Since the start of the month we are delighted to have welcomed 10 new schools to the IQM family. Joining us recently are Sevenoaks Primary School, St Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive School, Kingsford Community School, Little Professors Nursery Walsall, Forest Academy, Waulud Primary School and Nursery, Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Stanley School, Warren Dell Primary School and Meadows First School.
A Nurturing School
First up this week we make our way to Kent where Sevenoaks Primary School is celebrating achieving Flagship status.
Our Assessor explained, “The Senior Leadership Team is highly respected by staff and everyone in the school strives to do their very best for all pupils; they are positive, energetic and are fully committed to the children in their care. Staff, including Governors and the Senior Leadership Team speak highly of the school and about its supportive nature. 
“One staff member described the Sevenoaks school team as being her, “second family” and another stated that, “we work well together as a whole school team; this is a huge factor in why I am so happy here!” Pupils are genuinely at the heart of everything the school does and they are supported, fostered and encouraged to be independent during their time here.
“The Headteacher summed up the ethos of Sevenoaks in one word: nurture. Throughout the review day, this same word was given by teachers, Teaching Assistants (TAs) and parents when asked to describe the school, evidencing clearly how effectively wellbeing and the school’s vision has been embedded.”
• Read more – Sevenoaks Primary School Achieves Flagship Status
Opportunities to Visit China
Next to secure our prestigious Flagship status was Kingsford Community School. Our Assessor was impressed by the diversity of the Beckton school. They explained, “Following the discussion on Executive Functions our Assessor was able to visit some lessons and see pupils at work. The first lesson was a Mandarin lesson which is taught at all levels across the school.
“The school has had a link with China almost from the time it opened, and this link was established through the Headteacher. Now every child takes Mandarin as a Modern Foreign Language and children make good progress with very pleasing exam results. However, there are also many opportunities for the pupils to visit China and to participate in many different joint projects.”
• Read more – Kingsford Community School Achieves Flagship Status.
Support to Families
Next up it was the Wirral’s Holy Cross Catholic Primary School which achieved Flagship status.
Our Assessor noted, “in view of the comprehensive support offered to families, Holy Cross serves as more than a school in the local area. For some, it is the only constant, safe place where families can seek help and advice. The phrase, ‘above and beyond’, does not do justice to the work undertaken by the staff at Holy Cross to support the parents and carers. 
“From relentless phone calls to compel action to deal with social housing issues, to ensuring that other agencies implement the necessary assistance where there are wellbeing and safeguarding issues, the staff will do whatever is needed to help their families. The staff do anything within their power to get the children and the families the support they require.
“To offer additional support to the parents and carers of children with SEND, the school holds a fortnightly coffee afternoon. In a meeting to represent parents and carers, one parent talked about how invaluable the SEND coffee afternoons are, stating that they, “keep me sane”. “
• Read more – Holy Cross Catholic Primary Achieves Flagship Status.
Family Feeling
Celebrating their Flagship status this week was Warren Dell Primary School. As it is a one form entry school, there is a real family feeling to all that takes place in the Watford school. 
The KS2 pupils said, “everyone is caring at Warren Dell” and told our Assessor about the friendship benches that are positioned in the playground and how, if anyone sees another pupil looking sad, they go up to the pupil and try and cheer the pupil up.
Our Assessor saw a clear example of this, when at the end of play, one boy tried to hide in the bike shelter. They explained. “another boy went in to speak to him and then left him. The boy then followed him out. Listening to the pupils, seeing how everyone behaves around the school and hearing about the work and links with the other schools in the Agora Learning Partnership, our Assessor saw the school’s motto, ‘Together Everyone Achieves More’, in action.”
• Read more – Warren Dell Primary Achieves Flagship Status.
Positive Relationships
Forest Academy in Croydon is delighted to be celebrating Flagship status. Our Assessor enjoyed a meeting with the school’s inclusion team, after which they concluded, 
“relationships are key at Forest Academy”.
They explained, “Staff have worked hard to build positive and trusting relationships with their families and wider school community. Members of the inclusion team are on the school gate daily and offer a warm welcome to all visitors.
“These daily interactions with parents often provide an informal starting point for discussions and can offer an insight into the needs of families. Staff are regularly approached by parents who feel comfortable to share their needs or concerns with them. These positive relationships allow the inclusion team to offer timely support for parents.“
• Read more – Forest Academy Achieves Flagship Status.
