A Cumbrian school which provides quality education and care to children and young people with special needs has become the first special school in the country to receive the Government Standard for Customer Service Excellence.

Cedar House School in Kirkby Lonsdale is part of The Witherslack Group’s growing portfolio and is a 38 week residential and day special school, which caters for boys and girls between the ages of 7 to 16.

The Customer Service Excellence Standard is awarded to people working in public services that demonstrate excellence in delivery, timeliness, information, professionalism and staff attitude.

Paul Latham was the lead assessor of Cedar House School, he says: “We were highly impressed by the staff who, across all levels, showed outstanding commitment to helping pupils and supporting them in their lives.

“The staff are passionate about the work they do and this particularly came across when talking to the pupils and their parents who greatly value what the school is doing for them.”

Gillian Ridgway, Head Teacher at Cedar House School, said: “I am extremely proud of my staff who fully deserve this award.

 “We are constantly looking at ways of raising the bar in terms of teaching and standards of care, so to be professionally recognised for our levels of customer service is fantastic.”