Secretary of State Endorses Learning for Life Research

Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education, sent a message to the book launch of Prof. James Arthur’s Of Good Character last Thursday night, in Oxford. The message, read out by Mary Macleod MP, commended the importance of the research contained in the book. The launch, before an invited audience of academics, included speeches by Dean of Westminster Dr. John Hall, Rt. Hon. Liam Byrne MP, Mary Macleod MP, businessman and entrepreneur Stephen Brenninkmeijer, as well as John Templeton Foundation chairman and president Dr.Jack Templeton. The event was chaired by Lord Watson of Richmond who, as well as being High Steward of the University of Cambridge, is also an honorary professor of the University of Birmingham.

What part do the family, community values, the media and religion play in influencing and shaping character? How young people’s values and virtues are formed in modern society is one of the key themes of a brand new book by education expert Professor James Arthur, of the University of Birmingham.

Of Good Character brings together the results of the largest UK study of its kind to date, exploring what teachers, parents and pupils feel about moral and character education. It also looks at why character in political, public and education policy is so important and asks whether perhaps the lack of a moral framework and language may be one of the key reasons why character education is so poorly explored or developed in UK society.

The book, which was launched at St Anne’s College, Oxford, promises to make a significant contribution to the emerging field of Character Education, both in the UK and internationally, and forms the final and major report in a series of research reports conducted by the Learning for Life project. 

Of Good Character examines a number of contexts in detail, identifying clear ideas and issues for relevant sectors to consider. For example, within the context of a religious environment, the book recommends the following issues for consideration:

• Churches and religious organisations need to explore a clear and defined approach to the development of character and morality;
• To provide greater opportunities to engage in their communities, both through and outside of school;
• The importance of moral educators to ensure sensitivity is shown towards children of ethnic minorities, who generally come from communities in which active religious practise is more common;
• To encourage Employers and employer’s organisations to work with universities and schools to look for ways in which character can be given proper emphasis, when discussing preparation for employability;
• To question whether the value formations within Christian young people linked to the eroding of boundaries between, and the lack of teachings on, sin, evil, reward and salvation;
• To consider the inclusion of Moral Philosophy within the school curriculum from the age of 14, in order to familiarise pupils with the language of moral debate.

James says:  ‘I hope the research and findings within this book will help Government and key policy influencers, shape and develop policy on the teaching of character education in schools, colleges and universities alike.’

For further information about Of Good Character and the Learning for Life project, please contact Research Administrator Aidan Thompson via