Kingspark School in Dundee today received the Ministry of Defence’s prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award.
The award, in recognition of the special education school’s support to employee and Army reservist Lance Corporal Trevor Stewart-East, was presented on behalf of the MoD by HRFCA.
Head Teacher Mrs Laura Smith accepted the award from HRFCA Director of Engagement Group Captain (Retd) Dai John.
LCpl Stewart-East – a former nurse now working in special education at the school – nominated Kingspark for the award. He has been in the Army Reserves for six years and has completed Combat Medical Technician training. He is part of Dundee-based 225 (Scottish) Medical Regiment, which specialises in providing the very highest standards of emergency medicine and healthcare for soldiers on operations.
At Kingspark LCpl Stewart-East is a member of the support staff and works in the Enhanced Support Area (ESA) for children with severe autism. The school has 178 pupils in total with 66 in the ESA and is one of the largest special education schools in Scotland. It has 128 members of staff.
LCpl Stewart-East’s citation explained that the school has been extremely supportive of his reservist commitments, allowing him time off to attend courses and to adjust his working day to accommodate travel arrangements. He has also been able to put recruiting information up in the staff room and has had staff attend open day events and Remembrance Day activities.
He added: “I have always received positive feedback and encouragement for my roles in the reserves and this scheme is a great way to acknowledge that and to show my gratitude.”
The Employer Recognition Scheme encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. It encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community.
HRFCA Chief Executive Brigadier Mark Dodson, said: “The success of our armed forces in delivering defence capability is entirely reliant on their relationship with the society from which they are drawn. Key to this relationship is the role played by employers, who not only support members of the volunteer reserve forces but the whole armed forces family, whether veterans, spouses and partners, or the adult volunteers so crucial to the viability and vitality of our service cadet organisations. Kingspark School has demonstrated that it actively supports the armed forces community in many ways.”
LCpl Trevor Stewart-East and Head Teacher Laura Smith with the Silver Award.
