Character Development Recognition 

At Eastfield Primary Academy we aim to develop our children’s learning both in school and outside in the community. We believe that our children need the skills and attitudes that are required to be successful in the modern world. We want our children to feel confident and secure in their abilities, and the contribution they can make to the wider community.

Our three drivers of Pride, Collaboration and Understanding underpin everything we do and plan for in our Academy:

·  Pride means that we are always proud of our families, our Academy, our work and ourselves; we strive to be the best we can be, in everything we do.

·  Collaboration means that we work together and learn with, and from each other. This is in every classroom, every group and as an Academy. What we can do in a team today, we can do on our own tomorrow!

·  Understanding means that we try to understand how other communities feel and compare this to our own.

In addition to this, we want our children to be resilient, confident and caring. We encourage our children to take responsibility and to recognise the times where they can help others by taking part in activities both inside and outside of school. However, we readily acknowledge that our children do not have equal access to opportunities outside of school and therefore, our children collaborate together as a class to work towards character recognition. 

The Building Blocks of Developing Character

There are four building blocks that we believe are key to children developing good character:

·  Participation – taking part in activities both inside and outside of school

·  Learning – showing determination and confidence in their academic abilities, this supports our driver of Understanding

·  Leadership – leading people in order to achieve a goal, this supports our driver of Pride

·  Support – helping others to achieve goals, this supports our driver of Collaboration

Children at Eastfield will have the opportunity to take part in activities which will demonstrate all of these characteristics. Children will be encouraged by staff to take part in activities in school and the community as part of a class-based activity or individually.

The progress the children make in their classes will be recorded using a set of criteria:

 

Building Block 1: Participation 

Participation involves the children being involved in activities in school and beyond the classroom. 

There are many opportunities for our children to extend their learning and to take part in exciting activities in and around school. 

Criteria for the Participation Award: 

  • Remembrance Service – in school & at St Andrew’s Church 
  • Harvest Festival – performance to both peers & parents (Y3 & Y4) 
  • Easter Service – performance to both peers & parents (Y1 & Y2) 
  • End of Year Production – performance to both peers & parents (Y6) 
  • Muddy Warrior 
  • Inter-year group competitions 
  • Represent Eastfield at a sporting event 
  • Walk to School Week 
  • Watch a football match – in school & outside of school 
  • Attend after-school clubs for a term 
  • Attend out-of-school clubs for a term 
  • Halloween Disco

 

Building Block 2: Learning 

Learning involves the children making progress in their knowledge, progress and attainment. These can be gained both in and out of school. 

There are many opportunities for our children to extend and deepen their learning. 

Criteria for the Learning Award: 

  • Library – visit the library with school & family 
  • Swimming – in school & outside of school 
  • Music performance – to peers & parents based on their music tuition 
  • TT RockStars – children complete the challenges both within school & at home for a term (Y2 to Y6) 
  • Numbots - children complete the challenges both within school & at home for a term (Y1) 
  • E-Learning reading books - children read at least 3 times per week both within school & at home for a term (Y1) 
  • Reading Plus – children complete reading activities both within school & at home (Y2 to Y6) 
  • Home Reading - children read at least 3 times per week both within school & at home for a term (Y2 to Y6) 
  • Dress-up – children take part in activities within school 
  • Trip – go out on an educational visit 
  • GTFC – certificates awarded for perseverance, fair play, stamina, sportsmanship, determination etc. 
  • Meet an author 
  • Visit a place of worship 
  • Meet a career ambassador 
  • Welcome a visitor into the classroom or school 

Building Block 3: Leadership 

Leadership is about the children being able to lead challenges and take responsibility for leading initiatives around the school for the betterment of all.  

The skills of leadership allow children to develop essential attributes for all aspects of school-life.  

There are many opportunities for our children to extend and deepen their learning. 

Criteria for the Leadership Award: 

  • Enterprise – children make & sell products 
  • Sports Leaders – children are Sports Leaders for a term 
  • Digital Leaders – children are Digital Leaders for a term 
  • Team Eastfield – there are class representatives on Team Eastfield 
  • Well-being Champions – children are advocates for well-being
  • Family Captains – children are a ‘captain’ for their family 
  • Reading – children read/share a story with an individual, a group and /or a class 

Building Block 4: Support 

Support is about the children being able to support each other to achieve in all aspects of school life and to care for one another; what we can do in a team today, we can do on our own tomorrow!  

Children supporting each other – Collaboration – underpins everything that we do and plan for in Eastfield. Our children are given opportunities to work together and learn with, and from each other. The skill of collaboration allows our children to develop an essential attribute for all aspects of school-life and the work place.  

There are many opportunities for our children to develop and extend their collaborative skills. 

Criteria for the Support Award: 

  • Charity Event – children organise and/or support a charity event. 
  • Children in Need – children take part in activities both within school, at home or the wider community 
  • Sports Relief – children take part in activities both within school, at home or the wider community 
  • Shoe Box Appeal – children contribute towards a class Shoe Box 
  • Xmas Jumper – children support the NSPCC charity 
  • Random act of Kindness – a child is observed by a member of staff 
  • Learning Buddy – a child supports a peer for an activity, session or learning sequence 

 

There are lots of activities to choose from - so all children in school will have something which they can access and that will interest them. However, the suggestions are not an exhaustive list and staff, children and families can think of their own ideas and add them to the list.

Character development activities can be completed at any time across the academic year.

Activities can be completed as a class, a group of children within a class or across a group of classes or on an individual basis, however, the class will receive recognition as a whole. An elephant will be added to the ‘Character Development Recognition’ display so that success within classes can be recognised, shared and celebrated with all. We want to encourage all children to take part and recognise the contribution that everyone can make even if not every child contributed to the ‘elephant’ being awarded. We hope that the award of an ‘elephant’ will encourage more children to get involved next time!

However, if an activity is completed that is extraordinary, a red elephant will be awarded. This is awarded at the discretion of staff.