The DfE has announced that Haywood Academy is only 1 of 27 schools in the country to receive this award. The DfE says that teachers at Haywood Academy are committed to supporting character building activities and closely monitor student’s commitment to progress.
Below is the article featured in the Sentinel on 3rd March 2015…
PUPILS are celebrating after their school won a national award from the Government for its character-building activities.
Haywood Academy, in Burslem, offers a vast array of opportunities for young people to develop traits such as self-discipline, perseverance and respect for others.
It has included piloting cadetships with both Steelite and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to get students to work on challenges and learn practical skills.
Now Haywood has been named as one of just 27 schools in England to pick up a Character Award.
Pupils will be decide ing how to spend their £15,000 prize, which will go towards other projects to improve life at the school.
“For us, it runs right through the school. You need to encourage children to feel like they are going to be valued.”
There is also a regular programme of events linked to personal, social and health education, with sessions on first aid and the dangers of drink and drugs.
The 14-year-old, from Chell Heath, said: “We go into a primary school once a week to run dance, football and multi-skills activities for the pupils.
Fellow Haywood student Christian Bailey is living proof of the impact character education can have on a young person.
“I’d never played a musical instrument before Year 7. Now I play practically every instrument going.”
Christian and several friends had also decided to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War by making 100 poppies and crosses in their own time.
Announcing the award winners, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said they were ‘leading the way’.