About St Thomas
Welcome from the Executive Headteacher
As Executive Headteacher, I am immensely proud to lead St Thomas’ CE Primary School. While our school is a key part of the LifeFull Schools Federation, it remains a unique community with its own distinct character, united by a shared Christian ethos and a profound belief in providing an education that allows every child to flourish.
Our Federation’s name is inspired by the words of Jesus in John 10:10:
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
At St Thomas’, our role is to nurture our children—academically, emotionally, and spiritually—so that they grow with confidence, joy, compassion, and high aspirations. I hope you will explore both this school website and the new LifeFull Schools Federation website to find out more about our ethos, our people, and our vision for education.
Our Values & Ethos
At St Thomas’ CE Primary School, our values are rooted in the Christian belief that every child should experience “life to the full”. We are dedicated to nurturing the whole child—academically, emotionally, and spiritually—to ensure they grow into confident and compassionate individuals. By fostering an environment of joy and aspiration, we empower our students to reach their full potential and embrace the future with hope.
Our community is built on core Christian values such as compassion, resilience, and respect. We work in close partnership with families to create a supportive space where children feel safe to take risks and learn from their experiences.
Through reflection and collective worship, we encourage every pupil to explore their unique identity and develop a lasting love for learning.
Welcome to St Thomas’ CE Primary School
What makes our school so special and unique?
- We are a small school with a caring and supportive staff team who work closely with children and families
- We provide a high quality education within a Christian context and welcome children from all faiths and no faith
- We have a broad curriculum and we love the arts
- We have a beautiful modern building which helps us to have a calm, purposeful learning environment
- The school is judged outstanding by Ofsted and has excellent teachers
We are very pleased to welcome you to our school. St Thomas’ is a small one form entry Church of England primary school. We are located in North Kensington just off the Portobello Road. We serve a wonderfully diverse community. In January 2009 we moved into our brand new school building, which we are very proud of.
At St Thomas’ we believe that a high quality education within a Christian context is the best start a child can have in their school life. We welcome children from all faiths and backgrounds and work in partnership with parents and the Church to build a sense of belonging to our community.
OPAL Project
“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.”
Charles E Schaefer
At LifeFull Schools Federation we are committed to providing quality play provision for all children. To achieve this, we are proud to be working with The Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) project.
What is the OPAL project?
The OPAL project is a research-based initiative aimed at improving the quality of outdoor play in schools. The project was developed in the UK and has been implemented in schools throughout the world.
OPAL aims to support schools in developing high-quality outdoor play experiences. It is based on the understanding that outdoor play is essential for children’s physical, emotional and social development and allows children the freedom to explore and play in their own imaginative ways, often using found and gathered materials and resources from the environment.
An OPAL approach promotes a more inclusive play environment in which all children can feel comfortable to express themselves. Our children enjoy a full range of play opportunities, from physical play such as creating obstacle courses from tyres, planks and crates; cooking in the mud kitchen; dressing up, drawing and dancing. OPAL offers an exciting alternative to standard playground activities.
You can find out more about OPAL and their philosophy here: https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/
What are the benefits?
We believe that OPAL will benefit our children in many ways:
- Improved physical health: The OPAL project encourages physical activity and helps children with fitness, physical development and co-ordination.
- Improved mental wellbeing: Children will have a sense of social connectedness and a sense of belonging which reduces stress and increases happiness.
- Enhanced social skills: The project increases opportunities for peer interaction using negotiations, problem solving and teamwork.
- Increased self confidence: The OPAL project teaches children to assess risk and be aware of the decisions that they make leading to improved independence, self-esteem and resilience.
- Cognitive and academic benefits: Children who have access to high quality outdoor play experiences have increased attention on return to the classroom.
How can I help?
If you are in a position to donate resources, we would be very grateful for any of the following items:
- Suitcases of any size and type
- Plastic milk crates/supermarket delivery crates/plastic bread trays
- Briefcases, especially hard cased ones
- Kitchen pots, pans, baking trays, work tables, wooden spoons, chopping boards
- Tools e.g. small spades, trowels and brooms
- Tubes of various sizes and materials
- Buckets
- Nets and thick ropes
- Keyboards/torches/laptops/calculators/mobile phones/desk phones/webcams/cameras that are no longer working
- Fabric (large sheets/brightly coloured fabric)
- Foam sheets/bodyboards/camping roll mats/yoga mats
- Wooden pallets
- Metal frames
- Cable drums
- Guttering
- Noodles (the type you use in a swimming pool!)
- Hats, scarves, jazzy shirts, elasticated skirts, waistcoats, wedding dresses, character costumes
- Pegs (to set up dens)
Please contact the school office about your donation.
Our History
A school was established on this site in 1874. The school was originally named St Andrews and changed its name to St Thomas’ in the 1970s. We still have our log books which record the history of the school from the very first day. As a result we have created an exhibition in the school on the stairs leading up to the hall which you are welcome to view when you visit us.
We have a few of the old logs books, some dating back all the way to 1913!
Inclusion
We welcome and celebrate every child, helping all children to develop their character and a love of learning. We are committed to inclusivity which encourages good relationships, mutual understanding and celebrates diversity.
Our federation values the diversity of our families, and we believe inclusive practice is not an add-on — it’s foundational.
In line with the 2010 Equality Act, we seek to ensure that no student, member of staff, parent or any other person through their contact with the school receives less favourable treatment on any grounds which cannot be shown to be justified.
This covers race, ethnic or national origin, language, religion or belief, gender or gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, disability, age, responsibility for children or other dependants, political views and social class.
At LifeFull Schools we aim to create a positive learning environment, within a Christian ethos, where all children’s needs and views are valued and no child is disadvantaged by race, class, gender or disability.
We believe that every child deserves the best possible opportunities to reach their full capabilities.
Anti-Racist Schools
At St Thomas’ CE Primary School, we welcome children and their families to our school without discrimination. As part of this, we recognize our responsibility to do better and do more to break the cycle of racial prejudice and institutional inequality. We know we have an important part to play in striving to build a society in which there is equity and equality for all, and we must use our voices together to speak out proactively for a more just and inclusive world.
Our Diverse Curriculum Offer
Our diverse curriculum aims to challenge systemic barriers by providing a fairer and more equitable distribution of content. It serves to allow our young people to think more critically about how knowledge is formed and valued.
Our diverse curriculum allows our pupils:
To see themselves and others represented throughout their learning.
To interrogate how knowledge in the curriculum has come to be valued.
To hear multiple co-existing narratives across all subjects.
To understand how systemic barriers manifest for those with protected characteristics and intersectional identities.
LifeFull Schools Policies
St Thomas’ CE Primary School operates under a comprehensive set of shared policies established by the LifeFull Schools Federation to ensure consistent excellence across our community.
LifeFull Schools Learning
As part of the LifeFull Schools Federation, we provide a rich and ambitious curriculum designed to spark curiosity and inspire a lifelong love of learning.
Recruitment
Join our dedicated team at St Thomas’ and play a vital role in nurturing our pupils to grow with confidence, joy, and aspiration within the LifeFull Schools Federation.
Worship In Our Schools
Collective Worship promotes and supports achievement and growth in five aspects of pupils’ religious learning at St Thomas’ CE Primary School. These are:
A knowledge of Christianity; its stories, traditions, festivals, worship and teachings
An understanding of Christian life and worship which may, if the pupil chooses, form the basis of an adult faith
An awareness of life’s spiritual dimension
A sense of Christian morality through our Christian values
A knowledge and respect for the other major world faiths
Through the above, we aim to help children to:
develop an awareness of spiritual and moral issues within their own life experiences and those of others
develop knowledge, understanding and respect for the range of religious and cultural practices found within: their own community; the local area; Britain and internationally
develop an understanding of what it means to be committed to a religious tradition
develop inquisitive minds that are willing to investigate, research, question and empathise to enable them to make reasoned judgements about religious issues.
St Thomas' Staff
Executive Head Teacher Sarah Bouette | Head of School Adrian Jones |
Deputy Head and SENCo Alys Stephens | Director of Learning Katie Spence |
Director of Learning Rebecca Brierley |
Early Years Danielle Gorman-Kiely | Year 2 Class Teacher Daisy Chapman |
Year 1 Class Teacher Cindy Fung | Year 4 Class Teacher Atinder Riyat |
Year 3 Class Teacher Georgie Redhead | Year 6 Class Teacher Ruth Millington |
Year 5 Class Teacher Maximillian Melber |
| Ameera Aiteouakrim | Breda Guckion |
| Yinka Akintoye-Dedier | Zainab Hammad |
| Trish Morrison | Fiona Hoban |
| Sally Barfield | Debbie Lynam |
| Larraine Sweet | Lucia Marrafino |
| Lyndsey De Faria | Dean Pooley |
| Adriana Vannucchi | Susie Whittock |
| Anna Cwikla | Tracey Tilbury |
School Business Manager Leila Jansepar | Senior Admin Officer – Finance & HR Navinder Paul |
Site team Albert Serrao & Lolo Fernandez | Senior Admin Officer – Pupil & Parent Talitha Mansaray |
Governors
St Thomas’ Federation Meeting Attendance 2024/2025
Full Governing Body meetings
| MEETING DATE | Ros Sacher | Gunnel Welford | Charlotte O’Brien | Fr Sam Cross | Fr Gareth Wardell | Nalu Binaisa | Natalie Cowley | Sally Nkrumah | Lala Manners | Hugo Moore | Sarah Bouette | Jess Richardson |
| 22/10/24 | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 10/12/24 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 04/02/25 | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 25/03/25 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 20/05/25 | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Actual | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Percentage | 80% | 60% | 80% | 20% | 60% | 80% | 100% | 20% | 20% | 60% | 100% | 100% |
Performance Management and Pay Committee
| MEETING DATE | Ros Sacher | Gunnel Welford |
| 8th October 2024 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Percentage | 100% | 100% |
| MEETING DATE | Charlotte O’Brien | Nalu Binaisa | Ros Sacher |
| 13th February 2025 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Percentage | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Resources Committee
| MEETING DATE | Gunnel Welford | Ros Sacher | Charlotte O’Brien | Hugo Moore | Sarah Bouette |
| 08/10/24 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 19/11/24 | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 30/01/25 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 18/03/25 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 20/05/25 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Actual | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Percentage | 100% | 80% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
ST Federation constitution
Contact Us
The school has facilities available for long term hire. Prices are provided upon application. Concessions are available for voluntary groups. All lettings are agreed subject to contract and terms and conditions.
If you would like further information then please contact Susan Simpson on 0207 603 9225 or email us at scsjadmin@lifefull.org