Preston Manor School Achieves Centre of Excellence Status

September 2, 2026

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Preston Manor School has achieved IQM Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence Status in recognition of its deeply embedded culture of inclusion and its commitment to ensuring that every learner is supported to achieve their potential. The assessment highlighted a school where individuals really matter, where support is carefully planned around need and where inclusion is at the heart of all its work. 

Inclusion at the Heart of the School  

The school’s vision is for Ambition, Responsibility and Excellence for All (ARE) and posters displaying this are seen in the Lower and Upper schools. Collaboration is a thread that runs through all of the work of the school, whether that is between staff, staff and students, parents, external partners and the local community. The school rightly prides itself on the early identification of need from Reception through all year groups. Information is collected, shared and leads to personalised support and application for an EHCP where appropriate. 

Supporting Individual Need 

Interventions are targeted to support individual need. Phonics is delivered from pupils needing support to those working independently. A Bucket Time session showed enthusiasm from both the member of staff and pupils and pupils were gently reminded of their behaviour by words and pictures. Positive relationships between staff and pupils were also demonstrated in the Nurture session. Two members of staff were supporting three pupils and their knowledge of the pupils was evident. The two Additional Resourced Provisions provide exceptional support for the students, for both learning and emotional development. Staff understand the students and this is supported in the Upper school by the Additional Educational Needs Booklet that contains both need and support for individual students. Pastoral work is strong across the school and every student is seen whether at the gate in the morning, around the corridors or at line-up. Every SEND student has a Link Worker and that ensures they are known as well as creating good links with parents. 

A Culture of High Expectations 

Leaders at all levels work collaboratively to ensure that the school’s vision, which is rooted in Ambition, Responsibility and Excellence, is consistently embedded in practice, driving high-quality outcomes for all learners. Leaders articulate and model a clear, inclusive and ambitious vision, ensuring high expectations for all pupils regardless of background or need. Teaching approaches reflect high expectations and accessibility for all learners and there are high expectations for learners from Reception to Year 13 with a curriculum that is broad and balanced and adapted for learners’ needs in Key Stage 4. 

Inclusion is embedded at all levels, with leaders ensuring policies translate into practice through monitoring, CPD and targeted interventions. Staff wellbeing is closely monitored through structured support systems, workload monitoring and staff voice. Staff know that they are valued and that they are listened to. 

Opportunity Beyond the Classroom 

The curriculum is ambitious and inclusive for all pupils, including SEND pupils, disadvantaged pupils and EAL learners. Personalisation is a key strength, with flexible KS4 pathways, no fixed routes, and tailored support to ensure all pupils access appropriate and aspirational outcomes. Cultural capital is promoted by exposing pupils to experiences beyond their immediate environment. Trips have included activity camp to Gordon Brown, international trips to France and Spain, theatre trips to Back to the Future, visits to the British Museum, Tate Modern and Museum of London Docklands, as well as university trips to Cambridge and a variety of colleges for post-16 options. 

Students Who Feel Valued and Listened To 

The pupils are happy in the school and feel safe. Their lessons are enjoyable. They were articulate and happy to talk about their experiences. Students take their responsibilities seriously and feel valued and listened to. They spoke about discussing problems in the School Council and how they had been able to effect change. The SEND students spoke about the support they receive. They like the clubs and trips that are on offer. Staff are helpful and supportive and if they feel overwhelmed, they know there are places where they can go. The students are supportive of each other. Two Neurodiversity Ambassadors led a tour of the Upper school and explained the support available to students. Compass provides a calm space where SEND students and their friends can relax. 

Find Out More About IQM 

If your school is interested in achieving 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.