Ash Hill Academy Retain Centre of Excellence Status

August 17, 2026

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Congratulations to everyone at Ash Hill Academy on successfully retaining their IQM Centre of Excellence Status. This continued recognition reflects the outstanding inclusive practice that sits at the heart of the academy’s success. 

Proactive Inclusion Excellence 

Ash Hill Academy takes pride in its comprehensive and structured approach to identifying student needs, with a strong emphasis on proactive and timely responses. This helps ensure that emerging issues are recognised quickly and addressed through a cohesive and well‑communicated support system. A key strength of this approach is the academy’s robust dialogue processes, facilitated by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), SENDCo and Inclusion Lead. Examples include weekly inclusion meetings, targeted behaviour interventions and the ongoing development of provision within the Personalised Learning Centre (PLC) and The Bridge.  

Adaptive Learning Success  

Ash Hill Academy is well equipped to meet the needs of a diverse range of learners, with clear accountability across staffing teams for delivering high‑quality teaching and learning. Lessons are structured around research‑informed best practice, supported by a range of targeted interventions designed to help pupils catch up in key areas. Adaptive teaching strategies, such as the use of floodlight and spotlight approaches, retrieval practice, seating plans to maximise support, and additional modelling, ensure that students who need extra help receive it promptly. SEND students spoke positively about this approach, commenting that lessons genuinely help them to learn: “They go over it and over it until I get it.” 

Quality First Teaching 

The academy has a clear and structured approach to implementing a Graduated Response, with an emphasis on consistency and inclusive practice embedded within Quality First Teaching. A notable strength is the central role of the SLT in maintaining a cohesive environment, ensuring both staff and students are aligned with the school’s Stages of Intervention for behaviour. 

Ambition Without Limits 

Leaders promote a highly ambitious culture for all students, with clear expectations around attendance and participation in learning. Support from the IQM cluster meetings, alongside close work with the Director of Inclusion for the Delta Trust, has enabled leaders to focus on embedding inclusive practices in safeguarding, attendance and behaviour, to share practice and develop proven strategies and innovations to improve attendance. This includes decision‑making around support for students with complex needs and medical conditions. 

Celebrating Every Achievement 

The academy makes a strong effort to recognise each student’s achievements in ways that build a genuine culture of celebration, going beyond simple rewards or certificates. Initiatives rooted in fun and shared recognition help students appreciate one another’s successes, something they spoke about with real enthusiasm: “We’re celebrated publicly, which boosts us.” Staff encourage students to see themselves as individuals who can and do achieve great things, and this sense of pride is clearly felt across the school community. 

Find Out More About IQM  

The Inclusion Quality Mark provides schools with a nationally recognised framework for developing and celebrating inclusive practice.  

If your school is interested in achieving the IQM Inclusive School Award, contact the IQM team on 028 7127 7857 or email admin@iqmaward.com.  

To find out more about IQM and request a free information pack, visit www.iqmaward.com.