Riversdale Primary School has achieved the Inclusive School Award.
Atmosphere of Respect, Empathy and Kindness
Riversdale Primary School is a two-form entry primary school in the borough of Wandsworth with a three class ASC resource base. All pupils from the base have opportunities throughout the day to access their mainstream classes, with support where necessary. The aim is for pupils to be able to access at least 50% of their mainstream lessons successfully. The Pupil Premium (PP) figure for Riversdale in November 2022 was 26% (close to national average), with the majority of pupils beginning at the school with low starting points. Mobility is high. Wandsworth has a diverse population, and this diversity is reflected at Riversdale. The percentage of English as an Additional Language (EAL) children who attend the school is higher than national.
For all children, Riversdale Primary School fosters an environment where every child feels valued and supported. The dedicated staff, who are trained in inclusive teaching practices, work tirelessly to create an atmosphere of respect, empathy and kindness. They recognise that diversity is not just about visible differences; it’s about understanding and appreciating the unique qualities that make each child special. The experience, the learning journey and the approach is personalised to each child in order for them to be successful.
One member of staff shared the success story of one particular child “We don’t say no to any child. We will take them if they haven’t succeeded in previous schools. We make the adjustments that they need. A child joined us in Year 2 – they had spent a lot of time out of school, been isolated in classrooms and were clearly traumatised from having been restrained. The child joined a Gems class (Resource Base classroom) where staff quickly realised that a mainstream class would best suit the child’s needs. That child is now in Year 6 and will transition to a mainstream secondary school.”
Fully Inclusive Learning Opportunities
The fact that the Resource Base is interwoven into the school building, means that all children receive fully inclusive learning opportunities – personalised support, social skills development, reduced anxiety, peer learning and teacher CPD.
A parent of a child currently in the Resource Base reported “My child started in reception – he was non-verbal and he is now pre-verbal. Riversdale has been phenomenal with him and his journey. He has had incredible support. I’m so grateful to the school. I drop him off and know that he’s loved and cared for. I trust that if he can’t cope, they will call me. Other nurseries previously have not been able to support him.”
A member of school staff summed up beautifully the benefits of having a resource base on site “It expands our world view and we see a cross section of humanity and how we’re all different. It changes the brain and deepens our understanding of ourselves and of others. It helps to develop compassion. Children develop deeper human experiences.”
The SLT are solution focussed and work tirelessly to create an environment which enables children to be successful. The playground has been redesigned so that it has different areas which are specifically designed to encourage creativity and imagination. Intriguingly named areas such as Dingly Dell, Lava Land and Fantasy Land, encourage different play. There is the Biodome and a secret garden with raised flower beds and fruiting trees (which the PTC use to make jams) as quiet spaces.
A recent addition to the school, is Elmo the school therapy bichon frisée who is still in training. Elmo supports children in many ways. He doesn’t come to school on set days, so children are constantly encouraged to come to school, rushing to get dressed and come to school to see if Elmo is there. When Elmo is in school, children can walk him, help to train him and read to him. He greets children and parents in the playground. The care and interest of the staff and their creative approaches have had an obvious positive impact on the children, as they reported, when asked what’s the best thing about your school? “Everything. Everyone likes to share here. All the adults are lovely and how they teach us about values like sharing and it’s ok to be different.”
Zero Exclusions
Bucking the national trend of a rise in persistently absent pupils, Riversdale’s overall attendance is at national levels. The school have zero exclusions as they simply do not believe in excluding any child. There are many reasons why attendance is good and there are no exclusions. The school have a restorative approach to behaviour with children reflecting on poor behaviour choices and relationships with parents being crucial. Adults do not shout at children in school.
Senior Leaders were proud to share the experience of a child who has been at Riversdale for one term and who had “previously been in a PRU only attending one hour a day. When he started here full time he would run around the building. Now a term later, he stays by his classroom – he has made massive progress.”
The school have heavily invested in professionals who offer emotional and social support to children and their families. The Acorn building has two rooms in which there is a team of six play therapists and clinical psychologists. Working with children on anxiety has definitely had a positive effect on school attendance. School’s investment in an in-house Wellbeing coach has led to nurtured and happy staff who are in school every day for the children. A member of staff reported that “Research into coaching shows a positive effect on staff wellbeing, retention and productivity. The biggest thing that happens is a change in staff confidence and emotional resilience. This leads to happy staff and therefore happy children. The ripple effect is massive.”
Proactive in Sharing Good Practice
Riversdale is proactive in sharing good practice and have hosted an IQM Cluster meeting and visited other schools and resource bases. Senior Leaders are part of a group with other local schools where the Headteachers are called ‘HIP stars’. They work together, sharing good practice. This week a teacher came to visit from a school in Battersea which has a literacy resource base, to observe best practice. Staff who work in the Resource Base classes have CPD meetings which take place in different bases so that best practice can be shared. Staff have visited behaviour units and have welcomed visits from other Headteachers. A member of staff reported “We’ve recently had a great sequence of CPD sessions from an OT who gave good practical advice. The Resource Base teachers give good advice and tips and they support with transition.”
When staff were asked what they are most proud of about Riversdale and what makes it different to other schools, they commented on the inclusivity of the school, “We accept children regardless of their background, children who’ve been unsuccessful previously are successful here. This is down to our values and policies, for example, no shouting and restorative practice.” A parent was keen to share this story “I went to the Christmas performance when my son was in reception. For the entire show, the Headteacher sat with an overwhelmed child from GEMS [Resource Base class] curled up on her lap stroking her back. I can’t think of many schools where the Headteacher would offer that comfort and understanding.”
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.
• Our inaugural National Inclusion Conference will take place on the 27th November, for further details click here.
