The Quality Mark report highlights several key strengths that underscore the school’s successful character education program:

1. The ‘Sexey’s Seven’ Values: The school’s planned and coordinated approach has successfully embedded these values among staff, pupils, parents, and governors, fostering a cohesive school community.
2. Trust-Wide and School-Level Integration: The Quantock Education Trust’s dual approach has allowed for a trust-wide character education framework while enabling individual schools, like Sexey’s, to tailor their programs to the specific needs of their pupils and community.
3. Staff Commitment and Enthusiasm: The dedication of the staff to the values-based approach is evident. During the assessment, staff members passionately articulated how they have integrated character education within their curriculum, enhancing the teaching of academic subjects and demonstrating themselves as ‘Practitioners of Character Education.’
4. Values-Driven Reward System: The school’s reward system, built around its core values, effectively promotes ‘good character’ throughout the school day. Pupils are consistently praised and rewarded for embodying the school’s values, contributing to a culture of positive character development and behavior.
5. Role Modelling by Staff: Staff members at Sexey’s School exemplify the school’s values, supported by a values-based badge scheme for both staff and pupils. This initiative has reinforced the importance of character development and fostered a sense of pride and accomplishment among staff and students alike.
6. Increased Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities: There is a notable sense of increased engagement in pupil leadership, enrichment, and extra-curricular activities, contributing to the development of positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging within the school community.

Philip Clackson, Assistant Head at Sexey’s School, said, “This award is a wonderful recognition of the effort and commitment our staff and students have put into fostering a community grounded in strong character values. The ‘Sexey’s Seven’ values are not just words; they are lived daily by everyone at our school.”

Chrysta Garnett, CEO of Quantock Education Trust, said, “I am incredibly proud of Sexey’s School for achieving the School of Character Quality Mark. This award highlights the unwavering dedication of the entire school community to instil and uphold the highest standards of character education. It is a true reflection of the collaborative and supportive environment fostered within Sexey’s School and the Quantock Education Trust. Congratulations to all involved in this remarkable achievement.”