ONSchool will be a strictly secular school, with values and an ethos that support all the communities we seek to serve equally.
We do not agree with Faith Schools, and are yet to see a compelling argument for including religion in the running of a school.
It is true that there are some great schools that are run by those who place religion at the heart of the school - but it is because there is great teaching and a positive learning environment where children are encouraged to aspire and thrive - with a supportive community behind them! ONSchool proposes that all of this is possible without religion.
However, we do not want to throw the 'baby out with the bathwater'! Although Richard Dawkins is a great scientist and a powerful polemicist for the rational mindset, we believe that it is possible to capture both the majesty and wonder of the physical and observable universe, without losing the poetry and and emotional depth that religion can bring.
We would like to build on the ideas of the philosopher, Alain de Botton, and his proposal for Atheism 2.0, where those who do not believe in 'God' or deities learn and build on the best of our culture from those who do: the 'lessons' of religion: of a strong community, of ritual, of taking time for reflection, charity, and making use of rich media (art, music, literature) to help build individual values.
We believe that religion is a personal choice, which is supported by families and the community that children grow up in. 'Culture' and identity are, for many people, intertwined with 'Faith'. While we will not be conducting religious practices of any type in the school - we will be allowing children to express their faith, culture and identity in a way that adds to the learning and 'richness' of the school community.
At ONSchool, we do not intend to disrupt the teaching and learning to follow every festival in all religions, or allow any practices that actively supports discrimination or disrupts the sense of a whole school community. We do believe that different dress, religious practice, ceremony and behaviors can add to the learning that happens as part of the normal run of the school day and the educational activities taking place - as this best reflects 'real life'.
We believe we can do this fairly, clearly, and to promote community cohesion at ONSchool in the way that many of the best schools in the country already do.
It is easy to see what we believe in - the best and most up-to-date educational outcomes for the young people in the city.
We have faith in our young people.
We have faith in each other.
We hope you will support us, and help us in our own creation story - to build a new covenant with the parents and children of the city of Oxford.