Virtual School Kent Smashes It as First Ever to Nab National Nurturing Award
Virtual School Kent (VSK) has made history by becoming the first virtual school in the UK to bag the prestigious National Nurturing Virtual School Programme Award from NurtureUK. The accolade shines a spotlight on their top-notch nurturing approach that supports children in and through care, helping them catch up with their peers and boost their life chances.
Putting Kids First with a Whole-School Nurturing Approach
VSK’s mission is crystal clear: to champion children and young people in care by coordinating educational support that improves progress and attainment. This award is a nod to the massive effort VSK has poured into embedding the six Nurture principles across every part of their work — for pupils, staff, and partners alike.
Key to this success is the clever use of the Boxall Profile, a handy tool that assesses children’s social, emotional, and behavioural needs. Thanks to this, VSK has sharpened their understanding of young learners and worked closely with schools, social workers, and foster carers to deliver real results, from early years to post-16.
Parents Praise VSK for Life-Changing Support
“As an adopted parent, it can feel lonely and tough to stay objective,” one grateful parent said. “VSK became my child’s advocate and problem solver, helping my child reach their potential at school. I discovered so many services through them that I didn’t know existed. Their support and friendly approach have been invaluable to my daughter and my own mental health.”
NurtureUK Hails VSK’s Passion and Innovation Despite Pandemic Challenges
NurtureUK highlighted VSK’s unwavering commitment to putting children’s voices front and centre. They praised the creative leadership team for adapting and evolving the Nurture programme during the pandemic — a time packed with unprecedented hurdles. This spirit has empowered not just pupils and staff but also partners like Kent’s Foster Services and Social Care.
“The ripple effect of VSK’s hard work is felt across Kent,” said NurtureUK. “Their focus on positive, strength-based support shines through, even in challenging and traumatic circumstances. Their ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking has delivered tangible, commendable outcomes.”
Leadership Speaks: Nurture at the Heart of VSK’s Success
Tony Doran, VSK Headteacher, said: “Nurture is key to how we support kids in care and with social workers. The past two years have been tough, but living these principles daily helps us build strong, positive relationships. I am proud of our team for embracing the Nurture approach and becoming the country’s first virtual school to win this award.”
Matt Dunkley, Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education, added: “We’re incredibly proud of what VSK has achieved. We’ve already seen the benefits of nurturing principles spreading through our work with children and young people, and we’re committed to using VSK’s expertise to grow this even further.”
