This week we are delighted to welcome ‘The Great Eight’ to the IQM family. Can we give a big shout out to Lambs Lane Primary School, Essex Primary School, St Luke’s C of E Primary School, St. William’s Catholic Primary School, Hatton School and Special Needs Centre, Pioneer Special School, Lyncrest Primary School, and Aurora Meldreth Manor School.
Staff are Happy to Listen
First up this week we made our way to Reading where Lambs Lane PS has achieved Flagship status.
After meeting with a parent during the review day our Assessor explained, “A parent spoke about how worried she had been when her child started at the school but after a couple of weeks, her worries melted away. He goes to school happy and leaves school happy. He is excited about everything and she said she really likes the fact that he is expected to do things for himself even if it might take a bit longer.
“She did speak to staff when she thought he was using his chair too much and her comments were listened to and explored. Staff are happy to listen and give time to parents. There is always someone there who can help,” they added.
• Read more – Lambs Lane PS Achieves Flagship Status.
Purposeful Buzz in the Air
Next to secure Flagship status this week was St Luke’s C of E Primary School. The Lambeth school impressed our Assessor from the moment they walked through the door.
They explained. “On arriving at St Luke’s, you are warmly welcomed by all. There is a purposeful buzz in the air and pupils and staff start their day in a positive way. The holistic approach at St Luke’s was evident upon arrival with the Headteacher greeting a late pupil by ensuring they had eaten breakfast.
“Leaders at St Luke’s face difficult decisions in order to best meet the needs of their pupils due to financial pressures. Pupils are always central to the decisions made and as a result their needs are met well.
“An example of this is leaders not waiting for finalised paperwork and funding before putting appropriate support in place, ensuring that early intervention is in place for pupils, leading to better outcomes.
“St Luke’s is pupil-centred and staff work tirelessly to overcome barriers pupils may face.”
• Read more – St Luke’s CE Achieves Flagship Status
Vibrant, Exciting, Holistic, and Inclusive
We moved to Wigan next where St. William’s Catholic Primary achieved Flagship status. The pupils at St William’s impressed on review day, with our Assessor explaining, “Walking through the school, while being enlightened and entertained by the wonderful children, it was clear to see that children come first at St. William’s. They are valued, listened to, and supported on their learning journeys. Furthermore, these learning journeys are vibrant, exciting, holistic, and inclusive.
“The diversification and expertise within the staff is astounding. From the experienced to the young there is a clear pathway for development and growth. The motivation of every staff member spoken with to expand their roles and their willingness to embrace CPD was clearly evident. This is led expertly from the front, with a skilled and supportive SLT and complimented by an army of expert and determined staff. “
• Read more – St. William’s Catholic PS Achieves Flagship Status
The Importance of Purposeful Leadership
Next to secure Flagship status this week was Lyncrest Primary School. After visiting the Northampton school our Assessor explained, “At Lyncrest the importance of purposeful leadership is exemplified through the direction and motivation of a Headteacher who demonstrates total commitment to inclusion for all.
“Her office and that of her Deputy are positioned in a discreet area of the school building with a square space immediately outside their doors. It is away from the busy administrative part of the school and has been utilized to provide a ‘calming space’ for any child who needs respite from the classroom or other children. All pupils know that this area is available, but it is most frequently visited by those with additional needs, often accompanied by a supporting member of staff.”
• Read more – Lyncrest Primary School Achieves Flagship Status
There’s Always Something New We Can Offer
Our final school to achieve Flagship status this week is Essex Primary.
Our Assessor explained, “The ‘driver’ for the Executive Headteacher at Essex Primary School is the awareness that the “inclusion journey never ends. There’s always something new that we can offer our Special Educational Needs and Disability SEND and High Needs pupils and IQM and other external validations (achieved) are incentive for us to continue to learn more.”
“Being in their ninth year of an IQM Flagship Status School, some staff have articulated that they are only, “doing their job and it’s been recognised!”. The many IQM plaques prominently displayed in the school foyer are there for celebratory purpose but also as a gentle reminder to staff, “to stay focused, not to slip up” on pupils’ learning.”
• Read more – Essex Primary Achieves Flagship Status
Aim to Provide a Fully Inclusive Curriculum
We have a trio of fabulous schools joining us as Centres of Excellence this week. First up is Aurora Meldreth Manor School.
Following their visit to the Royston school our Assessor explained, “There is an emphasis on preparing children and students for life after school where they are expected to become as independent as possible with the desire to contribute fully to the wider community in which they live.
“Students are offered a wide range of educational experiences both within and beyond the classroom. The school’s aim is to provide a fully inclusive curriculum that gives learners the opportunity to achieve their full potential by engineering a curriculum that best meets each learner’s diverse needs.
“Students access a broad and balanced education, based on the realities of modern life and delivered in a personalised learning environment.”
• Read more – Aurora Meldreth Manor Achieves Centre of Excellence
Access to a Broad and Balanced Education
Next it was over to Basildon where Pioneer Special School achieved Centre of Excellence status. Our Assessor explained, “The school’s aim is to provide a fully inclusive curriculum that gives learners the opportunity to achieve their full potential by engineering a curriculum that best meets each learners’ diverse needs. Students access a broad and balanced education, based on the realities of modern life and delivered in a personalised learning environment.
“The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) play an important part in ensuring every effort is made to cater for the needs of every child and they go out of their way to ensure all agencies, teachers and support staff have the child’s needs upper most in their minds. Consequently, the progress of students is monitored closely,” the Assessor continued.
“This rapport between staff was witnessed during the interviews and particularly at the working lunch with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) when the Headteacher clearly explained the focus on the more formalised curriculum, whilst still understanding that teacher wellbeing and the pressure of work was number one priority when developing this new approach. ”
• Read more – Pioneer Special School Achieves Centre of Excellence
Respects Each Pupil
Our final school this week is the wonderful Hatton School and Special Needs Centre which achieved Centre of Excellence status.
Following their visit our Assessor explained, “Hatton School and Special Needs Centre is an extremely inclusive school which respects each pupil as an individual with their own needs and personality. Inclusion is at the very centre of all of the school’s work. This is reflected in relationships with parents and staff, the curriculum, individualised support for pupils and the school’s links with the wider community.
“It was a great pleasure to see the school in action and see and hear about all of the inclusive practices. The inclusive ethos permeates throughout the school. Everyone spoken to was overwhelmingly positive about the school.
“The highly experienced Senior Leadership Team (SLT) lead by example and is passionate about its work and strives to make sure that all pupils, whatever their starting points are, get the best offer possible.”
• Read more – Hatton School Achieves Centre of Excellence
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.