As the Headteacher of the Latymer School, I feel privileged to be able to lead a school with such a rich history of academic success and of developing well-rounded, empathetic learners. Our students are at the heart of everything that we do and our staff work hard to ensure that the teaching is of the highest standard and that our students are supported to become experts in what they are learning. 

This same drive for our students reflects the original intention of Edward Latymer in 1624 whose vision was to provide an excellent education to the young people of Edmonton and North London. Over these 400 years, the school has expanded and diversified into an incredibly inclusive community and we are proud of our dynamic, diverse and dedicated students who thrive at Latymer.

Our focus is on providing a rich and academic education so that our students develop lively, enquiring minds and possess a real love of learning. Through strong leadership and exceptional teaching, our staff aim to continue our tradition of academic excellence, while also looking to serve the ever-changing needs of a new generation of Latymerians. We want our students to be well-equipped with the relevant knowledge and key skills to be able to succeed in the increasingly interconnected world. We also want our students to understand the value of hard work and the importance of being resilient even when learning isn’t always straightforward. 

We are, however, not solely focused on academic success but also on ensuring that our young people are well-rounded so that they are emotionally intelligent and socially aware. We want our students to know the importance of showing compassion and to be considerate of others around them. As part of this, students understand the importance of devoting time to their community and are encouraged to be actively involved in school life. Whether being involved in the School Council, joining (or even establishing) one of the many societies on offer or taking part in other activities in and out of school, our students are taught to understand the power and potential they have in shaping our community and their role as leaders in the future. 

Our students also enjoy a wide range of exciting extracurricular opportunities and experiences outside of the classroom. These are an important part of life at Latymer and we are proud of the plethora of opportunities on offer, especially of the rich variety of student-led societies that cater for every interest; new Latymerians are always encouraged to be involved with these. Perhaps one highlight that our Year 7 students talk about is the trip to the Latymer Foundation’s residential centre, Ysgol Latymer, in Wales. Here students have a week-long opportunity to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities whilst also getting to know one another in the first year of what we hope will be a seven-year adventure at the Latymer School.

Our school motto translates as ‘Who endeavours wins’ which reflects our aim of creating resilient, confident and independent young people. We know that choosing a secondary school can be a major stage in life for a child, however we seek to work closely with students and their families to ensure that transition is smooth and that these early school experiences have a positive impact on their future years at Latymer. 

We look forward to welcoming you to our inclusive and caring school community.

Joseph Gilford
Headteacher