twice a week and is aiming to be competing next year.
Theo F climbed Mt Snowden/Yr Wyddfa in Wales over October half term. His guide said that he “absolutely smashed it”. Here is a picture of him at the summit up in the clouds!
Phoebe S-F travelled to Tanzania to work with a charity to build water tanks, goat sheds, plant trees and work with young people. She delivered an assembly to the entirety of Sancho College with pride and courage. We can’t wait to see the photos and hear about the amazing work you did!
Uriella, Tunmininu, Basit, Whitney and Madelyn, our Year 11 Sancho Student Leaders, created and delivered a powerful assembly in celebration of Black History Month. They have contributed in numerous ways to Sancho College culture over the past year and we are incredibly proud of them.
Mia B's winning poetry submission!
Opportunities in Greenwich
Below is a list of places that families can get support and activities during the Christmas break. For further details, please see our wellbeing page.
https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200244/benefits_and_financial_help/2336/household_support_grant
Support grant for families with children on Free School Meals
https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/holidayfoodandfun
Free places are available at holiday clubs, with some also catering for EHCP/SEND children.
https://livewellgreenwich.org.uk/greenwich-supports/
Support with the cost of living.
Finally, thank you for your unwavering support, encouragement, and partnership. Your dedication at home is an essential part of our shared success, and it has certainly made this term a memorable and brilliant one.
We hope you have a restful and joyous break, and we look forward to welcoming you all back refreshed for the new term!
With best wishes,
Ms Wheeler, Mr Smith, and the Sancho Leadership Team
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