Headteacher’s Welcome
Welcome to St. Mary’s Church of England Primary School. Whether you are a pupil, parent, member of staff, or exploring St. Mary’s as the right choice for your child, we extend a very warm welcome.
Situated in the heart of Walthamstow, St. Mary’s C of E Primary is part of the Diocese of Chelmsford and the Genesis Education Trust. The Trust is a dynamic and growing collaboration currently comprising The Federated Schools of St Mary’s and St Saviour’s in Walthamstow, alongside St Margaret’s in Barking, together forming an Independent Church Multi-Academy Trust.
School vision: “I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15)
At St. Mary’s, we are committed to nurturing pupils who are confident and independent, who feel free to ask questions, explore new ideas, and learn through both success and mistakes. We believe this approach helps every child become a true life-long learner, prepared to thrive in whichever path they choose for the future. Every aspect of school life – from classroom organisation to behaviour expectations – is shaped by this vision.
Alongside academic learning, St. Mary’s offers a strong programme of personal development through our unique Young Transformers programme, Courageous advocacy initiatives and transformative whole school projects – to find out more about a recent project please see this article in the Big Issue magazine. We provide opportunities for pupils to build resilience, leadership skills, and emotional intelligence. From pupil voice initiatives to enrichment activities, children are supported in discovering their unique strengths and in becoming thoughtful, responsible individuals who contribute positively to their community.
We are equally passionate about the creative arts, knowing how vital they are for children’s growth and self-expression. Through music, art and performance, pupils are encouraged to develop their creativity, imagination, and confidence. These experiences enrich not only their education but also their ability to communicate, collaborate and appreciate the beauty of God’s world.
Our commitment to learning is shared by staff as well as pupils. We are proud to be a community of life-long learners, investing significantly in professional development to ensure our teachers and support staff are fully equipped to deliver an excellent and inspiring education every day.
St. Mary’s is deeply rooted in the local faith and wider community. As a church school, we strive to live out our Christian ethos in practical ways that make a real difference. While we celebrate the diversity of belief within our community, we ask all who are part of St. Mary’s to embrace our shared values—caring, equality, faith, forgiveness, respect, truth, and wisdom – as chosen by pupils, parents, staff, and governors alike.
These values guide every interaction within the school. They are not abstract words but living principles that shape our daily decisions, relationships, and conduct. They underpin both the big and small moments of school life, ensuring we grow together in respect, compassion, and wisdom.
Thank you for visiting our website. We hope you find the information you need and join us in celebrating the achievements of our school community. If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to get in touch—I would be delighted to show you around.
Warm regards,