Oak Tree School awarded a School of Character Kitemark – the first special needs school to be awarded with the accolade!

Oak Tree School, part of Acorn Education and Care, are proud to announce that following a day of assessment with the Association for Character Education team, they have achieved recognition as a school of character – the first special needs school to be assessed and awarded the accreditation! Oak Tree are also the first school within Outcomes First Group to achieve the Kitemark.

The School of Character Kitemark is awarded to schools that can demonstrate that they take an explicit, planned and reflective approach to the cultivation of positive character qualities in their pupils to enable them to grow, flourish and achieve.

Alongside receiving the Kitemark, Oak Tree School get access to professional development training and ACE’S annual conference, a wealth of information on the resource portal, quarterly updates, a 1-1 consultation providing support and guidance on developing character education as part of the school community, whether at the start of the journey, or further establishing it, and access to a community of schools where expertise, knowledge and best practice can be shared.

Head Teacher, Daniel Stockton said: “I feel incredibly proud of Oak Tree School’s achievement in gaining recognition as a school of character.

“Relationship is at the core of what we do at Oak Tree School, pro social modelling and developing positive characteristic traits in our students, preparing them for life after school. Our vision is to ensure we can give every child the best education, ensuring that they can maintain positive relationships, become emotionally resilient, be tolerant and respectful individuals and that they all achieve their best possible outcomes.

“Now that we have achieved the Kitemark I am hoping that we will have access to new communities and schools that have also achieved the Kitemark, sharing resources and expertise.”

The Association for Character Education supports schools, teachers and professionals to develop and enhance character education responses that enable young people to develop positive character qualities that provide them with the skills to flourish within society. To read more, please take a look at the website here.