Developing Character Skills in Schools, 2015-2016

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.Increasing emphasis has been placed on character education in recent years, including significant investment by the Department for Education (DfE) in projects aimed at developing desirable character traits in children and young people through the Character Innovation Fund. Character education can be defined in various ways, and can be seen to overlap with concepts in the literature such as 'non-cognitive skills' or 'social and emotional skills'. The primary aim of this survey was to gain a representative profile of provision within schools, colleges and other educational institutions, as well as providing an understanding of the issues that institutions face in delivering character education. For the purpose of this survey, character education was defined as any activities that aim to develop desirable character traits in children and young people. Ultimately, character education seeks to prepare children and young people for well-rounded and successful adult lives; supporting improved academic attainment, employability and citizenship. This survey was commissioned in order to understand what schools in England currently do to try and develop desirable character traits among their pupils, and to explore their experiences of putting this provision into place. The DfE intend for this evidence to provide a basis for future work, including research into effective practice and gaps in provision. The survey forms part of a wider, mixed methods project exploring mental health and character education provision in schools and colleges across England. A sample of 6,907 primary schools, secondary schools (with and without sixth forms), post-16 institutions (FE colleges and sixth form colleges) and other less common types of institutions (including Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), alternative provision and special schools) in England was drawn from the most up-to-date extract from Edubase (March 2016) for the dual topic survey of mental health and character education provision. The survey of character education was carried out in the final term of the 2015-2016 academic year. The related survey covering mental health, Supporting Mental Health in Schools and Colleges, 2016-2017, is available under SN 8354.