VISION, VALUES AND ATTRIBUTES

The Bicester School is part of Activate Learning Education Trust, a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) sponsored by Activate Learning, run with the support of industry and academic partners. 

We ‘Transform Lives Through Learning’ by providing exciting, innovative education for young people, with a focus on STEM subjects and employer engagement. 

Our Vision
Transforming lives through learning

Our Mission
To Transform Lives Through Learning by igniting confidence, expanding opportunities, energising the community and generating prosperity. Through our Learning Philosophy and core values of Empowerment, Enterprise, Connectedness and Transformation, we provide our students and staff with a safe and supportive environment in which to thrive.

Our Values
Empowerment, enterprise, connectedness and transformation.

Our Learning Philosophy
Our approach to teaching and learning is driven by a distinctive Learning Philosophy. This philosophy has been developed by members of the Activate Learning group and recognises three essential elements for effective learning:

Brain
Our brains are capable of incredible things. From the study of neuroscience, we understand that the brain connects neurons to make networks. These networks strengthen and work faster through repeated use. We believe in hard work and recognise the value in working through our failures so that we are constantly learning and improving.

Motivation
We need to motivate ourselves in order to do the practice that strengthens the networks in our brains. By repeatedly demonstrating the relevance and impact of newly learnt skills and knowledge, we maintain our students’ motivation.

Emotions
Our emotional response to studying has a massive influence on how we learn. The more positive our learners’ emotional response to studying is, the more likely they are to engage with and remember what they’re learning.

Attributes for success

Our values are  built around the core attributes of Resilience, Enterprising, Confident, Aware, Professional

Resilience: building strength through challenge

Behaviour descriptions: adaptability, persistence, courage, self-awareness and discipline

There are two aspects to resilience we consider crucial, and of equal importance:

• Academic resilience: the courage to enable you to push through on tough tasks, solve problems, and persist through challenges and setbacks
• Emotional resilience: the self-awareness to enable you to manage stress, maintain motivation and regulate your emotions

Students need both to thrive in and beyond the classroom.

Enterprising-  cultivating initiative, creativity and positive problem-solving attitudes

Behaviour descriptions: initiative, creativity, positivity, flexibility and curiosity.

We see enterprising behaviour as students who:

• Show flexibility and resilience in their approach to their work
• Approach stretching tasks with a positive attitude
• Be resourceful with what they have available – materials, tools, technology, time
• Demonstrate initiative, going beyond the curriculum, exploring their interests, taking the lead in clubs and projects

Confident: developing the skills to live courageously

Behaviour descriptions: courage, self-belief, preparation, resilience and communication.

We see confidence as students who:

• Demonstrate courage and honesty in their approach to their work, and in their behaviour in the classroom; acknowledge what they are finding tricky and be prepared to have a go
• Are prepared for their lessons and their learning
• Embrace constructive criticism as a tool for growth

Aware: Learning to observe, understand and respond

Behaviour descriptions: self-awareness, empathy, respect, reflection and responsibility.

There are two aspects to awareness we consider crucial, and of equal importance:

• Self-awareness: understanding how our actions, emotions and attitudes impact others
• Awareness of others: being attuned to the people we interact with; students, staff, parents and the wider community

Professional: behaving appropriately

Behaviour descriptions: respect, preparation, appropriateness, collaboration and communication

We see professionalism in our students as those who:

• Demonstrate respectful behaviours to all they interact with
• Communicate appropriately, ensuring they adapt to different audiences
• Adhere to school policies and procedures, including dress code, attendance and behaviour
• Promote inclusion and collaboration among peers, helping all feel safe, heard and valued
• Are prepared, punctual and organised, demonstrating effort every day