Character Education
Character Education can be defined as the active development of character strengths or virtues in young people. The practice of character education is based on the view that these strengths are not merely given but can be developed through instruction and practice.
Our work in this area is premised upon two ideas. First, that character is both ‘taught’ and ‘caught’. Taught because pupils need to learn directly about character strengths and virtues, and to be given opportunities to practise them. Caught because students need to be exposed to the concepts and language of character throughout their experience of school. This is best delivered through the One Driffield ethos of the school, by all staff in school acting as role models, by empowering students to be role models and recognising them publicly as such, and by engineering enrichment activity so that it emphasises character development.
The second idea is that there are four core dimensions to character: intellectual, performance, moral and civic. These are shown in the diagram below. A complete character education seeks to develop pupils along all four dimensions, and in this broad conception, character encompasses academic achievement as a route to the development of intellectual character strength.
Our curriculum is infused with opportunities for students to develop their character strengths and virtues. These are complimented by a weekly Character Trait of the week delivered during form time which teach students explicitly about character virtues and their importance. Together, discrete and embedded learning gives the students the knowledge, language and moral exemplars to help them continue strengthening their character.
At Driffield School we strive to cultivate good character alongside our behaviour curriculum (Cornerstones). Character is about helping young people to become thinking and caring people who can flourish throughout their lives. A concerted effort to help the members of our school community live by the values outlined in our character virtues will not only strengthen the Driffield Community, by placing a focus on how we treat others, but will also contribute to the overall success of the students. Students at Driffield School are encouraged to consider who they are and how they treat each other; this supports high expectations of behaviour and high standards of achievement, both academically and personally.
INTENT
Our vision at Driffield School is to enable students to flourish in all areas of their lives, by supporting their development into well-rounded, empathetic beings who are able to contribute and shape society and the wider world, whilst respecting and supporting those who live in it, though the teaching and modelling of good character.
We believe that character is “caught and taught” and students need to be given opportunities to put the learned knowledge and modelled skills into practice. The form time programme is intended to be the principle taught element of this character curriculum.
IMPLEMENTATION
Character education at Driffield School is all-encompassing and is uniquely threaded through all areas of curriculum and personal development opportunities that the students receive. We take character education seriously as we believe it is fundamental to the development of our students.
IMPACT
- Happy children
- Good attendance
- Improved results
- Continued excellent destination data, no NEETs
- Increased student leadership and participation in volunteering/ fund raising, etc
- Student accomplishments – either within school or often independently
- Past students – accomplishments
- Visitor and local – feedback about our students
Each week, a character trait is chosen to discuss. Examples from the wider world are shared.
