At Oakfield, we believe that PSHE helps young people embrace change, feel positive about who they are and enjoy healthy, safe, responsible and fulfilled lives. Through active learning opportunities students recognise and manage risk, take increasing responsibility for themselves, their choices and behaviours and make positive contributions to their families, schools and communities. As students learn to recognise, develop and communicate their qualities, skills and attitudes, they build knowledge, confidence and self-esteem and make the most of their abilities. As they explore similarities and differences between people and discuss social and moral dilemmas, they learn to deal with challenges and accommodate diversity in all its forms.

The world is full of complex and sometimes conflicting values. PSHE helps students explore this complexity and reflect on and clarify their own values and attitudes. They identify and articulate feelings and emotions; learn to manage new or difficult situations positively and form and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of people.

At Oakfield we give students the knowledge and develop their self-esteem, confidence and self-awareness to make informed choices and decisions;

to encourage and support the development of social skills and social awareness;
to enable students to make sense of their own personal and social experiences;
to promote responsible attitudes towards the maintenance of good physical and mental health, supported by a safe and healthy lifestyle;
to enable effective interpersonal relationships and develop a caring attitude towards others;
to encourage a caring attitude towards and responsibility for the environment;
to help our pupils understand and manage their feelings;
to understand how society works and the rights and responsibilities involved.

Education for citizenship equips Oakfield learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding to play an effective role in public life. Citizenship encourages them to take an interest in topical and controversial issues and to engage in discussion and debate. Pupils learn about their rights, responsibilities, duties and freedoms and about laws, justice and democracy. They learn to take part in decision-making and different forms of action. They play an active role in the life of their schools, neighbourhoods, communities and wider society as active and global citizens.

Citizenship encourages respect for different national, religious and ethnic identities. It equips learners to engage critically with and explore diverse ideas, beliefs, cultures and identities and the values we share as citizens in the UK. Learners begin to understand how society has changed and is changing in the UK, Europe and the wider world.

Citizenship addresses issues relating to social justice; human rights, community cohesion and global interdependence, and encourages learners to challenge injustice, inequalities and discrimination. It helps learners to develop their critical skills, consider a wide range of political, social, ethical and moral problems, and explore opinions and ideas other than their own. They evaluate information, make informed judgements and reflect on the consequences of their actions now and in the future. They learn to argue a case on behalf of others as well as themselves and speak out on issues of concern.

Citizenship equips learners with the knowledge and skills needed for effective and democratic participation. It helps pupils to become informed, critical, active citizens who have the confidence and conviction to work collaboratively, take action and try to make a difference in their communities and the wider world.