The Social Context of our School
Geographical Location
Woodside School is located in the Gatacre Ward of the border market town of Oswestry, Shropshire.
The ethnic composition of our school
Woodside School is the largest primary school in Shropshire with 499 children on roll, Year FS2 – Year 6 (March 2013). The ethnic composition of the school is primarily white English with an increasing number of White Eastern and CEntral European children.
Racist incidents in our school and within the local community
No racist incident occurred in our school during the academic year 2011/2012. No racist incidents within the local community were made known to the school.
Pupil mobility
There is very little pupil mobility other than individual families moving into/out of/across the local community. At the present time there are no traveller, refugee or asylum seeker children. 4% of our children have EAL and 13 languages are spoken in our school.
Demographic trends in the area
Numbers on roll have increased markedly over the past few years.
Our Statement of Values
The self
We value ourselves as unique human beings capable of spiritual, moral, intellectual and physical growth and development.
On the basis of these values, we should:
- develop an understanding of our own characters, strengths and weaknesses
- develop self-respect and self-discipline
- clarify the meaning and purpose in our lives and decide, on the basis of this, how we believe that our lives should be lived
- make responsible use of our talents, rights and opportunities
- strive, throughout life, for knowledge, wisdom and understanding
- take responsibility, within our capabilities, for our own lives.
Relationships
We value others for themselves, not only for what they have or what they can do for us. We value relationships as fundamental to the development and fulfillment of ourselves and others, and to the good of the community.
On the basis of these values, we:
- respect others, including children
- care for others and exercise goodwill in our dealings with them
- show others they are valued
- earn loyalty, trust and confidence
- work cooperatively with others
- respect the privacy and property of others
- resolve disputes peacefully.
Society
We value truth, freedom, justice, human rights, the rule of law and collective effort for the common good. In particular, we value families as sources of love and support for all their members, and as the basis of a society in which people care for others.
On the basis of these values, we:
- understand and carry out our responsibilities as citizens
- refuse to support values or actions that may be harmful to individuals or communities
- support families in raising children and caring for dependants
- support the institution of marriage
- recognise that the love and commitment required for a secure and happy childhood can also be found in families of different kinds
- help people to know about the law and legal processes
- respect the rule of law and encourage others to do so
- respect religious and cultural diversity
- promote opportunities for all
- support those who cannot, by themselves, sustain a dignified life-style
- promote participation in the democratic process by all sectors of the community
- contribute to, as well as benefit fairly from, economic and cultural resources
- make truth, integrity, honesty and goodwill priorities in public and private life.
The environment
We value the environment, both natural and shaped by humanity, as the basis of life and a source of wonder and inspiration.
On the basis of these values, we:
- accept our responsibility to maintain a sustainable environment for future generations
- understand the place of human beings within nature
- understand our responsibilities for other species
- ensure that development can be justified
- preserve balance and diversity in nature wherever possible
- preserve areas of beauty and interest for future generations
- repair, wherever possible, habitats damaged by human development and other means.
The Aims of this Policy
- to enable us to systematically establish, implement, monitor and evaluate racial equality good practice across all areas of school life.
- To help to promote racial equality and good race relations and to tackle and avoid racial discrimination.
Woodside School is committed to:
- promoting racial equality, good race relations and challenging racial discrimination. This is reflected in all school policies, procedures, processes and practices
- ensuring everyone, irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin or their citizenship, feels welcome and valued and able to achieve their full potential
- protecting the rights of all pupils, staff, parents, governors and visitors to the school
- respecting and valuing differences
- meeting the diverse needs of its pupils
- preparing pupils for life in a multiethnic society
- acknowledging the existence of racism and being proactive in tackling and eliminating racial discrimination
As a school we commit ourselves to ensuring that:
- all pupils achieve their full potential.
- challenging racism and celebrating diversity and racial equality is addressed across all areas of the curriculum.
- the school utilises the experiences and expertise of all pupils, parents, staff, and members of the local community
- few pupils are excluded from the school, the incidents have been fully investigated, the exclusions are just and fair and that the school is able to demonstrate that, for every instance, the process has been just and fair
- parental involvement is high across all racial groups
- membership of the governing body reflects the local population and retention rates for black and ethnic minority governors match the rates for the whole governing body.
- incidents of racism and racial harassment are dealt with quickly, firmly and sensitively
- all staff feel valued and are able to contribute fully to all aspects of the school’s work
- the school works effectively in partnership with a wide variety of local organisations, including groups representing the minority ethnic population
- there is increased trust and satisfaction from all parents, pupils and staff and a rich and diverse sense of community within the school
- the school is respected for its commitment and effectiveness in the race equality field.
Our Commitment to Racial Equality
Leadership and management, including work with agencies, particularly catering
Leadership and management is positive and proactive in ensuring that discrimination in all forms is undermined and challenged.
