No child should go to school hungry
The cost-of-living crisis has meant too many children are being sent to school hungry. As an ex-teacher, I’ve seen first-hand the devastating effect this has on children's health and learning. That’s why I’m delighted that the Mayor of London will fund free meals for all primary pupils at state schools when children return to school next week. This means that 270,000 children in London will enjoy good quality food every school day and could save a family upwards of £440 across the academic year.
Our award-winning Waltham Forest Catering service provides over a million tasty, healthy meals across the borough every year, and your child will be automatically enrolled to receive free school meals. If your child already qualifies for free school meals, please continue to apply as you would normally so your school doesn’t miss out on vital funding.
This afternoon you may have seen reports that the Department for Education has ordered some schools in England not to open due to concerns with their buildings. I am pleased to let you know that no schools in Waltham Forest are in this group - they will all open for the start of term next week. For your child's return date please check their school's website.
Are you or a member of your family thinking of applying for university? I’m happy to say that you can now apply to study right here in Waltham Forest. The new University of Portsmouth London campus has opened applications for undergraduate courses starting in September 2024, based in Juniper House opposite Walthamstow Central Station. You can find out more online or visit the admissions office in Walthamstow Library.
Over the next 20 years, the campus will bring an estimated £372 million in wider economic benefits to our borough and create over 500 jobs. It's a really exciting project and I can't wait to welcome the first students.
I hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend.
Grace
Cllr Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council
Click the postcode nearest you to find events coming up around the borough.
Thinking of going to uni in September 2024? Keep it local at the University of Portsmouth’s brand new London campus, opening in Waltham Forest next year.
Take the chance before heading back to school or college to visit the admissions and recruitment centre (ARC) at Walthamstow Library to find out more.
It’s open every Wednesday afternoon between 2pm and 6pm. You may even blag a free tote bag, pen or keep cup along with a prospectus.
Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service is holding an open day and offering enrolment opportunities for a wide range of adult learning courses. You'll find a variety of full-time, part-time and industry short courses for adults considering a career change, wanting to upskill or learn something new. In most cases you can study for free!
When: Wednesday 6 September, from 12pm to 7pm
Where: 97 Queens Road, E17 8QR
Booking isn't required, just turn up on the day.
Do you provide unpaid care for someone else?
You might not consider yourself to be a carer, but you could be entitled to financial, emotional or practical support from the Council – even if you are providing care for a family member or a friend. We offer support to young carers, adult carers, and parent carers. Find out if you're eligible for support.
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Have you seen the new mural by Leytonstone High Road Station, created by the wonderful Wood Street Walls? This alleyway needed brightening up, so we turned to nearby Buxton School to see what local students thought.
Following a special workshop led by Project Zero, young people chose two artists, Jael Umerah-Makelemi and Harikiran Kalsi, to bring their ideas to life, and they collaborated to create this beautiful design which includes real students at Buxton School and words chosen by the young people that they associate with citizenship and community.
The mural was created over four days by Wood Street Walls and its partner organisation Works in Public and was funded by the Council as part of our No Space for Hate campaign. Amazing work everyone!
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Join Tinder Sticks this autumn and explore Epping Forest through the group's Walk in the Woods project. These free monthly events for adults will help you learn how to make string from plants, cook on a campfire or discover hidden parts of the forest. Events are based at Hollow Pond (opposite Whipps Cross Hospital), on Wanstead Flats and in Wanstead Park.
Blackhorse Collective’s new website is now live, featuring news, events and a directory of businesses, all showcasing Blackhorse Collective’s unique creativity.
Blackhorse Collective is one of the Mayor of London’s Creative Enterprise Zones, ensuring there are affordable workspaces, support for creative start-ups, and opportunities for local people to get into work and training opportunities.
You can email the team to find out about adding your business to the directory.
We have recently opened four new Station Cycle Hubs. Find them at Chingford, Highams Park, and two at Blackhorse Road Station (one on Forest Road and one in the station car park.) The Cycle Hubs are a perfect place to keep your bike safe and dry as you go about your day.
As a special offer, anyone who registers for a new Cycle Hub membership or renews their existing membership between Friday 1 and Saturday 30 September will receive an additional six months of membership free of charge.
It's time to rethink how we recycle. Items that don't belong in the green bin can contaminate your whole street's recycling.
Here are 10 items that CAN'T be placed in your green bin:
Coat hangers, electrical items, food packaging containing food, food waste, metal, nappies, packaged polystyrene, shoes, textiles and wood.
But some of these items can be taken to our FREE recycling centres instead.
 We’re celebrating Black Breastfeeding Week to promote the health benefits of breastfeeding for babies and mothers. In this region of London, 36 per cent of Black babies are totally breastfed at eight weeks old, compared to for example 52 per cent of white babies. There are many possible causes for this, ranging from representation in infant feeding services to historical cultural reasons. We spoke to Monique, who works with our partners HENRY to help mums learn more about infant feeding and increase breastfeeding rates.
Check out Monique’s video on Facebook.
Join us for end of summer holiday fun at Fellowship Square this weekend. We will have Go East Flea market on Sunday, with amazing sellers bringing homeware, fashion, jewellery and bric a brac – it’s a vintage lover’s dream!
Our fountains will be on to splash about in and you can bring a picnic and enjoy the last days of summer in our gardens and talk a stroll among the flowers.
A fantastical AI creation generated by Hervisions
Hervisions digital art platform invites you to be part of a collaborative artwork to be shown at the William Morris Gallery and Langthorne Park this autumn as part of the Gallery’s upcoming Radical Landscapes exhibition.
Together with three digital artists (Kristina Pulejkova, Melissa Schwarz, Chun Sun), you will learn about digital art and AI, and imagine the future of Langthorne Park set in a parallel universe, collaging words and images into a story.
When: Friday 1 September, 2.30pm to 5pm for children up to age 8 (with carer), and Saturday 2 September, 12pm to 4pm for all ages, family-friendly.
Where: Leytonstone Toy Library, Birch Grove, London E11 4YG
This is a drop-in event but if you book here, it will help us keep track of numbers.
Protect your child from measles
The return to school could mean a sharp increase in transmission of infectious diseases among children. Inoculation of Waltham Forest children against measles through the MMR vaccine is at a historic low: 22 per cent of five-year-olds in the borough haven’t had the required two vaccinations, which is lower than most nearby areas. The UKHSA has warned of a potential outbreak in London of up to 160,000 cases due to low vaccine take-up.
The Covid pandemic disrupted many parents’ vaccination of their children, but it’s never too late to get vaccinated at any age. Speak to your GP or respond to the letter from your child’s school.
Share your thoughts on physical activity and exercise and receive £60 in shopping vouchers
We are conducting online research to help us understand your thoughts and experiences of physical activity and exercise in the borough. We will be holding online forums between Monday 18 and Friday 22 of September. You can complete the form any time that suits you during these dates. If selected, you will be contacted by us, and everyone who takes part will receive a £60 shopping voucher as a thank you for your time.
Support for pupils aged 16 and 17 who’ve received exam results
Has your child just finished year 11 or 12 and is looking for advice on their next steps?
Our 16-17 Participation Service is providing information and guidance for people who’ve recently received their exam results for students and parents/carers.
Join a drop-in session every Thursday from 10am to 4pm up to Thursday 28 September at Leyton Library, High Road, E10 5QH.
And check out our post-16 choices advice online.
Current council vacancies and other local jobs
We regularly update the vacancies and local jobs listing on our Waltham Forest Jobs website. Explore available job opportunities and apply for roles that suit you.
You can find the latest Waltham Forest Council jobs online on our website. Don't forget to check out our LinkedIn.
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