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Easton Royal Academy awarded National School of Character

Easton Royal Academy has been awarded the National School of Character quality mark by the Association of Character Education. This national recognition follows a comprehensive two-year process of development, self-reflection, and external assessment.

As part of the assessment, the school hosted a full day visit from an external assessor, who interviewed staff, pupils, parents, and governors to gain a full picture of the school's culture and approach to character education. The outcome was resoundingly positive, recognising the school as a place where values are lived daily and character is purposefully cultivated.

This award marks the culmination of a whole-school journey. They began by bringing everyone together to explore what truly matters to them. From these conversations, seven core values emerged and were wonderfully illustrated for us by well known children's illustrator, Catriona Tyrwhitt, forming the foundation for the school’s character education framework.

Project leader and class teacher, Julie McKay, said:

“Our motto is ‘Excellence & Adventure” and this really means something to us – we want to provide inspirational experiences that help develop the whole child and encourages everyone to be themselves.  Everyone in the school community came together to ask: what do we want our children to be like when they leave us? What kind of people do we hope they become? From there, we carefully developed a shared language around character that now shapes everything we do.”     

The school then embarked on a process of defining what these values would look like in action across different stages of a child’s education — identifying the specific attributes and behaviours that would represent a child's full engagement with the school’s values.

This thinking led to a comprehensive review of the curriculum and wider learning experiences. As a result, a more deliberate and values-driven approach to teaching and learning was introduced, including:

  • A character-rich curriculum designed to build aspiration, community, curiosity, diversity, empathy, equity and integrity.
  • Increased opportunities for enrichment through carefully chosen visits, visitors, and events that inspire character growth.
  • Real-life opportunities for children to lead, serve, reflect, and take initiative in their school and community.

On the intensive assessment day, the Association of Character Education praised the school for “clear and authentic vision for character development” and the way this vision is “embedded across all areas of school life.”

This award places Easton Royal Academy among a select group of schools nationally recognised for outstanding practice in character education and they will now be helping to support other schools who join the network.

If your school would like to be involved, please contact Easton Roya Academy on 01672810477.