Character & Personal Development
The quiet confidence that comes from being known, trusted, and genuinely challenged
"You can see the confidence in the children here. They're not afraid to try things, to speak up, to be themselves."
— ISJ Parent, 2025 SurveyMany schools talk about building character. At ISJ, it is the daily, lived reality of how we teach, how pupils learn, and how our community works together. Who our children become matters just as much as what they know.
The best independent school education has always understood this: that real confidence is not taught in a lesson — it is built, quietly, through thousands of small moments. A child who is encouraged to take intellectual risks in the classroom. A pupil who leads a House team before they feel quite ready. A young person who learns to fail at something, reflect honestly, and try again. These are the experiences that shape character, and they cannot be replicated by textbooks and test preparation alone.
At ISJ, this kind of education is not an aspiration — it is what happens every day. It is what parents notice on a school tour, and what our pupils carry with them long after they leave.
Kay Extence, from Ipswich High School, Surrey UK, with Eileen Fisher, Academic Director of ISJ. Each year, our Upper Primary pupils travel to IHS in Surrey for a residential programme — building independence, confidence, and lasting connections with their future school community.
Five Pillars of Character
Our approach to personal development is built upon five core pillars. These are not slogans on a wall — they are visible in the way pupils speak to one another, the way they approach their work, and the pride they take in their community.
Character in Action
Character education is best lived, not lectured. At ISJ it is visible in the courtesy pupils show to one another, the care they take with their work, and the enthusiasm they bring to each new challenge.
A child who is asked to present their thinking to the class — not because they have the right answer, but because their reasoning is interesting. A pupil who volunteers to organise a House event, negotiates with teammates, and learns that leadership means listening. A young learner who struggles with a problem in Mathematics, is given the space to wrestle with it, and discovers they can work it out for themselves. These are not extraordinary moments at ISJ. They are ordinary ones — and that is precisely the point.
The strongest schools in the world understand that confidence is not built by shielding children from difficulty, but by trusting them with it. We expect our pupils to take risks, to think for themselves, and to be comfortable with not knowing the answer straight away. This daily practice — repeated across years — produces young people who are not just well-prepared for their next school, but genuinely ready for the world beyond it.
Guided by Our Charter
Our approach is grounded in our Charter, which sets out the values that unite our schools: enjoyment, academic achievement, breadth of curriculum, and character development. These principles ensure that pupils grow not only as scholars but as young people of integrity and purpose.
The Charter is not a document that sits in a drawer. It shapes how we recruit teachers, how we design our curriculum, and how we measure success. Academic results matter — but they are one part of a much fuller picture.
Nurturing Through Care
Character cannot thrive without care. Our pastoral approach ensures that every pupil feels safe, valued, and supported. The Head and teachers know every child personally — their strengths, their interests, and the moments when they need encouragement or a gentle challenge.
Through positive relationships, restorative practice, and a culture of fairness, we help children develop self-discipline and genuine respect for others. This is not a system of rewards and sanctions — it is a community in which kindness, honesty, and effort are simply how things are done.
Leadership & Service
From the earliest years, pupils are given real responsibility. In Pre-Prep, this might be leading a circle-time discussion or helping a younger child at lunchtime. By Upper Primary, pupils take on House leadership, organise charity events, mentor younger peers, and represent the school in inter-school competitions.
These are not token roles. Our pupils plan, negotiate, make mistakes, and learn from them — developing the habits of leadership that will serve them throughout their lives. Service to others is woven into the programme through community projects and partnerships that connect pupils to the world beyond the school gates.
See Character Education in Action
The best way to understand how ISJ develops confident, kind, and curious young people is to visit. Book a private tour and see for yourself.
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