Northfield St. Nicholas Primary Academy Achieves Flagship School Status

August 14, 2026

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Congratulations to Northfield St Nicholas School on achieving IQM Flagship School Status. This well-deserved recognition celebrates the school’s exceptional commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and achievement, and reflects the dedication of the entire school community to ensuring every child can thrive.

Every Child Matters

Northfield St Nicholas School continues to exemplify a highly inclusive, nurturing and forward‑thinking ethos, placing the needs of its 307 children at the centre of all decision‑making. The school’s commitment to inclusion is not only visible but palpable: it is evident in classrooms, corridors, outdoor spaces and in conversations with staff, pupils and governors. The culture is one in which every child is known, valued and understood, and where leaders and staff work relentlessly to ensure that all children can flourish.

Learning Without Limits

Inclusion is firmly embedded across the school. Leaders and staff regularly evaluate strengths and areas for development and have rightly identified the need to further strengthen foundational skills to secure improved outcomes. The CUSP curriculum remains ambitious, inclusive and challenging, and staff provide thoughtful adaptations to meet the diverse needs of their cohorts. Where further tailoring is required, for example in Year 1, staff work closely with leaders to ensure that the school’s expectations are upheld and that the curriculum continues to meet the needs of all learners.

Stronger Together

A strong sense of collective care is evident across the staff team. Colleagues describe a culture where ‘we all scoop each other up,’ reflecting the deep trust and mutual support that underpins their work. Staff shared that ‘not only do we complete check‑ins with the children, we look out for each other,’ highlighting a genuinely nurturing environment. This spirit was echoed in comments such as ‘This is an awesome team’ and ‘Everyone gets on; we are continuing to move the school forward.’ The positive relationships and shared commitment contribute to a motivated, united workforce focused on delivering the very best for pupils.

Leading with Purpose

The school has an excellent understanding of the eight IQM elements and uses these effectively to drive improvement. Leaders’ priorities rightly focus on strengthening foundational knowledge and skills to raise outcomes further while sustaining the inclusive culture that defines the school. Governors know the school well and participate actively in school life, they understand and support the school’s development priorities. They value being part of this wonderful community that puts the children first.

Inclusive Excellence

Northfield St Nicholas school remains an outstanding example of inclusive practice. A rich menu of interventions are in place across the whole school, including sensory circuits, Thrive, Hamish and Milo, colourful semantics, breakfast and lunch clubs, Lego therapy, coaching and soft starts. Leaders, staff and governors work in strong partnership to ensure that pupils are safe, supported, challenged and celebrated.

Find Out More About IQM

The Inclusion Quality Mark provides schools with a nationally recognised framework for developing and celebrating inclusive practice.

If your school is interested in achieving the IQM Inclusive School Award, contact the IQM team on 028 7127 7857 or email admin@iqmaward.com.

To find out more about IQM and request a free information pack, visit www.iqmaward.com.