Learning partnerships to enhance values-based education

This chapter examines the vital role of the partnerships between parents or other primary carers, teachers, and students if values education in schools is to fully realise its aim. That aim is to provide the community with people of good character to develop and improve society. The development of children who will possess and act upon ethical sensibilities ideally begins when they are young. Students spend most of their time at home, so values education is not the sole responsibility of the school, albeit schools play a vital role. Since parenting styles are not homogeneous, schools often represent the best hope for students to fulfil their potential and flourish as contributing members of society. The chapter looks at the nature of the school/parent interaction, and how partnerships can be organised and developed. Consideration is given to how school leaders and other stakeholders can play their parts through a holistic approach to organising and running their school, and how the school interacts with its wider community. Clear guidelines to develop and implement strategies to support all aspects of these partnerships for values education are given, with specific examples of schools implementing such strategies.