As a result of the school's very caring ethos and strong support for pupils, their personal
development is outstanding. Relationships are excellent. Pupils and their parents say that the
caring way that older pupils look after younger pupils promotes a 'family' atmosphere in school.
As a result, pupils are happy at school, feel valued, and safe. Pupils show their outstanding
spiritual, moral and social development through their excellent behaviour and consideration
for others. The school has worked very effectively to ensure that the various cultures represented
in the local and wider communities are respected and celebrated, and this strongly supports
pupils' excellent cultural development and contributes to good community cohesion. Pupils
develop a very good understanding about the diversity of British society through their work in
music, art, geography and religious education. Pupils spoke with enthusiasm about International
Week, where they learn about cultures around the world, and the 'wedding project', in which
they studied the wedding ceremony in different faith groups. (Ofsted 2009)

One of the major strengths of the school is its caring ethos. We aim to provide a great community in which to learn, work and participate. Each child is valued as an individual and success is celebrated. The School Council, made up of pupils from each class, discusses and helps resolve issues important to the children.

We guide all children to:

• Develop the skills and confidence to become caring reflective citizens
• Become motivated and inspired to take their own learning forward with excitement and enthusiasm to meet their full potential
• Treat others as they would be treated
• Be independent, well balanced and self assured
• Foster spiritual awareness rooted in a Christian ethos

Pupils show their great enjoyment of school through their excellent attendance and enthusiastic
participation in school activities. The school council allows pupils to take responsibility and to
develop an understanding of the democratic process at an early age. Pupils are very involved
in decisions about, for instance, improving the facilities in the playground, making changes to
the school uniform and raising money to sponsor a child living abroad. Opportunities, such as
becoming a play leader, allow older pupils to work with adults in helping younger pupils to
enjoy playtimes. (Ofsted 2009)

At Wootton we have a culture of praise, celebrating success in every way possible. We are constantly looking for the ‘good’, whether in attitude, work or behaviour, and self-discipline is encouraged. Achievements are acknowledged with a system of stickers, merits, certificates and shields.

Simple, common sense rules are devised by staff and children together, emphasising kindness and thoughts for others. Any behaviour problems are dealt with promptly, talking and listening to the child concerned and involving parents when necessary. An individual system may be devised to help the child. All children are encouraged to speak up if they are not happy with a situation, first to the other child/children concerned and then to an adult. Good behaviour is one of the issues discussed by our School Council, a group of elected children who discuss and help resolve issues pertinent to the children.