Childwall Valley Primary School has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
Pupils Are Happy and Well Looked-After
Childwall Valley Primary School is a single-form entry primary school with nursery provision, catering to the south Liverpool community for children aged 3 to 11 years old. Currently, there are around 216 pupils on roll, above the Published Admissions Number (PAN). A higher than average number of pupils receive Pupil Premium (PP) top-up funding, currently 34%. 14.1% of pupils have identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with 7 pupils supported through Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and a further two currently being processed. 20% of pupils speak English as an Additional Language (EAL), in line with the national average.
The school was last inspected by Ofsted in May 2022 and was judged to be ‘good’. The report celebrates that, “pupils are happy and well looked after at this school. They feel safe and know that staff are always on hand to provide support. Staff at all levels have high expectations for all pupils, including pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).”
A new Headteacher was appointed in January 2024 following three years under the leadership of an Executive Headteacher. The smooth transition of leadership is commendable. The new Headteacher fully aligns with the school’s values, ensuring continuity and perseverance of the embedded inclusive ethos.
Tangible Inclusive Ethos
At Childwall Valley Primary School, there is a tangible inclusive ethos which impacts positively on pupils, staff, parents and carers and the overall school dynamics. The Headteacher encapsulated the essence of inclusivity, describing the concept of “belonging” at the start of the assessment day. This was a strong theme throughout all discussions, with the sense of belonging reflected in interactions between all stakeholders. Staff consistently talked about the welcoming atmosphere, which was sensed by the Assessor during all assessment activities. The inclusive culture is consistent across all stakeholders, reflecting a shared commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and included.
The School Development Plan is anchored in IQM’s 8 elements, ensuring the holistic development of inclusion and providing a foundation for overall improvement. Inclusion is seamlessly integrated into all aspects of school life, genuinely underpinning all initiatives and practices. It is clear from the IQM assessment that the SER was completed collaboratively, evidencing a distributive leadership approach, involving all in the process.
A collegial approach is evident amongst the staff, with no ‘egotistical’ hierarchy observed. Staff members feel trusted and supported by the Senior Team, empowering them to fulfil their roles effectively. An open culture, exemplified through the whole-staff pupil progress meetings, showcases a reflective attitude and a willingness to seek support from colleagues, always retaining the focus on what is best for the children.
The school employs universal SEND strategies to support the diverse needs of all children, creating an inclusive learning environment within each classroom. The comprehensive support for pupils with SEND ensures that they can access the provision fully and achieve well. Teaching and learning practices are adapted to suit individuals, ensuring accessibility for all with a clear focus on preventing any from falling behind.
Similarly, the well articulated plan for Mental Health and Wellbeing (MHWB) provides a graduated support offer to ensure that every child has access to support at a level appropriate to their individual needs. The prioritisation of pupils with MHWB is embedded and was consistently mentioned throughout the assessment day by stakeholders.
The ROAR Response to Mental Health in Primary Schools is embedded as a comprehensive whole-school approach to supporting pupils’ emotional health and wellbeing. ROAR is a systematic approach, to “Recognise the signs and symptoms; ask Open questions; Access support, services and self-care; and build Resilience”. Throughout all meetings and activities on the assessment day, the ROAR method emerged as a strength in terms of how the school supports pupils’ emotional wellbeing and how the principles inform the general behaviour management approach.
Overall, the children spoken to during the assessment day expressed happiness and a strong sense of safety at the school. The pupils’ consistently high levels of engagement in classrooms demonstrate a positive and inclusive learning environment. Parents and carers also spoke overwhelmingly positively about the school, highlighting the effective communication and the approachability of all staff members as notable strengths.
Admirable Inclusive Practices
Childwall Valley Primary School’s inclusive practices are admirable, with a strong emphasis on fostering a tangible inclusive culture, promoting a collegial approach and prioritising the holistic development of each individual pupil. The comprehensive provision for mental health and wellbeing, adaptive teaching and learning strategies, and positive engagement from all stakeholders contribute to an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued and included. The school’s commitment to continuous improvement and alignment with inclusive principles positions it as a model for other schools seeking to enhance their inclusive practices.
For the IQM assessment process, the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) provided wide-ranging evidence to validate the process. Our Assessor was welcomed into the school with warmth by all. School Development Plans demonstrate a clear focus on inclusive practices, structured using the 8 elements to ensure all areas of school improvement are approached through an inclusive lens.
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.