Kentmere Academy Achieves Centre of Excellence Status

June 26, 2019

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Kentmere Academy and Nursery School in Rochdale has achieved Centre of Excellence status.

School Context

Kentmere Academy and Nursery is a highly successful primary school with 339 pupils on roll. Since February 2015, the school has been an academy and is a member of the Wardle Trust made up of three primary schools and a secondary school. The proportion of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is above the national average. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups is above the national average, as is the proportion who speak English as an additional language. The most recent Ofsted report (January 2018) judged the school to be outstanding in all areas, on which the school continues to aim to maintain and improve.

A Cohesive and Dynamic Team

The Headteacher took up post in November 2013 and has led a cohesive and dynamic leadership team to ensure a continuous focus on high standards in all areas believing that

“Everyone can and will achieve if we expect them to do so.”

A Clear and Inclusive Vision

The leadership team have a clear, inclusive vision which is both implicit and explicit throughout the school. This vision is clearly articulated across all elements of the school and is central to both policy and practice.

Committed to Improving Outcomes

Kentmere Academy is highly committed to improving outcomes for all children, especially for those, who due to a number of risk factors, experience barriers to learning.

A Happy, Secure Environment

Kentmere provides a happy, secure environment in which pupils thrive and, despite low starting points, make excellent gains in their learning. The Headteacher and staff have an unstinting commitment to ensuring the best outcomes for all pupils, both academically and pastorally.

An Outstanding Learning Environment

The learning environment at Kentmere is outstanding; displays of exceptional quality can be seen everywhere around the school. Classrooms have been carefully developed to meet the needs of learners and are very well resourced.

Children are Proud to be Part of the Academy

Children are excellent ambassadors for the school. They are proud to be part of Kentmere Academy and keen to showcase their achievements. Pupils are clearly happy in school, they have excellent relationships with teachers, which ensures that classrooms are happy and supportive learning environments in which children make excellent progress.

Ofsted

Ofsted graded the quality of teaching, learning and assessment as outstanding. The curriculum is extremely well developed to meet the needs and interests of all pupils and lessons are skilfully delivered with expertise and enthusiasm. CPD for staff is well developed and very thorough to ensure that staff have excellent knowledge of pupils’ needs. Teamwork, collaboration and consistency are clearly evident and this is a strength of the school.

Teachers Plan Appropriate Challenge

Teachers make excellent use of assessment outcomes to plan appropriate challenge as well as support to address individual needs. Staff are tracking pupils based upon their individual need’s barriers and abilities, and interventions and additional support are carefully planned to be timely, appropriate and effective. All children have the opportunity to engage fully in school life and reasonable adjustments are made to ensure that this happens.

Parents are Integral

Kentmere views parents as integral to all the work it does and works extremely hard to ensure that parents are involved at all levels. Parents spoken to during assessment had the highest opinion of the school and were full of praise for everything it does providing many examples of outstanding care and support.

Extremely Knowledgeable Governors

Governors are extremely knowledgeable about the school and its aspirations. There is a clear commitment to supporting the school’s vison. The Head of the Wardle Trust attends Governors’ meetings and holds Governors and Managers accountable for inclusion. The school takes great pride in being a community school at the heart of a diverse and inclusive community with which the school has very strong links, regularly inviting community members into school. There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer to all pupils which extends the curriculum.

A Very Inclusive Ethos

There is a very inclusive ethos throughout the school; staff at Kentmere know their pupils and families well and the challenges they face. Everyone works together to ensure that pupils have an engaging and rounded education that promotes outstanding academic achievement and strong personal development. In recognition of the outstanding work that Kentmere does it has won the Manchester Evening News Primary School of the Year Award 2018 and was runner up in the Educate Awards for Most Inspirational Primary School.

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: info@iqmaward.com for further details.

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