Staff recruitment, retention and professional development
All recruitment processes and procedures are positive, developmental and non-discriminatory.
Admissions
All children are admitted to our school in an equal, fair, non-discriminatory manner.
Special needs/social inclusion
We employ:
- an EY/KS1 Learning Support Manager
- a KS2 Learning Support Manager
- a team of Learning Support Assistants
- a team of Learning Mentors
- a team of Literacy/Numeracy Support Assistants
- a team of Classroom Assistants
- an Inclusion Manager
all of whom work closely with teacher colleagues in ensuring that we all strive to meet the individual needs of all children.
The Special Needs Code of Practice is in place and staff have received training in its application and structures.
Curriculum including extra-curricular activities
All children have access to:
- a broad, balanced National Curriculum differentiated to meet group and individual needs
- age related extra-curricular activities. These are likely to include:
- Year 5/6 Football
- Year 3/4 Football
- KS1 Football
- Year 5/6 Netball
- Year 3/4 Netball
- KS1 Netball
- Year 5/6 Hockey
- KS2 Rugby
- KS2 Indoor Athletics
- KS2 Cross Country
- KS2 Basketball
- KS2 Rounders
- Karate
- Ju Jitsu
- KS2 Dance
- Year 5/6 Drama
- Year 3/4 Drama
- KS1 Drama
- Year 5/6 Art
- Year 3/4 Art
- Eco Club
- KS1 Art
- KS2 Choir
- Piano
- Music lessons in violin, guitar, brass, woodwind, guitar and percussion.
Teaching and learning
Our curriculum is very well planned and a range of teaching styles utilised to meet the learning situation.
Assessment, recording and reporting progress including monitoring of attainment
The attainment of all children is carefully monitored. All children undertake standardized NFER Literacy and Numeracy Tests throughout KS2 and end of KS1, end of KS2 SATs and non-statutory SATs in Years 3-5 unless a particular need makes this inappropriate.
Subject policies including PSHE and Citizenship, Literacy, Numeracy and ICT
All subject policies contain a statement in relation to equal opportunity.
Behaviour/discipline including exclusions, and anti-bullying and harassment policies including racism, racial harassment
We have policies for:
- Behaviour
- Attendance
- Equal Opportunities
- Midday Supervision
- Race Equality
We have a very proactive approach to any form of bullying but are also reactive to any issues that need to be managed.
We have adopted Shropshire LA’s Personnel Policy.
Personal development, welfare and guidance
We emphasise the importance of Personal/Social/Health Education and Citizenship throughout school. We have a spiral curriculum that revisits and develops key areas as the child gets older. The key areas of learning are:
- Personal safety
- Personal hygiene
- Relationships
- Substance abuse
- Drug, alcohol and tobacco awareness
- Community
- Dealing with bullying
- Racism
- Sexism
Our pastoral management of the school promotes tolerance and empathy. We promote a world view in which all cultures and religions are respected.
Attendance
Our attendance policy is aimed at maximising attendance across the school. We are very empathetic to religious/culturally related absence.
Partnership with parents and the community
We work very hard to develop and maintain positive relationships with all of our families and our wider community. We:
- Publish regular newsletters
- Keep in regular written communication with all families
- Hold formal parent/carer consultation meetings three times a year
- Encourage all Early Years and KS1 parents/carers to come into school every morning to settle their child, meet staff etc
- Have a very active, supportive parent/community group (The Friends of Woodside School)
- Have many volunteers working in school
- Have an “open door” policy
- Promote ourselves positively within our immediate and wider communities
Responsibilities
| The governing body is responsible | The governing body will |
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| The Headteacher is responsible | The Headteacher, with the support of all staff, is responsible for |
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| Teaching staff are responsible for | All staff are aware of |
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Visitors and contractors are responsible for complying with the school’s race equality policy.
If a racist incident occurs
- Any racist incident is investigated and managed quickly, sensitively and firmly in line with our behaviour/discipline policy and, where adults are involved, through the school’s Personnel Policy.
- All incidents and actions taken, including those not involving persons such as graffiti etc, are recorded.
- The Governing Body and LA receive reports of all racist incidents.
Monitoring Learning Outcomes
Monitoring outcomes by groups
The following are monitored and evaluated by Special Educational Need, English as an additional language (EAL), gender and ethnicity:
- Pupil attainment, progress and target setting for all key stages
- admissions
- attendance
- behaviour incidents including:
- racist incidents
- drug incidents
- bullying and other harassment incidents
- rewards and sanctions including temporary and permanent exclusions
- participation in extra-curricular activities and residential experiences
Staff and governors
Senior managers and governors monitor:
- recruitment
- retention
- performance management
- professional development
to ensure that equal opportunity is offered and discrimination challenged.