Broadway Academy has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Flagship status.
More than Just a Place of Education
During the IQM assessment Broadway Academy demonstrated itself as somewhere that is more than just a place of education. It is a nurturing environment where students flourish academically, socially, and personally. It is a place where passionate educators inspire and empower their students to reach their full potential, fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. Broadway not only imparts knowledge with a teaching and learning focus of ‘Teach like a Champion’ but also instils values of empathy, integrity, and responsibility. Nothing says this more than the academy values that are everywhere you look, walls, corridors, classrooms, and social areas. These values are Optimism, Generosity, Appreciation, Respect and Responsibility. The staff our Assessor met with shared regularly the school motto of ‘our children, our community, believe it can be done.’
Alongside the Inclusion practices you would expect to see the academy has a remarkable focus on teaching and learning and because of this education transcends the ordinary. Passionate faculties engage students with enthusiasm and expertise. The curriculum is meticulously designed to challenge and inspire, nurturing a thirst for knowledge and a culture of intellectual curiosity. From lesson visits it was clear that there was a buzz with active discussions, collaborative projects and hands on experiences that make learning come alive. A consistent focus on CPD and teaching and learning allows continuous improvement. The areas of the school are split into the following areas: Deep Experience, Deep Academics, Deep Support and Deep Services.
Deep Experience Meeting with Staff
During this meeting, the staff discussed how they were successfully using their resources to play a significant role in reducing negative behaviour among students in several ways. Students can engage in positive activities and have more opportunities to engage in constructive and meaningful activities. This, as explained to our Assessor, keeps them occupied in positive pursuits, reducing negative behaviours.
Broadway Academy has a focus on a restorative justice practice to ensure that they are able to repair harm, build empathy and foster a sense of responsibility among students who have engaged in negative behaviour. Staff really go above and beyond to ensure that students have as many opportunities as possible in and out of school.
Student Council Meeting
The student council members were respectful and talked with great pride about Broadway Academy. They shared their individual journeys with a mixture of academic success and mental health battles with a consistent message of great thanks for the support they received from the staff. An incredible performance by the school choir and musicians followed. The room was lit up with smiles and voices that shared such passion and happiness that all schools would benefit from. Questioned about their participation in the school choir a clear message came through. Opportunities, fun and togetherness.
Meeting with support team
The academy incorporates mental health education into its curriculum. Students receive information about mental health, stress management and resilience building as part of their regular daily school life. This in turn reduces the stigma and equips students with knowledge and skills to take care of their own mental wellbeing.
The academy uses an anonymous reporting system where students, staff and parents can raise concerns about the mental health of a student without fear of retaliation. The SHARP system then allows for selected trained staff to follow up on these reports and provide necessary support.
The support team meet regularly and are based in two areas of the school including ‘The Penthouse’ upstairs where students know they can go for support and to discuss any concerns they may have is another example of the lengths the academy will go to ensure all students are supported.
Deep Academics meeting with Staff
The team shared their passion for learning in this meeting where they explained that their strong assessment practices were essential for measuring student progress, informing instruction, and promoting effective learning. Assessments are calendared at the start of the year so that teachers are able to plan for them linked to their curriculum and schemes of work. This ensures that assessments are directly linked to what they are expected to learn. This assessment along with teacher observations directly impact an effective teacher CPD programme. This is crucial for staff to stay current, improve their skills, and provide the best possible learning experiences for Broadway students.
Deep Support Meeting
It is clear that Broadway Academy promote inclusive practices to ensure that students with SEND are included in general education classrooms to the fullest extent possible. This therefore encourages peer interaction and fosters a sense of belonging. Safeguarding is a clear priority in the academy with each year group having a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). There are clear mechanisms for reporting concerns, and this allows for positive work with external agencies. The academy regularly reviews and evaluates safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure they remain up to date and effective in protecting students. It is clear the academy has created a safe and nurturing learning environment where students can thrive academically and emotionally while feeling secure and supported.
Lesson Visit and Academy Tour
During the tour of the academy, our Assessor was able to visit a selection of lessons. This enabled them to triangulate the information that was discussed throughout the day. Teachers were seen to be employing a range of teaching strategies and materials to cater for diverse learning styles and abilities. This adaptation is key when attempting to create an inclusive learning environment. Students were visibly engaged in the lesson, demonstrating active participation, interest, and enthusiasm. This is a sign that the lessons were relevant and accessible to all. Teachers used clear and inclusive language, ensuring that instructions and content are understandable to all students. Our Assessors also witnessed the use of visual aids, gestures, and ICT to enhance understanding.
Embraces Diversity
Broadway Academy is an inclusive school with a learning environment that embraces diversity and strives to accommodate the needs of all students, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or identities. Broadway promotes a sense of belonging, where every student is valued and respected. They provide a range of support services, such as a special education programs and accessible facilities to ensure that students with special needs can fully participate in the educational experience.
Broadway Academy also prioritises diversity in their curriculum, teaching methods and extracurricular activities fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding among students and staff. Broadway have been successful in creating an equitable and welcoming educational community where all students can thrive and reach their full potential.
To summarise using a quote from a student council member currently studying Post 16 “I did really well in my GCSEs and had offers from numerous colleges, but there was nowhere else I would rather be” This student hopes to leave Broadway to go to medical school. There really is no limit to the academy aspirations.
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: admin@iqmaward.com for further details.
Want more information on the IQM Award? Click here to request your free IQM information pack.
• Our inaugural National Inclusion Conference will take place on the 27th November, for further details click here.