Community

A SCHOOL WHERE FAMILIES BELONG, CELEBRATE AND CONTRIBUTE

Ravenstone is known for its special ethos, culture, values and strong community feel.

CELEBRATION

While our playground is open everyday until 3:30 (3:25 on Mondays) for families to interact and children to play, RavenPLAY extends this opportunity and sees the playground open until 4:00. Typically held on Fridays, this is the ideal way to celebrate the end of another successful week.
To help everyone settle back into school life after the summer holidays, The Big Welcome is a special edition of RavenPLAY preceded by our Meet the Teacher event early in September - the perfect way for children, families and staff to reconnect.
Fortnightly from Autumn 2 for our lower phase (Nursery/Reception) and weekly from September for middle (Years 1 to 3) and upper (Years 4 to 6), Showing Assemblies involve classes showcasing and presenting key learning from the week and teachers announcing Curriculum and Values awards winners. Families are always invited to share in the celebration.
Our senior leaders enjoy nothing more than taking turns to host Happy Friday - an invitation only event for one child per class from Reception to Year 6 to celebrate their individual ‘over and above’ achievements from the week.
Queues start early (and run the full length of the playground and beyond) for the Ravenstone’s Summer Production. The spotlight may be firmly on our eldest children in Year 6, but Years 1 to 5 are on hand to contribute with a song and a dance too.

COLLABORATION

For families with time to spare, there are so many to contribute to the daily life at Ravenstone:

Educational trips: these happen at least one per whole term and in order to make them viable, we need parents to accompany classes for the visit.
Leading Clubs: alternatively, with netball, dance and debate to name a few, draw upon your broader experiences and lead a club.
Mystery Reader: surprise Year 1 or Year 2 before Showing Assembly with a story to share.
Volunteer programme: with teaching experience among our parent base, there are opportunities to work with children across the school and put these skills to impactful use. Occasionally, in between juggling parenting, managing a home and attending to work commitments, our families are able to volunteer some of their time to contribute to life at Ravenstone in a hands-on way. Beyond engaging as a Friend of Ravenstone (our PTA) and knowledge and skillset dependent, family members have:

led lunchtime hockey and debate clubs

listened to children read in year 1 and year 2

delivered high quality intervention programmes

supported children 1:1 and in small groups.

If this is something you would be interested in contributing to, we would welcome a conversation. Please contact our Assistant Headteacher, Karis Stanislaus.

FRIENDS OF RAVENSTONE (PTA)

The kindness of our whole school community shines through our parent-teacher association: the ‘Friends of Ravenstone’ (FoR), a registered charity and the fundraising arm of Ravenstone Primary School. The principal aim of the FoR is to raise funds for the school for expenses not covered by the school budget. The money raised is used to enrich our children's experiences, both in learning and play, from subsidising renovations and technology upgrades, to Easter Egg hunts and Christmas gifts.

The Friends of Ravenstone runs a number of events each year - some to raise funds (including the principal fundraising events RavenSTOCK and RavenSNOW - the summer and Christmas fairs) and others simply for fun (International Afternoon and Rave’n’Bop - the school disco). While most events are for the entire family, there are adult only events such as the popular quiz night. The events are a great way to meet and socialise with other parents. We all want the best for our children, and this is a way to help achieve it whilst having some fun!

Once you join Ravenstone, you automatically become a ‘Friend of Ravenstone’ and will always be welcomed into the school as part of our community. This involves as much participation as you wish - you can organise events, you can come to events, you can do nothing at all, it's totally up to you! If you want to make a real difference to your child's school and become part of the community there is no better way.

BALHAM - A WONDERFUL PLACE TO GROW UP

Balham is a place where families feel at home. It’s a lively, friendly neighbourhood with the perfect mix of green space, community spirit, and city convenience. From lazy afternoons on Tooting Common to browsing the weekend markets, there’s always something for families to enjoy.

Children here grow up surrounded by opportunities - sports clubs, music groups, libraries, and creative workshops are all on our doorstep. The high street buzzes with cafés, shops, and places to meet friends, while excellent transport links put the rest of London just minutes away.

Our school is part of this vibrant local story. We make the most of everything Balham has to offer - learning in the park, visiting the library, taking part in community events - so that children’s education is woven into the life of the neighbourhood. Here, your child will not only learn well, but grow up feeling part of something special.

Green spaces on your doorstep: Tooting Common & Wandsworth Common for play, sport, and family days out.
Family-friendly activities: Sports clubs, dance & drama schools, libraries, toddler groups, and creative workshops.
Thriving high street: Independent cafés, restaurants, shops, and lively weekend markets.
Community events: Food festivals, seasonal celebrations, art exhibitions, and local fairs.
Excellent connections: Northern Line, National Rail, and bus routes into central London and beyond.
Strong community spirit: A welcoming, diverse, and supportive place to live and learn.