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At a time when character education is more important than ever, how can schools ensure they’re going beyond the tick-box and embedding values like respect, curiosity and empathy into everyday learning? At VotesforSchools, we believe that character development isn’t an add-on – it’s the foundation for everything else.

Through weekly discussions, real-world topics and a chance to make their voices heard, pupils are consistently encouraged to be informed, curious and courageous. This blog explores how VotesforSchools nurtures positive behaviours, promotes self-discipline and empowers pupils to become active citizens – all while helping schools meet key inspection criteria around personal development and behaviour. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Prioritising building of pupils’ character

VotesforSchools is designed specifically to help build pupils’ character; we promote the importance of being informed, curious and heard in everything we do, and pupils understand how to be active listeners, ask thoughtful questions, and share their own insights and experiences with others. The result? Pupils are given the building blocks to become engaged and responsible citizens, who are always looking out for those with quieter voices or who might otherwise be overlooked in society.

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2. A clearly embedded and shared ethos

VotesforSchools really is a one-stop shop for exceptional character development, and because it’s a weekly programme, this is applied consistently across the whole school. The lessons encourage pupils to challenge themselves and their peers in conversation, and the weekly voting means they are committed to making their views known.

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3. Consistent, high expectations

Fulfilling pupils’ potential is what we’re all about, and the weekly nature of VotesforSchools instils these expectations are laid out from the get-go. Pupils are encouraged to push themselves, both individually and collectively, to find common ground, explore new things and suggest solutions that are relevant to the issue at hand and the world they live in.

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4. Wider opportunities for young people

There are a wide range of opportunities available to all schools signed up to VotesforSchools, no matter their size, location or type:

• Casting votes and leaving comments weekly via the VotesforSchools platform
• Sending in suggestions for Voters’ Choice Weeks, during which all schools discuss a topic put forward by a VotesforSchools pupil
• Submitting blogs or articles with VotesforSchools to be featured on the platform
• Participating in the Youth Ambassadors programme to share ideas with other pupils in the VotesforSchools network
• Attending in-person and/or online events to share their insights on topical and/or youth-focused issues.

5. Fostering a sense of pride and belonging

VotesforSchools is a blueprint for an aspirational school community; cohesive, kind and confident. As a whole-school solution, it helps to develop a sense of belonging and of pride amongst pupils that they have a say and make a difference in the world around them.

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Pupils are also made aware of the views of other school communities via the weekly vote results. This helps them feel part of the bigger picture and shows they are not alone in their views: other young people around the UK want to talk about these things too, and care about them as much as they do.

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6. Encouraging respect and good behaviour

VotesforSchools reaffirms the importance of good behaviour by and for all pupils. It focuses especially on being engaged with and respectful of differing opinions and experiences. This then helps pupils practise self-discipline, as they learn more about when to interject and when to actively listen to their peers or their teachers.

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7. Promoting consideration and courtesy

VotesforSchools’ weekly resources consistently promote consideration, respect, good manners and courtesy. Naturally, pupils are able to build all of these skills through regular debate and discussion, and are shown the value of these. They are given a safe space to explore social & political issues, and build skills of tolerance, respect, compassion, listening to others & hearing views that are opposed to their own or those of their family/friends.

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Modelling and celebrating positive character traits

VotesforSchools is built on three positive character traits and behaviours: being informed, curious and heard. These are celebrated throughout the weekly lessons, and pupils are encouraged to practise these beyond the classroom.

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Because of the openness to challenging conversations and the carefully curated nature of the lessons, staff are also able to model these traits themselves when delivering VotesforSchools, and this helps them to build positive relationships with pupils. We regularly hear from schools in the network who tell us that the lessons have helped build positive rapport between staff and pupils.

For more on how VotesforSchools supports quality of education as well as behaviour & attitudes, check out our Inspection Bodies guidance.