Martello Primary School has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
Aspirations and Expectations
Martello Primary School is a one-form entry school in the coastal town of Folkestone in Kent. It is part of the Turner Schools Multi Academy Trust. The school serves a diverse coastal community affected by significant social and economic deprivation. There is a considerable level of disadvantage and vulnerability in the area, with one in three families supported by outside agencies to meet their basic needs. Approximately two-thirds of pupils at Martello Primary School are eligible for Pupil Premium (PP), one-third have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) (which includes pupils taught in the Specialist Resource Provision) and almost one-quarter of children have English as an Additional Language (EAL) with eleven different languages. Pupil mobility is high at 24% in 2022-2023.
Aspirations and expectations at Martello Primary are exceptionally high and inclusive practice is central to the school’s vision and values. Inclusion is articulated and central to the school ethos. Core values of “bravery, responsibility and kindness” underpin the way they work to transform children’s futures, empower families and strengthen communities. There is secure evidence of a holistic and collegiate approach to policy development that focuses specifically on the children in their care demonstrating that inclusion is central to the school’s vision and values. The school is friendly and welcoming with a sense of family where respectful relationships, empathy and kindness are highly valued.
Staff are Effective Role Models
Staff are effective role models and demonstrate a high level of professional responsibility which encompasses an understanding of the complex needs of families living in the local community. An effective safeguarding culture is in place. Staff are acutely aware of risks and have demonstrated high levels of vigilance and care in managing over one thousand referrals in the past year. Staff are highly valued by leaders and well supported by the inclusive culture which includes regular professional development, coaching and supervision. High quality external support is used to good effect, particularly in terms of children’s wellbeing and SEND needs. Parents are supported in accessing this support and engaging with multi-agency professionals.
Leadership is distributed and staff are highly committed to accommodating all children and addressing their unique needs, which often requires the need to challenge convention and take risks. Governors are knowledgeable about inclusion and share the vision for ensuring all children have access to a curriculum and teaching that supports their individual needs.
There is a clear analysis and monitoring of need leading to detailed action planning and evidence of positive outcomes, particularly in terms of access to the curriculum for their most vulnerable children. Impact is closely monitored to improve the quality of education, engagement and achievement. There is a genuine curiosity in how to approach challenge and secure systems are in place to evaluate provision and reflect on the impact of their work so that all children have access to learning and support to succeed. This includes the effective use of PP funding.
Collectively they are committed to raising achievement for all pupils, demonstrating a positive, creative and innovative pedagogy and a highly ambitious vision to genuinely include everyone.
Bespoke Curriculum
The bespoke curriculum at Martello Primary School is designed to build cultural capital, raise aspirations and challenge children to try new things. It includes a broad and exciting range of opportunities for children to be inquisitive, resilient and tenacious, build confidence and experience happiness.
All children have opportunities to engage with the ‘Turner 25’, experiences beyond the classroom that support them in all aspects of their lives including capturing culture, creative performing, connecting with the community, acting mindfully and staying safe. Teachers said that these experiences “help children see things in a different light” and explore different perspectives about the world they live in. This is particularly important in a context where leaders strive to improve social mobility, transform lives, promote aspiration and recognise different possibilities for their future. One child lovingly described Martello Primary as, “small school, big memories”.
Staff are strongly committed to enabling all children to access the curriculum. They maintain, “an unflinching focus on improving outcomes” and seek to “tilt best practice” towards meeting the needs of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families within a culture of nurture, care and compassion. Reading is central to the curriculum and enables children to develop key vocabulary and inference. Expertise in the Specialist Resource Provision “The Lighthouse” for children with Autism and collaboration with local special schools, specialist teachers and external agencies enhances provision. For example, during conversations with some of the youngest children, they ably modelled their knowledge of Makaton.
Working with Children Holistically
There is a strong focus on working with children holistically to support them in their readiness to learn. Character development is a core element of the ethos of Martello Primary School. There are clear expectations for behaviour and children learn about the importance of tolerance, cooperation and resilience. Teachers explained an approach to learning that values wellness, calm and inclusivity in their neurodiverse classrooms.
The staff know their children incredibly well and take bold steps to meet their needs both academically and pastorally. During the tour of the school children were actively and positively engaged in learning together. A calm purposeful atmosphere pervades the school with clear routines and expectations in place. Technology, practical resources and support staff were used to good effect to enhance learning and progress which was evident in observations of the school’s newly implemented wellness lessons. Children talked about their learning with enthusiasm and described their enjoyment of school.
Systems to improve attendance are in place and are having a positive impact. Effective channels of communication are open to all parents and staff work hard to engage with vulnerable and harder-to-reach families. Support staff have a significant effect on building positive relationships with families and understand their needs and challenges extremely well. This enables staff to intervene early and provide bespoke support mechanisms that have a positive effect on children and their families. Parents and carers felt that the staff are approachable and caring. They value the support their children receive and recognise the significant commitment and dedication of staff to enable all children to access learning and engage in school life.
Martello Primary is a shining example of inclusive practice. There is a sense of optimism and positivity for what is possible and bravery to engage with some extremely complex and challenging issues. Children are happy, parents are well supported and staff have autonomy and trust to do what is necessary to enable pupils to succeed.
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.
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