Park Brow Community Primary School has achieved the Inclusive School Award.
Holistic and Child-Centred Approaches
Park Brow Community Primary School is a larger-than-average-sized primary school in the heart of the local community. The proportion of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and who are considered disadvantaged is well above the national average. The percentage of pupils with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) is also above the national average. Senior Leaders, and the dedicated team of staff at the school, go above and beyond to break down barriers to learning and attendance.
Inclusion is at the forefront of what they do at Park Brow, its approaches are holistic and child-centered. During the two days our Assessor spent at the school, all stakeholders spoke passionately about the supportive, caring, nature of the school. The school’s mission statement is “Together we can make a difference” and all stakeholders met with were clearly driven by this philosophy.
Heart of the Community
The school building and extensive grounds are extremely inviting and provide the sense of an ‘oasis’ in the heart of the community. Once inside, it is easy to forget that you are literally on the edge of the industrial estate! The building opened in 2011 and further investment means that the building has continued to change and evolve in line with the needs of its pupils. It is a modern and vibrant space that provides a high-quality and aesthetically pleasing environment. Investments in areas such as the Rainbow Room, Sensory Room, and the outdoor learning spaces reflect the needs of its pupils. The quality of the learning environment is excellent, with vibrant displays and high-quality books and resources available to all.
In discussion with a range of staff members, parents, and pupils it was evident that members of the school community feel valued, cared for, and supported. There is a true feeling of collaboration and teamwork – everyone contributes to the inclusive values and vision of the school. The recurring theme throughout the visit was the importance placed on building positive connections and relationships. The school is proud of the relationships it has with families, and genuinely does know them “inside out and back to front” as a member of the Inclusion Team described it. There is a friendly atmosphere and respectful culture in the school.
Park Brow has an experienced and creative leadership team which is passionate about inclusion. Leaders have designed the staffing structure to reflect their commitment to breaking down barriers with a dedicated and robust Inclusion Team. Leaders know the children well, and school improvement planning responds to their needs and the complex nature of the cohort. There is a strong commitment to supporting staff development and providing high-quality Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The staffing structure is well-developed and carefully planned to support inclusion.
Highly Regarded
During the visit, Our Assessor was able to meet with an external partner as well as read several testimonials from wider professionals all of whom spoke extremely highly of the school and its commitment to inclusion. It is evident that the school is highly regarded in the field of inclusion. Here is just a small sample of words from these testimonials: “The school has always celebrated diversity and the importance of every child…”; “The level of pastoral support available is fantastic”; “The school strives to be an inclusive provider of education.”
The fact that leaders have invested heavily to seek consultation, advice, and support from a wide range of highly qualified external professionals is again evidence of their commitment to inclusion.
The parent group spoken with talked of their own personal journeys and the challenges they often face having children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND); however they praised the support they have received from the school. They value the daily communication they receive from staff. One described how “they go above and beyond to help.” Another parent talked about how the school staff are “always thinking about how they can help.” During the meeting they said that they “couldn’t ask for a better support system” and one parent in particular stated, “For me, I just couldn’t have got through this past few years without them.” It was a pleasure to meet them all on the day.
Meet the Diverse Needs of the Children
The Park Brow curriculum has been carefully designed to meet the diverse needs of the children. There is a commitment to providing wider opportunities for the pupils both in school and in the local community and beyond. During meetings with staff and curriculum leaders, our Assessor heard how the curriculum is adapted to ensure that all pupils can participate to the best of their ability. Curriculum drivers reflect the nature of the pupils’ context and are relevant to the children’s lived experiences. Teaching and learning are quality-assured through a rigorous monitoring cycle.
At Park Brow, there is a true sense that the children’s needs are viewed holistically and potential barriers to learning are identified swiftly and acted upon. Leaders have invested in staffing and high-quality CPD to reflect the wide range of needs in the school. The dedicated Inclusion Team offers a range of support to both pupils and families. Support is responsive – if a pupil is upset coming in for example – the team is on hand to support them to regulate and become ready for learning. The school has identified five ‘special’ words that underpin their school ethos: Respect, Happy, Proud, Caring, and Potential, and during the IQM visit, our Assessor could see these values clearly reflected in all that they do.
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.