Appendix 9: Research and Development in Hodge Hill Constituency
A key objective of the Learning for Life project is to make a contribution to the
development of pedagogy for the integration of character formation in the core
curriculum, learning and ethos in schools.
The contrast between students’ positive self perception of care and consideration and
relative lack of community action has prompted interest in exploring ways secondary
schools can provide a structured educational programme to support young people’s civic
engagement.
The partnership with School A has been successful in developing and piloting an
innovative service learning programme. The ‘Learning for Life Leadership programme’
supported a group of twelve Year 10 students in leading change within their community
and putting their civic aspirations into action.
The programme consists of four elements:
1) Student voice and consultation - exercises and activities to identify participants
own notions of community, issues of concern and civic responsibility as starting
points for future civic action and learning.
2) Social Capital Development - exercises and activities to build stronger bonds
among participants raising a sense of trust and support. Building bridges with
other community members and agents of change, creating crosscutting ties.
3) Critical Literacy - the use of Open Space for Dialogue and Enquiry. Supporting
young people to think through community issues, examine their own assumptions
and appreciate different perspectives on these issues.
4) Collaborative Service Learning - project management and enterprise tasks to
support young people leading their own community action project.
Interim findings from piloting this programme have identified the impact of character
education in helping young people to be:
• able and willing to contribute to the well-being of their communities
• well motivated and ambitious and able to take responsibility for their own
actions
• able and willing to work as part of a team
• self aware of their own individual capacity to be an active citizen.
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