“Pupils arrive to a ‘warm welcome’ from staff. The school prepares pupils and helps them to be ready for their learning. It seeks to resolve any issues pupils may have before the day begins. Pupils are well supported by staff. They trust staff to help them when they have a concern. As a result, they feel safe.” – Ofsted, November 2024
What is the ‘Warm Welcome’? First and foremost, it is exactly that – a warm welcome as our students arrive at school in the morning from some lovely, smiley, friendly grown-ups who are genuinely pleased to see them and want them to feel happy about coming to school.
We want to make sure that every single school day starts with our students
- knowing that we know they’re here
- knowing that we care about them being here
- knowing that we are really pleased to see them.
- That is the ‘Warm Welcome’.
There is another, very important aspect to the Warm Welcome. We want to use the opportunity to set our young people up for the day so that everybody – teachers and students – can get on with the business of learning with as few distractions and disruptions as possible.
After the Warm Welcome, there will then be the opportunity for our students to have something to eat if they missed breakfast at home. We want them fuelled up with the energy they will need for the day. This is the time for school uniform to be corrected, for them to check themselves and make sure they’re looking smart and in line with the uniform policy before first lesson. And finally, there is an opportunity to make sure all are in possession of the right equipment needed for their lessons that day.
All of this happens during the Warm Welcome. And it is exactly that – it is warm and it is welcoming. We promise, it is NOT a military inspection! That wouldn’t feel very warm or welcoming, would it? Whilst our young people are ultimately learning the bigger lessons of taking responsibility for themselves – to learn the importance of ensuring one has everything that is needed to tackle the day – we are here to help and support the process. And then, when the bell goes and they walk into Period 1, they are fed and watered, dressed appropriately and have all the equipment that they will need for a happy, productive and – hopefully – stress free day.
