North Park Primary School has achieved the Inclusive School Award.
Inclusion and Love
Inclusion and love are at the heart of life at North Park Primary School and children are at the centre. This is a school that has a belief and vision of developing all aspects of a child in a holistic way, to ensure they are happy and successful. The school’s motto is: ‘achieving and growing together in friendship’. This motto is evident throughout the school – all interactions are loving and supportive and children are making progress from their starting points. The vision of an inclusive school is clear in all conversations and practice. As one parent simply put it, “every single child matters at North Park Primary”.
The inclusive ethos of the school is clear in the school mission statement, ‘it is our mission to achieve the very best for every child, by working together to provide a caring environment that encourages and nurtures, with an enriched education for all’. Staff aim to foster and promote, ‘a love of learning, friendship, respect, responsibility, equality’. These core values of the school underpin all aspects of the work across the school; the teaching and learning as well as the focus on support of personal development and wellbeing.
Welcoming, Safe, Supportive and Aspirational
The school is situated in the town of Spennymoor in the North East, in an area where the social deprivation indicator is higher than the national average. Children enter school with skills typically below others. Given the context of the school, staff face several challenges within the community which can impact pupils’ early childhood experiences. All staff understand these challenges and address them effectively. Leaders are relentless in pursuing their aim to move pupils from a position of vulnerability to one of achievement, strength and success. They have created a school that is welcoming, safe, supportive and aspirational.
Throughout the review day, there was love and laughter in the corridors. Leaders utilise every opportunity to give messages of acceptance, love and ambition. On the day of the IQM assessment, the whole school assembly encouraged children to think about how to welcome new people to the school. Children were engaged and keen to answer questions and share their understanding of the text that had been used to deliver the key message of the assembly. All children also recited the school prayer with enthusiasm and passion.
Community School
North Park Primary School is a community school in every way possible. There is a culture of positive relationship building and a belief that strong relationships are the key to ensuring children are safe, happy and achieving. As part of the commitment to getting the right support in place for each child, leaders believe that effective relationships are pivotal to success. Staff have worked hard to build strong, effective relationships with pupils, parents, carers and stakeholders.
One parent, on the assessment day, informed, “staff know the children and take time to get to know parents too”. One child said, “teachers support and help us”. This belief in strong relationships is seen at every level of the school and is from the top down, with Governors speaking passionately about the strong community feel of the school and how everyone works hard to get to know the whole school community.
Everyone spoken to during the assessment visit has a positive view of life at North Park. The staff, pupils and stakeholders all work cohesively to ensure the needs of pupils are met. Wellbeing of all members of the community is of vital importance. There is a real sense of support and teamwork. Adult wellbeing is prioritised, and pupils are nurtured. Wellbeing is promoted across the school for both staff and pupils. One TA said, “the workload is manageable here and there are good opportunities to develop”. Staff are consulted so that they feel informed, comfortable and ready to embrace any new initiatives. Roles and responsibilities across the school are clear and concise and staff are knowledgeable and passionate about their areas.
Communication is a Key Strength
Communication is a key strength of the school. Leaders work hard to share updates on the school website and Facebook page but also through face-to-face opportunities. From the open-door policy of the Headteacher, the pupil voice opportunities and the parental engagement strategy, someone is always available to speak with. Staff know that their voice matters and that they can share their ideas for the school. This is a listening school.
Staff value the open-door policy of the SLT and are proactive in ensuring pupils’ needs are met. Staff are knowledgeable about their school and most importantly their students and their differing needs that guide their practice and curriculum plans. Across the school there is a commitment to the students. All staff know their pupils and this dedication allows them to ensure children are happy, well rounded and achieving.
The whole school community is passionate about their school and the journey they are on. They truly are making a difference to the lives of the children who attend. The Inclusion Quality Mark Coordinator, Nicola Wood, produced an accurate and detailed evaluation of the school’s position. This was further supported by highly detailed documentation and effective data that was presented and discussed throughout the course of the day. A comprehensive file of evidence demonstrated the school’s commitment to inclusion. It is clear from the evidence submitted, and the conversations with various people from the whole school community, that the school has a deeply embedded commitment to inclusive values and practice.
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