Character is a set of personal traits that produce specific moral emotions, inform motivation and guide conduct. Character education includes explicit and implicit educational activities that help young people develop positive personal strengths which are called virtues.

Black Horse Hill Junior School pledges to provide equity of opportunity for ALL pupils irrespective of socio-economic background, gender, ethnicity and protected characteristic in order to enable pupils to become good citizens, able to lead good lives and contribute to the common good.  Inclusion is intrinsically interleaved through the Black Horse Hill character development charter. Equality of Opportunity means pupils will be helped to understand that no-one should be treated or thought of as less favourable because they belong to a specific group and to know that not to be inclusive is to be unjust.

Human flourishing is the ultimate aim of character education and requires the acquisition of intellectual, moral and civic virtues. Schools will aim to develop confident and compassionate pupils who are effective contributors to society, successful learners and responsible citizens.

Character Caught – Through a positive school community, formational relationships and a clear ethos.

Character Taught – Through the curriculum using teaching and learning strategies, activities and resources.

Character Sought – Through experiences that occur within and outside of the formal curriculum it is vital that every member of a school community understands what character is, Pupils and teachers therefore need to know the names and meanings of the character virtues but display them in the school’s thinking, attitudes and actions.