Medway Green School

Medway Green School signed up for The Social Impact Schools Award to compliment their existing work towards pupils’ empathy, responsibility, and community engagement. The award has helped them embed a culture of kindness, responsibility, and active citizenship.

Why did you decide to sign up for the SuperKind Social Impact Schools Award?

We decided to sign up for the SuperKind Social Impact Schools Award because we believe that social action is a vital part of our students’ personal and social development. As an SEN school, we focus heavily on teaching our students the importance of empathy, responsibility, and community engagement. Many of our students face challenges in their daily lives, and we see social action as an opportunity to empower them—helping them recognise their ability to make a difference, no matter their circumstances.

How did you introduce the Award at your school?

We introduced the SuperKind Social Impact Schools Award by first engaging staff and students in discussions about what social action means and why it’s important. We wanted to ensure that everyone understood the purpose of the award and how it aligns with our school’s values of kindness, inclusion, and community involvement.

What are some examples of social actions that the Award has led you to take?

Since signing up for the SuperKind Social Impact Schools Award, our students have been actively engaged in a range of social action projects that reflect their interests and the needs of our community.
 
One key initiative has been our kindness campaign, where students wrote positive notes and created artwork to uplift others, both within school and in local care homes. This helped them understand the power of small acts of kindness in making a big impact.
 
We’ve also taken part in community clean-up projects, where students worked together to improve local green spaces. This not only taught them about environmental responsibility but also gave them a sense of pride in their contributions.
 
Fundraising has been another focus. Our students helped organise a charity event for a local food bank, raising both money and awareness about food poverty. This linked well with our curriculum, as we explored real-world issues in PSHE and humanities, making the learning experience more meaningful.

What difference has the SuperKind Social Impact Schools Award made to your students, particularly in reference to their Special Educational Needs?

The SuperKind Social Impact Schools Award has had a hugely positive impact on our school, helping to embed a culture of kindness, responsibility, and active citizenship. For our students with special educational needs, the award has provided a structured and meaningful way to develop key life skills, build confidence, and feel a sense of purpose in their actions.

One of the biggest differences we’ve seen is in student confidence and self-esteem. Many of our pupils face personal challenges that can sometimes make them feel powerless. Through social action projects—whether it’s fundraising, environmental work, or peer support initiatives—they’ve been able to see the tangible impact of their efforts. Knowing that they can make a real difference has been incredibly empowering.
 
The award has also helped to develop social and communication skills. Working together on projects has encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and relationship-building. For students who may struggle with communication, this has provided a safe and motivating way to practice expressing themselves and collaborating with others.

The SuperKind Social Impact Schools Award has had a hugely positive impact on our school, helping to embed a culture of kindness, responsibility, and active citizenship...."

Do you have any tips for how other SEN schools might take part in the award/use SuperKind?

1. Make It Student-Led and Flexible
Adapt projects to suit the needs and abilities of your students. Allow them to take ownership of ideas and choose causes they care about. This increases engagement and helps them feel a personal connection to their social action.

2. Link It to Everyday Learning
Integrate social action into the curriculum. For example:
  • In PSHE, explore kindness, empathy, and community responsibility.
  • In English, students can write persuasive letters or posters for a cause.
  • In science, link projects to sustainability or health-related campaigns.
 
3. Start Small and Build Confidence
Many SEN students benefit from starting with smaller, achievable actions, like writing thank-you notes to staff, helping younger students, or tidying shared spaces. As their confidence grows, introduce bigger projects, such as charity fundraisers or community outreach.

4. Use Visuals and Practical Activities
Many SEN students respond well to visual supports, structured tasks, and hands-on activities. Create picture-based plans, use social stories to explain projects, and break activities into manageable steps.
 
5. Celebrate Every Effort
Recognise and reward participation in ways that motivate your students. This could be through certificates, displays of their work, or sharing successes in assemblies. Positive reinforcement helps build self-esteem and encourages continued involvement.