Research

Many studies have confirmed the impact of VbE. Below are some illustrations of benefits, and a summary of major independent research carried out in 2009.

VbE internal Research

Neil Hawkes Original Thesis

VbE was researched and developed by Dr Neil Hawkes in the 1990s and 2000s. We have since summarised his original research findings.

To download the research, click below:

VbE Schools Survey

VbE schools took part in a survey on the positive impact of VbE at their school in a number of areas.

Independent External Research

Below is an extract of the findings from an academic study into the impact of Values-based Education in Australia.

The report can be downloaded below:

The key findings of the research are summarised below.


Overall

Values-based schools emphasise values education in their curriculum and teaching. As a consequence, learners become more academically diligent, the school assumes a calmer, more peaceful ambience, better learner-teacher relationships are forged, learner and teacher wellbeing improve and parents are more engaged with the school.

Explicit teaching of values provides a common ethical language for talking about interpersonal behaviour. It also provides a mechanism for self-regulated behaviour. An important outcome is a more settled school which enhances quality teaching and enables teachers to raise expectations for learners performance.


Academic Diligence


School Ambiance

The improvements in school ambience included:


Learner-teacher Relationships


Learner-teacher Wellbeing

The positive impacts on learner and teacher wellbeing included:

When Values Education is explicit, a common language is established among learners, staff and families. This not only leads to greater understanding of the targeted values but also provides a positive focus for redirecting children’s inappropriate behaviour. Teachers perceive that explicitly teaching values and developing empathy in learners results in more responsible, focused and cooperative classrooms and equipped learners striving for better learning and social outcomes. When values are explicitly endorsed, acknowledged and valued within a school culture, it becomes incumbent on schools to ensure that staff, as well as learners are both benefactors and recipients in respectful and caring interactions. The common focus draws teachers together to create a collaborative and cohesive school community which supports teachers to do their job more effectively. This has important ramifications for learners’ academic progress and wellbeing.

Impact on Wellbeing

Professors Lovatt and Hawkes produced a paper that explores research into the impact of VbE on learners’ wellbeing.

It concluded that the results of the studies have added to a growing body of evidence that demonstrates that values education is consistently accompanied by greater self-awareness on the part of learners and more harmonious social interactions in the playground and in the classroom.

In this improved learning environment, one can find academic diligence and improvement occurring without any other obvious determining factor.

To download the full report from which the information is extracted, click here.

Impact on Academic Attainment

VbE research above demonstrates the improvement of wellbeing on individual learners and on the school as a whole.

The Department for Education funded research into the link between the level of wellbing and academic attainment, in November 2012. It was carried out by the Institute of Education and Childhood Wellbeing Research Centre.

The report concluded that ” For academic progression, better emotional wellbeing is a key factor in primary school, whereas low levels of troublesome behaviour and more school engagement emerge as significant in adolescence.”

The full report can be downloaded by clicking here

Social Impact

Dr. Mark Williams, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, has carried out research into ways to support social behaviours. He says: 

“In "The Connected Species", I explore how our drive to connect has spurred us to great innovations. I believe that by understanding how our brains have evolved to support human connection, we can work together towards a less divided, more equitable and sustainable future. The Values-based Education culture epitomizes the shift we need in education around the world to enable students to thrive through positive connections. We as a species evolved to collaborate, to empathise, to communicate, and to connect. Through Values-based Education we can teach the next generation the importance of connection and the true value of collaboration.”

Other Research

Other Research Showing Congruence with Values-based Education