At Walworth we promote these values in the following ways:
Democracy
The pupil voice is a very much respected part of everyday life in Walworth School. We have a pupil elected School Council which meets regularly, usually every 8 weeks. Minutes of these meetings are kept. The Council members provide a communication system from all children to the meetings. The residential facility have regular children`s meetings and some residential children are on the school council. A major part of the ethos around democracy is that everyone has a voice and should be allowed the opportunity to speak and listened to. Staff role modelling provides a feature within this aspect to children providing numerous examples of good practice. All children are made aware of how they can contact staff, both in school and within residence, to promote ideas, feelings and concerns. Pupil and parent questionnaires are circulated regularly and opinions acted upon.
The Rule of Law
The importance of following this principle is vital if anyone, including our children, are to be able to accept the freedom, within society, that this principle allows. Our pupils will encounter many rules throughout their lives. We want them to understand that the rules govern the class, the school, their locality and the country they live in. Also they need to understand d that these rules are in place for good reasons, for the good of all and must be adhered to. Rules, both within and outside of school, will be constantly revisited to improve understanding and that, if they choose, to disregard the rules then there are consequences which will involve them. We endeavour to use real life scenarios to illustrate this aspect. Within each classroom teachers discuss class rules at the children`s level of understanding and they, at times, devise rules that they think will support order. Staff support children through trying to develop, for both individuals and groups, strategies to resolve conflict and right wrongs. Walworth has a rich and varied programme of out of school activities. Children understand that their behaviour and regard for the rules extends beyond the school itself, and they are acting as ambassadors while out on such visits. We are also promoting the development of the principle in the “real world”.
Individual Liberty
One of the most important aspects within Walworth is to create a positive culture for all of our children to make the correct choices while providing a hugely supportive environment. We ensure that children are aware of boundaries, but as long as their choices come within these boundaries then their individual liberty will be maintained. Throughout each day children are encouraged to make choices in relation to their learning and social interactions within various groupings for extra – curricular activities and within our residential setting. All children are also made aware that there are limitations to their individual liberty and they should not exceed these limits, for example within e – safety.
Mutual Respect
Respect for all is a value we strive to achieve every day in Walworth. We strongly believe that if this can be achieved then everyone`s actions and interactions lead to a much more harmonious society. Strongly linked with this is a school desire to celebrate success whether it be in or out of the classroom, academic or artistic, on the sporting field, individually or as a team, for effort and perseverance, or, within the community. No small amount of success should be missed. It is important that we also develop this feature outside school. It is important that we are able to work and play alongside others in the community and our enrichment activities promote this being fully inclusive with all age groups of people outside school. It is also our aim to try and develop the children`s respect for themselves, including those with disability. Low self – esteem and self – value need to be replaced by pride and a strong sense of worth, hopefully this can have a positive effect on all aspects of the children`s lives.
Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs
While the North East is not one of the most diverse areas of Britain we are very serious in enhancing all children`s understanding of their place in a diverse society. The main core value being, to respect the person, no matter where they come from, and disability or the colour of their skin. In school a lot of work is done promoting the fact that we are all the same but we have to accept that there are some differences that make us unique. Both formal and informal opportunities are taken to educate children within this area using either first hand experiences or those presented through the media. Developing friendships in a happy, well maintained and organised setting will allow children to accept any type of differences.
