Oak Tree Primary School has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
Incredibly Diverse School Community
Oak Tree Primary School is a large primary school with 651 pupils on roll. 40 of these are Nursery children who attend either a morning or afternoon session. It is an incredibly diverse school community, with several pupils having English as an Additional Language (EAL) and 25 languages currently listed as first languages of pupils in the school. However, it quickly becomes evident that Oak Tree Primary is a school that having been on a journey to reach this point, is ‘never complacent.’ The Leadership team sees ‘learning as a never-ending aspirational journey for all stakeholders. This has been recognized by external agencies, such as Ofsted and their Local Authority as having a significant impact on improving the quality of education provided in the school.
The school’s vision clearly articulates inclusion, it quotes in its welcome that: ‘in a nutshell the staff and senior leaders of the school are totally committed to providing the children of Oak Tree with the very best education possible within an inclusive and supportive environment.’ The school’s values are built on the simple vision, ‘Achieve Together, Aspire Together, Grow Together.’ Oak Tree is an inspiration to anyone joining the school or visiting. It is a ‘special place’, one that ensures all members of the community feel welcome, comfortable, safe, and valued. A place where they can take part in every aspect of school life being supported, challenged, and enthused. It has and continues to serve its community well and when faced with difficulties or sudden change in guidance, the creative team have been innovative in finding ways to get around them and carry on onwards and upwards.
Passion and Determination
As you are encouraged and welcomed to delve further into their work you instantly become aware of the strong inclusive ethos within the school and that there is a huge pride in belonging. There is a passion and determination from the adults to work as a team, totally inclusive and nurturing so that they develop pupils who develop a lifelong love of learning. This means that equality and diversity for all, it is at the heart of everyday life at Oak Tree and cascades out into the community. A place where staff, regularly encourage parents and children to have high aspirations and facilitate learning to ensure that they have access to opportunities to reach their fullest potential developing learning, social and life skills. Aspiring to this they place an emphasis on all becoming confident, independent learners, who are aware of their own Mental Health and Wellbeing needs and therefore well prepared for life in an ever-changing world. One staff member shared that there is an understanding and belief that, ‘you cannot give everyone the same and achieve inclusion.’
Pupils attending the school develop a love of learning, experiencing a broad and meaningful learning journey that celebrates their individuality, with challenge that inspires them to be very best that they can be. Stakeholders are rightly proud of the cultural and linguistic diversity the school community enjoys. There are currently over 25 languages spoken within the school and this is celebrated.
Staff morale is high, and teachers feel well supported, regardless of if they may have been at the school for a number of years or relatively new. Senior and middle leaders are empowered to lead their areas of responsibilities and have strong aspirations for the school to succeed. During the journey the Headteacher has ensured that the Inclusion Quality Mark self-evaluation shows strongly how the 8 Elements of the Inclusive School Award are implemented within the school. The team was well prepared for the IQM assessment and totally dedicated to supporting the school to gain the award and move forward to achieve their own set targets.
Diversity and Uniqueness are Celebrated
Diversity and uniqueness are celebrated at Oak Tree, individual pupil’s work and thoughts are celebrated in poignant high-quality displays on walls and corridors across the school. This is supporting children in building motivation to have work included on them, and the ‘World Book Day’ class books display are particularly eye-catching, celebrating individual’s collaborative work of what they were particularly proud of.
There were also other one-off unique displays which embraces the encouraging of kindness and compassion, in particular wonderful school writing based on a high-quality text. The environment is spoken of by staff as, ‘a place to be yourself in a family who care and are there to give a hand when you need it.’ High quality support allows pupils to develop their inquisitive minds, every year something new has been added, just recently the pond renovation, and it is amazing how much can be put into such a small area in the school but will bring so much in regard to learning through the environment.
Pupils say that learning and teaching at Oak Tree is fun and that they enjoy coming to school, a comment given from a pupil who was asked what they appreciated, replied ‘Everything! Our teachers have always been there for us, they listen and are helpful.’ Another spoke how all were ‘confident of their right to be treated fairly at Oak Tree by all.’
During the day several pupils, spoke of the wide variety of visitors to the school, the fun assemblies, and visits off site and how they loved being part of these. They are encouraged to develop good leadership skills in various roles, for example as School Councillors, Sports, and Inclusion Ambassadors. Visiting the school’s social media sites there are tours and presentations given by pupils whose confidence, insight, maturity, and pride in their school shines throughout. It was humbling to hear how much they loved the school and how many memorable experiences they have had from being a pupil there. It is obvious that pupils and staff at Oak Tree appreciate and have a capacity to listen to each other. Staff were clear to point out that everyone here knows that ‘one size does not fit all.’
Voice of Pupils is Integral
Governors visit often and play a full and active part in the life of the school through taking link roles. They speak of their belief that the voice of their pupils is integral to the on-going development of their vision and how they regularly monitor their own particular focus areas. They commented how they and parents appreciate how the staff are always prepared to go the extra mile to ensure the needs of each child are met. The Governors visit the school giving them a first-hand experience on how difficult subjects and current initiatives, such as Mental Health and Wellbeing awareness is approached and delivered. They are an exceptionally strong group, who are willing to listen and learn, then use their skills and expertise to strengthen school leadership.
Helping other people is seen by Oak Tree as a wonderful way to improve one’s own wellbeing. It is not necessarily financial help, it is encouraged that you give a more precious commodity, ‘your time.’ Pupils are encouraged to become involved within the school and local community at any opportunity. High on the agenda is always to take part and win when they can! They have taken part in festivals such as Eid and Remembrance Sunday, sending cards and letters to others ensuring everyone feels connected. They constantly fundraise for local, national, and international charities, often linked to national awareness days and they ensure it is always given a link to learning. They are a fantastic illustration of while we all lead busy lives, sparing some time to volunteer or help others is important and we should all be encouraged to do so as it results in positive feelings and a sense of reward in oneself.
Inclusion is the Heart of Oak Tree
Inclusion is the heart of Oak Tree Primary family. It is the inspiration of the strongly cohesive group of professionals who go above and beyond to ensure the values of the school are truly shared and not just seen on paper. We live in an ever increasingly hectic world, with all the associated pressures, however, through their rigorous and relentless drive to provide the absolute best experiences for their pupils they have continued to move from strength to strength in terms of its inclusive practice since opening their doors.
It was evident during the assessment that the whole team demonstrated the ‘heartwarming way in which they ‘care’ about each other, there was total trust and confidence shining through in all that they do together to make Oak Tree the school that they are.’
During the assessment discussion with the Headteacher it was discussed how they oversee the school’s work on ensuring that all pupils maximise their potential during their stay in school. Stakeholders at all levels, were very complimentary of this top tier of leadership and how they lead on inclusion. Staff particularly value how precisely they know the pupils and the staff’s skills set. These are strategically used to ensure interventions match the needs of individuals and that they are run by adults who are most qualified to achieve maximum impact.
Everyone working at Oak Tree contributes to a highly effective team and as such our Assessor believes Oak Tree Primary School is a remarkable example of an inclusive school, a wonderful example of co-production within school, with parents and agencies coming together to support all children moving forward. Parents quote how the school staff are ‘dedicated, how they educate, support and befriend them as a family into the school’s wider family.’
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.