Elmswell Primary School has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
Excellent Example of Inclusive Practice
Elmswell Community Primary School is an excellent example of inclusive practice. It is a school with 321 pupils close to Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk with a catchment area that has predominantly white British families. The school is currently undertaking expansion work to increase the school intake from 45 to 60. The building work will provide 3 additional classrooms, a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area), new playground and internal works to the main school. This work is due to be completed in the coming months. The school has planned for the expansion of the school in order that the school pan would increase from 45 to 60 for the Reception intake. This has led to a class structure where Reception and KS1 have a pan of 60 and the remaining year groups have remained at 45.
Inclusion is evident in all aspects of the school’s work and there are good links with the community to offer support for families. The school believes that everyone is part of an inclusive ethos within the school and key school coordinators have an overview and responsibility for inclusion. The school strives to be present and available for children, colleagues and parents and to have considerate, professional and respectful behaviours with all members of the school community.
Curriculum groups are structured so that a member of each key stage is represented to ensure that the lead can be supported by the remaining members of the group who have the expert knowledge of the particular key stage in which they teach. This curriculum group structure provides continuity and an understanding of all areas of the school.
‘Nurturing a Community of Learners’
The school motto, ‘Nurturing a community of learners’, embodies the ethos within the school. There is an excellent rapport between staff and children and great respect is shown by learners for each other. Children’s behaviour is commendable in both formal and informal settings and this is a result of the close collaboration between teachers, teaching assistants, midday assistants and office staff.
The school has the full support of parents who understand and share in the school’s inclusive ethos. The dedication and strong leadership of the Headteacher, her accessibility, commitment to inclusion and improving the lives of all children is particularly noteworthy.
She is ably assisted by the SLT who are especially effective in ensuring continuity through the school and supporting children, parents and families. The leadership of the SENDCo/IQM lead has ensured that inclusion and the IQM process is articulated by everyone in the school.
The Governing Body supports the inclusion agenda and has a range of governors who have an understanding of inclusion which supports and challenges the leadership team. They are particularly well led by a Chair of Governors who has a good understanding of schools and governors who has worked in the education field in the recent past. There are excellent relationships with the local community where the school is held in high esteem.
Curriculum is Connected, Cumulative and Coherent
The curriculum aims are clearly set out within the CUSP which is an adopted curriculum format. The aims are that the curriculum is connected, cumulative and coherent and that specific skills are discretely taught and transferable. Specific vocabulary modules are linked to the curriculum programme of work. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is closely connected to all the work and an excellent programme of enrichment runs alongside the formal programme. This curriculum encompasses a wide variety of experiences for children including outdoor learning, sport and a wide variety of enrichment and extra-curricular activities.
The close monitoring of data and the customising of Insight, the data tracking programme, to suit the school’s needs has been beneficial in ensuring all children make progress. The school is above national levels in writing, maths, science and reading, writing and maths combined at the expected level at the end of KS1 and above national at all levels at expected in KS2. The phonic check assessment at Y1 is also above national from low starting points when children enter the school. The school is trying to raise attainment in Greater Depth as a priority in both KS1 and KS2.
Extensive Personal Development
There are extensive personal development and enrichment opportunities available for all children. They understand that they have a ‘voice’ which is heard and acted upon. The children understand and can articulate the Golden Rules of behaviour which are displayed regularly around the school. Teachers plan for the needs of their class and direct teaching assistants as required. Each key stage has access to a bank of 30 laptops to support the delivery of computing as well as the learning in other subjects. The school also has areas for learning outside the classroom such as the forest, the school hall and dance studio.
Key stage workshops can be used for small group work or can be used for children to access personalised resources or the curriculum. Classes are well equipped and have a consistency of display and expectations and consistent classroom displays across the school promote the inclusive ethos of the school. School assemblies celebrate a range of achievements and they reflect a diverse society as well as teaching the children the school’s values.
Elmswell Community Primary School is an excellent example of a school committed to meet the needs of its pupils and promote the implementation of inclusive practice. All staff have an enthusiasm for their part in the learning and lives of the pupils at the school. They are dedicated and positive about the futures of their pupils and committed to do the best they can for the pupils at Elmswell Community Primary School. They provide a caring environment for pupils where high expectations have a huge impact on progress and wellbeing.
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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