Families

At Ribbon, we strive to create a positive and inclusive environment that encourages our six Virtues: Resilience, Empathy, Self-awareness, Positivity, Excellence, Communication & Teamwork. As part of this effort, we operate a Family System, which plays a vital role in our school culture.

The Family System is designed to foster community spirit and healthy competition among our children. On entry to school, each child is assigned to a Family, which becomes their team throughout their time at Ribbon. Each Family has its own unique name, colour, and relevance which typically represent our six Ribbon Virtues. Siblings are usually placed in the same House to strengthen family involvement.

Through the Family System, students participate in a variety of activities, including (although not restricted to): Academic challenges Sports competitions and events, and National celebrations

Family names are refreshed every 5 years to ensure relevance. Names of famous people who embody all Ribbon Virtues are identified by the Ribbon Parliament and voted for the entire school community.

2025 > 2030

The Dahl Family

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl was a famous author who wrote some of the most fun and magical children’s books ever! He was born on 13th September 1916 in Wales.

When he was a boy, Roald loved telling stories and going on adventures. As he grew up, he became a pilot during World War II! After the war, he started writing—and that is when the magic really began!

Roald Dahl wrote many books that children all over the world still love today. Some of his most famous stories are:

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
  • Matilda
  • The BFG
  • James and the Giant Peach
  • The Twits

His stories are full of imagination, silly characters, and surprising twists. He also made up hundreds of new words like “scrumdiddlyumptious” and “gloriumptious”!

Roald Dahl passed away in 1990, but his books are still read and loved by millions. He showed that stories can be wild, funny, full of wonder—and that reading is a great adventure!

 

The Biles Family

Simone Biles

 

Simone Biles is one of the greatest gymnasts in the world! She was born on 14th March 1997 in Ohio, USA. When she was a little girl, she was full of energy and loved flipping around her house. At 6 years old, she tried gymnastics—and she was amazing at it!

She competed in the Olympics in 2016 and 2020. In 2016, she won 4 gold medals and 1 bronze! At the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), Simone made a brave decision to step back from some events to take care of her mental health. Everyone was proud of her for speaking up and showing that taking care of your mind is just as important as your body.

Simone Biles has recently achieved remarkable success in gymnastics including winning multiple medals at the May Paris Olympics and the World Championships.

She notably secured gold medals in team all-around individual events in Paris, along with silver in floor exercise at the World Championships. Her total World Championship medal count is now more than any other gymnast in history.

Simone is also known for her big smile, resilience, courage, and being a role model for kids everywhere. She shows us that with hard work, kindness, and bravery, we can do amazing things.

The Rigg Family

Chris Rigg

 

Chris Rigg was born on 18th June 2007. He is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Sunderland AFC. Chris was born in Hebburn in the Northeast of England and joined Sunderland AFC when he was still in primary school.

Chris Rigg made his professional debut in the game against Shrewsbury Town on 7th January 2023. In doing so, he became the second youngest player in Sunderland history. Following his debut, he was promoted to the Sunderland first team, having to train with them every day or two days a week, as he was still in school.

He scored his first competitive goal for Sunderland in an EFL Cup tie against Crewe Alexandra on 8th August 2023. The goal did not only become historic for him but also for the club as it made him their second youngest scorer ever at just sixteen years old! In September 2024, Chris signed a new contract with Sunderland that will keep him at the Stadium of Light until May 2027; this deal also saw him promoted permanently into their senior squad!

Chris Rigg’s back-heeled goal against Middlesbrough on 21 September 2024 earned him the EFL Championship Goal of the Month award! After being nominated again for April 2025, he was named EFL Championship Young Player of the Year!

Through hard work, determination and commitment, Chris has achieved great success at a very young age & he is an inspiration to all young footballers!

The Fender Family

Sam Fender

 

Sam Fender is a singer and songwriter from England. He was born on 25th April 1994, in a town called North Shields, near the sea in the north of England.

Sam loved music from a young age. He learned to play the guitar when he was a teenager and began writing his own songs. His music is known for being powerful and emotional, and he often sings about real-life things like growing up, family, and how people feel inside (good, bad or indifferent).

In 2019, Sam released his first big album called Hypersonic Missiles, and it was a HUGE hit! People loved his strong voice and honest lyrics. He won many awards and became one of the most popular new musicians in the UK. In 2021, he released another album called Seventeen Going Under which became even more popular.

Sam is very proud of where he comes from and often talks about his hometown and how it shaped him into the musician he is today. Sam is a lifelong Newcastle United fan and this is very evident at his gigs. He also speaks out about mental health and encourages people to take care of their feelings.

