Our values
At The Willows Primary School
- We know that children learn best when learning is enjoyable and challenging
- We strive to provide an exciting, creative and positive environment where children can learn.
- We recognise that children arrive with a wide range of experiences, talents and needs.
- We have high expectations of our pupils, nurturing their talents within an inclusive learning environment.
- We ensure children learn to make decisions for themselves so that they can become independent thinkers.
- We value achievement and have high expectations of behaviour so that the children feel safe within the school environment.
- We encourage support from home and ensure a positive partnership with parents and the local community.
- We are committed to safeguarding children
- We guide children to self evaluate enabling them to know what the next step in their learning is so that they can make good or outing progress.
‘The Willows’ believes every child is entitled to the best education and learning environment so that they can succeed and extend themselves for their future learning.
British Values at The Willows
Promoting British Values Statement
The DfE have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”
As directed under new OFSTED guidance, September 2014, we at The Willows Primary School take opportunities to actively promote British Values, defined by the government as the following:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
These values are taught openly through personal, Social, Health and Emotional Education (PSHE) and through our international primary curriculum (IPC). The school also takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through whole school assemblies and class circle time.
Democracy:
Democracy is evident in the school as children have opportunities to have their voices heard through our elected School Council, and pupil questionnaires. Our foremost values and behaviour system are understood and supported by the pupils who use them to understand both rewards and sanctions.
The Rule of Law:
The importance of Laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout regular school days, dealing with behaviour and during school assemblies. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws; that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Authorities such as the Police and local community Police officers are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message.
Individual liberty:
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make choices safely, through an empowering education and a provision of safe environment. We present pupils with relevant information regarding E-Safety and personal freedoms through our computing and PSHE curriculum.
Mutual respect:
Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and pupils have been part of discussions and assemblies related to what this means and how it is shown. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Displays around the school promote respect for others and this is reiterated through our classrooms, learning rules as well as our behaviour policy.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs:
This is achieved through enhancing pupils understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity. Assemblies and discussions involving prejudices and prejudice-based bullying have been followed and supported by learning across the curriculum with specific focus in RE and PSHE. Members of different faiths or religions and those who speak languages other than English are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.
No smoking at the Willows
The Willows Primary is a Smoke Free Zone. For more information on giving up smoking please follow this link.