A School Which Walks the Walk
Next it was over to Eltham where St Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive School achieved Centre of Excellence status. 
Impressed by St Thomas More, our Assessor said this is a school which ‘walks the walk’.
They explained, “the school want their students to be informed to make choices. Every Thursday from 8.40-9.40am, Personal Development is the curriculum focus.
“Where behaviour management is concerned, their sanctions are based on educating pupils about the impact of their choices, not just punitive.”
Our Assessor asked what is the impact of this approach? They were informed that their tracking shows very few repeats of inappropriate behaviour from that pupil.
They added. “this school is like an Inclusion stick of Rock, cut it open and you will see listening and learning written all the way through it. The commitment from the Headteacher and inclusion team to lead this and support their colleagues in doing so is exemplary.”
• Read more – St Thomas More Achieves Centre of Excellence.
Dedication and Drive of the Staff
Our final school this week to achieve Centre of Excellence status is Meadows First School. After visiting the Bromsgrove school our Assessor explained, “The school prides itself on having inclusion at the heart of everything it does. What is highly apparent is the dedication and drive of the staff to make a positive difference.”
The staff our Assessor met at all levels were committed and passionate about meeting the needs and making a difference for every child. The school has gained a reputation within the local community as being fully inclusive, going that extra mile to be able to support children who were unable to manage in other settings. 
“Consistency of practice and expectations is at the heart of leadership,” the Assessor added. “The Headteacher and her team set high expectations and monitor practice closely to ensure environments are fully consistent and support the learning experiences of every child. Clear expectations on presentation and behaviour are also highly evident.”
• Read more – Meadows First School Achieves Centre of Excellence.
Every Moment Has to be a Learning Opportunity
Next we were delighted to welcome the small folk from Little Professors Nursery which achieved the Inclusive School Award.
Little Professors is a private nursery situated on the Walsall College campus. In the last 6 months, the nursery has developed its own curriculum in association with a local early years’ specialist company. As a result, the Local Authority is using it to develop training opportunities for other nurseries in the borough.
The key differential for Little Professors is that many children only attend for 3 hours in line with lecture lengths.
This means that every moment has to be a learning opportunity. Additional time is offered to parents to complete assignments and work, if required.
Little Professors is situated in a high-quality purpose-built facility in the heart of the college. It has a calm and ordered environment with bright and airy well-lit rooms. Relaxing music plays in reception and high-quality resources are in evidence throughout the setting, including a large outdoor area.
• Read more – Little Professors Walsall Achieves Inclusive School Award.
‘Welcoming, Thriving Oasis’
Taking home the Inclusive School Award this week was Waulud Primary School and Nursery.
There is a very strong inclusive ethos at the Luton Primary.
Our Assessor noted, “The values of the school are fully embedded and shape all aspects of school life. There is a welcoming, positive atmosphere when you visit the school, and from the minute of arrival you are truly embraced by all that Waulud has to offer.
“As the Headteacher says, “there is a welcoming, thriving oasis where our pupils are at the heart of everything we do.” The sense of calm purpose is wonderful. There is “buy in” to the culture by all involved in the school. Staff and pupils are happy and content and interact positively with each other and any visitors. They are polite and care for each other. Small gestures, like holding the door open for each other and using “please” and “thank you” are embedded in the life of the school.”
• Read more – Waulud Primary Achieves Inclusive School Award.
Genuine Commitment and Dedication
And it’s back to The Wirral this week for our final school. Stanley School, which caters for children with a range of Special Education Needs and Disabilities, secured the Inclusive School Award.
“Staff show genuine commitment and dedication to working with children with complex needs,” explained our Assessor. “It is important that all staff receive increased levels of training and support for them to fully understand the needs of the children. Investing in staff training is a priority for the Leaders. All staff spoken to during the assessment showed enthusiasm towards their roles. Staff are supportive of the Headteacher’s vision, with all staff focussed on the children and their best interests.
“The Headteacher described how, “everything we do is about the children, and we always bring it back to that; any decision we make is around the children’s best interests.”
“Staff are encouraged to talk and hold professional dialogue around individual needs, sharing best practice ideas to support each other.
“The welcome statement on the school’s website states, “children are at the heart of our school. Everything that we do is about ensuring that their school experience helps them develop both educationally and socially in an engaging, fun, caring and supportive environment”.”
• Read more – Stanley School Achieves the Inclusive School Award.
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: [email protected] for further details.
Want more information on the IQM Award? Click here to request your free IQM information pack.