The Waltham Forest and Haringey Primary Schools Chess Tournament will take place on Monday 23 March 2026 at the Big Penny Social, Higham Hill. The tournament is organised by Walthamstow Chess Club with the support of the charity Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC).

NHS England are alerting local authority of a concerning activity in Essex Children's Services relating to two young adults who may be having contact with Children and Young People or CAMHS impatient wards and are encouraging self-harm.

Read more for the concerns surrounding Waltham Forest

The Department for Education is pleased to announce the launch of the London RISE Open Education Fortnight, a new pan London initiative designed to support sector wide professional development and the sharing of strong and effective practice.

Isos Partnership are keen to hear from a range of colleagues, including the leaders of all primary schools in the borough, as well as Alternative Provision (AP) providers, Local Authority services and parents/carers.

You can book the Early Childhood Summit now taking place on Wednesday 22 April 2026.

Since we started the conversation the landscape nationally has shifted with much stronger, clearer guidance being provided by government and Ofsted around school being expected to be phone free as default as well as a consultation being launched on the banning of social media for under 16s which is encouraging.

This February (2026), the Waltham Forest Holiday Activity Programme will be running free activities for children who are in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals (FSM).

The revised Ofsted inspection framework came into effect in November 2025. Mary Jarrett, Corporate Director of Education have sent a letter to parents explaining the new framework.

The Met Office has issued a cold alert for London which is in effect from 8pm on Friday 2 January 2026 until 12pm on Monday 12 January 2026.