Community Links
Orleans Primary School is at the heart of our local community. We value and respect the diverse needs, beliefs and cultures of the people around us and believe that strong community links enrich children’s learning, strengthen family relationships and help our pupils understand the world in which they live.
We work in partnership with local schools, organisations, places of worship, sports clubs, charities and families to build meaningful relationships and create opportunities for our children. Through these connections, we aim to broaden pupils’ experiences, support the wellbeing of our families and encourage every child to develop the confidence, knowledge and skills to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider world.
Celebrating our local community
We are proud of our links with St Stephen’s Church, which regularly supports our school through assemblies. The church also provides a special setting for our end-of-term celebrations and Christmas productions. Find out more at St Stephen’s Church.
Our children also take part in local events and celebrations, including Twickenham Carnival, St Margaret’s Fair and Crown Road Fair. These occasions bring people together, celebrate our local identity and give pupils opportunities to participate in the wider community.
A particularly memorable example was the celebration of St Margaret’s Station’s 150th anniversary. Pupils from Orleans Primary and Secondary schools joined local representatives, railway partners and community members to mark this important milestone. The celebrations included the unveiling of a mural created by Year 6 pupils from Orleans Primary, St Mary’s and St Stephen’s.
The project celebrated local history while showcasing the creativity and collaborative spirit of our children. We are grateful to Anna Stearman from the South East Communities Rail Partnership and Rachel Morrison, and Orleans Primary parents, for helping to organise this special event.
Building partnerships through sport
Sport provides wonderful opportunities for children and families to come together, develop new skills and build lasting relationships.
We are delighted to be developing our relationship with Brentford Community Trust. Through this partnership, we are supporting opportunities for boys and girls to enjoy football, develop their abilities and experience the benefits of being part of a team. We were particularly pleased to celebrate with the Trust and welcome the introduction of its Under-14 and Under-16 girls’ squads. We look forward to strengthening this relationship and supporting the continued development of football opportunities for our children and young people.
Our partnership with Chase Bridge School is another example of sport bringing our communities together. Our first joint Chase Bridge and Orleans rugby tournament welcomed players of different experience levels, providing an enjoyable introduction to rugby for some and an exciting challenge for others. Organised by Matt Brown, the event was a great success with families and players. Orleans even took home an impressively large trophy, giving us something to defend at the next tournament!
Supporting children and families
We recognise that children thrive when their education, health and wellbeing are supported together. We work with health professionals, charitable organisations and community groups to help families access useful advice, guidance and support.
Our school nurse provides opportunities for parents to discuss concerns about their child's health and wellbeing through confidential drop-in sessions. We also signpost families to relevant workshops and support services, helping parents access information about children's health, development and milestones.
Alongside this, we work with a range of charitable organisations and community partners to share resources, develop provision and help ensure that children and families can access appropriate support. We believe that strong relationships between home, school and the wider community make a real difference to children's wellbeing and their ability to thrive.
Working together for our children
At Orleans Primary School, community partnerships are an important part of our commitment to developing happy, confident, motivated and well-rounded individuals. By working together with families and local organisations, we create opportunities for children to discover new interests, develop positive relationships and understand the value of contributing to the world around them.
We are proud of the relationships we have built and look forward to continuing to strengthen these connections for the benefit of our pupils, families and wider community.
COMMUNITY WEBSITES
To get involved in your local community events or if you have an idea to improve your local area, etc, please see the London Borough of Richmond Community Links Website. Your Local Community Links Officer is called Siobhan Oktay. She can be contacted on 07983 568491 or by email siobhan.oktay@richmond.gov.uk
or click on this link for further details: http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/council/have_your_say/get_involved.htm
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames also have a great website which gives details of things to see and do in Richmond for all age groups. It also lists all kinds of upcoming events within the Borough. It includes descriptions of fairs, festivals, sports and outdoor activities and gives suggestions for walks, cycle routes, boat trips, etc. Please log on to www.visitrichmond.co.uk for further information.
Please click on this link for our local Police Safer neighbourhood team, who have strong links with our school:
https://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/richmond-upon-thames/st-margarets-and-north-twickenham/