Activities that build character ‘must be open to all’
CHARACTER-BUILDING ACTIVITIES such as sports, dance and drama should not only be the luxury of rich schoolchildren, the Education Secretary will say today.
Damian Hinds will tell the Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership conference that all children must have access to a wide range of activities to help build the character and resilience they need to succeed.
He is expected to say the qualities are just as important as GCSEs in helping young people get on in life.
Skills such as the ability to deal with setbacks and focus on long term goals can improve academic outcomes, the Department for Education has said.
However, children from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to be able to access these character-building activities than their more affluent peers.
Calling time on the phrase “public school confidence”, Mr Hinds wants youngsters from all backgrounds to be able to develop a similarly-assured outlook on life.
He will announce five foundations of building character – sport, creativity, performing, volunteering and membership, and the world of work – and say all children should be able to access at least one activity from each of them.
A lack of information about available activities should not be a barrier to young people accessing them, Mr Hinds will say, pledging to improve links between schools and other organisations.
Mr Hinds is expected to tell the conference: “I want to make sure every child gets to build up their character and resilience by testing themselves from a range of enjoyable activities.
“These activities don’t have to be a result of a physical exertion. They can just as easily be something you do at school or at home or in an office or that isn’t a hobby. I am proposing the five foundations for building character, broad areas of activity which will help develop character and resilience in young people.
“All of them combine elements that will stretch and challenge and will help young people think, develop and grow and which will enhance their self-esteem and confidence.”