Mission, Vision and Values

Mission

Our mission is to deliver a well-sequenced, progressive curriculum that meets the diverse needs of our children by ensuring clear progression in both disciplinary knowledge—how children learn and think within each subject—and substantive knowledge—the core facts, concepts, and content they are expected to master. Through carefully structured learning experiences, we aim to build deep understanding, critical thinking, and transferable skills across all areas of the curriculum, empowering every child to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Throughout every child’s journey at Waltham Gateway Academy, we will ensure that they have emotionally available adults who believe in them, relate to them with compassion, empathy and unconditional positive regard, provide appropriate limit setting, understand their attachment and mental health needs, know their life story, and offer repeated enriched relational, regulatory and reflective opportunities. We consider the mental health of our pupils to be just as important as their academic success and therefore ensure that positive mental health and wellbeing approaches are golden threads that run throughout our curriculum.

Vision

Our vision is to deliver transformative education to the local community that makes a real difference; where a true sense of belonging pervades, and every child and adult is nurtured, supported and valued, without exception, in a psychologically safe environment.

Values

Our three shared values of Care, Courage and Curiosity are our guiding principles that enable our mission and vision to be achieved. Our values guide our approach and it is through the embodiment of these values that every child and adult within our community has the opportunity to unlock their potential.

Care

At Waltham Gateway Academy, relationships are at the heart of everything we do and we care about every child and adult within our Academy community. This includes ensuring their physical and psychological safety as well as enabling their hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future. Our care shines through our commitment to safeguarding, supporting mental health and wellbeing and enabling academic success through our carefully crafted and contextualised curriculum.

Courage

We are courageous; we approach challenges with bravery and try our very best. We know that we might not always be successful first time but we show courage by trying again and never giving up. Our courage enables to build our resilience which in turn allows us to be even more courageous. We are courageous in our learning, when trying new things and when we experience challenges. We show courage if we make a mistake by reflecting, being honest and through restoration. At Waltham Gateway Academy, we know that courage enables us to make the right decision, even if it is not always easy.

Curiosity

Through curiosity, we aim to identify the academic, social or emotional barriers that children may face and develop strategies together that empower every child to realise their potential. Through curious language, such as "I wonder…" and "Help me to understand…", we aim to know each child as an individual and support them with strategies that work for them.

Children learn most deeply when they are following their natural curiosity as it places them at the centre of their learning. By developing curiosity in learning, we encourage children to wonder, question and to think deeply and critically, enabling them to develop skills like initiative, communication, and a love for learning, which are essential for success in all aspects of life.