Character Education at St. John’s C of E Middle School, Bromsgrove

At St. John’s Church of England Middle School, we are dedicated to nurturing the whole child. Personal development is a key part of school life, and Character Education plays a vital role in shaping the values, attitudes, and behaviours of our pupils. It is not limited to PSHE lessons or occasional projects—it is embedded throughout the school day: in form time, lessons, collective worship, clubs, and even lunchtime interactions.

Our approach is rooted in our Christian vision and guided by the core values of Forgiveness, Love, Integrity, and Perseverance. These values underpin every aspect of school life and help us support pupils in becoming compassionate, responsible, and resilient individuals.

Inspired by the work of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham, we have strengthened our belief that building strong moral character is essential for a fulfilling life and for making a positive difference in the world.

What is Character Education?

Character Education is the intentional development of positive traits—virtues that help individuals thrive and interact well with others. It’s not just about understanding what is right, but about consistently choosing to do what is right. At St. John's, we see character not just as behaviour, but as who you are when no one is watching.

Identifying and Nurturing Virtues

According to the Jubilee Centre, virtues fall into four broad categories:

•  Performance Virtues – such as perseverance, motivation, and confidence
•  Moral Virtues – such as honesty, respect, and integrity
•  Civic Virtues – such as community spirit and service to others
•  Intellectual Virtues – such as curiosity, critical thinking, and focus

At St. John’s, we give special emphasis to virtues that reflect our Christian ethos. For example:

•  Perseverance – continuing to try, even when things get tough
•  Integrity – being truthful and honourable in all circumstances
•  Love – showing empathy, compassion, and kindness
•  Forgiveness – letting go of resentment and learning through reconciliation

We also encourage other important virtues, such as generosity, courage, open-mindedness, and adventurousness. Our character curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to explore and develop these virtues through discussion, reflection, and real-life application.

This curriculum is built on three key pillars:

1. PSHE lessons

2. Collective Worship and reflection

3. Enrichment opportunities and themed enrichment days

The School’s Role in Character Development

While families are a child’s first educators, we believe schools have a crucial role in helping children grow into well-rounded individuals. Research shows that when schools, parents/carers, and communities work together to support moral development, pupils are more likely to thrive.

At St. John’s, we believe that every child has a right to Character Education. We provide time, space, and support for pupils to reflect on their values, build good habits, and grow into the best versions of themselves in a school environment grounded in faith, community, and academic excellence.

Celebrating Character Growth

At St. John’s, we believe character is developed not just through lessons, but through everyday experiences. We see evidence of our pupils’ character growth across all aspects of school life, and we are proud to recognise and celebrate these moments regularly. Examples include:

• Supporting one another—emotionally and academically.                                                                             Pupils show empathy and kindness by looking out for each other, whether through structured roles like our Year 7 reading mentors and anti-bullying ambassadors, or through small acts of care in day-to-day school life.
• Demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges.                                                                                            Our pupils embrace a growth mindset—persevering when things get tough and learning from setbacks. We see this especially during residential trips such as Arete, Oakerwood, and Young Voices, where pupils face new challenges and grow in confidence.
• Embracing new experiences with confidence.                                                                                                    From stepping onto the stage in the school production, to taking on leadership responsibilities or joining extra-curricular clubs, pupils regularly show courage and curiosity by stepping outside their comfort zones.
• Aiming high and taking ownership of their learning.                                                                                      Pupils show ambition by setting personal goals, reflecting on feedback, and contributing meaningfully to their learning journey. This is seen in their engagement with academic targets, school learning plans, and the development of pupil passports that reflect their voice and aspirations.

These examples—and many more—are celebrated through our half-termly Values Nominations, where staff and pupils recognise those who demonstrate our core values in everyday life. Pupils also earn E-Praise points for consistently showing character in action.

Character growth is visible across our school—in our conversations, displays, collective worship, showing Courageous Advocacy through our enrichment projects and community initiatives. It is not an add-on, but a central part of who we are as a Church of England school.

If you would like to learn more about Character Education at St. John’s C of E Middle School, please contact Mrs Gallinagh or Miss Kelly, our Character Education Leads.