Edmondsley Primary and Nursery School has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
A School with Love at its Core
Edmondsley Primary School is a school with love at its core. Staff ensure all pupils are given the academic support they need to achieve their potential and the love and nurture they need to develop into confident, resilient young people.
The school is smaller than average and is situated in a village that was a former mining community. The school draws pupils from outside the immediate area as well as the village, due to its positive reputation for being inclusive and supportive. It is a school which is the hub of the local community.
The vision of an inclusive school is clear and permeates all conversations and practice. Parents talked, during the assessment day, about how this school is, “supportive and loving”. One parent talked with passion about how the school is “inclusive and welcoming”. She described how “all staff are approachable” and how “the school meets the needs of my child. It is the right place for my child, but also for our family. It is an inspirational, supportive setting.” This sentiment was echoed in conversations throughout the assessment day.
Holistic Approach to Education
The school holds inclusive values under the acronym PROMISE: Polite and Caring, that’s what we are; Respect and Resilience, takes us far; Open and Honest, we don’t tell lies; Manners are important, everyone tries; I is in united, teamwork’s the prize; Strive to be the best we can be; Everyone aims high at EDMONDSLEY!
These values are embedded in all areas of school life. Leaders at Edmondsley are committed to ensuring a holistic approach to education is offered. Inclusion underpins everything. This is evident on the detailed and informative school website, the school social media pages and then when one steps into the school, the inclusivity is clear to feel. From the moment you enter Edmondsley Primary you are made to feel welcome. The environment has been designed to feel warm and welcoming and the ethos reflects this. Staff and pupils smile and say hello throughout the school and laughter and love is evident.
The school places a huge importance on the development of the whole child. The broad curriculum, both in the classroom and beyond, prepares pupils well for their futures. The curriculum has been developed to be aspirational, progressive and engaging. There is a clear whole school focus on developing a love of reading for pleasure and in raising literacy levels. Cultural capital opportunities are embedded throughout, and outdoor learning is a huge part of life at Edmondsley. There are high expectations of all pupils, who all experience praise, recognition and success. During the assessment day, when asked to describe the school, one child said, “hopeful, honest and exciting”.
Committed Leadership
The leadership team at Edmondsley is committed to their school community and go over and above to ensure the best for everyone. Leaders describe how all pupils at Edmondsley Primary are valued and are supported in lessons so that they can all achieve their best. They have an ethos of “ambition and opportunities”. The Headteacher described how they have a big focus on mental health and wellbeing to support the whole school community. She believes inclusion underpins all they do and described how all staff work tirelessly to ensure pupils are successful and happy.
Staff are very knowledgeable about their school and most importantly their students, and their differing needs that must guide their practice and curriculum plans. Support for pupils with additional needs is excellent. Across the school there are adaptations and reasonable adjustments made to support all learners and to ensure they feel included, whatever their needs may be.
Staff are relentless in their mission to ensuring all pupils achieve their best and in giving them aspirations and opportunities for life beyond Edmondsley. Throughout the review, staff made comments that illustrated their commitment to inclusion and the pupils in their care, such as, “we use restorative approaches to support our pupils in reflecting and growing” and “we are passionate about developing and improving”. Leaders are strategic and outward facing and are passionate about the future of their school.
Edmondsley Primary School is a beacon of love, relationships and inclusion.
The Inclusion Quality Mark Co-ordinator, Jennie Anderson, produced an accurate and detailed evaluation of the school’s position. This was further supported by conversations with various people from the whole school community, which illustrated that the detailed and impressive written evidence was accurate.
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.
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