Swavesey Village College, part of Meridian Trust, is celebrating a landmark achievement after becoming the first secondary school in the UK to be awarded the Parentkind Gold Award, a national recognition of excellence in engaging and working in partnership with parents and carers.
The award follows a rigorous assessment process and recognises schools that place families at the heart of their work. For Swavesey, the assessment highlighted not only the systems and opportunities in place for parents, but the culture underpinning them.
In the assessor’s report, Swavesey was described as a school that “epitomises care for families in its community”, with particular praise for the visibility, compassion and commitment of staff and leaders.
Reflecting on conversations with parents, the assessor wrote: “There are not enough words to express the level of courage it takes to lead, be present and to consistently show up, as you and your team do.” Families spoke of the “small moments of care” that make a difference to their children.
Jim Stavrou, Principal of Swavesey Village College, said: “To become the first secondary school in the UK to receive the Parentkind Gold Award is a tremendous achievement and one that reflects the strength of the relationships our staff have built with families over many years.
“We have always believed that education works best when schools and parents work in genuine partnership. This award recognises the trust, openness and shared commitment that exists across our community, and we are incredibly grateful to the parents and carers who engage with us, challenge us and help us continually improve.
“Whilst this award demonstrates the school’s pursuit of excellence and reflects the experiences of many of our families, we know there is always more to do. The report rightly highlights opportunities for us to continue strengthening engagement, ensuring every parent feels their voice is heard and reaching families who may find it harder to engage with school life. We are committed to building on this feedback and continuing to learn from our community.
“This award belongs to our whole community; our students, families, staff, academy councillors, Meridian Trust colleagues and partners. Together, we have created a school where every family feels known, valued and supported.”
One example singled out in the report was the support offered to students transitioning into secondary education. Parents particularly valued opportunities for children to spend time in school before joining Year 7, helping to ease anxieties around travelling independently, navigating a larger site and settling into unfamiliar routines. The assessor noted that these examples of empathy “should not be underestimated”.
The report found that one of Swavesey’s strengths is the way it listens to parents and acts on their feedback. While many schools seek parental views, the assessor observed that Swavesey goes further, demonstrating how those views influence decisions and school improvement.
“It is easy to encourage feedback from parents and make a show of listening,” the report states. “It is different to listen, take action, and help parents appreciate that their opinions were heard.” The assessor highlighted parent forums and ongoing consultation as examples of “exceptional practice” and praised the College’s ability to connect students, staff and families in meaningful ways.
Assessors were equally impressed by the opportunities available for families to be actively involved in school life. From parent forums and volunteering opportunities to mock interviews, music clubs and community events, parents are encouraged to contribute to the life of the College and support the development of young people. The report noted that students regularly see their parents involved on school grounds, describing this as a particular strength of the school.
Swavesey achieved a perfect score in the Community Partnerships category, with the assessor describing the College as “ahead of the curve” and a true “community anchor”. The report praised the College’s inclusive ethos, highlighting its SEND provision and the way specialist support and inclusion are embedded within the school community. The annual hike and wide-ranging community activities were recognised for creating shared experiences and lasting memories for students, families and local residents.
As the first secondary school in the country to achieve the Gold Award, Swavesey Village College is setting a national benchmark for parental engagement and community partnership, demonstrating the impact that strong relationships between schools and families can have on young people’s success and wellbeing.