Leigh Academy Mascalls Achieves Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence Status

August 19, 2026

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Congratulations to Leigh Academy Mascalls on achieving the IQM Inclusive School Award and being recognised as a Centre of Excellence for inclusion. This outstanding success celebrates the dedication of the entire academy community and its shared commitment to ensuring every student feels valued, supported and able to thrive. 

A Community United by Purpose and Belonging  

From the moment you arrive at Leigh Academy Mascalls, the school conveys a powerful sense of community, purpose and belonging. The physical arrival of buses, coaches, families and students creates a vivid picture of a diverse yet unified community coming together. This is not incidental; it reflects a deeply embedded inclusive ethos, one where every individual is welcomed, known and valued. The culture is immediately tangible: calm, purposeful and warm, with high expectations evident in both conduct and interaction.  

Relationships at the Heart of Inclusion 

Relationships are the defining strength of this school and sit at the heart of its inclusive culture. Students are known as individuals and supported through highly visible staff presence, consistent routines and strong pastoral systems. This is not a superficial feature, but a deliberate, strategic approach underpinned by training, leadership modelling and shared expectations. Inclusion is therefore not a series of isolated interventions but a coherent, lived experience embedded across all aspects of school life. A guiding principle of “work hard, be kind” is consistently translated into practice.  

Spaces Where Every Student Can Thrive 

The learning environment further reinforces inclusion. Spaces are thoughtfully designed to support both independence and wellbeing. The Hub is described by students as “a nice quiet space,” offering targeted support for regulation and learning. The library is a particularly striking example of inclusive design: a calm, welcoming space that is dyslexia-friendly, fully accessible and representative of diversity, including Black History, LGBTQ+ representation, mental health and wellbeing resources, and provision for girls’ health. Books and resources are accessible and within reach, ensuring that all students feel represented and included.  

Inclusive Leadership That Delivers Results 

The school’s context is complex and evolving, including high mobility, increasing disadvantage and the integration of over 200 students from a closing school. Despite this, leaders have secured strong outcomes alongside exceptional pastoral care. Attendance, behaviour and progress have all improved significantly, with outcomes above those of similar contexts. This demonstrates both the strength of leadership and the effectiveness of inclusive practice in driving improvement. The school’s work on improving attendance is to be commended. Leaders have established clear, systematic approaches to monitoring and early intervention, ensuring that barriers are identified and addressed swiftly. Strong pastoral support and effective engagement with families and external agencies underpin this work, promoting a culture where attendance is seen as a shared responsibility. As a result, students feel supported to attend regularly, enabling them to engage fully in their learning and school life. Students say they “want to be here.”  

Connecting Before Correcting  

Behaviour is a significant strength and is underpinned by a trauma-informed approach centred on “connecting before correcting.” This approach ensures that behaviour systems are relational rather than punitive, preserving dignity and maintaining trust. De-escalation is a key feature of practice, and staff are skilled in responding to need. Students describe the school as “lovely,” “supportive,” “caring” and “a place where I am happy.” The consistency of this feedback reflects the strength of the culture. The Academy demonstrates a deeply embedded culture of inclusion, where relationships, equity and opportunity underpin all aspects of practice. As one stakeholder reflected, this is a school defined by “community… a place where everyone truly belongs.”  

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.