About the Federation

On behalf of staff and Governors, it is with great pleasure that we welcome you to our school and Federation. We look forward to meeting your child(ren) and hope this will be an inspiring and very successful time for them.

Kingswood is a school that provides an optimum learning environment in which high achievement, positive self-esteem, respect and educational excellence are valued by everyone in a caring and supportive atmosphere. We are an extremely ambitious and forward looking school.

In May 2008 we formally joined with our partner school, Elm Wood Primary, to become Lambeth’s first ‘hard federation’. In June 2008 we were recognised as an organisation of outstanding strength and capacity through being selected to become a National Support School by the National College for School Leadership. Through our work as a National Support School, highly skilled members of staff from across our Federation provide outreach support, coaching and mentoring to schools experiencing serious difficulties. In October 2009 Paxton Primary became part of the Federation of Kingswood and Elm Wood Primary Schools and so the Gipsy Hill Federation was born. Most recently (September 2011), the Gipsy Hill Federation have begun working with in close partnership with Crawford Primary School in Southwark. This partnership is as a result of status as a National Support School and as a designated Primary Academy Sponsor by the Department of Education.

The Federation actively encourages parents and carers to participate fully in their children’s education. We believe that children reach their full potential only as a result of an effective partnership between parents / carers and the school. Maximum parental engagement is one of our core aims and, as a consequence, attendance at parents’ evenings and other school events is an expectation. We are confident that during your time with us your children will become happy and confident learners. We encourage all children to work to the very best of their ability across the curriculum, and offer an extensive range of stimulating experiences to ensure that every child has access to an exciting and inspirational education. We have extremely high expectations of all pupils and this is reflected in the school’s outstanding performance in national tests and pupils’ achievements across the broad curriculum. We constantly strive to find new and innovative ways to explore and extend our curriculum. At Kingswood, Elm Wood and Paxton your child will learn respect for others and sensitivity – growing into thinking and responsible people who are able to contribute to, and benefit from, the society in which they live.

What is a Federation?

The term "federation" is used to describe many different types of collaborative groups, partnerships and clusters of schools. In May 2008 Kingswood Primary School and Elm Wood Primary School became Lambeth’s first hard Federation and in October 2009 Paxton Primary School joined Kingswood and Elm Wood in federation creating the Gipsy Hill Federation. In September 2011 Crawford Primary School became an Associate Primary School. In practice this means that Mr Tunstall is Executive Headteacher across all four schools (five sites) and each school has a Head of School; Ms Davenport at Kingswood, Mrs Holt at Elm Wood, Ms Robins at Paxton and Mrs Gibb at Crawford. We have one Governing Body who has responsibility for the strategic development and success of Kingswood, Elm Wood and Paxton. Crawford retains its own Governing Body. Our formal partnership is working extremely well and is mutually beneficial to pupils and parents on all sites.

The Benefits of Federations

Federations can increase capacity within groups of schools to achieve even higher standards, providing:

improved teaching and learning
a structured way for schools to collaborate, learn from each other and share best practice
shared high quality leadership
joint staffing opportunities and wider career opportunities across the Federation

Aims of the Gipsy Hill Federation

Our Federation recognises the potential of every individual to achieve excellence. We strive to positively address underachievement and have very high expectations for all members of our school community. We work hard to creatively remove barriers to achievement and raise esteem. We are determined to create a true culture of ‘learning for all’ through meaningful partnerships with the whole school community. Everyone works to provide a welcoming, calm, happy and purposeful atmosphere in which, as members of a culturally rich community, we provide an education free from discrimination. Our Federation is characterised by openness and honesty. Consideration, encouragement of positive role models, respect for others, their property and the environment are our priorities. We aim to deliver a broad, balanced and enriched curriculum in an optimum learning environment that is attractive, stimulating, informative and instils a sense of pride.