Belle Vale Community Primary School Achieves IQM Centre of Excellence Award

August 19, 2026

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Belle Vale Community Primary has achieved the IQM Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status in recognition of its outstanding commitment to inclusion and its determination to create a fully inclusive model of education that reflects the needs, aspirations and lived experiences of its school community.  

Learning Together, Being Our Best  

At the heart of Belle Vale Primary School is a deeply embedded inclusive ethos, where every member of the community recognises their responsibility in ensuring all children feel valued, supported and able to succeed. Inclusion is not an initiative but a lived, daily practice, reflected in strong relationships, collaborative working and a shared belief that every child can achieve. The school’s motto, ‘Learning Together, Being Our Best’, underpins this commitment and is clearly evident in both staff practice and pupil attitudes. Leaders prioritise inclusion through structured systems, including regular inclusion meetings, pupil progress discussions and effective partnerships with families and external agencies.  

A key strength of the school is the consistency of practice across classrooms and shared spaces. Learning environments are carefully organised to promote independence, with visual timetables, working walls and accessible resources used effectively. This consistency supports pupils’ understanding of expectations and contributes to smooth transitions between classes and phases. Parents highlighted this as a strength, noting that transitions are well supported and predictable.  

Relationships That Enable Every Child to Thrive  

Relationships are central to the success of the school. Staff are welcoming, approachable and highly committed to the pupils and families they serve. A stable staff team enables strong, trusting relationships to develop over time, supporting both academic progress and emotional wellbeing. Parents spoke positively about communication, with one noting, “you only have to say things once and it’s done,” reflecting the school’s responsiveness and strong home–school partnerships. Pastoral provision is a significant strength and plays a vital role in supporting inclusion. The school delivers a range of social, emotional and mental health interventions alongside the curriculum, ensuring that pupils are supported holistically. Building on the established ROAR Rainbow approach, the school is now implementing Zones of Regulation to further enhance this provision. This reflects a proactive and reflective approach to meeting pupils’ needs. 

Inclusive Practice in Action  

The inclusive culture of the school is reflected in pupils’ behaviour and interactions. The most recent Ofsted report highlights that “older pupils are an excellent example to younger children… they model sensible behaviour and help children to play together kindly.” This was evident during both learning and social times. Pupils across all age groups interacted positively, demonstrating kindness, respect and cooperation. Older pupils naturally support younger children, reinforcing the school’s strong sense of community.  

Provision for pupils with SEND is strong. The school has developed a dedicated resource base for pupils with high-level needs, providing a calm and supportive environment designed in collaboration with external specialists. Pupils accessing this provision were settled, engaged and well supported. Staff demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment, ensuring that pupils can access meaningful learning experiences and prepare them for next stage in their education.  

In summary, Belle Vale Primary School demonstrates a strong and embedded culture of inclusion. Relationships, consistency and high expectations underpin all aspects of school life. Staff, pupils and the wider community work together to ensure that every child is valued and supported to succeed.  

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.