Finlay Community School Achieves IQM Centre of Excellence Status

September 3, 2026

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Finlay Community School has achieved IQM Inclusive school award with Centre of Excellence status in recognition of its deeply embedded culture of inclusion, outstanding support for pupils and families, and commitment to ensuring that every child can Aspire, Belong and Achieve. 

A School Where Everyone Can and Will Achieve 

Leaders at the school recently committed to moving away from a resource base model for pupils with more complex needs to create and maintain a strong sense of belonging, togetherness and inclusion for all pupils. There is the expectation for staff to work with an aim that ‘everyone can and will achieve’ and that learning is planned to support pupils to ‘keep up, not catch up’. 

During the assessment day pupils were seen helping each other when they found learning tricky, actively listening to their peers when they were sharing their ideas and being kind to each other. This has created a wholly inclusive approach to teaching which has extended to how pupils work alongside and with each other. 

Voice 21 Helps Pupils Find Their Voice 

The Voice 21 oracy programme is a standout highlight of the school. During learning walks pupils were heard using terms like ‘I’d like to build on what … said’ and ‘Can I challenge what … shared?’ 

This has created an environment where pupils feel safe to ask questions, to carefully challenge their peers and to add to what has already been shared. This will no doubt have a positive impact on not only the communication and oracy skills of the pupils, but their emotional resilience. 

As a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of Excellence, oracy is central to the learning experience. Pupils are regularly taught to explain, build upon, debate, reason and reflect, with a clear progression in communication skills across year groups. 

At the Heart of the Community 

Finlay has been taking part in a whole-school inclusion project with an external partner from Gloucestershire County Council. From this work it has been highlighted that Finlay has become a ‘shining light of good practice’ which supports pupils with high needs with a commitment to an evidence-based approach to teaching and learning. 

An event numerous people mentioned throughout the assessment day was the coffee morning hosted at the school. Finlay arranged for a number of local community support groups, colleagues from Gloucestershire County Council as well as other professionals from the NHS. 

One parent told the assessor that ‘it’s so nice to be invited to school for something positive’ and ‘I really appreciated being able to talk to someone from the council to help with some paperwork I was struggling with. I just couldn’t have done it on my own’. 

Exceptional Support for Families 

The meeting with parents was another example of how Finlay is providing excellent support and care for the people they serve in the local community. 

One parent told the assessor, ‘The staff here actually care, the staff here are amazing’. 

Another shared how her son was struggling at lunch times when he’d first joined the school. He wasn’t eating, would become unsettled during this time and throw away any food that he was provided with. The staff at Finlay continually supported him through break and lunch times, eventually finding out that he wanted to have warm food, made from home for his lunch as he prefers familiar, home cooked food. 

This personalised approach to support is what makes a place special, and just one example of how Finlay are providing an exceptional level of care and support for its pupils and their parents, families and carers. 

A Culture of Belonging 

The pupil voice session followed the consistent feeling of positivity seen throughout the whole of the assessment day. Pupils shared that they feel proud of being at Finlay, that it’s been easy to make friends at school and that the staff are very supportive. 

They were appreciative of the support provided by the school’s Learning Mentors and shared positive feedback on how pupils are praised and rewarded. Pupils also shared that the community-based learning is a highlight of being at Finlay because ‘the trips feel meaningful and that you’re learning things, not just going out for the day.’ 

Find Out More About IQM 

If your school is interested in achieving the IQM Inclusive School Award or Centre of Excellence status, contact the IQM team on 028 7127 7857 or email admin@iqmaward.com. 

To find out more about IQM and request a free information pack, visit www.iqmaward.com.