December 2016
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Assessing the future of character education and development - both in England’s schools and extra-curricular activities undertaken by young people outside of school hours - this seminar brought together key policymakers and stakeholders.
It followed a heightened emphasis from Government on character, including the announcement by the Prime Minister of £80m for a new Youth Investment Fund to increase opportunities for young people and support character development; the introduction of the National Collaborative Outreach Programme in six opportunity areas; the opening of a new wave of school cadet units intended to improve children’s self-esteem, self-confidence and organisational skills; and the introduction of the Department for Education Character Awards in 2016.
The seminar also came after the introduction to Parliament of the National Citizen Service Bill, which proposed placing the scheme on a statutory footing, delegates considered the impact of its expansion to all 16 and 17 year olds that want to attend and the likely effect on other youth services. Issues of value for money in the NCS’s delivery was also considered as the National Audit Office carries out an inquiry into the scheme.
Sessions identified best practice in the teaching of character education; considered whether the necessary resources and time in the school day were made available to successfully embed it into the curriculum more widely; discussed what was needed from character education to prepare young people for life beyond school; and considered its impact on teaching and teacher training.
