Character Education at Character Education at Northampton Academy ‘An Academy of Character and Excellence’ Chris Clyne Vice Principal Vice Principal Vice Principal - Pastoral Northampton Academy
Large number of secondary school mission statement or vision contain something like: ‘… Well rounded individual…’ ‘…Ready for next steps…’
Values Education – Late 80s/90s SMSC – 21 st Century Character Education – Last few years
“The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.” 4
It is who you are as an individual and how you react in different situations 5
Values are what define us as individuals They determine the way we act and behaviour. They are the principles and foundations and act as guides to our behaviour
“I might lose my home in the future... I might lose all my money... I might lose family/friends… ...but no one can take my character away, and if I build a strong character I’ll be able to deal with any problems life throws at me.” Year 7 Student The School of Education, Birmingham
You go to get your lottery ticket and you are 50p short (ticket is £2). Your friend gives you the 50p and you end up winnning £25,000. the 50p and you end up winnning £25,000. You never discussed what would happen if u never discussed what would happen if you won anything. Do you: A) Give your friend half B) Give your friend a quarter C) Don’t tell him you won and give him nothing D) Give him his 50p back
You find a £5 note in the playground and no one else is around. Do you: A) Hand it into student reception Hand it into student reception B) Keep it
Caught vs Taught Character education is both implicit and explicit in nature. What is meant by this is that character What is meant by this is that character education can be conveyed through both education can be conveyed through both the direct teaching of character or picked direct teaching of character or picked up through the general ethos of general ethos of a school. Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues
Caught approaches to character education place importance on the quality relationships between students and staff within all school activities and emphasises the importance of teachers acting as positive role models for their students.
‘84% of UK parents believe teachers should encourage good morals and values in their children and 91% of parents said it is important that schools help develop good character’
Civic Values Intellectual Values Moral Values Performance Values Service Reflection Courage Resilience Neighbourliness Focus Compassion Perseverance Citizenship Critical thinking Gratitude Determination Community Reason and Justice Leadership awareness judgement Honesty Teamwork Volunteering Curiosity Humility Confidence Social justice Resourcefulness Modesty Motivation Open-mindedness Self-discipline Ambition Wisdom Tolerance Problem-solving Creativity Integrity Communication Friendliness Respect Trust
Why are we doing it? • Positive school culture • Develop good citizens • Build up support networks • Improved employability • Handle pressures of school and life life • Better exam outcomes
This Evening Presentation What we did initially as an Academy – ‘ground zero’ What we have done this year as an Academy Where we plan to go next year as an Academy What can you do as parents/carers?
What we did initially – ‘Ground Zero’…
What We Did Initially – Ground Zero June 2017 – We committed to Character Education when I started – part of my interview – bought in Mr Parnell vision Focus groups with 150+ students Questioned staff about ‘core purpose and values’
What We Found Out 0 students knew the six United Learning/NA values 0 staff knew all the values Students stated we had between Students stated we had between 3 and Students stated we had between 10 values Students believed the values were Students believed the values were around code of conduct = the around code of conduct = the things we around code of conduct = the wanted to them to do , rather than be Large numbers of students had Large numbers of students had never Large numbers of students had Large numbers of students had never had a leadership opportunity or done had a leadership opportunity or done any enrichment
United Learning Core Values Ambition – to achieve the best for ourselves and others; Confidence – to have the courage of our convictions and to take risks in the right cause; Creativity – to imagine possibilities and make them real; Respect – for ourselves and others in all that we do; Enthusiasm – to seek opportunity, find what is good and pursue talents and interests; Determination – to overcome obstacles and reach success. 19
What We Did About It - SLT Away Time (July) Redefined Vision and Mission – to include Character: “ To be an Academy of character and excellence. To provide a unique and extraordinary experience that sets us apart, nationally and internationally.” Wide-ranging discussion on values. Settled on Respect, Determination, Ambition due to our demographic 20
Civic Values Intellectual Values Moral Values Performance Values Service Reflection Courage Resilience Neighbourliness Focus Compassion Perseverance Citizenship Critical thinking Gratitude Determination Community Reason and Justice Leadership awareness judgement Honesty Teamwork Volunteering Curiosity Humility Confidence Social justice Resourcefulness Modesty Motivation Open-mindedness Self-discipline Ambition Wisdom Tolerance Problem-solving Creativity Integrity Communication Friendliness Respect Trust
Drivers and Artefacts Places Places Times Artefacts People Clip frames Exercise Books Assemblies/role-call Rewards Prefects Clothing Stamp Tutor time (co-tutor) Sanctions Guest Speakers Signs Computer home-page Parents’ Evening Corporate Primaries Presentation Newsletter On main doors House System Hogwarts Banners Alumni Website Prospectus Lesson Objectives Badges Language Reception/s IE Duties Lanyards Courtyard Learning Hubs Photographs of staff and students Rolling Screens Interviews/Person Enrichment PE Kit/Colours Spec Letterheads T&L Foci Reports Bins Staff meetings
Northampton Academy Charter
What we have done this year…
School Ethos, Culture and Vision
Action Plan To Move Area Forward
Embedding it across the school • School Ethos, Culture and Vision • Curriculum • Enrichment • Parents • Governors • Students • Service and Volunteering (Community) • Business links
Subsequent Actions 1. Pledge + tracking 10. Systematic nominations for BiE awards leadership opportunities – 11. Every member of staff takes at least one appointed Leadership Coordinator Character Learning Hub 2. Interact (student-led community service) 12. Explicit interview questions on RDA – 3. Stonewall Champions group and training external and internal appointments 4. Anti-bullying ambassadors trained 13. Governors briefed and link governor (gold ties) appointed 5. Aligned assemblies and tutorials – 14. Year 10 mentoring based on RDA all based around RDA values 15. Year 6 induction evenings – 6. Jubilee Centre Parent-School relationship having RDA message project 16. External speakers e.g. Bonita Norris, 7. Discrete Character lessons Jack Rutter (trials in History, Geography, PE, English) 17. CPOMS & communication 8. Praise system changed to reflect RDA 18. Staff as role models Staff as role models 9. Behaviour policy changed to reflect RDA (phones, shouting, high aspirations)
Best in Everyone
Best in Everyone Awards Evening
School Ethos, Culture and Vision
School Ethos, Culture and Vision
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