Sam Fender shows that with passion, hard work, and love for music you can follow your dreams!

The Attenborough Family

Sir David Frederick Attenborough

David Attenborough is a famous explorer, nature lover, and TV presenter. He was born on 8th May 1926 in England. He has spent his whole life learning about animals, plants, and the amazing world we live in.

David became well known by making nature documentaries—TV shows that take people on adventures to jungles, oceans, deserts, and even the Arctic! His calm voice and love for animals have helped millions of people learn about nature.

Some of his most famous shows are:

  • Planet Earth
  • Blue Planet
  • Our Planet
  • Life on Earth

David wants everyone to take care of our planet. He teaches us how important it is to protect animals, trees, and the oceans so they stay safe and healthy for the future.

Even though he’s now in his 90s, David Attenborough is still working hard to help people understand the beauty of the natural world. He’s a true hero for nature and a national treasure!

Children earn Dojo Points for their Family by demonstrating our Ribbon Virtues. At the end of each week, the child will the most Dojo Points is recognised and celebrated in Celebration Assembly. At the end of the school year, the Family with the most points is awarded the Family Cup, celebrating their collective achievements.

This system not only encourages children to do their best but also helps them build friendships across different year groups, develop leadership skills, and take pride in their school community. We believe that the Family System enhances the overall learning experience and contributes to each child’s personal and social development.

We encourage parents/carers to support their child’s Family by celebrating their achievements and engaging in school events.

‘Pupils feel safe and have positive attitudes towards learning, understanding and demonstrating the school’s values.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Behaviour and Attitudes: Behaviour and attitudes at the school are rated “Good”. Pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards learning and demonstrate a strong understanding of the school’s values.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Quality of Education: The quality of education provided is considered “Good”. The curriculum is broad, inspiring, and well-thought-out, enabling pupils to build on their knowledge progressively.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘The quality of education at the school is “Good”, with a broad and inspiring curriculum that builds knowledge progressively.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Parents are highly supportive of the school, agreeing that their children are happy and well-supported.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘The school has a strong safeguarding culture, with effective systems in place to ensure the welfare and safety of all pupils.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Leadership and management are “Good”, demonstrating high ambitions for all pupils and a strong culture of mutual support among staff.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Reading and Literacy: Reading is prioritised, with an effective phonics program starting in the early years. Pupils’ love for reading is nurtured through various competitions and a well-stocked library.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Community and Extracurricular Activities: Pupils engage in activities like ‘Ribbon Radio’ and the ‘Poets’ Podium’, developing confidence and showcasing their talents. The school also runs breakfast clubs, after-school activities, and a community café, enhancing the sense of community and belonging.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Safety and Well-being: Pupils feel safe at the school, describing it as a “safe spot”. There is a strong culture of safeguarding, with effective systems in place to report and follow up on concerns. The pastoral team works tirelessly to ensure the welfare of all pupils.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Personal Development: Personal development at the school is rated “Outstanding”. The curriculum provides a wide range of experiences that prepare pupils for success beyond the school gates, including educational visits and active citizenship opportunities.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Personal development is “Outstanding”, offering a wide range of experiences that prepare pupils for success beyond the school.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Behaviour and attitudes are rated “Good”, with pupils showing positive behaviour both in and out of lessons.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Pupils thrive in an inclusive, nurturing environment where their accomplishments are celebrated.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Early years provision is rated “Outstanding”, with staff providing a magical learning journey that encourages curiosity and independence.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘The Ribbon Academy is rated as “Good” overall, reflecting high standards in various aspects of school performance.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Reading is a priority, with an effective phonics program starting in early years, fostering a love for reading among pupils.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘The school provides rich extracurricular opportunities, such as “Ribbon Radio” and the “Poets’ Podium”, which help develop pupils’ confidence.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Leadership and Management: Leadership and management are rated “Good”. Leaders have high ambitions for every pupil, and there is a strong culture of mutual support and teamwork among the staff. The governing body and trustees are knowledgeable and committed to the success of the pupils.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Inclusivity and Nurturing Environment: The school is described as inclusive and nurturing, with high expectations for pupils’ behaviour and achievements. Celebratory displays showcase pupils’ accomplishments, creating a positive and inspiring learning environment.’

OFSTED COMMENTS

‘Early Years Provision: The provision for early years is rated “Outstanding”. The staff provide an exceptional range of carefully planned learning activities that encourage curiosity, independence, and the development of spoken language from day one.’

OFSTED COMMENTS