Herefordshire Council advises 10 Downing Street

Herefordshire Council took its  plans for a national blueprint on values education to Conor Ryan, Tony Blair’s education adviser at 10 Downing Street this month.

Sue Fiennes, director of children and young people, Bridget Knight, primary school improvement manager and consultant Neil Hawkes were invited to meet Mr Ryan at number 10 after sharing details about the values based practices in Herefordshire.  They told him how this work could be used as a blueprint approach to values education nationally.

Values education offers a framework to help children become thinking, confident, self-responsible and caring citizens.  Positive core values such as respect and responsibility become the focus of the school with role modelling, discussion, debate and reflection being used to encourage positive behaviour, confidence and self-esteem. 

The framework offers a practical way to bring about real and sustainable whole school change and there is a growing body of evidence, which suggests it, has a positive impact on families and communities. 

In Herefordshire the approach is being used across primary, secondary and special schools and more recently in early years settings and children’s centres. 

The approach consists of a number of different elements such as focussing on a value like respect, peace, or unity and using it for assemblies and school work over a period of time.  Other elements include role modelling, discussion and reflection activities.

The impact of values education in Herefordshire has been praised by education professionals working within and outside the authority, including the government’s regulatory organisation, OFSTED. 

Particular impacts noted amongst children include better listening, communication and debating skills, improved relationships at all levels, stronger motivation for learning and improved life chances.
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Conor Ryan showed great interest in the approach and has advised Herefordshire to share this further with Jim Knight, Minister for Education.

To date the majority of schools are involved in values education and plans are underway for a national conference to take place in Herefordshire in the Autumn term 2007.