“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” – Corinthians 14:40 (NIV)
Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA)
At St Anne’s, we are committed to working closely and effectively with our parents, carers, and the wider community. We value the vital role that families play in supporting children both inside and outside the classroom.
To strengthen these partnerships, we are working towards the Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA). This national award supports schools in developing excellent parent engagement and recognises our commitment to working collaboratively with families.
What the LPPA Will Help Us Achieve
As we work towards the award, we aim to secure long‑term benefits such as:
- Improved pupil attendance, punctuality, behaviour and progress
- Increased parent participation and involvement in school life
- Enhanced support from parents in their children’s learning
- Stronger and more effective communication between home and school
The award is based on research showing that supporting and engaging parents has a significant positive impact on children’s achievement, behaviour and attendance. Your feedback is incredibly important to us, and we welcome your views as we continue to strengthen our practice.
Our LPPA Journey
We expect to complete the LPPA process within approximately 15 months. The process is supportive, developmental and progressive, and we will work towards meeting the following objectives:
- A clear commitment from the school to achieve the LPPA
- Effective planning to achieve and maintain the award standards
- A welcoming, communicative and friendly school environment for parents
- Active promotion of parental involvement, ensuring all groups of parents can support their child’s learning and access opportunities to learn alongside them
- Clear and accessible guidance to help parents support their child’s learning and development
- Parent‑friendly policies that strengthen home‑school links and support attendance, punctuality, progress and positive participation
- Strong support for parents during key transitions, as children move through or leave the school
- A summary of achievements against the LPPA objectives and clear future plans
At St Anne’s, we are committed to ensuring:
- All groups of parents feel included and valued
- The school environment is welcoming and communication is clear
- Parents have the information they need to support learning at home
- Home‑school links are strengthened through accessible, helpful policies
- Responsibilities of parents, school and pupils are understood and shared
LPPA Co‑ordinator
Our LPPA co-ordinator is Mr Murphy and Mrs Corser. If you would like to offer support, share ideas, or ask any questions about the LPPA, please get in touch — we would love to hear from you.
Excellence in Pupil Development Award (EPDA)
At St Anne’s, we are proud to be working towards the Excellence in Pupil Development Award (EPDA). This national award recognises schools that place children’s well‑being, personal growth, and character development at the heart of their work.
The EPDA supports our commitment to developing the whole child – academically, socially and emotionally. It helps us nurture important personal attributes such as confidence, resilience, empathy and self‑discipline, so that every pupil leaves St Anne’s ready to thrive in life and contribute positively to their community.
Our Aims
Through the EPDA, St Anne’s aims to:
- Provide an environment where all pupils feel supported to grow in confidence, resilience and empathy.
- Embed personal development across all aspects of school life, including the curriculum and pastoral care.
- Equip children with the life skills, character qualities and leadership opportunities they need beyond the classroom.
- Empower pupils to have a voice and play an active role in shaping their school community.
- Work closely with parents, carers and the wider community to strengthen children’s personal development.
How We Will Achieve This
Curriculum
We deliver a broad, inclusive curriculum that prioritises personal development alongside academic progress. Skills for personal growth are woven throughout all subjects and learning opportunities.
Behaviour and Attitudes
We set high expectations for behaviour, including positive conduct, attendance and punctuality. We actively celebrate children’s achievements – both academic and personal – across school life.
Responsible Citizens
We promote positive attitudes towards learning, towards one another and towards the wider community. Pupil voice is embedded through school councils, leadership roles and opportunities to share ideas and feedback.
Community and Partnerships
We engage with local groups, external organisations and parents to offer enrichment experiences that build pupils’ confidence, aspiration and leadership skills.
Professional Development
Staff take part in high‑quality professional development to strengthen our approach to personal development. We continually evaluate our work to ensure we meet – and go beyond – the standards of the EPDA.
