Promoting British Values

The principle of democracy is reinforced at Welling School, with democratic processes used for important decisions within the School community. For instance, through our elected  School Council including their involvement in the election of student leadership positions. The principle of democracy is also explored in the school curriculum where applicable such as during History lessons as well as in tutor time and assemblies. Students also take an active role in staff recruitment, participating in student panels on interview days and also sharing feedback about interview lessons for teaching positions.

Our school value ‘we are active’ promotes the importance of playing an active part in our own lives and the lives of others and also in understanding our role in working together to make choices and decisions that will affect ourselves and those around us. We also promote democratic practice by: working collaboratively, enabling students to respond to teacher feedback, questioning students carefully and encouraging student dialogue.

The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are reinforced at Welling School.  Students and Parents are taught the rules and expectations of the school which are detailed in our policies.  Students are taught the value and the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.  Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service reinforces this message. 

Our behaviour policy is transparent, and our classroom expectations are fair and just, with clear procedures if they are not adhered to. Our school wide expectations are aimed at preparing our young people for the wider world, encouraging organisation, professional appearance (uniform), accountability and punctuality.

At Welling School students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Staff within the School educate and provide boundaries for students to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. We work hard to make sure our students feel safe to be themselves, working on LGBTQ+, relationships, mental and sexual health issues, as well as identity and body positivity.

Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and Tutor Time activities. Our ‘we are ambitious’ value promotes understanding about the freedom to choose, to have a wealth of opportunity and to know we have the right and freedom to set our own futures.  Students also have a range of opportunities to engage with our careers and futures programme, including the chance to practice their interview techniques. Welling School has a clear and robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a clear and effective Anti-Bullying Policy. All students sign an anti-bullying Charter as part of our collaborative approach to making our school a safe place to be.

Our students are supported in competing outside of school, whether that is in a creative field, sporting or another field. Our students are celebrated every day with reward points and regular recognition assemblies with certificates and awards. Students are taught the knowledge and skills to broaden the choices they are empowered to make about future work, travel and education and student viewpoints are integral to the option process for Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.

Respect is a strong part of the culture at Welling School. Students learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.  All members of the School community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through its teaching and learning environments. We ensure our young people understand that it is okay to have a difference of opinion and that it is important to listen to others. We have a restorative justice system in which a student and a member of staff (or student and another student) will have a conversation if a situation has arisen, allowing both parties to communicate and resolve the matter.

Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment. The school’s ‘we are kind’ value places significant emphasis on interaction with one another in addition to the school's key classroom expectations. 

This is achieved through equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity within the School community.  Through our PSHCE curriculum students will develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy and independent lives. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. All students in Years 7-9 study Philosophy and Ethics which includes our RE curriculum. This further reinforces the idea of mutual understanding and respecting those who have different beliefs or faiths and also different lifestyles.  Additionally, students are actively encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the School and celebrate festivities throughout the calendar year. 

Welling School continually strives to ensure that our students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful future and make a significant contribution to our society.