How Values-Based Education helps children become confident learners

What makes a child a confident learner? Is it knowing the answer, getting everything right, or perhaps having the courage to put your hand up and have a go, even when you are not quite sure?

At Hilden Oaks, we believe confidence grows from within. That is why Values-Based Education (VBE) is not an additional subject or something we simply talk about in assemblies. Values underpin everything we do.

Hilden Oaks was the first accredited Values-Based Education Prep School in Kent, and our values provide a shared language for how we learn, how we treat one another and how we respond when things do not go according to plan.

This approach reflects the pioneering work of Dr Neil Hawkes, founder of Values-Based Education. His thinking recognises that children flourish when positive values are not merely taught, but are modelled, experienced and lived throughout school life. His research into VBE found that values education can contribute to calmer, more purposeful learning environments, stronger relationships, reflective self-awareness and greater self-discipline.

For a child, this can make a real difference to learning. Kindness helps children feel secure enough to ask for help and support others. Bravery encourages them to speak up, try something new and take a risk with their learning. Resilience helps them keep going when something is difficult. Integrity encourages them to take responsibility for their choices and recognise that making a mistake is part of learning.

This is how we help children become rounded, resilient people as well as successful learners. We want our pupils to develop the confidence to tackle challenges rather than avoid them, to reflect on what they can do differently, and to recognise that perseverance matters.

And importantly, developing character does not come at the expense of academic success. Quite the opposite. At Hilden Oaks, our pupils achieve excellent academic outcomes; we have a long history of 11+ success, sport, dance, drama and musical achievements. We want our children to approach these important next steps with knowledge and preparation, but also with the confidence, resilience and self-belief to rise to the challenge.

Our motto, Kind, Brave, Brilliant, captures this beautifully. We want children who are kind to others, brave enough to challenge themselves and brilliant in all that they can become.

How could Values-Based Education help your child?