Educator · Author · International speaker
Dr Neil Hawkes is a pioneer of Values-based Education, helping people, schools and organisations develop ethical intelligence, self-leadership and cultures of trust.
A quiet revolution
For more than three decades, Neil has helped educational communities make positive human values visible in everyday relationships, leadership and learning.
His work moves beyond teaching about values. It creates environments where respect, integrity, compassion, justice and trust are modelled, experienced and lived.
Meet Neil →Ways Neil can help
Thought-provoking support for schools, organisations and leaders seeking lasting cultural change.
Warm, reflective and transformational keynotes for education, leadership and international audiences.
Explore speaking →Bespoke days, workshops, audits, mentoring and coaching that turn values into daily practice.
Explore training →A proven whole-community approach to nurturing ethical intelligence and self-leadership.
Understand VbE →Values-based Education
VbE differs from conventional values education because learners experience positive universal values first-hand throughout school life.
Adults consistently model the positive universal values chosen by their community.
A shared ethical vocabulary helps people articulate simple and complex ethical ideas.
Time and space for reflection helps experience become a living guide to self-awareness.
The big idea
The capacity to ethically self-regulate our thinking and behaviour—and to make wise choices in a complex world.
Neil connects Ethical Intelligence to self-leadership, relationships, wellbeing, resilience and responsible leadership. It is the inner competence that helps values become action.
Explore Ethical IntelligenceEvidence & international impact
Books
Transforming Lives through Values celebrates Values-based Education worldwide and offers a practical guide to creating values-based cultures.
View at Crown House Publishing ↗
Co-authored with Jane Hawkes, this book explores how schools can nurture wellbeing, resilience and self-leadership by attending to children’s inner worlds.
View the book ↗
Edited by Bridget Knight with Mark Chater, Neil Hawkes and Mick Waters, this collection connects values with inspired teaching across the curriculum.
View the book ↗
New book
A Pathway to Mental Wellbeing and Ethical Leadership explores how values, reflective thinking and self-leadership can help schools nurture conscious, resilient communities.
View at Routledge ↗Watch
Neil’s TEDxNorwichED talk introduces the thinking that has driven his work in schools and society.
Ideas & resources
Neil’s original research into whether teaching values improves the quality of primary education.
Read the research →
An introduction to ethical leadership and the values that help people flourish.
Watch videos →
Listen to Neil’s conversations about values, education, leadership and human flourishing.
Listen to the podcast →How Values-based Education began, developed and moved into practice.
Open resource ↗
I have had Jomel's permission to reference his brilliant summary of Values-based Education. I think he has captured the essence of why…
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Here are 3 ways you can begin to regain control of your life1. Decide to be a human being rather than a…
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In 1938, Hitler knew that to gain ultimate power he had to control the narrative - the descriptive language imposed on the…
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IntroductionOn the 12 November 2024, before the start of the first ever in-person level 1 IFS training in New Zealand, the trainers,…
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One key life lesson I have learned, is never to underestimate the determination of an individual who is driven by the power…
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I never thought that holding a rate would bring tears of sadness to me. On my visit to Cambodia I had the…
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Picture a continuum (see below), at one end of which are life-enhancing empathetic values, such as integrity, peace, respect, compassion and justice. At…
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Value-based Education – the beating heart of Primary EducationPrinted by NAPE in Primary First, the Journal for Primary Schools Issue 39Thank you,…
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Human beings have the freedom to choose their attitude.V. Frankl Photo by Greg Rakozy on UnsplashI am sometimes asked for my thoughts…
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I have recently spent a few days at the wonderful sports complex, Club La Santa, which was established by a Danish organisation…
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You will recall that the one thing left in Pandora’s box was hope. If you’re like me, you need hope to be…
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In a week that has seen a day dedicated to mental health, the world has been plunged into yet another existential crisis,…
Read article →A lifetime of work
Moments from Neil’s work with educators, schools and values-led communities around the world.
Begin a conversation
Tell Neil about your school, organisation or event and the change you hope to create.