Character is a set of personal traits that shape our emotions, influence our motivations, and guide our actions. At Bishop Young Academy, we are committed to ensuring that our students receive a comprehensive character education. This encompasses both explicit and implicit learning activities that help young people develop positive personal strengths, or virtues.
Character education at Bishop Young Academy is not simply a subject, but a way of life. It's about empowering students to understand what is ethically important in any situation and equipping them with the tools to make the right choices. Our goal is to help them become more autonomous, reflective individuals who make decisions for the right reasons.
As our students grow, they will be called to decide the type of person they wish to become. In this process, character education teaches them how to choose wisely between alternatives, developing what we call practical wisdom—an essential skill for making intelligent decisions. This is central to our Christian vision for education and the pursuit of "life in all its fullness."
Character education at BYA is about fostering virtues that reflect ‘character in action.’ These virtues are developed through experience and demonstrated over time in words and deeds. We see character education as essential to nurturing wisdom, hope, community, and dignity, all shaped by the understanding of God at work in the world and in each individual's developmental journey.
At BYA, character education permeates all subjects and activities. It’s not a standalone programme but an approach that shapes our ethos and guides our academic and pastoral work. It’s an approach that cultivates common virtues, preparing our students for life beyond school, as friends, neighbours, parents, team members, and employees. Ultimately, it benefits not just individuals but society as a whole.
We invite you to explore our Personal Development prospectus, which outlines the many opportunities available for students at Bishop Young Academy.
At Bishop Young, character development is taught and caught through lessons, form times, assemblies, interventions, and the consistent modelling of our six Bishop Characteristics for Character Development, encapsulated in the acronym BISHOP:
Benevolence - We nurture the quality of kindness, compassion, and altruism in our students, encouraging them to contribute positively to society.
Integrity - Integrity goes beyond honesty; it’s about being true to one’s beliefs, working to one’s full potential, and treating others with respect at all times.
Self-fulfilment - We guide our students in developing self-awareness, helping them understand their strengths and areas for growth, fostering a sense of accomplishment as they achieve their goals.
Health and Happiness - In a complex world, it’s essential that our students learn the importance of physical, mental, and social well-being, equipping them with the tools to thrive as happy and healthy citizens.
Oneness - We foster tolerance, inclusivity, and mutual respect. Our faith-based approach helps students build a moral vision for a society rooted in love and respect for others.
Perseverance - Our students are encouraged to tackle challenges with resilience, determination, and grit, learning to stay focused and committed even when faced with difficulties.
Throughout their time at BYA, students will be set challenges to help develop their BISHOP character. For example, students will complete a 1.5-mile run to promote health and happiness. Across all year groups, students will be encouraged to earn positive Classcharts points for displaying each of the characteristics.
Our PSHE Programme mirrors our Bishop Character Education. We have 6 half terms a year, with each one focusing on a different aspect of the BISHOP model.
Students receive a PSHE timetabled lesson once every 2 weeks and also have a Bishop Character form time session once a week.
