Ethos & Values
At Walkington Primary School

Everything we do at Walkington School can be tracked back to three overarching aims:

  • To enable every child to become a successful learner
  • To encourage every child to get the most out of life
  • To ensure every child is confident and likes the person they are.

We are tremendously proud of the characteristics and values our pupils display, both in school and beyond. We also recognise that the skills and attributes we share will stay with our children into adulthood, and will shape the lives they lead long after they leave us. We reiterate to them that school is only partly about the acquisition of knowledge, skills and qualifications; while this will undoubtedly open doors in the future, it is the person they are, not the qualification they hold, that will take them through these doors and on to success and happiness.

We are also aware of the complex world that our children live in, and the opportunities and challenges this brings. We realise too that our children are likely to live, study and work in many diverse places throughout Britain and beyond. We firmly believe that the moral compass provided at Walkington School will serve them well in this world, and allow them to appreciate and enjoy the full breadth of modern life.

We are mindful too of the pressures society places on our younger members, often through the channels of social media or advertising. We are committed to helping all our pupils understand and deal with these messages, and encouraging them to feel good about themselves. As a school, we celebrate individuality and value the diversity this brings.

Whilst upholding the Government’s ‘modern British’ values of democracy, liberty, the rule of law and tolerance of other faiths and cultures, we generally use the broader definition of ‘human values’ when sharing them with children. Through our lessons, our assemblies and the actions of our staff, we seek to promote these and other key characteristic such as kindness and honesty.

We use a range of resources and texts, often from organisations such as Stonewall and Amnesty, as age appropriate starting points for discussion. We believe in an inclusive society, with no place for bullying or discrimination. In the extremely rare instances of children demonstrating inappropriate behaviour relating to any individual’s characteristics, we will use this as an opportunity for restorative work to reinforce the school’s ethos and values. Upon hearing about our work on human rights, we were delighted when the Archbishop of York asked to visit our school to find out more.

This statement hopefully provides an insight into this vital aspect of the school’s work. The best way to appreciate this, however, is to spend time in school and around our children; I sincerely believe they embody these values, and will take them with them into later life. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you wish to discuss further the aims of the school in this area.

Mr Chris Bullough
Headteacher

“Learning in early years gets off to a good start. As a result of effective teaching and provision, children progress well from their starting points.”

Ofsted comments

“Staff welcome the professional development they receive and say that this makes a real difference to the quality of their teaching.”

Ofsted comments

“By the end of Year 6, outcomes are high in reading and writing. In reading, they are
particularly high.”

Ofsted comments

“The profile of sport has been raised and more pupils now compete in sporting
activities.”

Ofsted comments

“Improvements in the teaching of mathematics have helped to increase pupils’ progress and improve pupils’ ability to solve mathematical
problems.”

Ofsted comments

“The quality of teaching at Walkington Primary is underpinned by warm and caring
relationships between staff and pupils.”

Ofsted comments

“Good teaching through early years and in key stage 1 ensures that the proportion of pupils passing the Year 1 phonics screening check is consistently above average.”

Ofsted comments

“Staff encourage pupils to be resilient and take risks. Pupils know it is all right to get things wrong and that this is part of the process of learning.”

Ofsted comments

“Governors have a good understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses and
are clear about priorities and plans for improvement.”

Ofsted comments

“Governors are ambitious for the school. They challenge and support leaders effectively.”

Ofsted comments

“Exciting activities, such as visits to places of worship, generate high levels of
interest and curiosity about the themes that pupils are studying.”

Ofsted comments

“Adults give pupils
opportunities to share ideas and challenge their own thinking and this helps them to articulate their opinions with confidence.”

Ofsted comments

“The teaching of reading is good. There is a consistent approach to the teaching of
phonics.”

Ofsted comments

“Older pupils develop a good understanding of what they read. Leaders promote a love of reading and pupils say the school provides them with high-quality texts.”

Ofsted comments

“Teachers use their good subject knowledge to plan interesting tasks that engage
pupils.”

Ofsted comments

“In mathematics lessons, resources are used well to enable pupils to visualise abstract ideas and to get a more secure understanding of number.”

Ofsted comments

“Pupils listen to the opinions of others and are keen to offer their views considerately and respectfully.”

Ofsted comments

“From the moment pupils enter the school each day, they are greeted with respect and a genuine sense of care from the adults in the building.”

Ofsted comments

“Pupils behave well and are polite, articulate and respectful.”

Ofsted comments

“Parents and carers who offered their views to inspectors were overwhelmingly positive about the experiences of their children.”

Ofsted comments

“In all key stages, pupils are now making good progress from their starting points in reading, writing and mathematics.”

Ofsted comments

“The school’s welcoming and caring ethos is central to its work in raising standards for
pupils.”

Ofsted comments

“The passionate and effective leadership of senior leaders and the commitment of the staff have sustained the good quality of education at the school.”

Ofsted comments

“Effective safeguarding procedures are in place. All staff have a clear understanding of how to keep pupils safe.”

Ofsted comments

“The broad curriculum provides a wide range of enriching experiences for pupils.”

Ofsted comments

“The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare is outstanding.”

Ofsted comments

“Leaders are well trained and use their knowledge of special educational needs to identify specific requirements at an early stage and provide timely support.”

Ofsted comments

“The school is a calm, orderly and purposeful place for pupils to make the most of their learning.”

Ofsted comments

“Teachers plan interesting activities that motivate the pupils. Staff ensure that all pupils are valued and included in learning.”

Ofsted comments