Community links

At St Antony's, we value the importance of developing strong links between the school and our local community as well as communities wider afield. Our school is not a building in isolation, but part of a wider family. An integral part of our school vision is to develop children who are prepared to make a difference in the world and a part of how we do this is through creating links wherever we can.

Through visits, assemblies, concerts and special events, we involve our pupils in the local community, so that they learn how to participate in a practical way in the life and concerns of their neighbourhood and communities. We have a particularly strong link with the parish of St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church.

Working with parents, local residents, the business community, public services, and voluntary services teaches the children to become active citizens. We hold fundraising events for Haven House, a children's hospice in Woodford, donate to our local food bank and our choir regularly sings for residents of a local care home.

Internationally, we have created links with a school in El Salvador. We also participate in many CAFOD events which raise awareness of those less fortunate than us in our world.

We are inspired by the values of Catholic Social Teaching and the UN's Global Goals to work towards building a better world for everyone.

Trinity Catholic High School

The vast majority of our children go on to Trinity Catholic High school for their secondary education and therefore the strong links we build are essential. There are a number of ways in which we do this, including:

• Hosting a large group of 'Guardian Angels' from Year 12 who support us with our learning and playing. This also helps the young people to grow in confidence, to experience the world of work and giving them the opportunity to 'give' to others - something that they can write on the UCAS forms.
• Visiting Trinity for trips to their school library and for 'taster' lessons such as cooking.
• Our subject leaders form a close link with the Trinity heads of department so that our curriculum prepares them for their future at secondary school and their curriculum builds upon what they have learnt here at St Antony's.

Bancroft's School

We also have a positive affiliation with Bancroft's School. Our year 5 and 6 pupils travel there weekly to use theri swimming pool. We have also visited for MFL and Science workshops and to watch performances from their music and drama departments.

St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church and the Franciscan community

We have a very good relationship with our local parish and the Franciscan friars at St Thomas'. We visit church regularly and the friars visit us, enhancing our RE curriculum and the Catholic Life of the school. We do our best to support the parish wherever possible and to ensure that we are actively involved. We hold a joint Summer Fayre every year together; we sing and perform for parishioners and join in with parish masses. Parishioners are also invited to join in with school masses.