William Patten Primary School

William Patten has high expectations of all children and staff and high standards of teaching and learning. It provides a friendly, supportive and purposeful school community which values all its members.

We are a culturally and socially diverse school and we welcome the richness that this brings to our school community. We value children as individuals, and help them to understand their role as members of the school and of the wider community and to see how they can contribute to a better society.

William Patten has a strong tradition of academic, artistic and musical excellence. Our children are encouraged in self-expression from the moment they enter the school. We employ specialist music teachers and develop many project links with arts organisations to help children develop their creativity, whether through music, visual or performance arts. We regularly give and attend performances and exhibitions and have many ways of celebrating achievement in these areas.

We recognise the vital part parents play in their children’s learning and are committed to developing partnerships with parents. Every parent and carer belongs to the school’s Parents, Teachers & Friends Association (PTFA), which fosters close educational and social links between school and home.

Our relationship with parents and families is crucial and a great support in our work. We work together to give all our children the best start in their education. Parents help us in so many ways and together we make the life of the school outstanding for all the children.

The community of William Patten is inclusive and diverse. Children are aware of and show respect for each other’s beliefs and cultures, which are recognised and celebrated throughout the school year. The school’s commitment to excellence in Personal, Social and Health Education is also recognised by the PSHE association.Over 30 languages are spoken in the school and the children learn to greet each other in these languages, with a focus ‘language of the month’ in addition to the teaching of Spanish as a modern foreign language.

Children’s individual successes are also celebrated and awards are presented to children in recognition of their termly achievements and weekly good deeds. The school ensures that children are aware of the contribution they can make to society as active citizens, with their understanding of the rule of law, as well as individual liberty, developed through the PSHE curriculum. Children contribute to their own ‘class charter’ at the beginning of the year which is displayed in their classrooms and referred to throughout.

Our curriculum is wide, varied, relevant and exciting. We aim to hold the interest of all our children so as to develop a love of school and of learning.Weekly assemblies also focus on the social and emotional aspects of learning. Further to this, children take part in democratic processes, such as electing their school and the school participates in the borough’s ‘Democracy Week’. Their understanding of how democracy developed is also supported by the school’s curriculum.

The school has high expectations for all learners and is committed to broadening the children’s horizons and enriching the curriculum through an active engagement with the local and wider community. The children at William Patten are well supported in developing a deep routed love of learning to prepare them well for their next steps in education and future employment.

The Governing Body meets meets four times a year, to carry out those primary functions. We also have designated Resources and Achievement Committees which meet six times a year and provide a sharper focus.The role of governors, drawn from parents, staff and our community, is to be a ‘critical friend’ to the school and each governor plays an active part by sitting on at least one of the two committees as well as the Governing Body itself. We provide support and encouragement to the school whilst continuing to identify and pursue areas where improvements may be needed. We are also hugely fortunate to able to witness at first-hand and celebrate, the remarkable achievements of our fantastic pupils and dedicated teaching staff.