Encouraging and Supporting Schools
Durham Local Authority is leading the way in encouraging and supporting their schools to work towards achieving the Inclusion Quality Mark’s (IQM) Inclusive School Award and, where applicable, Centre of Excellence status.
The Durham Project
Lisa Ingleby from Children and Young People’s Services is spearheading the Durham project, working with Durham schools across all phases to drive forward the inclusion agenda. As part of this effort schools are being encouraged to complete IQM’s self-audit document to critically examine their current inclusive practices whilst identifying those areas requiring further development.
Online Cluster Support Sessions
Several meetings have taken place between Joe McCann, CEO, of Inclusion Quality Mark, Sarah Linari, Senior IQM Assessor, Lisa Ingleby and interested schools who have attended online cluster support sessions to find out more about the process, the documentation and the assessment process. A major project is now underway whereby the first cohort of 12 schools (and counting) have registered to undertake the award and are being supported by IQM, Lisa and her team. The first of these schools will go through the assessment process in the summer and autumn terms this year. This innovative collaboration will inspire excellent inclusive educational practice across all Durham schools.
Visiting Other IQM Schools
The schools participating in this Durham initiative were given the opportunity to visit 4 schools in Durham which already hold the Inclusive School Award (one of which also holds Centre of Excellence status and two which hold Flagship School status). This visit was carried out during an event organised by Lisa and her team from Durham Local Authority during the week beginning 14th March. The aforementioned schools are Easington Colliery PS, Nettlesworth PS, St Mary’s RC PS and West Rainton PS. These schools were able to showcase the impact of their inclusive practices on improving pupils’ life chances.
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