To foster a positive attitude to study, we seek to present learning experiences which are enjoyable and enable the children to become actively involved in their work so that they give their best, achieve standards which reflect their true ability and face life with confidence.
Recognising (Rewarding)
Every effort is made to recognise and reward positive attitude, good effort and high achievement, whether it be by an individual, a group, a class or a whole year group. Good attendance, hard work, improved behaviour, helpfulness, sporting and cultural activity, individual initiative and public service are all encouraged; and recognised through awarded merit, attendance and special commendation certificates, full attendance certificates and public recognition in assemblies and the school’s termly newsletter.
School Council
At West End we believe in including the views of our pupils in decisions. Pupils are given responsibility for helping the school on important matters through the school council where elected members from all tutor groups meet regularly to discuss and make recommendations on a range of issues.
Pupil Welfare
At West End we believe that children best realise their potential when they feel secure and content; hence, pastoral care is given a high priority within the school.
It is important that children feel cared for and that they know precisely to whom they can turn if they have a problem.
Every pupil at the school is a member of a form group and it is the form tutor who is at the forefront of the pastoral care system and who will oversee the social development and academic progress of each individual in that group. Each form tutor keeps a close eye on progress and provides informed support and guidance.
Student Planners
Every pupil at the school is presented with a planner to keep track of homework and letters. This can also be used to pass messages between home and school. It should be signed weekly by both parent and form teacher.
Extra Curricular Activities
School and education is not just about work in the classroom. West End is committed to develop the talents of its pupils in a wide range of areas.
Examples of activities offered include:
- Musical productions
- Rugby
- Netball
- Scrabble Club
- French catch-up class
- Gardening Club
- Music Technical Group
- Gymnastics
- Dance
- Basketball
- Craft Club
- Tag Rugby
- Mental Maths Club
- Choir
- Indoor Athletics
- Football
- Warhammer Club
- Boyzonly Choir
- Cross country
- Rounders
- Dry ski slope skiing
West End also provides opportunities for a range of educational visits throughout the year and each year group has the additional opportunity of a residential experience. These have included visits to outdoor activity centres in Wales and the Lake District, London, Brittany, the Dordogne; the school also undertakes a very successful skiing trip to Switzerland every two years.
All pupils are encouraged to take part in some extra curricular activity.
Partnership
West End encourages parents to play an active role in the life of the school and their children’s education.
The school values the partnership of working with parents in ensuring students fulfil their potential. Parents have a crucial role to play in supporting the expectations of the school and promoting positive attitudes and values of pupils to school life.
Contact is maintained with parents in a variety of forms. Students’ progress is reported through parents’ evenings, formal reports and individual target setting discussions. Information is shared with parents through a prospectus, information booklets, organised meetings, school newsletters, the school website, governors’ reports, pupil planners and letters. Parents need to check the efficiency of ‘student post’ regularly. |