British Values

At Oakfield we promote the five basic British values throughout our school and within our curriculum.

 

Democracy

Learners learn about democracy and the rule through taught PSHE/Citizenship lessons, as well as taking part in elections for the school council and wellbeing team. As part of our curriculum learners vote in the youth parliament election and recognise the importance of how they can be involved in decision making. The School Council meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different key stages. The council has its own budget and is able to effect change within the school; in the past, the School Council has hosted fundraising activities and helped to provide equipment for our school grounds as selected by learners. The Council are actively involved in providing teachers with feedback.

Senior leader’s quality assure systems in school through Learner voice as every learner has the right to have their opinions and voices heard. We encourage learners to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our learners.

 

The rule of law

Learners embrace the school and college Respect Charter as a result of the consistent use of the behaviour policy, rich and high-quality citizenship and PSHE curriculum. Learners are keen to achieve excellence awards and badges and arrive in lessons enthusiastic and ready to learn. There is a vibrant ambassador leadership programme for college students and aspiring leaders in school.

Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken. These values are reinforced in different ways:

Visits from emergency services

Religious Education curriculum, when rules for particular faiths are acknowledged

During other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules

E safety mark

 

Individual liberty

At Oakfield, learners are encouraged to make choices. Staff encourage learners to make the right choice, putting the ownership of choice with the young person. As a school, we educate the learners to make informed choices within a safe environment. Learners are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to do this safety through PSHE/Citizenship and IT/E-Safety lessons.

 

Mutual respect

Mutual Respect is at the heart of our Respect Charter and ethos at Oakfield and is promoted through our character building skills. All members of the school community are consistently encouraged to treat others with respect. All learners have a Respect Charter and Character Building framework in their planners and this is in all classrooms and corridors. This is supported by the Behaviour for Learning policy. All computer users agree to an acceptable use agreement when they log on. Through the school curriculum and school life, learners are encouraged to have tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, we consistently reinforce the promotion of diversity. Assemblies are planned to address a range of citizenship themed topics and are focused around the 17 Global Goals.