Preston Manor School in Wembley has achieved the Inclusive School Award.
Passion and Emotion was Evident
Inclusion is at the heart of Preston Manor. Though Preston Manor is an all-through school, the visit focused on the upper school and how it meets the 8 Elements of the IQM Inclusive School Award.
On arrival at the school, the sheer scale of an all-through school in the heart of the diverse London Borough of Brent was clear to see. Our Assessor arrived early at the school and was guided to a parking spot by a very helpful attendant at the school gate and told to report back to reception. Our Assessor was initially taken aback to find such a large school with a reception in a portable cabin but quickly discovered the school had recently had a fire in the office area and that refurbishment was ongoing. After being signed in by a friendly team, our Assessor sat and listened to staff greeting the pupils on arrival to school. One member of staff was particularly great at knowing the pupils by name and remembering their special interests. It was a delightful way to start a school visit on a hot Monday morning.
Our Assessor was introduced to the very passionate SEND team at the school. When asked what Inclusion meant to them, the SENCo cried as she passionately explained how she had chosen to work in a community school as she wanted to serve the local community and the way to do that was to open all doors to everyone and anyone who wanted to attend. It was only 8.54am on day one of a 2-day assessment. This level of passion and emotion was evident throughout the 2-day visit, every member of the SEND team is keen to make a difference to as many pupils as possible.
One SEND Lead described how she believed in enjoyment for all and wanted to inspire through a ‘give it a go attitude’. The other Lead referred to being SEND pupils’ megaphone, hoping to empower students by being their voice. The deputy SENCo spoke of the importance of health and happiness, being able to mix socially with all peer groups no matter what the academic challenges. The wellbeing of students was certainly a priority above academic achievement.
Clean and Bright
The school is clean and bright. There was no graffiti and no rubbish. There were inspirational quotes around the school and the new message of ‘We ARE Preston Manor’ was clearly displayed on posters in all corridors and classrooms. Artwork of pupils was also on display. On a hot sunny day in June the school grounds were able to provide spacious shaded areas for pupils. The pupils’ only issue was the lack of working water fountains. The school is lucky to have lots of green open spaces including a MUGA and several football pitches. At break, pupils play basketball – the pupils are accepting of all taking part.
Preston Manor has a long history of inclusion. In 1999 it opened the first Additional Resource Provision (ARP) for students with Speech, Language and Communication need in Brent. The second ARP was opened in 2010 for students with autism. Each ARP officially takes 12 pupils on role; however, this does not reflect the true story of how the ARPS work. The current SENCo has been in post for 4 years. When she took over, the ARPs were very separate from the rest of the school with pupils being either in one of the ARPs or mainstream, (where there is now also a base for pupils with an identified need). All lessons took place in the ARP and there was no integration. The SENCo’s vision was to make the ARPs interchangeable and for pupils to have all their lessons in the main body of the school, only being removed for interventions. She has completely succeeded with this aim.
Parents apply for a school place at either one of the ARPS or mainstream but now a pupil can move between the 3 bases of the school. This way the school is able to reach many more pupils with SEN needs than the 12 allocated to each ARP and the system of the ARPs is fully inclusive. The ARPs are now described as the ‘Village that lets you access the town’.
The very experienced SENCo has developed a very simple means for teachers to refer pupils who they deem to be struggling. This pastoral gateway is checked daily. At a weekly meeting, the pupils are reviewed to determine what action should be taken. The aim is to ensure that no pupil slips through the net.
Confident Young People
The pupils our Assessor met were confident young people all of whom loved school. They met with pupils from across the school who were keen to speak about their future aspirations. One pupil was certain she was going to become a Petroleum Engineer, a further pupil was keen to work in neurology, while others had plans to travel and teach abroad. SEND pupils explained how this was the best school they had been to. It was clear that where other schools fail, Preston Manor is determined to succeed. Pupils are only moved when it is truly in their best interest and after full consultation with parents.
The school has a strong pupil voice. There is a student council and each form group also has citizenship ambassadors, wellbeing ambassadors, beyond bias ambassadors and eco manners. All ambassadors are trained so that they can truly fulfil the role they have been given. There are team captains, senior prefects and a head boy and a head girl. Students run internal and external events, including fund raising for local charities. They select one charity a year they want to fund raise for.
The Executive Headteacher was very welcoming, reinforcing the passion for inclusion at the school. Throughout the visit, he was clearly visible around the school, interacting with pupils. The Executive Headteacher echoes his SEN team commenting that inclusion is about everyone being part of the community, seen in the relationships around school, with everyone being treated as equal and the support that both staff and pupils give each other. He is confident that this happens from his walks around the school and governing body monitoring and evaluation visits. He prioritises safeguarding, meeting with the DSL weekly. The large number of deputy DSLs means the school is able to offer nearly 24/7 safeguarding cover. The Executive Headteacher leads by example. All staff have his mobile number and he responds promptly. Parents, governors, external agencies and staff all said communication was a strength of the school.
Wellbeing is Important
Wellbeing is important to the school. There are wellbeing days and funding for staff activities. The school offers free counselling support. Union representation is encouraged within the school. All staff and leaders agreed that it was a good place to work and that many members of staff, as a result, stay long-term.
The school leadership is fully aware of recruitment difficulties in North London. Staff feel they have plenty of training opportunities and a say in the running of the school. Some members of staff are former pupils, many staff have trained to be teachers while working at the school after starting as teaching assistants.
Staff feel supported with whole school initiatives such as ‘Meat free Mondays’.
The school charity work includes a staff food bank in the staff room. Something that has been started as a result of the current economic difficulties many are facing.
The Governing body is strong. The Vice Chair is a former lead at the school. As SEND and safeguarding governor, he drives the rest of the governing body with his passion for inclusion. He is fully aware of the challenges the school faces with such a diverse pupil population. He spoke proudly of how welcoming the school is and how they never struggle for governors.
Therapeutic staff visiting the school commented on how they always feel included in the school. The autism specialist says the school has the best practice in the Borough while the speech and language therapist spoke of how teachers are open to trying new ideas with pupils. They both said that communication and dedication to pupils were outstanding.
It is clear to see that the school is slowly working through the impact of Covid. Events are starting to be organised and visitors encouraged back into the school.
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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