We’re only 12 days into the new year and we are delighted to welcome 12 new schools to the IQM family. Joining us this week are Kenilworth School and Sixth Form, Goldwyn School, Topcliffe School, Immanuel and St Andrew CE Primary School, Greenfields Community Primary School, Ossett Academy, Stuart Road Primary Academy, Rickmansworth School, Little Heath School, Castle Hill Infant and Junior School, Academy 360, and St Mary’s CofE Primary School.
Transition is Managed Very Effectively
First up this week we travelled to Kenilworth School and Sixth Form College which achieved the Inclusive School Award with Flagship status. Our Assessor explained the 5Rs; Reasoning, Responsibility, Resourcefulness, Reflection, Responsibility is central to the school’s vision, values and ethos.
Transition is managed very effectively, especially for SEND pupils. The Head of Year 7 along with the SENDCo visits all the Primary feeder schools to talk to the students and Year 6 teachers prior to the school running an induction day during the Summer Term.
• Read more – Kenilworth School and Sixth Form Achieves Flagship Status
Exceptional Whole Child Curriculum
Over in Kent Goldwyn School also achieved Flagship status. The newly appointed Headteacher prioritised the revising of the Vision and Core School Community Values at the beginning of her leadership consulting with staff and students.
These have been professionally published for all with a commitment that “these values will remain our constant anchor for the years ahead and at the core of everything we do.”
Our Assessor added Goldwyn School has an exceptional whole child curriculum, built around evidence led approaches to attachment and emotional regulation.
• Read more – Goldwyn School Achieves Flagship Status
Ethos of Inclusivity
Topcliffe School in Birmingham was delighted to secure the Inclusive School Award.
The ethos of inclusivity which permeates Topcliffe was instrumental in helping the Birmingham school achieve our Award.
Our Assessor noted that staff are working extremely hard to ensure children in resource bases are integrated as fully as possible into the life of the school, both academically and socially.
There is a healthy acceptance of the challenges presented and a clearly evident passion to support children and families to manage these, both in school and at home.
Parents spoke of the difficult time which their children had experienced in the early years of their education but of the massive progress they had made upon transfer to Topcliffe.
• Read more – Topcliffe School Achieves the Inclusive School Award
Inclusive, Child-Focussed School
Immanuel and St Andrew CE Primary School secured Centre of Excellence status this week.
Our Assessor noted that the Streatham school is a very inclusive, child-focussed school and the school vision is deeply embedded in its Christian values of love; respect; perseverance; peace; forgiveness; kindness; thankfulness; honesty; trust; courage; hope; joy and friendship.
The Headteacher added “Our Christian ethos is evident across the school. We look at every child and ensure they flourish. We are focussed that the needs of every child is met”.
• Read more –Immanuel and St Andrew PS Achieves Centre of Excellence
Desire for Every Pupil to Succeed
Flagship status was secured this week by Greenfields Community Primary School.
Our Assessor noted that the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and leaders at the Newcastle upon Tyne school have a clear vision for Greenfields and communicate their desire for every pupil to succeed effectively and well. Staff and Governors understand the important role that the school plays within the local community.
They work with subject leaders in a supportive way as well as holding them to account. Staff feel very well supported by their managers. Their wellbeing is taken into consideration at all times and leaders take action to ensure workload is manageable. Governance is also very strong. Leaders provide staff with many additional training opportunities so they can gain recognised qualifications and keep up to date with current teaching methods and practices.
• Read more – Greenfields Community PS Achieves Flagship Status
Culture of Positive Praise
Named as a Centre of Excellence this week was Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College.
A real culture of positive praise was experienced during IQM’s 2 days at Ossett Academy. Our Assessor saw the use of a well embedded system where teachers sent ‘Above and Beyond’ messages home electronically via the BROMCOM app or a text message directly. Last half term, 15,000 above and beyond messages had been sent home already.
There is a weekly newsletter that is shared on the website, SharePoint and via email celebrating success stories. Twitter is well used to communicate daily events and our Assessor observed this in action during their visit.
• Read more – Ossett Academy Achieves Centre of Excellence Status
Goodwill and Determination
Stuart Road Primary Academy was delighted to achieve the Inclusive School Award.
Inclusion is for all and is fully supported by the leadership, this was identified by our Assessor when they visited the Plymouth school.
Our Assessor explained, “Inclusion is always difficult but it is even more difficult in a small school with few spare resources. They make it work by being creative and by staff taking on even more and more.
“It is their goodwill and determination to include all the children that makes Stuart Road Primary Academy an inclusive school. The new Head of School is very clear about the sort of school she wants to lead and her determination to build on the successes of the school so far is a real strength.”
• Read more – Stuart Road Primary Academy Achieves Inclusive School Award
Equal Opportunities
The Inclusive School Award was also secured this week by Rickmansworth School.
Our Assessor explained that equal opportunities are a theme around the Rickmansworth school and leaders have clearly thought about how they promote this at all levels.
There are also display boards, highlighted by pupils, that focus on key members of society.
For example, members of the LGBTQ+ community, significant women in society and significant people of colour.
The pupils talk of a curriculum that enriches their knowledge of different cultures and one that is not just a ‘token gesture’.
• Read more – Rickmansworth School Achieves Inclusive School Award
Ensuring Every Child ‘Has a Voice’
Little Heath School in Romford was delighted to secure Centre of Excellence status.
Our Assessor explained inclusive values and practices are embedded within the daily life of Little Heath School where the whole ethos of the school is about ensuring every child “has a voice” and are able to communicate using their preferred method of communication.
Some pupils at the school are pre-verbal, so whilst some can use their actual voice, staff at the school ensure that all pupils can communicate whether that be by using technology or by being provided with visual prompts to help them.
• Read more – Little Heath School Achieves Centre of Excellence
High Self-Esteem and High Aspirations
Also named as a Centre of Excellence this week was Castle Hill Infant and Junior School.
The Ipswich school promotes high self-esteem and high aspirations for every child. The school values of Pride, Ambition and Respect embody the ethos within the school. The vision statement focuses on every child being equal, unique and valuable. Our Assessor explained the leadership of the Headteacher and the Senior Leaders ensure that all staff have similar inclusive aspirations for the children.
• Read more – Castle Hill Achieves Centre of Excellence
Feel Happy and Safe
Over in Sunderland, Academy 360 was delighted to secure Flagship status this week.
The Principal, described by her senior leaders as ‘visionary’ leads with a big heart and a clear sense of moral leadership.
A great deal of work has gone into steering the direction of Academy 360 since the Principal’s arrival. Where the academy was once described as being in a challenging and desperate situation, the current Leadership Team have taken the all-through school from strength to strength.
Leaders have ensured that the model for the school is right for making pupils and staff feel happy and safe.
• Read more – Academy 360 Achieves Flagship Status
No Judgement
Finally, we have St Mary’s C of E Primary School in Chiddingfold which secured Centre of Excellence status.
Our Assessor explained the Headteacher has accurately evaluated the provision and is aware of the areas which need to be developed to keep moving the school forward. All leaders know their staff well and deploy them effectively to have a positive impact on pupils. They recognise the importance of improving the quality of teaching and learning as they want the pupils to leave with the best outcomes academically, as well as developing the wider skills they acquire through the holistic curriculum.
Teachers have a good understanding of the factors which influence pupils’ mindsets and their ability to learn. They understand that behaviour is a communication, the reasons why need to be investigated and supported. This is also done in a bespoke way and individual SEMH needs are met with empathy and compassion, involving the parents/carers with no judgement.
• Read more –St Mary’s C of E Achieves Centre of Excellence
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