Rougham CE Primary School Achieves the IQM Inclusive School Award

August 17, 2026

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Congratulations to Rougham CE Primary School on achieving the Inclusive School Award. A well-deserved recognition of their commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and ensuring every child has the opportunity to shine.

A Place to Shine

Rougham CE Primary School is a thriving, small rural school situated in a Suffolk village on the outskirts of the market town of Bury St Edmunds. The respectful behaviour, enthusiasm for learning, and positive attitude of pupils is highly commendable. On arrival, the atmosphere is immediately warm and welcoming, emanating from a thoroughly embedded and cohesive programme that looks to ‘Shine a Light’ on the individual talent and good in everyone. The kind yet ambitious culture was much in evidence during the IQM assessment as pupils, understanding what was expected of them, thoroughly emersed themselves in lessons, with keen curiosity, whilst also supporting each other.

Excellence Through Inclusion

Responsibility for inclusion is shared across the school. Class teachers, support staff and leaders work closely together to ensure that the right support is in place for pupils with SEND. This work is expertly led by an experienced and dedicated SENDCo, who provides strong leadership, guidance and oversight, ensuring that provision is consistently effective across the school. Ofsted praised the school’s strong inclusive practice, rating the school’s standing for Personal Development as Outstanding. This work is supported by staff training and external guidance around inclusion, which equips them to meet the needs of all learners effectively. Ofsted also graded Behaviour and Attitudes as outstanding, noting that pupils are ‘curious, confident, independent and consistently well-behaved’, reflecting the school’s commitment to inclusion and respect.

Where Everyone Belongs

Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is a significant strength of the school. Leaders, staff and pupils share the deeply held belief that every member of the school community should feel welcomed, valued and enabled to succeed. This is captured powerfully in the school’s strapline, ‘Together We Shine Brighter’, which is clear in daily practice. Pupils articulate this ethos confidently, describing a culture where everyone feels included, supported and encouraged to be their best.

Nurturing Wellbeing

Wellbeing is a clear and consistent priority. Leaders recognise that pupils learn best when they feel safe, happy and secure, and they have established a nurturing environment where positive relationships are at the heart of school life. Families are welcomed into the school community from the earliest point, and strong partnerships are built from the outset. Leaders are equally committed to the welfare of staff. Of note is the Trust’s dedication to supporting the personal development and wellbeing of Headteachers, offering personal coaching and confidential support.

This philosophy is cascaded through schools, and staff at Rougham reported feeling that the Headteacher cared about them as human beings and not just as work colleagues, a feature also highlighted in the SIAMS inspection. The SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist School) inspection in December 2024 noted that,’ Leaders passionately advocate inclusion’, and ‘staff have a deep-rooted belief in the value and potential of every individual’.

Find Out More About IQM

The Inclusion Quality Mark provides schools with a nationally recognised framework for developing and celebrating inclusive practice.

If your school is interested in achieving the 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.