hOW KINDNESS AND EMPATHY SHAPE LIFE AT KES
At King Edward’s School, kindness and empathy are woven into the fabric of our community. Guided by our purpose of 'nurturing kindness and compassion', and our value to ‘Learn Together, Grow Together’, we believe that ‘togetherness is at our core’. Every member of our school contributes to an inclusive and supportive environment where we all belong, and where everyday kindness helps to shape our community.
From thousands of volunteering hours dedicated to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, to our Sixth Form volunteering programme supporting local schools and care homes, kindness is lived every day, both within school and beyond. Pupils take part in initiatives such as:
- The Children’s Hospice South West Ambassador Scheme
- Our Peer mentoring and buddy systems spanning Pre-Prep to Senior School
- Sixth Form Prefects supporting Year 7 pupils during form time
- Fundraising activities for charities
This week, to mark World Kindness Day, our Junior School pupils reflected on what kindness means in practice, from smiling to brighten someone’s day, to inviting others to join a game at lunch or simply saying “good morning”. Staff recognised these thoughtful gestures with Kindness Cards, reinforcing the message that everyday empathy matters. A live-streamed World Kindness Assembly encouraged pupils to embrace kind minds and gratitude attitudes.
As part of Anti-Bullying Week, the Junior School additionally explored this year’s theme of Power for Good in a whole-school assembly, discussing how our voices and choices can help stop bullying. Pupils celebrated Odd Socks Day, showing that we are all unique and that respect and tolerance matter. The Junior School PSHE theme this half term, Celebrating Differences, continues to reinforce these values in lessons and assemblies.
