Ethos and Values Statement

Everyone at Woodlands School believes that all pupils have an equal right to an outstanding education. We have open expectations about what our pupils can achieve and do not believe in limiting their experiences or challenges because of their needs. We strive to ensure all pupils are given a robust and long-term communication system to ensure they have a voice.

Pupil and staff well-being is at the centre of our provision and we have many strategies in place to support our pupils and staff to enjoy their time at Woodlands and ensure everyone is fulfilled.

We believe that high levels of staff training is crucial for giving the pupils the best possible education we can to ensure that “Together, everyone achieves.”

Our School Vision Statements is to:

• Recognise and meet the individual needs and potential of every pupil, in all aspects of learning, through a professional and caring approach.
• Allow pupils to develop confidence through a range of activities in a safe environment, where everyone is treated with respect.
• Build strong, supportive teams, by working together with parents and health professionals and so provide a holistic approach to learning.

All of which ensures that Woodlands is a happy, motivating, welcoming and challenging environment for all.

British Values:

The Department for Education state that there is a 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.”

At Woodlands School, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:

Democracy:

Work hard to ensure our pupils are given a way of communicating and we ensure their voices are heard. We have a Lower and Upper School council, which meet regularly and bring ideas from their class. We have been able to use these ideas to make changes in the school and feed into the whole school development plan. The school council members are voted in by their class each year.

The Rule of Law:

The importance of Laws can be a very difficult concept for our pupils. We ensure that our pupils are exposed to ‘rules’ in a number of ways appropriate to their needs. School rules are written in a positive way to show the behaviours we like to see in school. These are shared each week in a whole school assembly. Class rules are written and shared in classes and ‘learning behaviours’ are shared at the beginning of each lesson.  Where possible and appropriate for the group, pupils are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws and the consequences when rules and laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service help reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty:

Within school, developing our pupils’ communication is our priority. Each individual pupil is actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. In classes, we provide boundaries for all pupils to make choices safety, through of provision of a safe environment and empowering education.

Mutual Respect:

Our pupils rely on the adults around them to model and demonstrate mutual respect. Through showing respect to each individual pupil, our pupils are provided with the best tools to learn how to treat others. Our PSHE lessons have a focus on being a good friend and how to treat others as well as looking at units on ourselves and differences.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:

It can be very difficult for our pupils to understand the concepts of belief and faith but we ensure that we celebrate our achievements, successes and differences. Through our RE syllabus, we cover a range of different faiths through a multi-sensory learning environment, to ensure our pupils are able to experience different cultures and traditions in a way that is meaningful to them.