Bring your kids along to our explosive and spooky themed week during autumn half term.

Epping Forest Playschemes are an opportunity for children to have fun, learn new skills and make new friends. Activities include sports, art and craft, drama, indoor games and exciting challenges.

When - Monday 27 October to Friday 31 October 2014.

Time - 8:45am to 3:30pm.

Ages - For children aged 5 to 11 years.

Cost - £15 or £8.50 concessions per day.

Where - Upshire Primary Foundation School, Upshire Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 3PX.

Activities include sports, arts and crafts, drama, indoor games and exciting new challenges. All children to wear suitable clothing and shoes and bring a packed lunch.

Book now

Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment, you can book online or call our booking line on 01992 564226 between 10am and 4pm.

King Harold Academy has received the green light from the Department for Education to provide a sixth form education to the students of Waltham Abbey. Local Ward Councillor Liz Webster said this is marvellous news for Waltham Abbey “ I am absolutely delighted for our local parents and children, this has been in the pipeline for years, I am so pleased”  My congratulations to everybody involved, in particular our MP Eleanor Laing and Essex County Councillor Valerie Metcalfe.
The academy as part of the Epping Forest District Sixth Form Consortium, had been working on its proposals for two years. Buckhurst Hill and Loughton South county councillor Valerie Metcalfe set her sights on bringing extensive sixth form provision back to the district when she was elected to Essex County Council and appointed deputy cabinet member for education in 2009. 
She said she was "thrilled" at the news describing it as "really exciting" for children, parents and teaching staff across Epping Forest. 
Valerie said: "I have been determined that I would make sure we got our sixth forms back in local schools after 25 years of uncertainty for parents and students alike. 
"The headteachers have worked extremely hard on their consultation with parents and it has taken a lot of effort to put in their bids and to persuade Essex County Council to support this project. 
"We are also grateful for the wholehearted support and backing of Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing not least because when the decision got bogged down at the Department, Eleanor intervened personally with Michael Gove (Education Secretary) and Lord Nash (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools) to make sure the decision was given to the schools before the end of the summer term." 
Valerie added: "We are all thrilled and I know the vast majority of parents in the area will be really pleased that their children can continue with their sixth form education at their existing school. 
"It has so many benefits not least that it will ensure continuity of teaching and help with the retention of excellent teachers as well as ensuring that standards are increased even further in all our local schools.
"The new Year 11 students will be able to choose this coming autumn term if they wish to carry on in the new sixth forms from September 2015." 

Eleanor Laing and Mayor of Waltham Abbey, Cllr Mrs Ann Mitchell, MBE, attended the WOW (World of Work) Conference held, recently, at the Marriott Hotel. The 40, Year 10 students from King Harold Academy and Debden Park High School who attended the event, had previously identified the careers that they hoped to access and were given the opportunity to meet the local people who are working in those fields.  
Mrs Laing praised, and thanked, the 40+ business people who had attended and who were able to offer advice on the qualifications that were needed for the specific careers, the way that successful CVs were written, the essential information needed to be imparted when being interviewed and identify and encourage the communication and the team building skills that are so essential for successful businesses to prosper.

For more details about the group behind the WOW Conference click here The Yes Partnership