Kettlebrook Short Stay School Retains Flagship School Status

August 20, 2026

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Congratulations to Kettlebrook on retaining its Flagship School Status as they enter their 10th year as a Flagship School. This well-deserved achievement reflects the school’s unwavering commitment to inclusion, high-quality education and positive outcomes for its pupils, making a lasting difference to the lives of the young people it serves. 

Meeting Complex Needs  

A small setting, with a Pupil Admission Number of 60 but with 50 currently on roll, Kettlebrook is one of six Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) serving the county of Staffordshire. Many pupils have been permanently excluded from their mainstream school although there are a number that are on dual registration, as a ‘Preventative’ placement, an opportunity to have some short-term intervention work to support them in their school journey. The majority of pupils are in Key Stage 4 although pupils in Year 9 are increasing. Kettlebrook also takes pupils as part of a ‘Disruption Plan’ where they are unable to be placed at alternative PRUs and require an educational setting to meet their complex needs.   

Inspiring Spaces 

The environment is still one that is welcoming and that the learners appreciate. Local graffiti artists supported in putting the pupil’s designs onto walls and one pupil said how the artwork was one of the things he particularly liked about the school. Displays showcase pupil work, motivational quotes and signposting as well as the school values, the four R’s – Responsible, Resourceful, Resilient and Reflective. Displays are also used to help pupils understand their emotions and feelings so that they can be addressed in a healthy non-destructive way and the Fish display (focusing on hidden feelings and needs) is particularly powerful.    

Unlocking Potential  

Pupils experience a broad and balanced curriculum. It has a strong academic focus as well as an all-important offer of varied enrichment activities, demonstrating how the specific needs of pupils are recognised and taken into consideration. Reiki, ELSA interventions, pupil led peer-to-peer mentoring and end of day CHOICES supplement a strong robust academic offer. There are also high expectations of all pupils and their work, recognising that pupils can still achieve good outcomes, despite their often troubled educational journeys up until they join Kettlebrook.  

Engaging Every Learner 

Quality of Education is a high priority for the school, ensuring all pupils get a good, well-planned education. Teachers have access to teacher toolkits, regular CPD and subject areas have adapted schemes of work in place, including ‘Curriculums on a Page’.  Where pupils cannot access the main setting, due to high anxieties or complex needs, an Intervention Support Group (ISG) has been set up to accommodate the varying needs of their learners and this has been incredibly successful in engaging some of the most ‘reluctant’ learners whose previous attendance levels were virtually non-existent. As the school CAMHS link stated, the school does an “incredible job at engaging pupils at the most difficult time of their lives”, the “child centred” approach of really getting to know the children individually and working hard “to form relationships” pays dividends. They are mindful and thoughtful about the “invisible backpacks” that each child carries.   

Beyond the Classroom  

As well as supporting their own pupils and staff, Kettlebrook also supports their wider community. The SENDCo recently supported the Educational Psychologist at a training event, sharing good practice with local mainstream school staff around Emotion Coaching’, demonstrating an inclusive and supportive approach that goes beyond their own school setting. This received positive feedback and the input was greatly appreciated. This supports the feedback from governors who stated that “inclusivity is a strength” and the expertise of Kettlebrook staff could really “benefit the local schools” through further outreach work. Parents have also benefitted from the ‘well-rounded’ provision that Kettlebrook offers. Parents spoken with said the school and its staff were “amazing”, “marvellous” and “fantastic” and expressed their delight in the difference they had made to their children and their educational journeys.    

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.