Millthorpe School has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
‘Find Their Tribe’
Millthorpe School truly is a school where, as one parent explained, all pupils and staff are able to “find their tribe or people.” The ethos and the day-to-day running of the school illustrate how they respect all who enter the doors, from the pupils who start in Year (Y)7, to those who transfer in as “Managed Moves,” from out of the area or who are experiencing difficulties at other schools. The same courtesy is afforded to the staff.

In order to make sure this ethos is lived out daily, Millthorpe School sees itself as a solution-finder. The Chief Executive Officer explained that instead of saying, “Woe are us if external services or provisions are lacking or not fit for purpose, we think about ways to solve this in the best interests of our children”. As a result, the school built its own Alternative Provision which enables pupils to stay on the roll and to receive a quality of education that is reducing suspensions and exclusions and enabling the pupils to achieve their GCSEs. This provision is indicative of the “village around the child” approach that the school takes.
Working with expert staff, the home school of the pupil, families, the Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator (SENDCo) and the Pastoral team, the students are prepared for adulthood with aspirations and a desire to do well. The provision has been creative in its approach to educating pupils struggling with the small class sizes they operate. In response, they offer both very small group and individual teaching that starts later in the afternoon when the other pupils have left.
Impact on Their Children

Speaking to the parents you can hear about the impact of being a pupil at Millthorpe School has had on their children and their families. One parent mentioned how she believed the school had saved her child’s life due to their support and acceptance of their child. This had allowed their child and the family to grow and hope for a better future. Another with a different but also somewhat traumatic journey said there was never a day she regretted moving her children into the school. When asked what would make them remove their child from the school and they all agreed that it would be if the culture changed.
It is the creativity in searching for adaptations and support that stand out throughout the school. For one pupil the school has used one of the new IV robots. The robot sits in the class and allows the pupil to access and interact from home. The impact has been amazing with the pupil now wanting to physically be in the lesson. In Humanities they have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to rewrite texts to enable students with a low reading age access to the curriculum. Key Stage (KS) 4 stated they believed that the school went above and beyond reasonable adjustments and nothing was too much for the school to consider in order for you to achieve.
The Eco Laundry was a fantastic resource. The school took in uniform, laundered it and gave it out. A child transferring in is given a complete uniform prior to starting so that on the first day they could feel part of the school.
Welcoming and Embracing
Pupils affirmed the opinion of parents in the school, welcoming and embracing all pupils when they mentioned they see themselves represented on the staff. A number of students were keen to share the story of their journey through the school. One student mentioned how proud she felt in standing in front of prospective parents on the Y6 Open Evening. As an elective mute in Y7, she would never have envisaged being able to do that but the scaffolded support she had received enabled her to share with parents how their child would be nurtured and supported.
Everyone spoken to mentioned the processes and procedures that are in place to develop every pupil’s individuality, which never allow them to stray from the high expectations. The pupils reiterated how everything was in place and everyone knew what you needed.
Everyone in the Millthorpe family cherished the sense of belonging they had from being at the school.

There were so many examples and statements from the very different groups that our Assessor had the pleasure of meeting with that showed their love for the school and the work that the staff did day in and day out without realising that it was not the norm.
Millthorpe School was described as a “patchwork school that cared for a patchwork of people”.
“You just want people (staff) to see them (children) as individuals… themselves… and not just grades and Millthorpe does that so well.”
Our Assessor added, “Thank you for a wonderful two days and an insight into how inclusivity and high expectations can be embedded in a large school and change the lives of all who enter Millthorpe School every day when every member of staff and pupil feels valued and respected. This comes from a leadership that drives through the belief that every child has potential. It is backed by excellent but challenging support from the Trust especially the Trust Director of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion who also has a vision for inclusion not only in Millthorpe but for every school in the Trust and utilises the expertise of the staff from Millthorpe to drive the inclusion agenda.”
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.