Secondary School Applications: A Simple Guide for Parents and Carers
If your child is due to start secondary school in September 2027, our simple admissions guide is here to help you navigate the process. It includes key dates, important deadlines and useful advice to support you when making your secondary school preferences. Click below:
Please find below a curated selection of useful links highlighting a variety of free events and activities available during the October half‑term. These include opportunities taking place locally within Greenwich and across central London.
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
Bexley
London
Recognised for Supporting Our Community
We are incredibly proud to share this message of thanks received by Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys from Chief Inspector James Fishwick of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Following a recent incident involving local young people, Chief Inspector Fishwick recognised the support provided by school staff, writing:
"I just wanted to take this opportunity to write and thank you so much for both making us aware of the emerging situation, and then so capably assisting us with managing the students.
As I am sure you know too well, dealing with issues such as this, solely utilising police in uniform can sometimes not be the most effective method with dispersing young people. Having you present, with your relationships with the students, helped no end with the safe outcome.
We remain very committed to ensuring our young people on the borough can go about their lives safely, and do what they should be doing at their age; enjoying life without fear. This will always be best achieved with an approach that includes us all.
This was a great example of this and once again, many thanks for all your assistance both that day, and ongoing."
We are grateful for this recognition and proud of the dedication shown by our staff every day. Strong relationships with our students, alongside effective partnership working with the police and other local organisations, are essential in helping young people feel safe, supported and able to flourish.
At Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys, we remain committed to working together with our community to ensure the best possible outcomes for every young person.
This Black History Month, we are proud to celebrate the achievements, contributions and stories of Black individuals throughout history and in the present day. To support learning, reflection and meaningful discussion, we have gathered a range of resources for students, families and staff to explore. We hope these materials inspire curiosity, understanding and an appreciation of the diverse voices that continue to shape our communities and society.
Black History Month in Royal Greenwich
This October, we're celebrating Black History Month and the 2026 theme, Honouring Our Communities.
There are a range of free events taking place across the borough, including exhibitions, community projects, cultural celebrations and family activities.
Find out what's happening near you through the Royal Borough of Greenwich's Black History Month and Black History 365 programmes.
Black History Month 2026 - Black History Month 2026
A social enterprise providing resources, talks and educational content focused on Black British history.
Excellent free Black History resources, documents and learning materials.
Resources celebrating Black history in Britain, including local stories and significant individuals.
Particularly relevant to your students, with resources exploring London's Black history.
Information about the Windrush Generation and its impact on Britain.
Student-friendly content suitable for Years 7-13.
As a Greenwich school, this is particularly relevant and includes stories connected to Black history, maritime history and local heritage.
TED Talks:
Talks to celebrate Black History Month | TED Talks
Book suggestions:
All ages: Black History Month - Puffin Schools
Black Lives & Black History Children's Books | BooksForTopics
50+ Children's Books Exploring Black History & Culture | LoveReading4Kids
Black History Month | BookTrust
13 wonderful children's books by Black authors and illustrators (penguin.co.uk)
Film/TV suggestions:
Watch Black History Documentaries on BBC Select
Black History Movies for Kids and Families - The Voice of Black Cincinnati
15 Black History Movies For Kids And Families To Watch Together (today.com)
32 Movies About Black History that All Families Should Watch (mommyshorts.com)
Raise money for charity:
A Tradition of Excellence: Another Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys Student Secures a Place at Eton
We are incredibly proud to celebrate Islam T, who has begun his first term at Eton College after securing an exceptional seven Grade 9s and being awarded our school's second fully funded place through the prestigious Orwell Award.
Islam continues the inspiring legacy of Judah C, the first student from Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys to secure a place at Eton, who has since gone on to study at Harvard University on a full scholarship.
These successes highlight the impact of our commitment to nurturing ambition, resilience, and academic excellence in every student. We are immensely proud of both students and remain committed to strengthening this aspirational partnership, providing future generations with opportunities to fulfil their potential and achieve success at the very highest level.
As we strengthen our partnership with Eton College, we remain dedicated to creating life-changing opportunities that empower our students to realise their potential and achieve success at the very highest level. For prospective families, stories like Islam's and Judah's are a powerful reminder that a Woolwich Polytechnic education can open doors to some of the most prestigious opportunities in the world.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please note the following changes to the school day taking place during October:
Late Starts
On the following dates, students are expected to arrive at school from 10.00am. Registration will take place at 10.15am.
Early Finish
On the following date, students will be dismissed from 12.10pm onwards:
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, please contact the school.
Kind regards,
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys
Today, staff at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys came together to wear red in support of Sickle Cell Awareness, helping to raise awareness of a condition that affects many individuals and families across the UK, including members of our own school community.
Sickle cell disorder is an inherited blood condition that affects the shape of red blood cells. These cells can become hard and sickle-shaped, which can cause severe pain, anaemia and other serious health complications. While it is a lifelong condition, greater awareness and understanding can make a real difference to those living with it.
We recognise that sickle cell affects a number of students, families and staff within our community, making it all the more important that we continue to raise awareness, promote understanding and show our support.
Thank you to everyone who wore red today and helped shine a light on this important cause.
As part of our Sickle Cell Awareness activities, we are incredibly proud that one of our Year 13 students has taken the initiative to book a blood donation appointment on 16th October.
