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19.
June
2014.
CHARACTER EDUCATION EXPERT SPEAKS AT SCHOOL’S PRIZEGIVING
James O’Shaughnessy, a passionate advocate of the potential of character education to transform children’s lives, was the special guest at Lord Wandsworth College’s annual prizegiving.
James is the managing director of Floreat Education, which aims to bring the practice of character virtue development into UK state schools. Before that he was Director of Policy and Research for Prime Minister David Cameron between 2007 and 2011. James spoke about the purpose of education and reflected on the renewed interest in moral or character education that has emerged in schools. He argued education is more than just learning facts and skills, but also about equipping children with the attributes needed to live a happy life. Lord Wandsworth College has identified 11 core virtues that are both important in their own right and also draw upon the best traditions of the school. James talked about how the school is embedding these virtues into every moment of school life, from the classroom to the playing field. He also reflected on the college’s most famous pupil, Jonny Wilkinson, who he said is defined as much for his extraordinary achievements as for the values he embodies.
James also handed out prizes to pupils and then the whole school and parents were treated to the choir singing Mozart and a wonderfully moving speech by Head of College, Sadiya Mohammed. The audience was let tapping their feet to a rousing rendition of Sing, Sing, Sing by the school’s concert band.