Rise Park Infant School

I have been a headteacher for 12 years, having been appointed to the Infant School in 2010 and subsequently becoming the Executive Headteacher of Rise Park Academy Trust in 2014 when our two academies were opened, from which time they have gone from strength to strength, achieving two Ofsted ‘Good’ judgements in May 2017.

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Our popular and successful early years centre for Reception children was opened in 2013, followed by a Year 5/6 junior school block in 2015 and a dedicated nursery provision in 2017. Our most recent projects have been the construction of a large Multi-Use Games Area, an all-weather sports pitch for both schools, which has now been completed, as well as a sensory pod area and surrounding garden for SEND and disadvantaged

pupils in our schools, which is currently being developed. The schools also have a purpose-built heated outdoor swimming pool as an additional facility which enables us to offer swimming lessons to all of our pupils as a key life skill.

​The Local Committee, Senior Leadership Team, staff and pupils are very proud of our broad and varied provision, which is strongly supported by an active and successful PTFA, as well as a very close school community. 

Our curriculum vision is based upon our seven “Learning Powers” of Respect, Inspiration, Self-Belief, Excellence, Passion, Achievement, Resilience and Knowledge, which also encompasses our three key values of “Respect, Belief, Excellence”.

This vision is lived and realised by all of our children and staff at all times, as part of our day-to-day school life.

Message from the Head of School

Joining the teaching profession was always an ambition of mine from a very young age, I feel passionate about making a difference to the lives of young children and ensuring that all pupils are given every opportunity to succeed. From stepping into my very first classroom, to the privileged position of Head of School, each role I’ve held in education has helped shape me into the leader I am today.

Originally from Wales, my own experience of primary education was undoubtedly very different to most. My father was in the army, so we moved regularly in my early years, with many of them spent in Germany. As I moved between schools, it was necessary to adapt to the different curriculum challenges I faced. Sometimes I would start in a school and would be repeating work I had already completed, whilst at other times I would feel completely out of my depth, however these experiences taught me a lot about resilience and overcoming barriers. We settled back in Wales as I started secondary school and after successfully achieving a Bachelor of Arts in education I moved to West London to begin my teaching career.

I joined Rise Park Infant School in 2009 as a Reception class teacher. Prior to joining Rise Park, I was a member of the senior leadership team in a 3 form entry primary school leading the foundation stage and English. I subsequently took on English and assessment at Rise Park and after moving to the Junior School and teaching Year 3 for a year, I was successfully appointed as Head of Infant School. I am very proud of the ethos we have created at Rise Park Academies, we have developed strong relationships with parents and carers in order to achieve the very best for our children, and there is a real sense of community across our schools.

I am committed to continuing to move our schools forward on their journey to excellence along with our dedicated staff and highly driven leadership team. Joining Success for All Educational Trust has further strengthened our schools and I am looking forward to the exciting opportunities which lay ahead.

Mrs K Palmer

Head of Infant School