Heathside Walton-on-Thames School

At Heathside Walton, we are more than just a school—we are a values-led community where every member is integral to our collective success. Our core values—kindness, resilience, and belonging—were chosen by our school community, reflecting our deep commitment to fostering an environment where these principles guide our interactions and drive our mission.

Kindness: We believe in creating a nurturing environment where every staff member and student is treated with compassion and respect. Our approach to kindness fosters positive relationships, promotes a supportive atmosphere, and encourages collaboration.

Resilience: In our dynamic educational setting, resilience is key. We support our staff in navigating challenges with confidence and perseverance, providing the tools and resources needed to thrive in their roles and contribute meaningfully to our community.

Belonging: At Heathside Walton, every individual is valued and included. We strive to cultivate a strong sense of belonging, where everyone feels like an essential part of our team. This inclusive environment enhances teamwork, creativity, and mutual respect.

As a growing school, we understand that our future success is defined by the exceptional team we build. We are committed to recruiting and retaining high-calibre professionals by creating an environment that prioritises wellbeing and personal growth. When you join us, you become part of a community that values your contributions, supports your development, and cares for your overall wellbeing.

Working at Heathside Walton means being part of a vibrant and collaborative team, where your expertise is recognised, your professional growth is nurtured, and your impact is felt across the school. Together, we work towards our vision of nurturing aspiration in all our students.

Wellbeing

At Heathside Walton, we firmly believe that prioritising the health and happiness of our staff is fundamental to providing the best possible education for our students. We are committed to ensuring that well-being is not just an aspiration but a core component of our everyday practice. Our approach to well-being is proactive, embedded in our culture, and reflective of our values of fairness and transparency.

Our Commitment to Well-being:

• Holistic Approach: We recognise that every workplace is unique and that individual contributions are vital to our success. Our well-being strategy is holistic, ensuring that our policies and practices cater to the diverse needs of our staff.
• Supportive Leadership: Our leadership team embodies ethical leadership and operates with an open-door policy. We are approachable, collaborative, and committed to fairness in all our decisions. Our leaders are motivated by a desire to support and uplift our staff, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
• Structured Environment: We carefully structure our environment with well-being in mind. Our staff well-being forum is led by representatives from the staff body, ensuring that concerns and suggestions are addressed from the ground up. We thoughtfully design loadings, timetables, and directed time to optimise work-life balance, always seeking ways to alleviate excessive workloads.
• Dedicated Well-being Initiatives: We implement practical measures to support staff well-being, such as “No Meeting Mondays” and scheduled work/life balance weeks each half-term. These initiatives are designed to provide dedicated time for rest and personal matters, helping staff manage their commitments more effectively.
• Supportive Policies: All our policies and procedures are crafted with well-being in mind, reflecting our commitment to creating a supportive and compassionate workplace. Regular line management meetings provide staff with consistent guidance and support, and fearless feedback is welcomed and valued.
• Celebrating Achievements: We believe in celebrating the accomplishments of our staff and holding regular social events to foster a sense of community and camaraderie. Achievements are acknowledged, and staff are encouraged to build positive connections with their colleagues.
• Flexible Approaches: We understand the importance of family commitments and personal appointments. Our flexible approaches help staff balance their professional and personal lives, ensuring they have the support they need to manage their responsibilities effectively.

Professional Development

At Heathside Walton, our vision is to deliver an inspiring education to our students, ensuring that they have the right support and challenge to become life-long learners. We are committed to providing an education that not only supports but challenges our students to excel, ensuring they emerge as confident, curious, and self-motivated learners.

Our teaching philosophy is rooted in this vision, reflected in our daily lesson routines and elevated by our commitment to the habits of great teaching. We believe that an inspiring education goes beyond the classroom, fostering an environment where students are encouraged to pursue knowledge with enthusiasm and resilience.

We believe that the ongoing professional development of all staff members is crucial to achieving our vision. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous growth and learning, recognising that the success of our students is intrinsically linked to the development and empowerment of all our staff.

Our approach includes:

• Targeted and Tiered CPD (Continuing Professional Development): Tailored professional development opportunities designed to meet the diverse needs of our educators, helping them to grow and adapt in an ever-evolving educational landscape.
• Instructional Coaching: Personalised coaching aimed at refining teaching practices, enhancing classroom strategies, and ensuring that every educator has the support they need to thrive.
• Individual Department Visions: Each department will have its own focused vision that aligns with our overarching goals, ensuring that specialised areas receive the attention and direction necessary to contribute effectively to our mission.

By investing in our staff and maintaining a dynamic approach to teaching and learning, we ensure that both our students and staff are equipped to excel and evolve. This commitment underpins our goal of nurturing a community of lifelong learners who are well-prepared for the future.