Edgewick Community Primary School in Coventry has achieved Centre of Excellence status.
An Inclusive School
Edgewick Community Primary School is an inclusive school at the heart of the local community. The committed team know the families and pupils well and is keen to work together for the best academic outcomes for all children, while also giving all pupils valuable life and learning opportunities.
A Warm Welcome
Visitors to the school are warmly welcomed by the children, teachers and support staff alike. Pupils are keen to share their very positive views of school life. They say that they make friends easily and respect all religions and people. This equality is visible throughout the school. Pupils who join the school are welcomed and there are systems in place to ensure they will quickly settle and thrive. One happy parent whose daughter had joined the school explained that giving her child a ‘buddy’ had helped her to make friends.
Opportunities to Develop
Good behaviour is a strength of the school and the children are given many opportunities to learn and develop their skills. For example, good behaviour may be recognised in a regular achievement assembly. The pupils say that the teachers are great role models and know they will always listen and help them. There are opportunities for pupils to be leaders, such as the ‘ambassador’ roles. Pupils can make applications to be selected for responsibilities such as taking care of the younger pupils during their lunch break. They carry out these duties very effectively and make a real difference.
A Creative Curriculum
The Edgewick Curriculum is creative and well planned to ensure that all pupils will be engaged and enjoy their learning. Each topic encompasses all areas of the curriculum and results in high quality learning and experiences. Soon one class will be visiting Harry Potter World as part of their topic and capes are being made by the staff for each child to wear on their visit. Just one example of how the staff go out of their way to ‘hook’ pupils into learning. This experience will help to give pupils a ‘jumping off point’ for their writing. The wide range of experiences across each year are documented in the class portfolios which are an impressive record and include pupils ‘own comments, demonstrating their enjoyment and involvement in their learning.
Age Appropriate Skills
Whole school approaches, such as The Edgewick Learner, ensures every pupil is learning the age appropriate skills needed for learning and life. For example, a pupil may be recognised for clear, articulate communication. The chart for each child is on display in their classroom and pupils talk about them with pride. Equally, the pupils may recognise the Edgewick Teacher for their specific skills during a lesson, and this again is a valuable role model for the class.
Teamwork is Important
Support Staff work well with their class teacher, some being skilled in bilingual support as well as interventions. There is a positive pride in the impact of their work which makes a real difference. One member of staff remarked how she felt ‘over the moon’ when a new starter began to make progress. Staff and volunteers from the local community are valued greatly at Edgewick and there is an appreciation of the part that they play in the great communication between home and school.
Additional Support
Children who have Special Educational Needs, or significant gaps in their learning, are supported in class and may also be a part of the school nurture class that runs in the mornings. The nurture classroom is well resourced and set up with key areas such as the ‘thought tepee.’ Pupils are learning at their own pace but having the same quality education as their class mates; pupils have recently been multiplying two digit numbers and learning about Roald Dahl and William Shakespeare.
The Importance of Respect
A significant strength of the school is that the pupils are taught to discuss complex, challenging issues with respect. One parent whose eldest child is now at secondary school recalled the ‘debating club’ at Edgewick where her daughter first developed her current interest in human rights. As one teacher says: ‘We don’t shy away from difficult issues.’ This is evident from the curriculum which includes challenging topics and the displays around the school, some of which are based on pupils’ respectful views on current affairs.
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.