This week, Beckfoot Oakbank was buzzing with excitement as we hosted our Beckfoot Trust Culture Day.
The inspiration behind the One Trust Culture Day stems from invaluable feedback gathered through listening sessions with students across all Trust schools. During these sessions, students expressed a strong desire to learn more about each other’s cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. The result was a day designed to promote understanding, inclusivity, and respect—key values that are at the heart of the Beckfoot Trust’s ethos.
We celebrated our rich diversity while fostering an environment where students can learn from one another. It was an opportunity for everyone to gain a deeper appreciation for the wide array of cultures represented in our school, and to continue working together towards building a stronger sense of belonging and mutual respect. Through activities, discussions, and shared experiences, students were able to reflect on their own identities while learning about the backgrounds of their peers.
The day featured a wide variety of engaging and educational activities. In Religious Education (RE), students participated in two lessons that explored the concept of culture. They tested their knowledge of global cultural landmarks and examined how different cultures are spread across the world, with a focus on regions in the north, east, west, and south.
Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to listen to presentations on cultures of their choice, gaining deeper insights into the histories, traditions, and customs of various societies. Students researched into African traditions through hands-on lessons in art, music, food, drama, and textiles. These interactive sessions allowed students to immerse themselves in creative expressions that are central to African cultural identity.
Year 13 students, who used the event as part of their independent learning sessions. As part of their preparation for life after school, the Year 13s were tasked with cooking a dish that represented their own cultural heritage. Students celebrated their own backgrounds while learning new cooking skills and sharing stories of their family traditions.
Dishes included steak al fredo, tacos, chicken parmo, and pizza, they all smelled and tasted delicious!
Culture Day allowed everyone to step outside of their usual routines, engage with new ideas, and appreciate the beauty of diversity. It was a day that not only allowed students to feel heard and valued but also strengthened the sense of community that we continue to build at Beckfoot Oakbank and across the Beckfoot Trust.
As we look back on this memorable day, it is clear that the success of our first-ever Culture Day is a testament to the power of listening, learning, and growing together. We look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come, deepening our collective understanding of one another and celebrating the unique cultures that make our school community so vibrant.
