What’s it like to be a learner at Blackfen?

To be a successful learner at Blackfen you need to think about the three core values we expect from our learners.

Firstly, we have RESILIENCE. What does that mean? Well, everyday our teachers are encouraged to challenge learners in a number of ways. This could be new learning and knowledge, this could be to take a risk and try something new or approach something in a different way. You might be challenged to change the way you think about something or be challenged to fulfil your potential and how you see yourself. It is easy to think that these challenges are just too difficult and give up! However, your teachers will teach you that you are capable of more than you think you are by changing the way you approach challenge. You will be encouraged to understand that your brain is like a muscle and that by practising something new a lot your brain begins to become more powerful in that aspect of learning, a bit like a muscle would become stronger if we exercised. You will learn that getting something wrong is actually a positive in that we learn from our mistakes so we don’t make them again. You will receive feedback from teachers with advice on how to improve your work or your learning and that it is important to act on that feedback. As a result, we learn to give things a go – to not be scared of challenge and that we need to be resilient when learning gets tough.

Secondly, we have RESPONSIBILITY. Learners at Blackfen will be encouraged to take responsibility for their learning by demonstrating excellent organisational skills, for example having the right equipment for each lesson. Students have to be responsible for meeting deadlines for home learning tasks or coursework in key stages 4 and 5. Responsible learners come to school with a positive attitude to learning – eager to learn new information- to ask for help – to seek clarification.

Finally, we have RESPECT. Of course, learners are expected to respect the school rules and all staff who work at Blackfen but perhaps more importantly than that, successful learners are those who respect themselves. Learners believe that they should set themselves the highest standards in learning, conduct and appearance because they know that they are important. They are valuable individuals who expect to be successful in school because they are as good as any other learner. They can also expect to have their learning needs respected by their teachers who will adapt their teaching to suit their learning needs. Students at Blackfen respect each other so that we create a truly inclusive school community.