Rodbourne Cheney proud to receive Active Citizenship Teaching Award

We are proud to have achieved national recognition after being named Primary School of the Year at the prestigious ACT (Active Citizenship Teaching) Teaching Awards 2025. The accolade was awarded in recognition of the school's innovative pupil leadership programme, which empowers every child to develop key leadership and citizenship skills from an early age.

The awards ceremony was held at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 3 June and hosted by Lord Blunkett. Headteacher, Sarah Harris and Executive Headteacher for The White Horse Federation, Lisa Davies, were proud to accept the honour on behalf of their school community. They were joined for the evening by Will Stone, MP for Swindon North, who has praised the school’s commitment to nurturing young citizens:

“The Association for Citizen Teaching (ACT) offer a fantastic framework to support teachers and schools, like Rodbourne Cheney Primary to transform students into active and engaged citizens. To me being an active citizen is about caring and looking after my local community, whether through the litter picks I started years ago, to standing for the Council and eventually becoming the Member of Parliament for Swindon North, getting involved in the community is key to making the places we call home better. Rodbourne Cheney Primary’s award highlights the incredible work they’ve undertaken to develop not just kids who score the high grades but all-encompassing members of society, giving them an understanding of politics and how everyone, no matter how small, can make a positive difference.”

The award highlights the school's pupil leadership programme, an initiative that is embedded into its culture and curriculum, ensuring that every child in the upper year groups has a meaningful, extra role - from IT technicians and dance captains to trainee mini-teachers. From Year 5, pupils have the opportunity to participate in the Mini Police programme, helping foster a sense of pride, responsibility, and a strong sense of citizenship.

The school’s initiative reflects its ethos of inclusion, excellence, and belonging. Serving children aged 2–11, Rodbourne Cheney Primary School is committed to developing confident, compassionate, and socially responsible individuals.

“We believe that when children feel a deep sense of belonging, they thrive,” said Headteacher, Sarah Harris. “This award is a powerful recognition of our pupils’ voices, their leadership, and our whole community’s dedication.”

 

Lisa Davies, Executive Headteacher at The White Horse Federation said; “We are delighted that Rodbourne Cheney Primary School has received the ACT Award; it’s testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and pupils.”

 

Dr. Dan Nicholls, CEO at The White Horse Federation added; “Congratulations to everyone at Rodbourne Cheney Primary School, we are so proud of this achievement that shows our ongoing commitment to inspiring lives.”

 

The ACT Teaching Awards celebrate the very best in citizenship education and are organised by the Association for Citizenship Teaching. More information is available at https://www.teachingcitizenship.org.uk/citizenship-teaching-awards