Learning for Life

Foundations of Character Report Press Release

Following the launch of Foundations of Character at the House of Lords on Friday 21st May 2010, the press release for the event, along with photographs are now available below:

Families and professional carers are central to a child's character development

Early childhood years lay the groundwork for character development, as families, early educational professionals and peers play a vital role in shaping children's moral awareness, said Professor James Arthur, of the University's School of Education.

Youngsters learn strategic negotiating skills from one another and their carers as they acquire a sense of moral awareness, a key University of Birmingham and Canterbury Christ Church University study into child development has found.

The findings, detailed in 'Foundations of Character', researched and co-authored by Dr Sacha Powell and Dr Hsing Chiung Lin of Canterbury Christ Church University, were unveiled in the House of Lords on Friday, May 21, by Lord Watson of Richmond, chairman of Learning for Life.

It is the fifth study carried out by Professor Arthur and his research team that investigate the values and character development of children and young people.

'Foundations of Character' explores development in early childhood. It focuses on 24 children, who were all aged between 36 and 48 months old when the study began in June 2008, their parents, carers, professional carers and teachers.

Professor Arthur, Professor of Education and Civic Engagement, said it was clear that the way children negotiate with one another reveals that they are aware of moral complexities and have a sense of one another as well as of themselves. "Parents and carers have much to work with, as by example and through questioning, they assist the children in their care to give voice to their values".

Lord Alan Watson of Richmond, who launched the report, said: "It is commonly assumed that the influences on the early years of a child's life are determinative for the future individual: the evidence in this report suggests that the situation is more complex.

"It is true that the home and the professional environment are of the utmost importance, but children themselves take initiatives and explore their own experience through story and play which inform their growing self-awareness, knowledge of other people and sense of responsibility.

"As with other areas of education, early intervention and positive example seem to be crucial ingredients in developing a child's values. Nothing is more important for the future well-being of our society than this dimension of education."

Forthcoming Launch of the 'Foundations of Character' Report

The fifth Learning for Life research report, entitled 'Foundations of Character' is to be launched on Friday 21st May 2010 at the House of Lords. The event is to be hosted by the Learning for Life Advisory Board Chairman, Lord Alan Watson of Richmond.

The report will be made available as a downloadable pdf file, in both full and summary version, after the launch.

Hard copies will also be available by contacting Aidan Thompson at the University of Birmingham:

a.p.thompson@bham.ac.uk

Launch of the Character in Transition Report Press Release

Following last Friday's launch of the 'Character in Transition' report by Julian Brazier MP, at Barton Court Grammar School, Canterbury, the local media have released the following:

Canterbury schools launch national research release

National research carried out in Canterbury schools was officially unveiled at a city centre launch last week.
The latest in a series of national ‘Learning for Life' research projects, carried out by Canterbury Christ Church University and University of Birmingham academics, was presented at Barton Court Grammar School.

The research projects examine how character is developed during the education journey, from early years through to higher education into employment.

MP for Canterbury and Whitstable Julian Brazier, who attended the launch, said: "This study of pupils in transition from primary to secondary schools in Canterbury presents us with some very interesting findings."I commend the commitment which went into gathering a wealth of survey data from the children and teachers."

Research for the latest report, Character in Transition, was conducted over two years from 2007 to 2009, at primary and secondary schools in Canterbury. It reveals how the transition from the familiar, supportive and often small primary school to a more impersonal and larger secondary school has an impact on a child's idea of what makes good character.

Professor Sue Piotrowski, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: "This is a high profile research project which has involved staff at our University and, of course, local schools.
"The research findings are really valuable, particularly for us as a major provider of teacher education in the UK and investors in research which will make an impact."

26th February - Launch of the Character in Transition Report

As per the previous new item, the 'Character in Transition' report is to be unveiled by Julian Brazier MP for Canterbury, at Barton Court Grammar School at 4pm on Friday 26th February.

Should you require any further information about the event, or the report itself, please contact either Elizabeth Melville via elizabeth.melville@canterbury.ac.uk or Aidan Thompson via a.p.thompson@bham.ac.uk

Please note that pdf versions of the report and it's summary will be available to download from the website after the launch. Hard copies of the report and summary will also be available on request.

26th February - Launch of the Character in Transition Report

On Friday 26th February, the latest Learning for Life report, 'Character in Transition', will be unveiled by Julian Brazier MP, at 4pm at Barton Court School, Canterbury. It is our hope that all of the schools involved in the research for the report are able to attend, in addition to key members of the Learning for Life team, and other dignified guests. Further details regarding the event will be released in due course.

Learning for Life have a proven track record for conducting and producing insightful and important research. The launch of the fifth report, 'Character in Transition, Consistency in Values', will take place on Friday 26th February 2010 at Barton Court School, Canterbury, and will be unveiled by Julian Brazier MP, Conservative MP for Canterbury. We are very excited about the launch of this study into the character development during the transitional phase of education, between primary and secondary schooling, and the findings that it has brought. Once the launch has taken place, details of how to request a copy of the report will be advertised via the website.