Broadgreen Primary School in Merseyside has achieved the Inclusive School Award.
Context
Broadgreen Primary School is an average sized single form primary school with Nursery provision. The school is a happy and thriving community with a deep-rooted desire to serve the children and their families. The school clearly has a strong inclusive practice and it was a privilege to carry out the assessment and see first-hand the journey that the school has undertaken in its desire to improve all elements of inclusion.
Fiveways Trust Network
The school has undertaken the IQM journey along with other schools in the Liverpool Fiveways Trust Network. This immediately highlights their commitment to inclusion and continuing school improvement in this area. Having been the assessor for another of these schools, I can verify the commitment and sharing of expertise that is already going on and the impact this work has. Several external validations including the most recent OFSTED report fully concur with the experience that I had as an assessor in that ‘pupils, staff, governors and parents are inclusive champions who successfully live out the school belief of care and respect for everyone’.
“Felt Like Home”
During my meeting with the parents and carers of the school I was told that the school ‘felt like home’. After my visit here, I fully support this sentiment. I was greeted with the warmest of welcomes and immediately felt a part of the school family. Every area within the school was made available to me and I was extremely appreciative of the time that that Headteacher dedicated to me to show me around. One thing was clear; Broadgreen Primary School emanates ‘proudness’. Across all stakeholders without exception they are all proud of what is achieved here. From the start of the journey in Nursery where I observed children sharing their love of learning through philosophy for children, right through to year 6, the children clearly adore their school with one child even saying,
‘I wish there could be school here every Saturday and Sunday too’.
The Personal Touch
Standing at the gate before school with the Headteacher and meeting all children and their families on arrival demonstrated the personal touch. From the staff who know each and every one by name it was a pleasure to see such a positive start to the school day. Even more heart-warming, Broadgreen Primary does not just ‘do’ inclusion, moreover they breathe it.
“Not an Afterthought”
A poster displayed in school contained two quotes that resonated with me throughout my visit;
‘Inclusion is everyone’s responsibility’
and
‘not an afterthought’.
Here at Broadgreen the inclusive feel is tangible. It is at the forefront of all decision making.
Sources of Evidence
This assessment visit was a one-day visit during which I received a tour of the school and had the privilege of meeting with:-
• Headteacher, Ms Ann-Marie Moore.
• Members of the Senior Leadership Team including the IQM Co-ordinator.
• Staff across Nursery, EYFS, and Key stages 1 and 2.
• School Governors including the Chair of Governors.
• Support staff.
• Pupils.
Extremely Comprehensive Self Evaluation Report
The IQM Self Evaluation Report (SER) submitted by the school is extremely comprehensive and this has resulted in an honest and reflective audit of best practice and the IQM coordinator, along with the rest of the school team, are to be congratulated for their hard work in the preparation for their assessment and the quality of the document. It was thorough and articulated the school’s inclusion journey accurately, fairly and clearly. The staff team had built a variety of opportunities into the itinerary which was a clear sign of how much Broadgreen had of which it was proud! It was refreshing not to be presented with paper work and files of evidence to support the SER but in keeping with its Eco School’s Green Flag status, the school had only pupils’ books on display. The evidence presented to me was visible and showed the school ‘in action’ indicating that significant progress has been made on this journey.
Caters for Individual Needs
It is abundantly clear that that the school caters for the individual needs of the children and succeeds in ensuring that all pupils are fully included in all that it has to offer. Parents and children that I spoke to during my visit, fully endorse this and speak passionately about the school. There is a particularly strong culture of celebration of achievement and positive praise within school that has impacted on attendance but also on the children’s values and attitudes to learning. This has raised self-esteem and personal confidence and is a real strength of the school.
Outstanding Practice in Place
The evidence presented to me during my visit to the school and information contained within the Self Evaluation Report clearly demonstrates the outstanding practice in place within the school and the on-going commitment to Inclusion.
A Pleasure and a Privilege
It was both a pleasure and a privilege to visit Broadgreen. I would like to extend my warmest thanks to the pupils, staff, governors and parents who gave their time to speak to me and help make the whole day such a wonderful experience. Together they are ensuring that the children have the best possible start in their educational journey. The mission statement is deep rooted within the school and they are certainly ‘succeeding and achieving together’ – offering children a wealth of opportunities that enrich every aspect of their lives.
A Wonderful Memory
A quote from one of the parents in the school visitor book read
‘Thank you so much for a wonderful memory. I will be cherishing it forever’.
I could certainly say the same about my experience as an assessor during this visit. I hope that the school does continue on its IQM journey and that I have the privilege of returning.
Find out more about the IQM Inclusive School Award
If your school is interested in obtaining the IQM Inclusive School Award or you wish to talk to a member of the IQM team please telephone:
028 7127 7857 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm)
or email: info@inclusionmark.co.uk for further details.
Want more information on the IQM Award? Click here to request your free IQM information pack.