Character Education
What is character education?
Character is a set of personal traits or dispositions that produce specific moral emotions, inform motivation and guide conduct. Character education includes all explicit and implicit educational activities that help young people develop positive personal strengths called virtues.
Character education is about helping students grasp what is ethically important in situations and how to act for the right reasons, such that they become more autonomous and reflective in the practice of virtue.
At Horbury Academy we have chosen six virtues that underpin all that we do. These are ambition, courage, compassion, open-minded, resilience and duty.
What is the aim of character education at Horbury Academy?
At Horbury Academy our deliberate approach to character education is to cultivate a school community where pupils can flourish and be successful.
We aim for all pupils to know the good, love the good and do the good.
In knowing the good, all pupils will know our virtues, what they mean and why they are important for a good life. In understanding our virtues, we want pupils to value their importance and want to develop these characteristics within themselves. Finally, we want all pupils to consciously make positive choices each day to demonstrate these virtues and seek out opportunities to develop their own character.
What is Horbury Academy’s approach to the development of character?
Taught – We provide discrete opportunities to teach pupils about character education and the importance of the Accord Virtues. This comes through PSHE, curriculum enrichment days and assemblies.
Caught – Teachers and pupils provide an ethos and culture that value and support character development and provides positive examples. This comes through our daily interactions with pupils, our standards for success and high expectations in the classroom.
Sought – We provide varied opportunities to help pupils build positive habits that develop character. These come through a range of extra-curricular activities, clubs, trips and authentic experiences.
