Community
Belonging that turns into action - in school, across Camden and beyond
“Rather Use Than Fame” is a phrase that will be familiar to all Elysians having been the school motto since its founding. It makes the simple claim that contribution matters more than recognition. We hold our community work to that standard. We want every pupil to feel they genuinely belong here, at school, and in our wider community that surrounds us. We want them to then have the confidence to act on that sense of belonging: to help a neighbour, back a friend or cause, and focus on making Camden better for all. The examples we set as adults in their lives are equally important, and our growing alumni network provides an excellent opportunity for current pupils to meet community-minded former Elsyians.
Where this is already happening:
Providing platforms for pupils to lead conversations. In October 2025, the Trust held its first public event: a conversation between former William Ellis parent Alastair Campbell and current pupils. Six boys then took over as interviewers, questioning Campbell on the issues shaping their futures. More than 140 alumni, parents and supporters watched, and left describing the pupils' “empathy, humour and tenacity.”
Alumni giving back to the school. Working with a range of alumni to come in and give career talks, lead learning sessions and get involved with mentoring within the school community. The school community is fortunate to have a number of alumni heavily involved from staff, to governors, and our own trustees. We have exciting plans to grow the impact of this further, and build ever closer links with our wider community.
Pupils learning how to help their community. Investing in staff time to deepen our community connections, including with a local nursing home and supporting wider efforts such as food drives. An area we plan to develop significantly moving forward.
A partnership starting in September 2026 rooted in relational skills. This September, the Trust starts funding a partnership with Football Beyond Borders, a charity that has already supported thousands of young people nationally, particularly those at risk of disengaging from school. As their Head of Schools Partnerships, Pedro Correia, put it, there's “a strong alignment... in how we think about young people, relationships and the role schools can play.”
Meeting pupils at their points of interest. Funding within sports, drama and dance to help pupils represent themselves and their school with pride and excellence such as additional staff time to prepare for the London Borough of Camden Young People Dance Festival in Spring 2026.
What we are working towards:
Boys getting to test what “community” means for real, through arts, sport and the things they're already into rather than being taught the concept in the abstract.
Their stories reach past the school gates: through film, podcasts and public events like An Evening with Alastair Campbell, pupils represent themselves and their school to Camden on their own terms, in their own words. Through this, we support our wider community to understand the perspective and experiences of young people living around them better, and contribute towards greater cohesion.
Boys building real working relationships with organisations already active in Camden and North London, so “getting involved locally” becomes something a pupil has actually done, not just had suggested.
Pupils build the specific skills that changemaking takes: noticing a local problem, thinking it through, and organising around it will help pupils develop the practical mechanics of being a changemaker, not just the aspiration to be one. Learning from others who have done this successfully plays an equally important role.
More of London gets to see what our young people are capable of, which opens doors back to the school. More partners, more opportunities, more people willing to back what William Ellis pupils can do.
A core focus within this strand of work over the next few years is the More Than a Playground fundraising campaign to redevelop the school outdoor spaces. The playground area serves the wider community at weekends and during holidays as well as offering essential benefits to students during term-time. Students have been involved in the design stages of this redevelopment, helping shape the staff and architect’s understanding of the importance of the playground in building a space that works for all members of the community. They will also have a role to play in helping design and deliver fundraising initiatives that engage our supporters and neighbours to help the school achieve the redevelopment.
Do you have an opportunity that would benefit from the involvement of William Ellis students?
Do you have a great idea for an opportunity or program that will help open up opportunities for our students to develop their sense of what community means to them?
Please do get touch with us via the Contact Us function and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible