Northbury Primary School has achieved the Inclusive School Award.
Very Inclusive and Welcoming School
Northbury Primary School is a very inclusive and welcoming school where children are seen as individuals and staff ensure that everyone has the best opportunities to learn and flourish.
On arriving at the school, you can see the school’s values which are displayed in the reception area. There is a small room within the reception area where staff can discuss matters with parents in private, so conversations remain confidential from people waiting in reception. Reception staff are friendly and welcoming to visitors.
The school values having their work scrutinised and has had their high-quality work recognised through a range of awards such as the Silver Eco School Award, Primary Science Gold Quality Mark, Arts Mark Award, Space Education Quality Mark, Healthy Schools London Award. The school is very proud to have just been awarded the Rights Respecting Schools award (Silver).
Rights Respecting ethos
The Rights Respecting ethos is understood by all the pupils with the rights being embedded throughout the school; it was interesting to hear a pupil quote the correct article number during an assembly about having access to clean drinking water.
Pupils are celebrated as individuals, with all levels of work celebrated in displays. A nice display with pupils’ photos was called, ”everybody is somebody.” The rights respecting theme is explored with pupils through the concept of taking away other pupils’ rights to learning if they are preventing learning to take place.
The school is very actively involved in a Borough-wide Race and Social Justice Project which focuses on leadership/progression of staff, the curriculum and pupil voice and inclusion. Race and social justice issues are explored and acted upon in each of these categories throughout the school, at all levels.
Welcoming and Supportive Setting
Staff who are new to the school spoke about a welcoming and supportive setting where they feel confident to ask people for help if they are unsure about a particular process or procedure. There are many staff who have been at the school for quite a number of years. There is a culture of mutual respect.
A member of the support staff at the school said that she got amazing job satisfaction from working with pupils at the school and said that each and every day she has worked at the school has been a joy.
Teaching and support staff who spoke to our Assessor were all enthusiastic about their roles, discussed their shared vision for inclusion and talked about how they valued the training that they receive to do their role. The school’s ethos of Achieve and Enjoy Together is evident throughout the school day and in all activities.
A learning walk showed children immersed in their learning, having the confidence to participate verbally and enjoying their lessons. Lessons are carefully structured so that all learners make substantial progress. They are given the key vocabulary that they will need for each new topic.
As part of their drive to increase pupils’ knowledge of issues that exist in the local community, the school recently held a modern slavery awareness day. The resulting video shows the visiting speaker from the Ride for Freedom school programme working with the school ambassadors as well as all pupils having the opportunity to ride the stationary bikes and discussing how to recognise the signs of someone being a slave.
School ambassadors from the school council presented a school assembly to celebrate World Water Day during the visit.
Sensory Experience is Beneficial
The school has an additional needs provision room called the Owl Room. The needs of all the pupils who access this provision are carefully considered so that some pupils, guests and others may follow a more comprehensive timetable in the setting. The new sensory room is a joy to see within the Owl Room. It has been very carefully designed with cause and effects, switches and a touch/sound/light panel. An interactive floor means that pupils can see fairytales brought to life as well as activities involving the seasons, colours etc.
Overall, this sensory experience is very beneficial to pupils with additional needs. In the Owl Room there is a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), books, choose boards and staff are able to sign using Makaton and schedule boards. If pupils need similar adaptation resources in the main school, they can access whatever they need. Examples our Assessor saw were manipulatives for maths lessons, communication in print symbols in classrooms and scaffolding of the content of lessons; all are consistent throughout the school.
Wellbeing of Staff is a High Priority
The wellbeing of staff is a high priority for the school. Staff are offered counselling sessions from an external provider who comes to the school. Leadership and middle leaders have had training in how to be coaches so everyone knows that they have the opportunity to have a coach if they wish. An external coach also comes to the school to give coaching sessions.
The school has 74% of pupils who do not have English as their first language. Pupils who are new to the school with English as an Additional Language (EAL) are identified before they start at the school. They are given a starter pack and a peer buddy. They are also signposted to a member of staff who speaks their language, so they know where to get extra support if needed. The rich culture of the pupils is celebrated and seen as an asset; pupils enjoy language of the month.
Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) have also been given similar opportunities which they really value. People can learn good practice from each other and disseminate throughout the school.
Support for pupils who have additional needs is well targeted and effective. The school has bought in an experienced Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) who is supported by 3 language assistants based in the school. This is a long-term commitment from the school to address these communication needs and shows the value that they place on this intervention.
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.