A number of staff members will also be joining him to donate blood and show their support for those living with sickle cell disorder. For many people with sickle cell, regular blood transfusions are a vital part of their treatment, making blood donation a simple act that can have a life-changing impact.
The student is also encouraging his peers to consider joining the blood donor register, helping to raise awareness of the ongoing need for donors.
If you've ever thought about becoming a blood donor, now is a great time to take that first step. There are a number of convenient donation venues close to our school community, including:
Mobile Blood Donor Centre (Thamesmead) - Morrisons, Thamesmead
Mobile Blood Donor Centre (Abbey Wood) - Crook Log Leisure Centre
Woolwich Works Pop-up Donation Sessions - Royal Arsenal, Woolwich
We are proud to see our students and staff turning awareness into action and supporting a cause that affects many individuals and families within our wider community.
Start of Term Arrangements
Dear Parents and Carers,
We hope you have had a wonderful summer break.
As we prepare to welcome students back for the new academic year, please see below the arrangements for the start of term:
Friday 4th September
From Monday 7th September
All students return to school. Students should attend in full uniform and ensure they have all required equipment ready for learning (no PE lessons will take place on Monday 8th, therefore students should not bring their PE kit).
We look forward to welcoming everyone back and wish all our students a successful and enjoyable year ahead.
Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form Enrolment
Congratulations on completing your GCSEs! We hope you are proud of your hard work during these two years.
From Monday 24 August to Friday 28 August this sixth form will be hosting late enrolment sessions between 10am and 1pm only. Last entry will be 12:30pm. Please call on 07858 085721 when you have arrived for your appointment.
Please email Ms Bowles Dove - LBowlesDove@woolwichpolyboys.co.uk and cc Mr Brogan – lbrogan@woolwichpolyboys.co.uk to arrange an appointment on one of these days. Please call 07858 085721 when you have arrived for your appointment.
Please note enrolment for Friday 21 August is by invitation only. Enrolment will conclude at 1pm on Friday 21 August. Last entry will be 12:30pm.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sixth Form Team
GCSE Excellence at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys
Today, we celebrate the achievements of all our students as they receive the results of their hard work, determination and resilience. We are incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished throughout their GCSE journey.
Alongside the many successes across the year group, we would like to recognise a number of students whose outstanding performances demonstrate exceptional academic excellence.
Particular congratulations go to:
These remarkable achievements reflect not only academic ability but also commitment, perseverance and ambition. We congratulate every student on their results and wish them every success as they take the next exciting step in their educational journey.
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys is delighted to announce another year of great results, manifesting our vision of ‘Success for Everyone’
We have massively increased our top grades across the board, achieving an increase of one third more 7+ grades than in 2025, enabling even more students to access academic studies at 6th form.
We are proud of our achievements across the board but particularly note results in Maths, Further Maths, the Sciences, French, Spanish, Community Languages, Art, ICT, Music, Sports that are all significantly above national averages, with nearly all other subjects achieving above national averages as well. It shows that our boys are leaving us fully-rounded, with a range of secure skills from across the curriculum, ready to take on further study or employment with solid foundations.
Key highlights include:
Although Progress 8 measures are not being published this year, the school's internal analysis demonstrates continued strong progress and achievement across the cohort, with students consistently performing above expectations.
Headteacher, Mr T Lawrence comments:
‘I am delighted that by so many measures, our Class of 2026 have performed so well. We have increased the number of grade 7s and above by a significant margin; in French, we have performed amongst the very few best schools in the country, followed closely behind by a number of other subjects significantly beating national averages, such as Maths, Art, Chemistry, Biology, Spanish, Community Languages, ICT, Music and Sports. All of this means that there are even more open doors for our outgoing students to pass through with most, we hope, returning to us to join our highly successful Sixth Form. I must also congratulate teachers for their enormous efforts and offer my gratitude to parents and carers for supporting their sons and us through these times: everyone’s efforts have been rewarded with great success.’
We are incredibly proud of our boys’ efforts and well-deserved achievements. I must also congratulate teachers for their enormous efforts and offer my gratitude to parents for supporting their sons and us through these times: everyone’s efforts have been rewarded with great success.
New figures published by Ofqual have highlighted a positive story for education across Greenwich, with the borough recording the largest year-on-year increase in the proportion of A-level entries awarded the top grades of A* and A among the six south east London areas featured in the analysis. Greenwich's A*/A rate increased from 22.5% in 2025 to 23.6% in 2026, representing a rise of 1.1 percentage points, the biggest improvement across the region.
This achievement reflects the hard work, ambition and resilience of young people across the borough, as well as the dedication of educators, support staff and families who help students reach their full potential. Greenwich's continued progress demonstrates the strength of post-16 education across the borough and the opportunities available to students who choose to continue their studies locally.
At Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form, we are proud to be part of this success story. Our students continue to achieve impressive outcomes and progress to a wide range of destinations, including leading universities, higher apprenticeships and employment pathways. Through high-quality teaching, personalised support and a culture of aspiration, we work to ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for their future.
The success being celebrated across Greenwich is about more than examination grades. It reflects a shared commitment to raising aspirations, broadening opportunities and ensuring that young people are able to thrive academically and personally.
As Greenwich continues to strengthen its position and build on this upward trajectory, Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form remains committed to playing its role in supporting the next generation of successful students.
We congratulate all students across the borough on their achievements and are delighted to celebrate a year that highlights the continued success of education in Greenwich.
