Ethos

At Paddington Academy we are about outstanding learning. Every decision is made with the question in mind ‘will this help the students to learn better and achieve more?’ We believe in a relentless focus on high achievement in all areas of the life of the Academy.

We are clear that there are no excuses for underachievement. We aim to identify barriers that may be standing in the way of achievement, understand them in relation to our context and then focus on breaking them down, one by one’. There are no excuses. We specialise in knowing our community and how best to support all our learners.

The culture that has been established is about a persistent focus on high standards in EVERY aspect of school life: Learning, behaviour, attitude, uniform, attendance and punctuality. We insist upon consistency and a commitment to shared values – by individuals, groups and the whole community. We will always challenge anything that is less than the very best that each individual can give.
We instil in our students from the start a sense of integrity and confidence. Every adult in our community is a role model; every student is a role model and we all have the opportunity and responsibility to have a positive impact on the lives of others. We all ‘walk the talk’ and create a positive learning environment in all that we do. We give trust and respect at all times and ensure that students have fun and are happy in their learning. This ethos has established a success culture that we celebrate at every opportunity.

In order to achieve ‘the best in everyone’ the students have the following motto as their guide:

• ‘Win win’ EVERY time
• ALWAYS do our best
• ALWAYS do the right thing
• ALWAYS look smart

How does Paddington Academy bring out ‘the best in everyone’?

Our learning and achievement

The staff at Paddington Academy are exceptional. They are completely and utterly dedicated to meeting student needs and ensuring that our students receive outstanding learning and achieve outstanding results.

Our students receive fun, engaging lessons in a positive, safe and friendly learning environment

We receive many visits from national and international organisations and are known as a ‘best practice’ school for student achievement and progress. We have been in the top 10 schools in the country in 2009, 2010 and 2011 for the progress that our students make and have received six awards for achievement.

Our students are community ambassadors

We develop excellent links with the community. Students get opportunities to work with many people inside and outside the academy, our students establish good networks and relationships with them. It is our aim that Paddington Academy students make a positive difference to their community.

Our students have high standards

At Paddington Academy standards are high. We have extremely high expectations for uniform, behaviour, attendance and punctuality. If a student gets all these things right, they will learn better and get great results.

Our students are leaders

We expect our students to be leaders. We have an active student council in each year group and they work hard to ensure that student voice is heard and makes a difference. Student voice is active in most academy decisions and highly valued by all of us.

Positive partnership with parents

A positive and supportive relationship between parents and the Paddington Academy staff is vital for the well being and achievement of students.

We rely on our parents to support us in establishing and maintaining high standards of behaviour, attendance, punctuality and dress. Furthermore, past evidence has strengthened our belief that the academic performance of students is significantly improved when parents actively support the Academy in stimulating and encouraging their child and monitoring their children’s progress.

Communication

We have ‘every day’ communication with parents through ‘drop in’, text messages, emails and by phone. There is a monthly newsletter that keeps the community up to date with all our news, opportunities, successes and forthcoming successes.

We have a parent forum once every half term in which parents can let us know their views, along with the Paddington Parents Association (PPA) where parents can meet an ambadassor who speaks the same language.

Parents are also welcome to visit the Academy at any time by contacting the year team and making an appointment. We have six parents afternoons and mornings when parents can come into school and discuss student progress. These are at the end of each term and a long evening in July. During these meetings, teachers and parents discuss individual student progress and set achievable but demanding targets. Full subject reports are issued annually. Parents are invited to make comments on these grades and reports if there is a particular matter you would like to raise. Parent/carers are encouraged to write comments in the student planners for further discussion.