Outwood Primary Academy Littleworth Grange in Lundwood has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
Spirit of Inclusivity is Strong
Littleworth Grange is an academy in which the spirit of inclusivity is strong. Throughout the two-day assessment visit, the clear strategic imperative and commitment from leadership at all levels to supporting pupils in achieving the best possible outcomes and to serving the community in a wider context were recurrent themes that ran through all of the meetings and activities that took place.
The academy is part of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT). It is able to draw upon an established vision, expectations and connected structural elements that are common to all Outwood Academies. It is also able to achieve a degree of local divergence in its practice that allows it to fine tune its educational offer to its local context. Through its links with the Trust, the academy has access to enviable professional best practice and networks in creating an inclusive culture that translates the overarching vision of the Trust into inclusive practice in the local context of which it may be justifiably proud.
The Principal, who started her role at the start of the first lockdown, has, in conjunction with her leadership team, given a strong strategic lead in establishing inclusive practice. Evidence acquired during the assessment days attest to the fact that strong systems were in place to secure the needs of all pupils during this period and no stone was left unturned in this regard, especially regarding the needs of the most vulnerable. This spirit of inclusivity has both been carried forward and built upon since normal academy operations have resumed.
The academy site lends itself to inclusive practice with a clear site structure in place to accommodate the needs of the different age ranges yet still maintaining a sense of continuity and theme. Corridors and classrooms are well presented – the need for these to be so, whilst partially self-evident, should not be ignored as they have a bearing upon establishing consistency, high expectations, and, in a more general sense promote strong engagement with learning. Displays inform, celebrate, and link with the strong overall sense of ‘place’ to establish a positive environment for learning.
Pride in the Academy
All adults spoken to speak well of the academy. The expectations and day to day processes, originating as they do in those of OGAT, are well known and lines of accountability, who to go to etc. are well understood.
The range of staff spoken to during the assessment, take pride in the academy and in being part of a wider Trust, acknowledging the support that it brings both in helping them develop professionally to provide effectively for the needs of the pupils in their care.
Pupils speak well of the academy. They are aware that the academy cares for them and wants them to do well. They understand that the academy has high expectations of them in all respects and indeed why it holds those expectations. Behaviours, attitudes to learning etc. seen during the assessment days attest to the fact that pupils embrace and live up to these.
Parents unanimously speak well of the academy, both in the individual support that is offered to them in terms of particular needs and in respect of the way in which the academy both keeps the parent body informed and involved in their child’s education. Parents feel that the academy reaches out both to support them as parents and to the wider community.
Governors are actively engaged in providing both support and challenge to the academy. They feel that the academy is inclusive in its approach to the needs of all young people under its care and spoke eloquently of its community offer.
As a summative finding, Outwood Primary Academy Littleworth Grange presents as an academy with a firm commitment to inclusive practice and that is being realised in performance. Drawing upon OGAT’s vision and clear strategic lead for inclusion the academy driving forward strongly on its inclusion journey.
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.
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