John Willmott character virtues scheme inspires students

A character building programme at John Willmott School is using challenges to help students develop important life skills and values.

The school, which is part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, launched the Character Virtues programme in September, with pupils taking part in all kinds of activities that build their personal skills both within and beyond the classroom.

Acting headteacher Nicola Gould explained: “The idea behind the Character Virtues scheme is to help students grow as individuals, alongside the learning they do in the classroom.

“It’s about creating a feeling of community within the school, and encouraging students to support each other.”

The scheme, which follows guidance from Birmingham University’s Jubilee Centre for Character Education, as a school we have identified eight moral virtues for students to pursue:

• Self-Discipline – Managing your feelings and conducting yourself appropriately.
• Integrity – Being honest and trustworthy.
• Kindness – Being friendly, generous, and compassionate.
• Gratitude – Feeling and expressing thanks and appreciation.
• Courage – Acting with bravery in challenging situations.
• Respect – Showing regard for someone’s feelings and rights.
• Commitment – Demonstrating dedication and determination.
• Service – A humble generosity of time, thought and spirit.

Each week there is a character education lesson, and inter-form challenges that enable children to interact building social skills and rekindling the feeling of connection with each other and the school. 

So far this term activities have included a basketball shootout, a general knowledge quiz, football juggling contest, a maths quiz and a paper aeroplane challenge.

Mrs Gould said: “These are fun activities which actually have a really serious purpose, to build character in the students and unity across the entire school.

“We try to ensure that there is something for everyone, so that there is a chance to perform and participate for all students. 

“Anyone can join in, it just takes courage, which is one of our virtues.  This, along with our weekly ‘shout-out’ in assembly for students who demonstrate the virtue of the week, mean there are more chances to celebrate students’ achievements together. 

“Our community is growing, and we are stronger for it.”

The John Willmott character virtues can be “caught” from interactions in our community, “taught” through educational experiences and reflection, and “sought” out by people who come to pursue and direct their own character development. 

The John Willmott Character Virtues in full:

Students demonstrate Self Discipline:

By managing our time to arrive at all lessons on time-every time.

By wearing our full school uniform with pride at all times.

By being prepared for learning with all our equipment and our daily planner.

By working to our full potential in all lessons.

By engaging in all learning to the best of our ability.

Students demonstrate Integrity:

By telling the truth even when this is difficult.

By keeping our promises so that others can rely on us.

By accepting responsibility for our own actions, good and bad.

By avoiding judgement of others and never spreading rumours or gossip.

By doing the right thing, even when no one else is watching.

Students demonstrate Kindness:

By being welcoming, friendly and encouraging to everyone.

By offering help when we see others in need.

By considering the needs and wishes of others as much as our own.

By choosing our words and actions carefully to avoid harm.

By forgiving ourselves and others.

Students demonstrate Gratitude:

By saying “thank you.”

By treating our school environment with respect and care.

By appreciating the things that our family, teachers and community do for us.

By celebrating our achievements and the achievements of others.

By making the most of the opportunities and experiences available.

Students demonstrate Courage:

By facing up to our mistakes and making them right.

By doing the right thing, even when it is difficult.

By asking for help and support when we need it.

By standing up for others who need our help.

By speaking up when we see or know about something that is wrong.

Students demonstrate Respect:

By listening patiently and speaking calmly to everyone.

By following staff instructions because we trust them to keep us safe and help us to achieve.

By acknowledging the views of others, even when we disagree.

By apologising when we are in the wrong and trying to make amends.

By treating the school environment and the wider community with care.

Students demonstrate Commitment:

By attending school on time each day.

By attending all lessons on time, every time.

By regularly taking part in extracurricular activities.

By always being a role model for others, both at home and in our community.

By catching up on any missed work to ensure we don’t miss out on learning.

Students demonstrate Service:

By clearing up our own rubbish and helping to keep the school site tidy.

By giving our talents and time to improve our school and community.

By taking on positions of student leadership.

By taking opportunities to raise money for charity.

By having generosity of spirit, thoughts, words, and actions.

Caption:

Students have been taking part in the John Willmott Character Virtues scheme.