Living well together at William Ford
Our Christian vision – “Supporting pupils to be successful, healthy, fulfilled, and empowered to make a difference – strengthened by the hope and example of God” – shapes how we live, learn and work together. It guides the way we treat one another and underpins every decision we make to ensure that all pupils and adults are valued, respected and able to flourish.
For pupils: flourishing in health and hope
At William Ford, we believe that pupils can only be successful, healthy, fulfilled and empowered when their wellbeing is prioritised. Our commitment to mental and emotional health is therefore central to our work.
We invest heavily in pupil wellbeing, providing early intervention and ongoing support. The Hamish and Milo programme runs across the school, offering structured sessions on friendship, self-esteem, bereavement, anger management and celebrating oneself. These sessions give pupils a safe space to explore feelings, build resilience and develop empathy led by our Learning Mentor.
We also partner with the charity Place2Be, providing an on-site counsellor two days a week to support pupils who may need more specialist care. This ensures that every child can be heard, supported and valued.
Our commitment to health extends to the physical wellbeing of pupils. Every class takes part in a two-hour cooking lesson every three weeks, led by our school cook, helping pupils learn how to make nutritious food and build practical life skills that promote long-term health and independence. This idea was formed in recognition of the concerns around childhood obesity within the borough and the 'healthy' aspect of our vision.
Pupil voice is an integral part of our school culture. Through pupil leadership groups and class discussions, children share their thoughts on what helps them feel safe, happy and motivated. Their feedback shapes our policies, our curriculum and our wellbeing provision.
We have also made deliberate changes to reduce unnecessary pressure on pupils. Weekly spelling tests have been removed, as there is no evidence they improve learning and they can cause anxiety. Likewise, formal homework has been removed, apart from reading for pleasure and preparing for tests. This reflects our belief that pupils need time to rest, spend time with family and enjoy life outside school – an expression of the healthy and fulfilled elements of our vision.
Our 11 Engaging Experiences ensure that every pupil, regardless of background, can access opportunities such as serving in the community, representing the school and visiting new places. These experiences help pupils grow in confidence, gratitude and aspiration, giving them a sense of joy and fulfilment in learning and life.
Our vision also comes to life through our school residentials, which provide pupils with experiences far beyond their everyday environment. Each year, our Year Six pupils travel to the Welsh mountains, where they take part in outdoor challenges such as gorge walking, climbing and mountain trekking. These activities build confidence, teamwork and resilience, helping pupils to discover new strengths and to live out our vision to be successful, healthy, fulfilled and empowered.
Alongside this, we run an additional residential for a smaller group of children who may find teamwork, emotional regulation or behaviour more challenging, or who have other specific needs. This experience has been highly successful. The pupils learn to navigate the railway system, shop for their own food, cook and wash up for themselves, and live collaboratively. Through practical experiences and shared responsibility, they develop independence, trust and empathy—valuable lessons that extend well beyond the trip itself.
For staff: valued, supported and fulfilled
Our vision applies equally to the adults in our school. We believe that staff who feel respected and cared for are best able to care for others.
We have rethought workload and wellbeing with compassion and practicality. Written marking has been replaced by live feedback, enabling teachers to focus their energy on meaningful interaction with pupils. Corridor displays are designed to be purposeful and inspiring but require minimal updates, giving teachers back time and reducing pressure.
Each week, staff receive three hours and twenty minutes of PPA, with pupil progress meetings built into this time rather than added after school. Year groups are released together to plan collaboratively, strengthening teamwork and professional support.
Our leave of absence policy is intentionally more generous than the local authority model, allowing staff to attend important family events, particularly those involving their own children. We also hold regular staff socials and informal gatherings to maintain a strong sense of belonging and joy in our community.
As a result of this approach, staff retention at William Ford is exceptionally strong. Colleagues describe feeling trusted, supported and appreciated – evidence of a culture shaped by our Christian vision and lived through daily practice.
For families and the wider community
Our vision calls us to serve and support our families with compassion and dignity. We recognise that flourishing is not limited to school hours, and we actively work to strengthen the wellbeing of the whole community.
We operate a school food bank in partnership with the Felix Project, ensuring that families have access to essential food supplies throughout the year. During every school holiday, food parcels are distributed so that our families and pupils are well supported and no one goes hungry. This initiative, which has been featured on Sky News, reflects our belief that to live out our Christian vision is to act with hope and generosity in practical ways.
Our Family Support Worker goes above and beyond in helping families with a wide range of issues both inside and outside of school. Whether supporting attendance, housing needs or signposting to external agencies, she provides compassionate and non-judgemental help for those who need it most.
Families also have access to our Place2Be counsellor, who can meet with parents and carers where it is of benefit to them. This service helps families feel supported, listened to and understood.
Through our school radio station, families can hear the daily reflection at the end of the school day, as staff and pupils revisit the theme of collective worship. Parents have commented on how hearing the message from the playground helps them feel connected to their child’s spiritual journey and to the Christian ethos of the school.
A community shaped by faith
Our Christian vision calls us to see God’s image in one another, to show kindness in our words, fairness in our actions and hope in our relationships. Whether through mental health provision, workload reform or family partnerships, our aim is always the same: to help everyone at William Ford to live well together – successful, healthy, fulfilled and empowered – strengthened by the hope and example of God.