Schools should aim to instil “character and creativity” in their pupils, as well as offering them academic tuition, according to Labour’s shadow education secretary.
But Tristram Hunt rejects the traditional notion that character is best taught through adversity, arguing that the latest research from the University of Birmingham has identified techniques which allow it to be taught in the classroom.
In a speech to the education charity AQA in London, he called for teacher training to include methods for encouraging children to develop “grit, determination and the ability to work in teams in challenging circumstances”.
His comments come after a report this week from the All-party Parliamentary Group on Social Mobility, which said schoolchildren should be taught character and given the resilience and determination to overcome setbacks in life.
Mr Hunt said that character and creativity are at the heart of his vision for schooling in the 21st century and schools should not leave them to chance.
“Character is not best taught through adversity – its study belongs in the supportive, dedicated and aspirational communities that the best schools provide,” he said.
“We need to re-emphasise two fundamental educational capabilities that are in serious danger of being crowded out.
“These qualities are, I believe, vitally important in preparing young people for the economy of the future.
“They are important in our push to raise academic attainment and deliver educational excellence for all.
“But most of all they are important because they are valuable in terms of the type of education we want our young people to enjoy in order to reach their fullest potential.
“They are: character and creativity.”
Mr Hunt cited research from academics Professor James Heckman at the University of Chicago and Professor James Arthur at the University of Birmingham, which suggests that character can be taught.
And he called on teacher training providers to make character and resilience education part of their courses.
“What is clear is that this is about more than bolting on some music lessons or sports clubs to the school day,” he will say.
“I am calling upon teacher training providers to include character education in initial teacher training. And we should encourage all schools to use the curriculum freedoms at their disposal to embed character education and resilience across their curricula.”
Hunt said research has shown that vulnerable and disadvantaged young people are far more likely to deal with the consequences of failure and setbacks in a negative way.
“By prioritising character, moral purpose and the education of well-rounded individuals as well as academic attainment, the Labour Party is demonstrating its commitment to taking some of those deeper cultural challenges head on,” he will say.
