Character

Oh God! It would be great if the parents could do a bit.

Although the schools could think a little less about fulfilling targets and be a lot firmer with the children. It is all kow-towing to the parents of the precious darlings at the moment.

I taught for over 30 years, and I have absolutely no idea how I would teach character, other than by examples in literature, which would mean saying "this is how you should be." which is nonsensical.

This is probably just another daft notion from people who haven't been in a classroom since they were 18.

Three simple rules at DD's primary school seem like a good start to me:

Respect yourself
Respect others
Respect your surroundings

Quite a lot about character and good citizenship can be based on those. I think that's all it means – talking about what is good behaviour in society and what isn't.

And yes, parents should do it too.

Some of us do.

The approach doesn't have to be grandiose to be useful.

Sort of related – DD (2nd yr high school) had a lesson about copyright and infringement last week. That's part of character-building too.

Actually, pretty much anything is.

Therefore, no problem. It's just a question of teaching kids good stuff.

When I was a girl and when my children were little that sort of thing was 'taught' in assembly by giving examples of various saints etc and their heroic deeds (not just slaying dragons ). Presumably that sort of thing is still an aspect of school life. But, then again, I haven't been in a classroom for quite a few years.

with apologies for duplication of 'that sort of thing' Miss Furness [battleaxe] and Mrs Rook would be horrified.

Character is a pretty meaningless word isn't it. They already do something called Citizenship.

I've always thought that character was an individual thing like personality, relating to a person's traits and foibles. Before I opened the thread I thought the OP was going to tell us about some acquaintance who was regarded as a 'character'.
I thought schools already did teach the values mentioned in the OP. obviously the ethos varies from school to school, but surely they are incorporated into PHSE (?) and other lessons.
Sounds like another governmental stick with which to beat the profession, and then claim the credit for any perceived improvement.
#seenitallbefore

I'd like to clarify my post - I didn't mean using saints as role models but talking about the various aspects of people's personalities in a similar way.

I thought it would be something about lettering (characters!) That's what comes of being married to a printer, and spending the day yesterday talking to people about printing! However, I think that character building must start at home, and the three 'Respects' mentioned above are a good starting point for any one.

I think they are born with the character they are going to have. They need to be given guidance on how to act towards other people though. And to see things from other people's point of view.

I think it's a job for grannies. Parents sometimes don't see the wood for the trees.

It is not a government suggestion, it is a guy who runs several academy schools.

Imo if a school has a good ethos that will help teach character. I am convinced our character is dependent upon the environment in which we are brought up so it needs both home and school.

J08 how are the grannies who don't live near their Gcs to do that?

Thanks for the correction moved
I have to say if it's someone who is actually already in education, as opposed to inexperienced politicians,that somehow makes it worse, as he should realise that schools already do provide moral guidance to students.
I don't think children's characters are formed by the time they are born, even though new born babies seem to have their own personality. I think character can be influenced by a child's environment, and adults have choice about how they react in any particular situation.
I like the Jesuit maxim "Give me a child for for his first seven years and I'll give you the man".

jane Agreed! #seenitallbeforetoo

Character? Self respect and self reliance.

The currently very popular thing children are taught; 'self esteem' is a recipe for self regarding narcissistic people with no regard for other people. Hence the indifferent care we now get in hospitals.