Why the Heroism Framework Lives Inside the Writing Curriculum

Moral and character development are most powerful when they are not taught as separate topics, but formed through everyday learning. For this reason, the Heroism Framework is deliberately embedded within the writing curriculum, with strong and intentional links to reading and oracy.

This is not accidental. It is pedagogical by design.

Writing as Moral Thinking Made Visible

Writing is where thinking becomes visible. When pupils write, they are required to clarify ideas, justify viewpoints, consider alternatives, and take ownership of meaning.

The Heroism Framework uses writing as a structured space for pupils to:

• articulate moral reasoning

• reflect on choices and consequences

• justify decisions and viewpoints

• consider responsibility to others

In this way, character development is not abstract or theoretical. It is expressed, refined, and evidenced through pupils’ written work. As pupils learn to write with clarity, purpose, and judgement, they are also learning to think ethically and responsibly.

Reading as the Source of Moral Encounter

Reading provides the moral and narrative material through which pupils encounter complexity, tension, and perspective.

High-quality texts expose pupils to:

• characters facing difficult choices

• conflicting values and motivations

• consequences of action and inaction

• diverse experiences and viewpoints

Within the Heroism Framework, reading is not just about comprehension. It becomes a space for moral exploration, where pupils examine character, intent, and consequence before responding through discussion and writing.

This deepens both reading comprehension and moral understanding simultaneously.

Oracy as the Bridge Between Reading and Writing

Oracy sits at the centre of the framework, linking reading to writing.

Structured discussion allows pupils to:

• test ideas aloud

• listen to alternative perspectives

• practise moral reasoning verbally

• develop the language needed for thoughtful writing

By embedding purposeful talk into the curriculum, pupils are better prepared to write with confidence, precision, and depth. Moral reasoning is rehearsed orally before being committed to paper.

The Rationale: Moral Development Belongs in the Curriculum Core

The Heroism Framework is built on a simple but important insight:

Moral development is strengthened when it is embedded in the core business of learning, not confined to occasional lessons or assemblies.

By integrating the framework into writing, reading, and oracy:

• moral development becomes continuous rather than episodic

• academic learning and character formation reinforce each other

• behaviour improves through internalised reasoning, not compliance

• personal development becomes visible and inspectable through pupil work

This approach avoids curriculum overload. Teachers are not asked to teach more, but to teach with greater moral intentionality.

A Coherent Approach, Not an Add-On

The Heroism Framework does not sit alongside the writing curriculum. It works through it.

In doing so, it strengthens literacy outcomes while developing the moral reasoning, responsibility, and judgement pupils need to engage positively with school life and learning.

Character is not taught separately. It is written, read, spoken, and lived.

To know more about this work, email info@beingthecure.org