Why we started…

“Throughout my teaching career, I have worked in both mainstream and special school settings. I am currently the Assistant Headteacher at Axis Academy, and I was looking for an awards programme I could enter my pupils into that wasn’t academic based. I was incredibly surprised to find there was very little out there. When I spoke to pastoral staff from other schools none of them knew of any pastoral awards, but they were also interested in finding one they could enter. With this knowledge, I decided to create an awards scheme based on kindness as this is particularly important to us all through the COVID pandemic. I wanted the awards to be inclusive and lift spirits in a time where schools are having to work differently. Anyone can show kindness despite their background or academic ability, meaning every pupil has the chance to enter and win an award for their achievements.”

Sarah Holt

Founder of the Be Kind Awards

“When Sarah first explained her idea to me, I absolutely loved it, and was genuinely moved to tears to be asked to work alongside her in making it a reality. I have been teaching for 13 years; in that time I have been lucky enough to run a number of social justice groups and in the last 5 years taken the lead on PSHCE. I have seen students from all kinds of different walks of life show incredible kindness in different guises, and whilst these children did not do these things for the accolade, I so wished there was a way to acknowledge, celebrate and reward these actions. I love how these awards are something that, quite literally, any student can strive to achieve regardless of ability, background, experience or situation, and how they aim to promote a society of compassion, respect and empathy. Sarah’s vision is an utterly wonderful one, and I am so honoured to be involved in it’s creation.”

Sarah Maile

Director of the Be Kind Awards