Camrose Primary Achieves Flagship School Status

May 21, 2019

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Camrose Primary School in Harrow has achieved Flagship School status.

A Family Atmosphere

Camrose Primary School is a diverse primary and nursery school located in the London Borough of Harrow. The school remains a friendly and welcoming place with a family atmosphere. It provides a safe and supportive environment for its staff, pupils and parents. Its classrooms include colourful and creative displays that hang from the ceilings and decorate the walls.

Sources of Evidence

This visit was the Year 3 IQM Centre of Excellence review. On my visit to the school, I had the opportunity to verify information provided on the Centre of Excellence action plan, review the plans for the Flagship project, conduct a learning walk and interview support staff, teaching staff, governors, pupils and parents. In addition, discussions with the Deputy Headteacher for Inclusion took place to review the school’s work towards the action plan and the Flagship Project.

Parents Engage Well

Parents at the school engage well and I was able to meet many parents who were keen to come in to be interviewed as part of the review visit. The Parents Educating Parents (PEP) group spoke confidently about their work in engaging parents through surveys and events. They enjoy their work and appreciate the opportunity the school has given them. One parent said,

“They have given us a big dose of self-esteem.”

This is evident because many PEPs from last year have now found paid employment. Parents report that their children love going to school and feel safe at the school. They trust the school to take care of their children and support them through difficult times. Parents report that the school offers a lot of support, not just for their children but for them too. They particularly value the work the Learning Mentor does with them and with their children as there is a safe space for pupils to talk about their feelings. One parent said,

“He has this natural talent, so you don’t feel judged – it’s like they are your family.”

Staff attend CAMHS and hospital appointments with parents and support them with secondary transition visits.

Parents are Confident that Children are Happy in School

A parent commented

“They always have time; you don’t need to book an appointment.”

Parents are confident that their children are happy in school and that they are learning. They are particularly pleased with the progress their children are making. Parents feel their views are valued and that they are listened too. They reported requesting that their children can cycle to school, and this was responded to by offering bike ability lessons. Another parent suggested a nurturing training programme for parents that she had heard about which was investigated and offered to parents at the school.

Pupils Feel Listened to

Pupils also feel listened to and reported on changes they have made to improve the school e.g. better playground equipment. They speak positively about their school and are proud to be part of a Rights Respecting School. They understand the work their teachers do to support them with their learning. Some pupil comments about their teachers include:-

“They take us out for interventions so that we can get to greater depth.”

“They make the environment safe.”

“You have interventions if the work is too easy or too hard.”

“The work suits how smart we are.”

“We don’t get onto trouble straight away, we get chances.”

“They teach us to be resilient and not give up.”

“They include everyone in everything.”

Skilled Staff Meet the Needs of Pupils

The staff team are skilled in meeting the needs of pupils with a range of needs. There had been investment in various CPD activities for teachers, support staff and leaders, which is resulting in high quality teaching in interventions across the ability range and in classrooms. Support staff have appraisals using the same system as teachers and staff report that they are signposted to training in areas that interest them. The school is supportive of higher-level teaching assistants who want to train to become teachers. The Deputy Headteacher is currently undertaking an Aspiring Leaders course.

The School Supports Other Schools

The school extends support to other schools. The Headteacher is supporting several Headteachers in Harrow and is training to be a School Improvement Partner. One of the Early Years’ teachers has supported developing Early Years’ practice in another school. The Deputy Headteacher has applied to be a lead special teacher for inclusion and the Early Years’ lead has applied to be an Early Years’ lead specialist with a local Teaching School Alliance. The school has engaged with Flagship schools and Centres of Excellence in in its IQM hub to share practice.

Enhancing Inclusive Practice

Camrose Primary School is continually striving to further enhance its inclusive practice.

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@iqmaward.com for further details.

Want more information on the IQM Award? Click here to request your free IQM information pack.