In today's rapidly evolving world, academic excellence alone isn't enough to guarantee our children's success or happiness. 

We need to look beyond grades and test scores and cultivate individuals with strong character, equipped to navigate life's challenges and contribute positively to society. This is where the intentional development of character strengths in primary education becomes crucial! 

At LEO Academy Trust, we champion this belief by embedding character development within our primary curriculum. 

But why is this so important, and how does it benefit our young learners?  

What are character strengths?  

Traditional education often focuses heavily on academic achievements, which, while important, don't really tell the whole story. 

Character strengths are the positive traits and qualities that make up the invisible scaffolding to support a child's overall development.  

Shaping our thoughts, feelings, and actions, character strengths encompass qualities like empathy, resilience, open-mindedness, creativity, and collaboration. 

These strengths aren't just about being "nice" – they are the building blocks that empower children to:

• Make good choices: Integrity, fairness, and respect guide children to make responsible decisions. 
• Build healthy relationships: Empathy and collaboration are essential for forming positive connections with others, enabling children to thrive socially
• Persevere through difficulties: Resilience and a growth mindset empower children to overcome setbacks and maintain a "can-do" attitude. 
• Become lifelong learners: Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge fuel a love of learning that extends far beyond the classroom. 

What does it mean to be a ‘LEO Explorer’? 

At LEO Academy Trust, we understand the pivotal role that character strengths play in a child's holistic development and know that we are shaping the future generation of leaders. 

We've created the LEO Explorer Characteristics as our guiding framework, underpinning our curriculum and empowering all children to become confident, compassionate, and capable leaders who positively impact their communities. 

These characteristics empower our students to be: 

• Empathetic: To care about the feelings of others and build meaningful connections. 
• Open-Minded: To consider diverse perspectives and embrace new ideas. 
• Motivated: To have the drive and determination to pursue their goals. 
• Collaborative: To work effectively in teams and achieve more together. 
• Aspirational: To set high expectations for themselves and strive for greatness. 
• Creative: To think outside the box and find innovative solutions. 
• Resilient: To bounce back from setbacks and learn from failures. 
• Reflective: To analyse experiences and strive for continuous improvement. 
• Curious: To have an endless desire to learn and discover. 
• Forward-Thinking: To envision the future and plan accordingly. 

By weaving the LEO Explorer Characteristics into our lessons and school culture, we create an environment where children not only learn but also grow as individuals.  

How LEO Academy Trust develops character strengths 

Fostering character strengths doesn't require teaching a separate subject. 

Instead, we integrate the LEO Explorer Characteristics throughout the curriculum by:

• Integrating into lessons: Teachers incorporate discussions, stories, activities, and real-life examples that highlight positive character traits and encourage reflection.
• Providing opportunities for practice: Children need opportunities to put these strengths into action through collaborative projects, problem-solving tasks, and community engagement. 
• Creating a positive classroom environment: Teachers model respect, kindness, and empathy to establish a culture where character strengths are valued. 
• Recognising and celebrating character: We acknowledge and celebrate students who demonstrate positive character strengths. 

Shaping tomorrow’s leaders 

Here at LEO Academy Trust, we believe in nurturing the whole child. 

By emphasising the LEO Explorer Characteristics alongside rigorous academic learning, we are equipping our students with the tools they need to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Building character strengths in primary school is an investment in our future, and we are looking forward to seeing just how high our little explorers will reach! 

You can learn more about Character Education in action by exploring our case study for Cheam Common Junior Academy.