Essex Primary School in Newham achieves Flagship status for the third time.
Structures and Processes
Since the last IQM Flagship review, the developments at Essex Primary School were exceptional to see. Structures and processes have been extremely well thought through to address the needs of the whole community. The staff and Leaders know the pupils and their families very well. They are extremely creative in their practice to find solutions to any challenges to improve the outcomes of all pupils and their families. All staff encourage pupils to be the best they can be in a caring, safe, inclusive environment.
High Expectations
The school vision and aims of ‘Everyone Valued, Everyone Challenged, Everyone Achieving’ came through strongly throughout the virtual meetings with staff.
It is evident that the Headteacher has high expectations of her staff and the pupils. Consequently, the staff have high expectations of themselves and others including the pupils. The high expectations prevail in a collaborative and supportive atmosphere where leaders, staff and pupils can take calculated risks to address the need of every pupil. Research leads their practice to ensure outstanding outcomes for all.
The Headteacher
The Headteacher explained that she is a ‘firm believer’ in working with external expertise as well as ‘in house’ expertise to ensure positive outcomes for pupils in both their personal as well as academic development. The Headteacher is very ably supported by the Leadership Team consisting of eight leaders. She has recently recruited a new Deputy Head with expertise in EYFS with a focus on Communication and Language including Reading.
A Very Collaborative Approach
It came across very strongly how much the Head values the leaders and staff. The Deputy Head also reaffirmed this. She stated that there is a very collaborative approach to the quality of education delivered throughout the school. Staff can develop in their area of expertise and interest. This ensures that everyone is motivated to deliver an engaging experience for all the pupils. This leads all pupils along their journey to adulthood in a positive direction. They acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding needed for the next steps to be meaningful and successful.
Care, Dedication and High Expectations
The care and dedication as well as the high expectations for pupils is truly outstanding.
The staff and Leadership Team work instinctively and collaboratively. They research best practice as well as use in school data to assess the needs of individual pupils as well as groups of pupils. The carefully thought out timetable for interventions shows how they value every pupil whatever their need. The Deputy Head stated she asks the staff to come to her with a solution and together they will find a space in the school so that an intervention can be put in place to support any pupil.
Excellent Practice
The Deputy values external advice who model and discuss excellent practice with staff in order to develop their own expertise under their guidance. The menu of interventions ensures that all pupils will be empowered to be confident to attend, focus and achieve in lessons. Interventions include:
• Sensory Interventions (IQM Flagship Project)
• SEND PE
• Zones of Regulation
• Maths
• Science
• Music
• Food Exploration
• Box Clever
• Social Groups
• Speech and Language Group
• Attention Autism
• Life Skills
Safe and Secure Environment
In discussion with the Deputy Head, all interventions are closely monitored and tracked from the pupils’ baseline. The interventions are continually evaluated to ensure pupils attain and make progress. Pupils are continually discussed with class teachers to ensure they are supported and on target to achieve in a safe and secure environment.
Inspirational Leadership
It is due to the inspirational leadership and staff collaboration that so much has been achieved in the last year not only in terms of the IQM Flagship Project, but also in terms of the other exciting activities that have taken place as mentioned above.
Outstanding Inclusive Environment
The Head and the Leadership Team with the support of the staff have created a school environment where all pupils, whatever their need will be inspired, enthused and encouraged to achieve. The structures and processes enable the classroom learning as well as the interventions to address the gaps in pupils’ academic and personal development. The solid foundations that have been embedded in such an outstanding inclusive environment ensure the ongoing and future success of all pupils.
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: info@iqmaward.com for further details.
Want more information on the IQM Award? Click here to request your free IQM information pack.