Dear Parents/Carers,

Breast Cancer Now - Wear it Pink is a charity event that Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys have supported over the years, it is a charity close to our hearts as we have had several colleagues who have benefitted directly from their support.

This year we will be holding our special day on Friday 7th November 2025, staff and students can wear something pink to school with a suggested donation £1. Students should hand in their £1 donation to Ms Hawgood in the Library when they enter school. Students will still need to wear their normal school uniform (blazer, trousers, school shoes etc) but are able to wear an item such as:

• Pink socks
• Pink tie
• Pink shirt
• Pink ribbon
• Pink scarf
• Pink accessories

We will be sharing information with students throughout the week so that they understand how important it is for us to take part and support this cause.

In addition to the ‘Wear it pink’ event we are also holding our very own ‘Staff Poly Bake Off’, staff will be asked to submit their entry of a homemade dessert to Learning Support before school. These bakes will be judged before break by three judges with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places up for grabs. We will then be holding a bake sale of these delicious desserts at breaktime for students and staff to purchase. Students will need to bring cash with them if they want to purchase any items from the bake sale.

We will be sharing our activities and photos on the school website and social media platforms. We hope that you will support us in our promotion of such an important charity.

Please speak to Mrs Hawgood for more information. 

Rooted in Care: Supporting Boys to Thrive and Succeed

At Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys, we believe that a happy and secure child is more likely to enjoy a successful and fulfilling future. The excellent results our boys achieve are not only a reflection of high-quality teaching but also of the personalised support we provide every student.

At the heart of our approach is exemplary pastoral care. Our dedicated team of highly trained specialists closely monitors each student’s wellbeing, offering an open-door policy to address any concerns. We ensure our staff have the time and space to build meaningful, trusting relationships with our boys, supporting their social and emotional development every step of the way.

Our Personal Development programme equips students with the tools to navigate both the real and virtual world safely and confidently. We teach our boys how to lead healthy lives, guided by our core behavioural expectations: to be ready, respectful, and safe.

Transport Options to Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary Schools

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys and Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls, both located in Thamesmead, benefit from great public transport links, making them easily accessible for students across South East London.

Bus Routes Serving Both Schools

Students can travel conveniently using several Transport for London (TfL) bus routes:

• 244 - Connects Thamesmead with Woolwich and Abbey Wood
• 301 - Runs between Bexleyheath and Woolwich via Abbey Wood
• 472 - Links North Greenwich to Thamesmead via Charlton and Woolwich
• 229 - Runs between Thamesmead and Sidcup via Bexleyheath
• B11 - Runs between Thamesmead and Bexleyheath via Abbey Wood.
• 401 - Runs between Thamesmead and Bexleyheath via Belvedere
• 177 - Connects South East London to Thamesmead via Greenwich and Woolwich.
• SL3 - Offers fast connections between Thamesmead, Abbey Wood, Bexleyheath, Sidcup, Chislehurst, and Bromley North
• 672 - A dedicated school service operating during peak times

Rail & Elizabeth Line Access

Nearby Woolwich and Abbey Wood stations offer Elizabeth Line and South-eastern services. From these stations, students can take a short bus ride to either school using the 244, 301, 229, or SL3.

Both schools are located within walking distance of key bus stops, making them accessible for students from a wide range of local communities.

Travel Times to Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary Schools

Whether attending Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys or Girls, students benefit from quick and reliable travel options from nearby areas:

Estimated Bus Travel Times

• Thamesmead: Most routes begin or pass through Thamesmead - approx. 5-10 minutes walk or bus ride depending on location
• Abbey Wood: Direct via 301, 244, or SL3 - approx. 10-15 minutes
• Woolwich: Direct via 244 or 472 - approx. 15-20 minutes
• Plumstead: Via Woolwich, then 244 or 472 - approx. 20-25 minutes
• Charlton: Direct via 472 - approx. 25-30 minutes
• Bexley: Via 301, 229, or SL3 - approx. 30-35 minutes

These travel times make both schools highly accessible for students across the borough, supporting punctuality and ease of commute.

On Friday 10th October (World Mental Health Day) staff wore Yellow as part of YoungMinds Hello yellow campaign to raise awareness on young people’s mental health.

Students have been given information in form time on the importance of Mental health and how to seek support. We have also sent information to parents and teachers on how to support our young people with mental health and where they can seek support.

Dear parents and carers,

Our school will be taking part in Hello Yellow on Friday 10th October (World Mental Health Day) to raise awareness and funds for YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity for young people’s mental health.

No young person should feel alone with their mental health and that’s why Hello Yellow matters. We’re taking this opportunity as a school community to come together and show our students that we’re with them, and they’re never alone with their mental health.

We’ll be taking part by encouraging all staff to wear Yellow to raise awareness for young people’s mental health and using form time to go over the importance of Mental health and how to seek support.

Most importantly, we want to share the resources which YoungMinds offer to support parents and carers if you ever need help and advice to support your children. This includes:

• online resources www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/
• a phone line, open 9.30am-4pm (0808 802 5544)
• an online chat for parents and carers to speak to trained
• professionals if you’re concerned about your children’s mental health www.youngminds.org.uk/parents-helpline/

Last night at our Open Evening, we proudly launched a brand-new video titled “More Than a School: My Journey at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys.”

This short film features honest and heartfelt reflections from Year 8 students looking back on their first year in Year 7, Year 10 students sharing their KS3 experiences and aspirations as they begin their GCSE journey, and Year 12 students who started with us in Year 7 and have chosen to continue their path at our exceptional Sixth Form. We are more than just a school - we are the starting point for extraordinary journeys.

This video beautifully captures the spirit of what it means to be a student at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys, and offers a glimpse of what your own journey could look like if you choose to join us. Because every great journey needs the right beginning - and that beginning starts here.

A special thank you to Miss Malone, whose vision and dedication were the driving force behind this project. Her support for our transition team this year has made a big difference, and we really appreciate her energy and commitment.

Watch now: