Welcome from the Principals

Our mission is simple and clear and in large letters in our reception: Paddington Academy ensures every student is well-educated, has the opportunity to attend university and is able to lead a happy and fulfilled life. We believe that every student can achieve our mission and all our actions are aimed at achieving and fulfilling this for all. We have three values which are characteristic of both the staff and students of our school: hard work, integrity and excellence. We think that striving for the best, but also being a kind person are the right things to do: this was recognised by Ofsted who said that ‘student behaviour across the school is exceptional’. 

Paddington is a school for progress: we have consistently been in the top 10% of schools nationally for the exam outcomes that our students achieve at GCSE and A Level. We believe that all students can make outstanding progress and attaining at the highest level, whatever their starting point. It is our mission to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. We do not make excuses for our students: we firmly believe that there are no barriers to achievement that cannot be overcome by a determined and resilient student with the correctly targeted support. Our students in Year 11 benefit from an extra 1.5 hours of teaching each day beyond the normal day and our Sixth Form students have 20% more teaching time than average and also supervised independent study. 

To achieve the best in everyone, we have a constant focus on high standards from our students whether in uniform, behaviour, communication, manners or organisation and we are strict in our implementation of these expectations. We are relentless in our pursuit of the small things that we believe have a big impact on our school culture and environment and our students’ attitude to learning.   

Paddington Academy is a school where the personal development of students is important. Alongside a knowledge-rich and broad curriculum which is rooted in the English Baccalaureate at GCSE, we also believe that personal development for students is an entitlement and is made up of a range of experiences and leadership opportunities. We have a house system to deliver this and students participate in work experience twice during their school careers.  

Paddington Academy is the lead teacher training school for United Learning and we are responsible for the training of teachers across United Learning, the largest multi-academy trust in the UK. This means that we have very well-trained teachers and a surplus of teachers which keeps class sizes small and ensures that no child at Paddington is ever taught by a supply teacher.  

The bedrock on which our school community is built is the excellent relationships between staff and students and between students themselves. When you visit our school, you will notice the positivity and mutual respect that is shown to all members of the school community. Ofsted commented that ‘pupils view school as a welcoming community’ and we want our staff, students and parents to feel that they belong here.