What is Character Education?
Character education is the deliberate nurturing of positive qualities that help children flourish both academically and personally. It focuses on four key sets of virtues:
- Intellectual virtues: Traits needed for discernment, reasoning, curiosity, and the pursuit of truth (e.g., critical thinking, resourcefulness, reflection).
- Moral virtues: Traits that allow people to act well and ethically in difficult situations (e.g., honesty, compassion, courage, integrity).
- Civic virtues: Traits required for responsible citizenship and contributing to the common good (e.g., service, community awareness, volunteering, civility).
- Performance virtues: Traits that act as instruments to help drive the other virtues (e.g., resilience, determination, leadership, teamwork).
Why is Character Education important?
A whole school approach to nurturing character yields many benefits. As research indicates:
- It builds a positive, respectful school culture.
When children learn kindness, honesty and respect, the whole environment becomes calmer, safer and more supportive. Relationships improve, behaviour strengthens and children feel more secure.
- It supports academic success.
Qualities like resilience, curiosity and responsibility directly influence how children approach learning. A child who can persevere, manage frustration and take ownership of their work is far better equipped to make progress.
- It strengthens emotional wellbeing.
Character education helps children understand their feelings, manage conflict and cope with setbacks. This emotional literacy is essential for confidence, self‑esteem and healthy friendships.
- It prepares children for life beyond school.
The habits formed in childhood (empathy, perseverance, responsibility etc.) shape how young people grow into adults who contribute positively to their communities. These are lifelong skills, not just classroom skills.
- It creates consistency and clarity.
Shared values give children a clear sense of expectations. They know what the school stands for, what behaviour is encouraged and how they can contribute positively to the community.
Character education isn’t an add‑on; it’s the foundation of a flourishing school. When children develop strong character, everything else; learning, relationships, wellbeing, becomes stronger too. By nurturing these four pillars, we help every child develop the foundations they need to thrive both now and in the future.
How do we do this at The OPS?
The OPS nurtures character education by weaving virtues into everyday life so that children do not just learn about good character; they practise it, see it modelled, and experience it in meaningful ways. The strongest provision blends three elements: what is “caught”, what is “taught”, and what is “sought”.
Modelling Virtues (“Caught”)
Children absorb character through the culture around them.
- Staff model kindness, patience, honesty and fairness in daily interactions.
- Clear routines and expectations help children understand what respectful behaviour looks like.
- Positive relationships show pupils how to communicate well, resolve conflict and treat others with dignity.
- Celebrating good choices reinforces the idea that virtues matter.
This creates an environment where character is lived, not just discussed.
Teaching Virtues Explicitly (“Taught”)
The OPS aims to make character visible by naming, exploring and practising virtues.
- Lessons include discussions about honesty, courage, compassion, resilience and other key virtues.
- Teachers use stories, role‑models and real‑life dilemmas to help children understand how virtues guide behaviour.
- Curriculum subjects naturally embed virtues; teamwork in PE, curiosity in science, integrity in history, empathy in English.
- Reflection activities help children think about their choices and how virtues apply to everyday situations.
Explicit teaching gives children the language and understanding they need to recognise good character.
Creating Opportunities to Practise Virtues (“Sought”)
Character grows through action and habit.
- Leadership roles (e.g., monitors, prefects, school council) encourage responsibility and service.
- Group projects build teamwork, patience and communication.
- Outdoor learning and problem‑solving tasks develop resilience and resourcefulness.
- Community activities and volunteering nurture civic virtues like service and compassion.
- Goal‑setting helps children take ownership of their growth.
- These experiences allow children to *exercise* virtues in real contexts.
Encouraging Reflection and Self‑Awareness
Reflection helps children connect virtues to their own behaviour.
- Journals, circle time and end‑of‑lesson reflections prompt children to think about their choices;
- Pupils are given a dedicated mentoring time with their tutor each term to reflect and talk about their goals;
- Restorative conversations to reflect on moments where reactions have not supported particular circumstances.
How can parents support Character Education at home?
Character grows best when home and school work in partnership. We encourage families to talk about virtues at home, celebrate positive choices and help children reflect on their actions. Together, we can support every child to develop the character they need to thrive.