Newton International School West Bay

Newton International School West Bay follows the SMSC policy, which embeds Social, Moral, Spiritual, and Cultural development across the school and places strong emphasis on character education and wellbeing. PSHE education and Character Education lessons focus on virtues such as honesty, integrity, resilience, respect, responsibility, empathy, and curiosity, and these themes are reinforced through assemblies and classroom activities. The school supports student voice and leadership through structures like Student Councils and peer mentoring, plus extra‑curricular and service projects that promote collaboration and a sense of belonging. Spiritual development practices include Philosophy for Children (P4C) and regular reflection to foster curiosity and respect for diverse worldviews. Mental well‑being and emotional check‑ins are integrated into the SMSC approach, with dedicated systems to monitor and support pupils' emotional health.

West Bay's SEND provision follows the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and uses a graduated ‘Assess, Plan, Do, Review' approach to identify and support pupils with SEND. Needs are categorized into four broad areas: communication and interaction; cognition and learning; social, emotional and mental health difficulties; and sensory and physical needs. A SENCO coordinates provision with a Learning Support Team, and the school implements a three‑tier model: Universal (Wave 1), Targeted (Wave 2), and Specialist (Wave 3). Progress is regularly monitored, and pupils may be added to the SEND register with parental involvement in planning and review. The policy states that the school provides SEND within a mainstream setting and that English as a first language is not a sole criterion for SEND; where language is a barrier, separate EAL provisions apply. This approach indicates that the school is not a specialist SEN institution but provides inclusive SEND support through trained staff and pathways for external agency involvement as needed.

The SEND policy notes that a pupil's first language being other than English alone does not designate SEND, and separate educational provision is made for EAL needs. EAL staff participate in the SEND framework, collaborating with the SENCO and SEND staff (AESN) to support learners with language or related learning needs. Where appropriate, English language support is integrated into the school's inclusive practices rather than treated as SEND by default. The policy emphasizes coordinated working between SEND and EAL teams to plan targeted interventions when language proficiency affects learning.

The SMSC policy at Newton West Bay recognises mental wellbeing as a core aspect of student development, incorporating emotional check‑ins and dedicated wellbeing support systems. Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development are designed to foster belonging, resilience, and social awareness, with strategies such as PSHE/Character Education, assemblies, and experiential learning contributing to wellbeing. The policy outlines that students develop self‑awareness and emotional intelligence through reflective practices and supportive classroom environments. It also highlights approaches to nurture belonging and connection to the local and global community as part of holistic wellbeing.

The Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy defines safeguarding as proactive actions to promote welfare and protect pupils from harm, with safeguarding being everyone's responsibility. The policy designates a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and deputies, with the Head of Primary serving as the DSL for the Primary school and named deputy DSLs for KS1/KS2; the EYFS Coordinator is the DSL for the Kindergarten, with a deputy for that section. Staff receive training on safeguarding and are expected to follow clear reporting procedures for disclosures, along with measures to manage visitors and online safety. Written records of concerns are kept confidential and secure, and the policy requires annual review and public availability, with ongoing liaison with safeguarding partners.