Kensington Community Primary School has achieved has achieved the Inclusive School Award.
Consistent, Safe Haven
Kensington Community Primary School is a larger-than-average primary school in Liverpool. With three classes per year group, the school currently welcomes around 565 children aged 3-11 years old. In terms of the pupil demographic, 18.3% of pupils have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), with 16 pupils supported through Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). 62.4% of pupils speak English as an Additional Language (EAL), with 46 different languages being spoken. 45.1% of children are eligible for Pupil Premium top-up funding. The school traditionally has a high mobility rate but is currently nearly at the published admissions number (PAN) – 585 – which has led to less mobility this academic year. Since September 2023 the school has welcomed 52 new starters across Years 1-6.
Despite the significant challenges faced within the locality it serves, the school provides a consistent, safe haven for the pupils and their families. Many families see the school as their ‘go-to’ place for support, not just regarding their children but other social aspects. The staff at Kensington Community Primary School consistently go above and beyond to support the children and families, in any way they can. Their dedication to supporting the local community is highly commendable.
The Headteacher has earnt the trust of all stakeholders through living the school’s values. Her strong moral compass and advocacy for children’s rights builds respectful relationships which are founded on trust. Her influence is evident in the decision-making processes, positioning the wellbeing of pupils always at the forefront. This ethical leadership sets the tone for an inclusive school culture. The Headteacher’s ethos revolves around the belief that every child can progress and is respected. The school equips children with the skills and resilience needed for personal growth. The lovely atmosphere and supportive environment are a testament to the success of this leadership and management approach, creating a space where all children can learn and progress, regardless of starting points.
Inclusive Mindset
All staff members involved in the IQM assessment days exhibited an inclusive mindset, showcasing a genuine commitment to their roles, with positive attitudes. Staff members feel well-supported, attributing this to the extended leadership structure, collaborative planning and general culture of empowerment.
Curriculum Leads are not only proud and passionate about the areas they lead, but also demonstrate a clear understanding of current provisions. They articulated existing approaches clearly and actively discussed new initiatives and plans for development. Senior Leaders demonstrate a strong understanding of their roles and the impact on the pupils. Discussions with leaders at all levels reflected a forward-thinking approach to continuously enhance inclusive practices.
Learning walks revealed high levels of engagement in lessons, with pupils displaying a genuine enjoyment of the learning. Positive behaviour was observed, with pupils exemplifying caring and supportive attitudes towards each other. Staff play a pivotal role in modelling these behaviours, contributing to the culture of acceptance and tolerance.
Kensington Community Primary School’s commitment to being a school of sanctuary is evident in its welcoming and accepting atmosphere. Pupils feel free to express themselves and feel accepted by their peers. The school also provides impressive enrichment opportunities that support the holistic development of pupils. The curriculum includes a range of local, national and international dimensions to reflect the school community.
The pastoral team effectively utilises data to inform attendance and pastoral support strategies, responding promptly to emerging issues. A strong safeguarding thread runs across all areas of the school, highlighting it as a high priority for all. This commitment ensures a safe and supportive environment for the pupils.
Bespoke Support
The provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at Kensington Community Primary School is commendable. The creation of a tailored Education, Health and Care (EHC) Room, alongside the comprehensive universal approaches and effective deployment of additional support staff, demonstrates the commitment to providing bespoke support. The EHC room is a purposeful space where pupils can work one-to-one or in small groups with key workers to develop their skills as outlined in their EHC Plans (EHCPs). Feedback from parents and carers of children with SEND is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the inclusive environment and support provided by the school.
For the IQM Assessment, the IQM Coordinator and Leadership Team provided wide-ranging evidence to validate the process. The inclusive approaches evidenced in the robust documentation were reflected in the daily practice observed over the two assessment days. The Assessor was welcomed into the school with warmth by all stakeholders. Leaders know the areas of strength well and have clear plans to improve any areas which need further development.
The IQM Lead evaluated the targets from the previous IQM assessment report and was able to demonstrate evidence for how the school has effectively developed each of the previous targets from across the elements. This shows that the Leaders are willing to accept feedback from external validation processes and will respond to guidance, ensuring the provision is continually improving.
Our Assessor added, “It was a genuine pleasure to meet all the children, staff, governors and families on the assessment days. Thank you to all for their valuable contributions.”
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.