IQM Cluster Groups
Networking and CPD opportunities for schools demonstrating outstanding commitment to school inclusion.
What are Cluster Groups?
The Centre of Excellence (CoE) and Flagship School Cluster Groups are designed for schools that are deeply committed to maintaining and developing exceptional inclusive practice.
These groups provide ongoing professional development (CPD) and a powerful networking platform where schools can share resources, exchange ideas, and collaborate on emerging challenges in education. Each cluster meeting is guided by an IQM expert, ensuring discussions are insightful, practical, and firmly rooted in real school experience.
Louise McCallion, DHT at Thatoheath Primary School
A network that strengthens schools
The IQM cluster network is more than CPD. It's a community of professionals passionate about inclusion.
Schools benefit from practical solutions, fresh ideas, and opportunities to collaborate on projects that raise standards across the group.
Individual educators gain peer support, professional challenge, and recognition as leaders in inclusive practice, while schools collectively build consistency, capacity, and confidence in meeting the needs of every learner.
Recent Group Theme Topics
The content for these sessions reflects the priorities of members, providing tailored support for SENDCos, Inclusion Leads, and senior leaders.
Recent CoE and Flagship Cluster Group dicsussions have explored:
- Autism and Disability Awareness
- Speech and Language
- EAL
- Communication and Interaction
- Outdoor Learning
- The Gender Gap
- Well-Being
- Evolving Nurture Provision
- Intervention Strategies and Associated Data
- Building Self-Esteem and Emotional Resilience
- Supporting Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
- Dyslexia and Community Engagement
- Moving from Good to Outstanding practice
By bringing schools together to share expertise and approaches, these cluster groups equip members with the insight and confidence to stay ahead in delivering inclusive education.
A word from IQM Schools
Working with IQM has shown us how far we've come and how much more we can grow.
Sarra Ben Ammar, Principal, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School, Abu Dhabi
Since our whole school community embarked upon our IQM journey from September 2023, inclusion, equality, embracing diversity and equity has become THE driving force that is central to all aspects of our school improvement.
Chris Davey, Executive Headteacher, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Primary School, Liverpool
The word inclusion is used lots, and quite rightly so, but actually when you really unpick the layers of what inclusion means, I think the IQM audit is a really valuable tool to help you look at what strengths you have and ways forward.
Headteacher, Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Wirral
The IQM has given practitioners at our resource provision a chance to reflect on what they are doing and make adjustments as needed. It also gives families and carers reassurance of the inclusive practice at the setting.
Mike Stapleton-Chambers, Head of Service, Deliver Better Values initiative at Halton Borough Council
Our journey with the Inclusion Quality Mark has been a powerful reflection of how far we've come, a celebration of our collective efforts, and the inclusive culture we've built together.
Esraa Jararaa, Head of Inclusion, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School, Abu Dhabi
Being part of the cluster group is really important because people from other IQM Centres of Excellence and Flagship schools across the North West have come to our school and it's all about sharing best practice.
Chris Davey, Executive Headteacher, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Primary School, Liverpool
At our school, inclusion isn't a policy or provision, it's a belief that every child belongs, every identity matters, and every learner shapes who we are and adds meaning to our community
Sarra Ben Ammar, Principal, Khalifa Bin Zaye Al Awal School, Abu Dhabi
It was very clear from the outset that those [assessment] days were there for us to celebrate and showcase all that we've achieved as a school.
Chris Davey, Executive Headteacher, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Primary School, Liverpool
Inclusive education begins with the belief that every learner matters—and thrives when we teach not just to the class, but to each child within it.
Mike Stapleton-Chambers, Head of Service, Deliver Better Values initiative at Halton Borough Council
Inclusion starts and ends with culture. Building a culture that skyrockets children's self-esteem and motivation is like crafting the perfect recipe
Christopher Nourse, Executive Principal, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School, Abu Dhabi
Being part of the cluster group is really important because people from other IQM Centres of Excellence and Flagship schools across the North West have come to our school and it’s all about sharing best practice.
Chris Davey, Executive Headteacher, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Primary School, Liverpool
Make Inclusion Matter
About IQM
The only national award for inclusion in the UK, IQM has been committed to recognising exemplary inclusive schools for over 20 years and in over 20 countries around the world. The three awards allow schools and organisations to dcelebrate their inclusive practice against nationally recognised framework.
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