VISION STATEMENT

The children are at the centre of everything that we do. As a learning community, we believe that all children are of equal importance and they deserve equal access to a broad, balanced curriculum in a stimulating learning environment.  This promotes active learning, lively enquiring minds and the ability to question. We believe that high self-esteem, self-confidence and happiness are central to our success as we continuously challenge ourselves to achieve the highest standards.

THE AIMS OF WOOD END SCHOOL
‘Learning Together, Respecting Each Other’

• Provide high quality and stimulating teaching that challenges and motivates the children
• Provide an ambitious and successfully adapted curriculum, designed and developed for all pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils, that is relevant to the 21st century and which promotes academic, physical, creative, social, emotional and spiritual development
• Enhances all pupil’s knowledge, skills and understanding across all subjects with a cross curricular approach, providing pupils with outstanding skills in reading, writing and mathematics, which form the cornerstone of lifelong learning.
• Help children to develop high self-esteem and self-motivation so that there is enthusiasm for learning and appropriate expectations of themselves and others, both academically and socially
• Encourage children to persevere in the face of difficulties and to make informed choices by developing their sense of personal responsibility, self-discipline and independence
• Develop our children to be valued contributors to society and to recognise the value of others
• Encourage exemplary manners, the development of positive social relationships, tolerance and respect for all members of the school and wider community
• Promote open and two-way relationships between school, home and the wider community to benefit all.  

Wood End Learner Traits

 SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT 

Wood End School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Strategic Plan 2018 to 2025

What is the purpose of the school strategic plan?

Our strategic plan sets out the goals necessary to implement the school’s vision and aims. 

We have an exceptional school. The intention of the strategic plan is to provide direction to ensure that the school develops and in doing so, continues to be exceptional.

This plan builds on the school’s evaluation of teaching, quality and standards, and anticipates the evolving needs and potential challenges over the next seven years.

It considers challenges such as budget restrictions, school places in Harpenden, teacher recruitment and allows the school to have a framework from which to take advantage of all possible opportunities. 

How do we deliver the strategic plan?

The framework of the school strategic plan is delivered through the School Development Plan, the Budget and the Asset Management Plan.

This document will be reviewed and updated each year with a more formal revision every three years.

What is the school strategic plan?

1. Maintaining Wood End as an exceptional school and ensuring best outcomes for our children by:
   • having the highest expectations of all aspects of school life including academic and sporting achievement, performance in the arts and behaviour;
   • providing an ambitious, creative and inspiring curriculum that is relevant to the 21^st century and underpinned by effective, on-going assessment for learning;
   • developing well-rounded, engaged and motivated pupils who take ownership of their learning, have appropriate expectations of behaviour and respect and feel able to contribute to all aspects of school life;
   • working in collaboration with other schools and sharing best practice; and
   • increasing awareness and promoting the importance of the mental health and well-being of our children and staff.  

2. Providing a culturally sensitive and tolerant learning environment where the arts and sports are recognised alongside academic attainment by:
   • promoting cultural awareness, enabling our children to respect and learn from each other;
   • exposing our pupils to a range of experiences to prepare them for the modern world;
   • maintaining Wood End’s reputation for strong academic success;
   • encouraging children to express their individuality through the provision of a broad range of opportunities across sport, the arts and music and celebrating their achievements; and
   • encouraging children to bring their own knowledge, skills and beliefs into the learning environment. 

3. Focusing on teaching skills and staff development by:
   • providing a depth and breadth of professional development which responds to individual ambitions and needs; and
   • being recognised as a school of choice by staff due to support for development of skills. 

4. Preparing today’s children for tomorrow’s world by:
   • teaching children to be independent learners who are emotionally resilient and adaptive to change;
   • continuing to improve the quality of ICT provision;
   • anticipating and adapting our teaching and learning to reflect the evolution of the digital world; and
   • acknowledging the impact of climate change. We will help to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the environment through our pupils. Working with the eco council is one example. 

5. Having a planned approach to revenue generation by:
   • optimising the school estate to achieve maximum opportunities for broad commercial use; and
   • seeking financial support from all possible sources. 

6. Investing in the school estate by:
   • allowing for more flexible use to cope with evolving demands;
   • providing modern, well-equipped facilities which meet the needs of pupils in a changing world; and
   • acknowledging the impact of climate change. We will help to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the environment through sustainability in our spending choices.