Learning to be happy

School should be a happy place where children want to come and enjoy the many different experiences, interactions and events that make up each day.  Happy children are more open to learning new things, more likely to grasp new opportunities and more likely to spread that happiness to others.

Happiness in school

Each child at Lockwood Primary needs to learn and understand the importance of being happy.  Growing up with a positive outlook on life and the challenges it may bring will help them take control of their own mental health and wellbeing, and equally as importantly, help to show how they can influence others in similar way.

We will work closely with our families to ensure that children enjoy coming to school; that they see the environment as a safe and happy place and that the adults who share it with them are there to support and guide them.  As a small school, our staff know the children and their backgrounds very well.  Teachers work very closely with each other and know that every child in school is their responsibility.

We work hard to create a calm, welcoming and freindly environment where behaviour is good, relationships are strong and any problems are identified and solved quickly.  Pupils know their responsibilities for behaving well, being kind, telling the truth and supporting each other.  

We celebrate the success of our pupils together as a school.  We provide opportunities to show our different talents and personalities and we work hard to help children take responsibility for their own mental health.

Happiness at home

We provide excellent pastoral support to our children and their families.  We work hard to include parents in the life of the school and provide regular opportunities for them to discuss their child's education.  We have very experienced staff who know what support and services are available for local families.  Where issues need to be addressed this is done quickly and with the best interests of the child as the focus.  We communicate with parents in a number of different ways to guide, inform and celebrate our work

Happiness out and about

We teach the children to value and respect the beautiful area that they live in.  We show them how to keep safe in a countryside village setting and how they can and should play their part as members of the local community.  We teach children about the history of the local area and its important contributions to local industry.  We want them to be happy and proud to live in Boosbeck and the surrounding area.  

Our values are British Values

The work we do in school reflects the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance.

What we do - Democracy

The school council elections are held every year reflecting the democratic process of nomination, canvassing, policy, voting and declaration.  The school council has a real presence in school, making decisions about fundraising and school events and collecting pupil voice.

The school regularly canvasses the views of parents and pupils and helps children to develop skills in conflict resolution.  We teach about and promote  public service organisations and institutions – the local library, the fire service, the school crossing patrols.  We have strong links with community groups and the local elected officials.

The school highlights local and national events and the work of the government in Westminster.  Pupils know their local MP and have welcomed him into the school on many occasions.

Opportunities are taken in each year group to make decisions as a group for example in voting on the next story to be read in class.  

What we do - The rule of law

Pupils at Lockwood behave very well.  They understand the reasons for rules in school and this allows staff to reinforce the rule of law in everyday life.  Pupils know right from wrong and the consequence of the choices they make.  By 'learning to be happy' we teach them that they have a responsibility to make others happy through the actions they take.

We promote good behaviour through inspiring public figures, linked to our Aspire Award scheme and teach children about the role of the police and the justice system and the need to respect it.  We welcome the local police community support officers into school regularly and teach about the history of crime and punishment in our year 6 history topic.

Through our PSHE curriculum, we help the children to recognise peer pressure and to take responsibility for their own choices.

What we do - Individual liberty

Pupils are taught in a safe and supportive environment where they are encouraged to consider options and make choices.  Through our PSHE lessons, pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms safely.  We have strong school council which supports children in exercising their rights and opinions and we have a range of options for self directed playtimes and lunchtimes.  

We have a strong anti-bullying culture at Lockwood Primary School with clear, well-understood boundaries.  We actively challenge stereotyping and ensure that the diverse nature of modern British society is represented in school - for example through the careful choice of the inspirational people used on our Aspire Awards.

What we do - Mutual Respect and Tolerance

We teach our pupils that their own happiness and the happiness of others is linked to a mutual respect between individuals and groups.  Adults in school model respect for each other and for pupils, families and visitors to school.  Pupils are praised for showing respect to others through good manners, positive encouragement and celebrating achievement.

Through our collective worship, PSHE and Religious Education programmes, children are helped to understand their own beliefs and those of others which may be different.  We encourage members of different faiths or religions to share their knowledge to enhance learning and visits and visitors are used when appropriate to support the learning in class.

Happy to be learning

We want the children to know that learning new knowledge and new skills makes us happier.  Our focus at Lockwood is therefore on the joy of learning.  To achieve this, our children need to be helped to understand that learning isn't easy and that the qualities of resilience, determination and effort all contribute to our well-being.  We know that aspects of school can be challenging and we want the children to develop their skills as inquisitive, independent and intuitive learners - knowing that support, guidance and reassurance will be provided when they need it.

We don't hide the fact that learning something new can be difficult and may take some time.  There are problems to be overcome, disappointment and failure to be experienced and set-backs to be endured.  Happiness is to be found not only in the success of acquiring new knowledge or skills but also in overcoming these obstacles, improving our resilience and improving our self-confidence.

The Learning Pit, by James Nottingham

The Learning Pit helps children to embrace challenges and persist in the face of difficulties.  This can deepen the learning and promote a growth mindset in the learner.

Every minute is a learning minute

We encourage our children to make the most of every learning moment, to take advantage of every new experience and to value the time they have with their friends.  We plan and deliver a packed curriculum and aim to make the most of every minute that we have with our children in school.  We work hard with our families to maximise attendance and to encourage every member of our community to cherish and value the children's education and the learning that results.

Inclusion

We believe that every child can learn and we are proud of our provision for children with Special Educational Needs.  We work hard with our families to ensure that each child has the support they need to make progress so that they leave our school with every door still open to them.  You can read more about our provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities here.

There are other external factors that can inhibit a child's learning and we work hard to support children socially and emotionally to ensure they continue to make progress towards their goals.  We have a range of support that we can call upon to help children regulate their emotions, understand their experiences and refocus on their learning. 

Inspiration and Aspiration

Our school is located in a beautiful part of rural Teesside.  The surrounding area has a history of agriculture and ironstone mining however the range of opportunities for careers in this area is limited.  We want our children to understand the history, heritage and beauty of the area where they live, while also learning about the opportunties that are available through continued education, vocational training and a wider view of the world.

Through our curriculum we use pioneeering and successful people from each field of study to inspire our pupils.  The pupils learn about their origins, backgrounds and achievements which not only provides a context for the subject but also an aspirational figure that they can hopefully relate to.  We choose people local to our school and those from further afield, those making a difference today and others from history, people who have overcome difficulties in their past and people who represent all parts of society.  Some of these inspiring people become a focus on our Aspire Award Scheme.