Ethos, Values & Aims

Our Ethos - Every Child, Every Day, Every Future

The school’s ethos and values are encapsulated in the key phrase that accompanies our logo. The strapline encapsulates three features of the school that informs the way we work with the children and school family. Firstly, Outwoods Edge serves a diverse community and we recognise that children come to school with different needs, experiences and expectations. Therefore every day in school is important to ensure that all children develop a love of learning and a belief in themselves that they can succeed. Finally, one of our key goals is to ensure that children are equipped to continue this success at secondary school and that they develop the ambition and drive to aim high when they look to the future.

Our School Values

Our core values are:

• Kindness

• Honesty

• Empathy

• Respect

• Responsibility

We expect all members of our school community to live and learn by these values, which are underpinned by our teaching of character development - see the tab on Character Education under 'Learning'.

Our Aims - The School Strategy

Our long-term Strategic plan is currently under review. Watch this space for our new Strategy Statement, coming later this year!

Strategic Plan 2015-2020

Learning Environment

By using resources both from within and outside the school, Outwoods Edge aims to maintain a Learning Environment that is safe and promotes learning. Staff will be encouraged to use the available space in a flexible and imaginative way. The school and grounds will be well maintained with up to date equipment and resources. There will be a particular emphasis on ICT. This will enable children to develop skills fit for living and working in Britain in the 21st Century.

Teaching & Learning

Children will be inspired by their lessons at Outwoods Edge. Outstanding teaching will engage all children. The lessons will form a broad and balanced curriculum, one that utilises the school’s environment and opportunities for learning further afield. Children will master the key skills set out in the National Curriculum but also develop the knowledge and understanding to flourish in modern day Britain. Teachers will always strive to engage everyone so that each child makes outstanding progress with their learning.

Financial Management

Through sound financial management, Outwoods Edge seeks to maximize the resources available to its children and staff, and support the whole learning environment, whilst ensuring the long-term stability of the school. We seek to strike a balance between meeting the immediate needs of the children, with the investments required to improve the facilities and equipment available in the longer-term, and we continually look for efficiencies which will allow the release of further funds to support the development plan. It is our 5-year goal to ensure that the school continues to ring-fence an amount equal to the school’s reserves policy (currently £70,000), and that all other funds are spent (or committed) in the support of the development plan.

Community

At Outwoods Edge, our children & staff are a valued part of the local community. Children, parents and staff participate in community activities, whether for the benefit of the school or for the benefit of other organisations. When children are out in the community, they represent our school well and are often praised for their behaviour by members of the community. School trips often make use of the local area and they enhance the learning experience of the children. They provide a valuable insight into the community that is around the children.

Staffing

At Outwoods Edge we will employ the best staff to meet the needs of the children and the school. Those who work here can look forward to a comprehensive professional development programme to enable them to plan and deliver outstanding learning opportunities for the children. Outstanding practice will be identified and shared across the school and with our partner schools in the LPAP group. All staff will be encouraged to evaluate the contribution they can make to the ongoing success of Outwoods Edge where innovation and creativity is welcomed.

Wellbeing

At Outwoods Edge we work to encourage the well-being of all pupils. Taking well-being as an approach to support physical, emotional and educational development, we will use appropriate strategies widely in school, as well as individual interventions where necessary, to help provide the best start to life for every child. We will ensure that school is a safe, supportive and secure environment with opportunities for children to learn about keeping themselves healthy.