Chilmington Green Primary School Achieves IQM Centre of Excellence Status

August 28, 2026

---

Chilmington Green Primary School has achieved IQM Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence Status in recognition of its deeply embedded culture of inclusion and its unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child is valued, supported and able to succeed. The assessment highlighted a school where equity, belonging and ambition are evident in every aspect of school life. 

A School Where Everyone Belongs 

From the moment you arrive at Chilmington Green Primary, there is a clear sense that this is a distinctive and special community. There is an immediate sense of warmth and belonging. Parents, carers and members of the community arrive with confidence, greeting one another and engaging in friendly conversation. Senior leaders are highly visible, welcoming families at the start of the day and modelling the school’s values in action. 

Staff describe Chilmington Green as a “melting pot of culture and diversity,” where understanding and appreciation of difference is developed naturally through everyday experience. A defining word used by staff is “equity,” reflecting a shared belief that every child is valued and supported to succeed. 

Inclusion at the Heart of School Life 

Inclusion lies at the heart of everything the school does. There is a firm commitment to ensuring that every pupil achieves their full potential academically, socially and emotionally through high expectations, strong relationships and an unwavering focus on equity. The Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) is fully integrated into the school and is regarded as an integral part of the community rather than a separate provision. Pupils access mainstream learning and school life alongside their peers, reflecting the shared understanding that every child belongs and is valued. 

The school’s approach is highly personalised, recognising the unique strengths and needs of every individual. Clear communication and accessibility are central to the school’s approach. Translation tools, inclusive digital systems and accessible methods of communication help remove barriers to engagement, ensuring that all members of the community can participate fully and reinforcing the belief that everyone is welcome and everyone belongs. 

An Ambitious and Innovative Curriculum 

The curriculum at Chilmington Green Primary is ambitious, inclusive and carefully designed to ensure that every pupil can access, participate in and succeed within learning. Strong emphasis is placed on the development of core skills, particularly in reading, writing and mathematics, which are viewed as gateways to success across all areas of learning. A notable strength of the curriculum is its emphasis on experiential learning. Leaders recognise that meaningful experiences enrich understanding, build cultural capital and increase engagement. 

Innovation also plays a significant role in curriculum delivery. The school’s highly developed digital strategy is built around three key principles: creating immersive and engaging learning experiences, empowering pupils as independent learners and ensuring equitable access to opportunity. Through virtual reality, 360-degree video and green screen technology, pupils can experience environments and opportunities that may otherwise be beyond their reach, bringing learning to life in memorable and meaningful ways. 

Supporting Pupils and Families 

Partnerships with parents, carers and guardians are a significant strength of Chilmington Green Primary. One parent summarised the experience by describing Chilmington Green as “a second family,” while others spoke of the school as “a huge support system” and “a community where staff genuinely care about both children and their families.” Parents consistently report that communication is proactive, responsive and effective. Leaders are highly visible and approachable, operating an open-door culture that encourages regular dialogue with families. 

Support for families of pupils with SEND and those attending the Specialist Resource Provision is particularly strong. Parents speak highly of the personalised support they receive and the regular opportunities to discuss progress, provision and next steps. 

A Connected and Collaborative Community 

Chilmington Green Primary is a highly inclusive, outward-facing school that places considerable importance on building meaningful connections with families, community partners and wider networks. The school’s membership of The Stour Academy Trust provides significant benefits for both staff and pupils. Collaboration is deeply embedded across the Trust, creating opportunities to share expertise, resources and effective practice. The school’s status as a Microsoft Showcase School further enhances its contribution to the wider educational community. Chilmington Green is recognised as a centre of innovation, regularly welcoming visitors from other schools who come to observe practice and learn from its highly effective use of technology. 

Pupils benefit from a rich and diverse programme of enrichment opportunities that strengthens their understanding of the wider world while developing confidence, independence and aspiration. 

Find Out More About IQM 

If your school is interested in achieving IQM Inclusive School Award contact the IQM team on 028 7127 7857 or email admin@iqmaward.com. 

To find out more about IQM and request a free information pack, visit www.iqmaward.com.