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.
At Key Stage 3, all students take part in our Bishop Character Awards programme, progressing through Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold with Honours levels. These awards reflect our commitment to developing the whole person, recognising that character formation is just as important as academic success. They are rooted in our Christian vision of being a community where “all are enabled to flourish.”
Students work towards a series of activities and personal goals that demonstrate how they are growing in character and living out our Bishop characteristics. The awards acknowledge and celebrate those who consistently make positive choices and contribute fully to school life.
The Bishop Character Awards bring together our academy priorities and teaching and learning initiatives. Students gain recognition for their progress in reading, oracy, and their compassion towards others. The programme also encourages active involvement and leadership in collective worship, as well as enthusiastic participation in extra-curricular opportunities.
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Each half term, a different year group takes the lead in educating the school community about a chosen charity or good cause. Through a range of student-led events, they raise awareness, encourage support, and inspire charitable giving.
These initiatives include assemblies led by the students, supported by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The assemblies explore how the chosen cause connects with our Christian vision and reflects the Bishop character focus for the half term.
The charities and causes have been selected by the School Council, ensuring that student voice remains at the heart of this work.
This programme is part of our commitment to nurturing courageous advocacy—empowering all students to stand up for justice, take action, and live out our Christian vision in meaningful and impactful ways.
