Belong - Learn - Shine

At Walton on the Hill Primary School, our vision is simple yet ambitious: to make school unmissable for every child. We believe that learning should be so rich in joy, curiosity, connection and challenge that children cannot wait to walk through our gates each morning. Our mission: Belong - Learn - Shine is not a slogan; it is the heartbeat of our school and the promise we make to every pupil and family who walks through our doors.

Central to who we are is something we fondly call “Walton-ness,” an intangible yet unmistakable sense of warmth, community and purpose that defines life in our small village school. Walton-ness is the feeling of being known and cherished, of being part of something bigger than yourself, and of growing with the confidence to take your place in the world. It is rooted in kindness, inclusion, ambition and an unshakeable belief in the potential of every child.

We nurture this Walton-ness through five powerful senses: a sense of belonging, a sense of empowerment, a sense of purpose, a sense of success, and a sense of adventure. These senses underpin all we do, ensuring that every child feels valued and included, every voice is heard, and every learner is equipped to grow academically, emotionally and socially. We insist on equity, and we champion every pupil so they can thrive, whatever their starting point.

Our broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum reflects high expectations and a deep commitment to academic excellence, personal character and creative expression. We embrace the outdoors, draw strength from our village setting and provide rich experiences that build cultural capital and ignite imagination, from Forest School to the arts, from sport to STEM, from local traditions to global thinking. We want our children to discover passions, develop resilience and build the knowledge and skills that will carry them far beyond our school gates.

At Walton on the Hill, children are encouraged to dream boldly, work hard, lift others and shine brightly. Here, learning is an adventure, everyone belongs, and each child’s success is celebrated. This is Walton-ness and it is what makes our school truly special.

Our Six Learning Values

Our learning values should be evident in all we do at school. Children are taught about the constituent elements of each value and begin to understand the importance we place on each. Assemblies are used to introduce and explore the values in greater depth, and we expect these principles are referenced in both lessons and social interactions. By emphasising the importance of these key tenets we aim to embed these values within the fabric of our curriculum, our staff and our pupils.

Our learning values are:

Collaboration is crucial to successful learning at our school. Through effective collaboration we begin to understand the importance of cooperation, teamwork and unity.

Resilience is about being determined to succeed, setting a goal and sticking to it. We aim to foster a willingness to take risks and an acceptance of failure. We take positives from all we do and learn from our mistakes. We are responsible for our own learning, and develop high self-esteem and a growth mind-set.

Respect is vital to achieving our vision. This key value incorporates inclusion, equality and diversity, as well as ensuring our interactions are polite, courteous and sensitive to the needs of others. We expect all children to have an awareness of the wider world, to celebrate difference, and respect the rights of all individuals, both in the school community and beyond.

Compassion is about kindness and concern, about friendship and love, about communicating effectively and understanding the needs of others. Through our focus on this value, we expect to develop thoughtful, considerate children who are empathetic, respectful and kind.

Creativity is the value through which we hope to inspire children to appreciate their individuality, to be imaginative and inquisitive, to inspire and be inspired. We aim to nurture originality and dynamism through continued exposure to the latest design, technological innovations and art.

Curiosity is key to a love of learning. By focussing on this value, we aim to encourage children to become active learners and to be curious and confident when experiencing new things. Exploring the world beyond their own classroom will help to develop a respect for nature and a love for the outdoors.