We are a school of character and were accredited with A Kitemark in October 2022! This followed a focussed, 18-month school improvement programme.
How did the change impact our Character Education? In brief, positively! It is our commitment as a school to ensure that everyone in our school community is cared for unconditionally and valued equally as a unique person. In our learning, in our work, in our relationships and through our community, we are committed to aiming for success in everything we do. Our aim as a school is that we are all growing ‘leaders, learners and citizens’; emphasising that we are committed to preparing our learners for jobs that are yet to exist. Underpinning this are our values of honesty, faith and courage – adopted when we joined King’s Group Academies.
The Gosport Futures are displayed in all classrooms and regularly referred to as a way to positively reinforce the development of our character. Throughout daily life at King’s Academy Rowner, we allow the children opportunities for character to be explicitly taught, as well as to be recognised within the role models around them. Alongside character lessons, the children also take part in a broad curriculum that encourages them to challenge themselves and be the best version of themselves – CoJoes is integral to this. Children from across the school can apply for our School Council. This is an integral part of the development of the school as it allows all children the opportunity to be leaders and make important changes in their community. The application and voting process enables our learners to experience the British Value of democracy.
What was the journey to the Character kitemark? Prior to embarking on our school improvement journey Rowner had already begun to consider what our school virtues would be. Due to being part of a multi-academy Trust it was important for us that our virtues were consistent across all schools. Therefore, it was vital that representatives from all schools were part of the process. Through many discussions in teams including; Senior leadership, middle leadership, all classroom based staff as well as the children themselves, we identified the values that were integral to the development of our school. Our chosen virtues were based around ‘The GFM Way’. The Gosport Futures were and are a key part of life at Rowner and are the skills that we need in order to be successful adults.
Character: taught, sought and caught
Character taught – Children have access to a regular taught character curriculum. This curriculum focuses around the progression of building on our school virtues, as well as through following the lives of inspirational characters from all around the world. Real life examples are given to further develop resilience, problem solving skills and leadership. A tiered approach is adopted when teaching character education to support the personal development and wellbeing of all children. In addition to an explicit character curriculum, all subjects throughout the school offer opportunities to develop character. As a priority in our school, all learning is integrated alongside character education to ensure we are developing the children as people as well as learners.
Character sought – Through a broad range of subjects, as well as extra-curricular activities, the children are provided with the opportunity to seek out ways to develop their character. Through the use of self selecting challenges, the children are able to choose to push themselves further and develop their resilience and perseverance.
Character caught – As a community that has an influence on so many children, we have the responsibility to ensure that we are good role models for all learners within our care. Team Rowner team pride themselves on being positive role models for the children to ‘catch’ displaying good character. Alongside this, the children also learn about inspirational characters through their Diversity and Equality curriculum lessons as another opportunity to ‘catch’ positive character.
Environment – Our school ethos is obvious to visitors – you can feel it, see it and live it
o support this:
- The Gosport Futures, are visible in every classroom and integrated into lessons, assemblies, and discussions about learning and behaviour.
- We make use of our local environment. Our commitment to our grounds through Gosport in Bloom and visits to the beach and local attractions enhance children’s connection to nature and responsibility for the environment.
- Personal Development, Emotional Wellbeing, and Character Education are taught weekly through a tiered curriculum, ensuring all children can access and benefit from these vital lessons. Learning walks by the Senior Leadership Team and Subject Leaders ensure our character initiatives are embedded across the school.
- Pupil Voice roles, such as the School Council support the development of the whole child, not just academically. We link British Values to our curriculum preparing children for life in modern Britain.
- Collective worship and assemblies enrich our daily curriculum, helping children engage with the wider world and build a strong moral compass.