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There are many ways to build character

In proposing his Five Foundations for Building Character, the education secretary has set out his definition of character and resilience – but young people build these traits in many others ways that deserve recognition too, says Deborah Lawson

“Character and resilience are as crucial to young people’s future success as academic qualifications,” education secretary Damian Hinds said last month in a Department for Education press release.

I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment although demonstrating this to a potential employer, or to Ofsted, is a different matter.

Mr Hinds set out Five Foundations for Building Character and pledged to work with schools and organisations to help “every child” access activities within each of those foundations.

He didn’t actually use the phrase “as crucial” in the published text of his speech (at the Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership conference), but the softer “education is about more than just academic achievement, important though that is”. Encouragingly, he was “delighted” that the draft Education Inspection Framework proposes placing clear importance on personal development and positive attitudes.

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