HearMyVoice

We believe that the choices an individual makes determines their future, and the purpose of developing good character is the ability to make good choices.

Character allows us to flourish as individuals, and as a wider society.  At Venn, we hold that character development and academic achievement should jointly constitute the primary goals of education, as highlighted by philosophical and historical figures like Lao Tzu and Martin Luther King Jr.

We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all method for delivering character education. It should be tailored to meet the specific needs of the children and the community it serves.

However, for character education to be transformative, it must be planned, intentional, and fully integrated across the entire school or organisation. Only through such comprehensive embedding can character truly be taught, caught, and sought, as advocated by the Association for Character Education.

In collaboration with HmV, Venn has developed a system that includes a diagnostic survey to identify key values and a ‘satisfaction’ score among pupils. Our bespoke ‘VennHmV’ curriculum guides pupils through these values, helping them to apply them in their daily school and home life.

Our behaviour and reward system is closely tied to these values, supporting and recognising pupils for demonstrating them. Our assemblies and a robust online suite of resources further nurture our community of value education, helping pupils to see their roles in a broader context.

The HmV program incorporates insights from notable theories including Marc Zimmerman’s theory of empowerment, Michel Foucault’s theory of disciplinary power, and recent research by Dr Witham on self-regulation. A study conducted by Professor Jonathan Glazzard and Dr Kelly Dockerty from the University of Hull in 2024 assessed the impact of our interventions on pupil well-being, indicating significant positive outcomes.