Halton Lodge Nursery and Primary School Achieves IQM Inclusive School Award

August 17, 2026

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Halton Lodge Nursery and Primary School has been awarded the IQM Inclusive School Award in recognition of its strong commitment to inclusion and its ongoing efforts to create a fully inclusive educational experience that reflects the needs, aspirations and lived experiences of all members of its school community.

A Nurturing School Where Every Child Belongs

Halton Lodge demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusive practice and has created a welcoming and supportive environment where pupils feel valued and respected. Pupils the Assessor spoke with during the assessment described feeling safe in school, and they were confident that there are trusted adults they can approach for help and guidance. Pupils also demonstrate a clear sense of belonging within the school community and feel that their views are listened to. They told the Assessor that when they have needed to go to staff with worries or concerns about themselves or their friends, they feel they have been listened to and the problems have been dealt with. This positive culture contributes to a calm and purposeful learning environment where pupils and families are encouraged to participate fully in school life.

Working Together to Support Every Learner

Halton Lodge’s core values are “Ready, Respectful and Safe”. Leaders and staff are committed to ensuring each pupil is recognised as an individual and that they are each supported to achieve.

At Halton Lodge, staff believe that inclusion means meeting pupils’ needs while also promoting independence and aspiration. Learning activities might be adapted to promote confidence and engagement, including personalising tasks to match interests or providing pre-teaching opportunities to prepare pupils for class. Staff are highly reflective and flexible, giving every child the best possible opportunities to take part.

The school hosts a Key Stage 1 SEMH resource base which provides specialist support for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. School leaders at Halton Lodge have a clear understanding of the barriers that some pupils and families may face and are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, need or starting point, has the opportunity to thrive.

Developing Confidence and Self-Regulation

The learning environment across the school is calm and purposeful, with classrooms organised in a consistent way that supports pupils who benefit from clear routines and expectations. While staff recognise that some pupils may at times experience dysregulation, the school has developed clear systems and strategies to support pupils effectively. Pupils are supported to develop self regulation strategies through approaches such as the use of Zones of Regulation and time-out cards, enabling them to take increasing ownership of their emotional responses.

Opportunities for pupils to contribute to school life are also well established through initiatives such as the Smart School Council, where pupils lead discussions within their classes and contribute to decision making across the school. This approach means that every pupil has a voice in decisions, not just school council members.

Strong Partnerships with Families

Leaders ensure that pupils benefit from meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom. Educational visits and residential opportunities for every class in Key Stage 2 form an important part of the curriculum offer and help broaden pupils’ experiences. Pupils visit local care homes and take part in experiences that they might not all otherwise be able to encounter.

Partnerships with parents and carers are a notable strength of the school. Parents report feeling listened to and valued as partners in their child’s education, and communication between home and school is strong. Overall, Halton Lodge Nursery and Primary School demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusive values and practice. The school’s nurturing ethos, dedicated staff and clear leadership vision ensure that pupils feel supported, valued and able to participate fully in school life.

Find Out More About IQM

The Inclusion Quality Mark provides schools with a nationally recognised framework for developing and celebrating inclusive practice.

If your school is interested in achieving the 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.