Greenbank Primary School Achieves Centre of Excellence Status

September 2, 2026

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Greenbank Primary School has achieved IQM Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence Status in recognition of its deeply embedded culture of inclusion, belonging and opportunity. The assessment highlighted a school where diversity is celebrated, barriers are removed and every child is supported to achieve their best. 

A Community Where Everyone Belongs 

Greenbank Primary School is a community haven which has served generations of families. The school has a calm working ethos in which children and staff genuinely care for each other. Its diverse population is celebrated by staff and parents as a major strength of the school. The children are just fabulous, welcoming, curious and accepting. From entering the building, the warm welcome points to the school being a very special place, living out the school motto: “If you believe it, you can achieve it!” “Inclusion at Greenbank is the heartbeat of the school as it interconnects with everything else.”  

Removing Barriers Every Day 

The key to inclusion at the school is the determination of staff to think through every aspect of the school day and ensure it is as positive as possible. Simple organisational decisions such as allowing children with a packed lunch to sit with their friends having a hot meal result in a more enjoyable experience. The school minibus will pick up a child having difficulty getting to school on a particular day. No child is excluded from activities and trips due to their financial circumstances. After-school clubs always have free places for Pupil Premium children ensuring they can enjoy the wide range of activities on offer including cheerleading, gym, football and drama. Children who find the beginning of the school day difficult are invited to join the sensory circuit activities in the hall to experience a softer start. Resources are available both in classrooms and around the corridors to provide breaks including sensory circuit activities on the wall and large beanbags. 

Learning Through Play and Opportunity 

To embed an inclusive approach to playtimes, the school has adopted the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme. There is free access to a wide range of resources including a large sand pit, small games equipment and a reading shed. Board games such as Chess can be played at the outdoor tables. A Year 5 child shared how they pretend to make cookies in the sand pit, putting them into cupcake trays. A child in Year 3 loves building dens and even a treehouse using giant polydrons. 

A hidden surprise lay behind the school in the local park, where they have secured land for a forest school through an agreement with the council. A two-year programme delivered by two volunteer parents focuses on compassion for nature and for ourselves, with children choosing what they wanted to play with from a range of open-ended enticements. 

A School Powered by Teamwork 

Having enjoyed twenty years of headship at Greenbank Primary School, the Headteacher has cultivated an ethos where the children come first. A strong mantra for the school is: 

“If we all train the same way, you all have the same impact. We ALL do it together and it has the impact.” Collaboration and teamwork underpin the work of staff. Recurring sentiments about the school included the high level of inclusivity, its multicultural community and the supportive staff. Learning Support Assistants feel equally valued, explaining that it does not feel like teachers and support staff but that everyone is equal. 

Children Who Flourish 

The children’s behaviour and attitudes towards learning and each other are exemplary at Greenbank Primary School. The result is delightful children who are curious about others, accepting of all differences and welcome everyone with an open heart. Observing a meeting of the School Council was genuinely inspirational. Completely run by the children in Key Stage 2, the impressive Y6 Chair welcomed everyone before running through questions. A Y4 child sat next to him, diligently typing the minutes to be displayed on the School Council board. Wonderful suggestions were made about celebrating World Cup Day including wearing the colours of your country’s flag, creating activities related to the country’s culture and having something on each classroom door. 

It is the first time the assessor has witnessed this level of debate and dedication from any School Council. 

A School That Gives Its Heart to Children 

The Headteacher is rightly proud of the culture she has created, supported by a hugely dedicated team of staff. “I am proudest of my children. Our children feel happy and feel safe in school. We make the time for our children. They never forget us so we know we are getting things right.” It was a true privilege to spend two days with the children and staff at Greenbank Primary School. It was immediately evident that the staff give their hearts to the children. The inclusive ethos arises from a school community driven by passionate leadership with a commitment to enabling each child to achieve their best, through the widest range of opportunities. 

Find Out More About IQM 

If your school is interested in achieving IQM Inclusive School Award, 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.