Statement of Fundamental British Values
At St Anne’s, we are committed to serving our community and promoting the Fundamental British Values of:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
These values underpin our provision for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC) and support our responsibility under Section 78 of the Education Act 2002.
We believe our role extends beyond academic learning. Personal development is central to preparing pupils to become responsible, respectful and active citizens. Promoting British Values helps pupils to recognise positive behaviours, challenge discrimination and show respect for others.
Through the provision of SMSC, St Anne’s aims to:
- Enable pupils to develop self‑knowledge, self‑esteem and self‑confidence.
- Help children understand right and wrong and respect the law of England.
- Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour and understand how they can contribute positively to school and society.
- Develop pupils’ knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services.
- Promote tolerance and harmony by helping pupils appreciate different cultural traditions.
- Encourage respect for all people, regardless of background or belief.
- Support understanding of democracy and the processes through which laws and decisions are made.
How We Promote Fundamental British Values at St Anne’s
Children and staff at St Anne’s develop:
- An understanding of democracy through opportunities such as school council elections, pupil voice activities, assemblies and curriculum links.
- An appreciation of how living under the rule of law protects individuals and supports wellbeing and safety.
- An awareness of how different public bodies operate and the importance of fairness and justice.
- An understanding that freedom of belief is protected in law, explored through curriculum work and assemblies.
- A commitment to accepting and respecting others with different beliefs or backgrounds, promoting equality and challenging discrimination.
EPDA Co‑ordinator
Our EPDA co-ordinator is Mrs Simmons. If you would like to offer support, share ideas, or ask any questions about the EPDA, please get in touch — we would love to hear from you.
Young Carers Award
St Anne’s RC Voluntary Academy has won a prestigious award for its work supporting young carers with their education.
The school was presented with the Young Carers in Schools award on 17th October 2025. Young carers are children under 18 who are responsible for the care of a family member with who, due to illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction, can’t cope without their support.
The award is part of the Young Carers in School programme run by charities The Children’s Society and Carers Trust. The programme provides schools across England with step-by-step guidance for staff to gain the practical tools they need to help young carers.
St Anne’s RC Voluntary Academy won the award by demonstrating how it supports young carers. This includes running homework clubs, drop-in sessions and a member of staff responsible for this vulnerable group of pupils. Vital information about how to identify young carers is made available to all staff, and noticeboards and the school webpage let students and their families know where to go for help. Other things St Anne’s offers include half-termly Young Carers social events, one to one and group support sessions.
Julie Sutcliffe, Head of School at St Anne’s RC Voluntary Academy, said:
“We are incredibly proud to receive the Young Carers in Schools award. Supporting our young carers is at the heart of our mission to serve every child with compassion and care. We recognise the unique challenges these students face and are committed to providing a nurturing environment where they can thrive academically and personally. Through dedicated staff, tailored support sessions, and community events, we strive to ensure no young carer feels alone or unsupported. This award is a testament to the hard work of our whole school community and our unwavering commitment to the wellbeing and success of all our students.”
One student, aged 15, said:
“Here at St Anne’s, the support they give Young Carers is amazing. They help a lot by helping us interact with other Young Carers so we know we are not alone. They also do things with us to help take everything off our mind, such as Young Carers breakfasts.”
Research by Carers Trust shows 40% of young carers say they don’t get enough support to balance education and caring. Separate research by The Children’s Society shows young carers get an average of one grade lower in GCSE subjects than their peers and they often also have lower levels of self-confidence and mental wellbeing.
Vicky Morgan, Carers Trust’s Head of Young Carers at Young Adult Carers, said:
“We’re delighted to present the Young Carers in Schools award to St Anne’s RC Voluntary Academy. Figures show there are two young carers in every classroom but balancing learning with looking after family members can be tough without help. By identifying young carers and putting support in place,
schools and teachers can make a huge difference to their wellbeing and education. That’s why the brilliant work done by staff at St Anne’s is so vital and why this award is so richly deserved.