Highfields College has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
Caters for the Needs of Pupils
Highfields College is a Pupil Referral Unit for children with challenging behaviour in secondary schools for the Local Authority of Stockport. With a transient community made up of 59% males and 41% females, Highfields cater for the needs of pupils with a wide range of physical, social, environmental and cognitive issues.
20% of pupils come from out of the area, 18% have a parent in prison, 65% have documented personal disruptive events, 63% have documented disruptive family events, 47% suffer from anxiety and 64% from attachment concerns.
Throughout our Assessor’s visit it was clear to see that staff, governors, pupils, parents and carers are motivated by the clear vision and direction that they have been set by the senior leadership team.
At Highfields College, the systems and procedures that they have in place throughout school are detailed and robust and importantly are centred around the child, their families and their environment.
Safeguarding policies, measures and implementation of these are effective, thorough and embedded throughout school, by all staff.
The positive attendance trends, which were highlighted in the evaluation report, highlight a place where children are safe, want to be and learn.
Analysing Parent Feedback
Through discussion and analysing parent feedback through surveys, it was evident that parents feel this is a school that absolutely meets the needs of their children.
From pupil interviews, surveys, books, and learning walks you can see that the children are generally happy at school and are engaged in their learning. They enjoy the variety of the offer they receive at Highfields College, building from their learning in core subjects and foundation subjects, to their involvement in the popular enrichment programme which offers children a varied selection of vocational, practical and sporting opportunities.
The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and Inclusive Quality Mark (IQM) lead is thorough, professional, committed and has a great relationship with staff and children. This is mirrored by all staff members, as it’s clear they place a great emphasis on building relationships. The change in emphasis on relationships rather than behaviour makes a positive difference to the outlook of building, mending or enhancing relationships. The ‘Relationship Policy’ is a strength of the school.
Staff feel valued and supported by SLT to meet a wholly inclusive agenda that brings the best out of staff and pupils. Led from the top by the head teacher, the emphasis on relationships goes beyond the pupils, as staff are made to feel valued, supported and are energised to meet the needs of their pupils.
Governors have a good understanding of inclusivity. They help shape the leadership, management and systems to good effect.
The enrichment and PE/Sport programme is a real strength of the school and is personalised to ensure ALL children can achieve.
Reading Has Been Prioritised
Safety, health and wellbeing is prioritised above everything else as the foundation for learning. Tracking systems are in place to track both the progressive needs of the children as well as academic levels. Baseline data on entry to Highfields College is detailed, relevant and regularly demonstrates progress after their time of care at Highfields.
Since 2020 reading has been prioritised and good progress is being made to support children reading both for pleasure and as a skill to learning and understanding.
There is a special, unique atmosphere across the school which puts the children at the centre, giving them a second chance, which they felt they may never have got, a sense of belonging that everyone in the building can achieve.
The curriculum is being further developed in Key Stage 3 so that pupils have access to an even broader range of subjects. Different faiths are explored in weekly assemblies. The Friendly School Award highlights how relationships are key to success at Highfields College. The environment is child centred and practice is inclusive of all students no matter what their need is and the college is aware of and ensures that the needs of the LGBT+ community are met. They have several children who identify as different genders to that they were born with.
The SENCO works effectively in the community, working with other SENCOs locally and the local authority. She drives forward the inclusive agenda and as a result all staff ensure inclusivity is central to their holistic provision.
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.
Want more information on the IQM Award? Click here to request your free IQM information pack