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’.