Rudheath Primary Academy has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Flagship status.
Superbly Inclusive Primary Academy
Rudheath Primary Academy is a larger than average superbly inclusive primary academy with 375 pupils on roll, situated in the Rudheath area of Northwich, Cheshire and is a vibrant, ever-changing, and developing community with a happy, family-orientated environment where many exciting things happen in and out of the classroom. It is an Academy that celebrates each child, embraces differences, and this is reflected by the fact that the pupils are listened to and valued, they feel they belong and continue to achieve and grow.
It is an Academy whose inclusive nature is deeply founded in their ethos and vision. This is reinforced by their mission to inspire generations of children in the best nurturing and stimulating environment, that is very clearly demonstrated in their vision, ‘inspiring minds, building futures’ backed up by the strong belief ‘that everyone – pupils, staff, governors, and community – should work together for the best possible outcomes for all children’. Highly inclusive statements that permeate the very fabric and ethos of the Academy is seen in every aspect of academy life and are embedded in the everyday life of the Academy.
Conversions during the day with staff, pupils, and parents, reinforced the view that there is an immense level of pride felt by everyone about their Academy. The parents spoken to were extremely positive about the Academy and could not fault the support all staff offer them and their children. Nothing is too much trouble and support is quickly offered and issues resolved.
They were very clear that their children are very happy at the Academy as are they very happy with the Academy and its superbly supportive and inclusive staff. Their relationships with the Academy are underpinned by high levels of trust and respect. They feel part of the extended ‘Rudheath Family.’ Ringing endorsements for the Academy and it staff and of which they should justifiably be proud.
Staff Take Immense Pride
Staff engage and work with their peers and the children and their families to meet needs, often going above and beyond what is expected of them and in this regard they are outstanding. This is achieved through a strongly held and deep belief in inclusive education and a belief in a true partnership with families and carers, and when needed external partners providing superb levels of advice, support, and care. This was evidenced in meetings not only with staff, but pupils and parents. Staff take immense pride in providing superb pastoral care, actively promoting equality and diversity, and thereby ensuring that the Academy is an extremely welcoming, inclusive, and caring academy. Pupils enjoy participating in Academy life and are fully engaged in their learning, as it is a happy, friendly, stimulating, and vibrant learning environment with a clear focus on helping everyone to develop their potential, whatever that might be and helping to ensure they will become positive members of their community and society.
Inclusion occurs naturally and is ingrained in every aspect of the Academy due entirely to the efforts of the staff, led by the inspirational and aspirational principal and his extremely effective leadership team and staff. Pupils are at the heart of an encouraging and challenging curriculum and environment where everyone recognises and celebrates differences, communicates the importance of learning, and believes that everyone can achieve, and this is underpinned by extremely positive and trusting relationships with parents and the local community.
Rudheath Family Community
Discussions with members of staff in meetings, pupils as part of a tour of the Academy and parents proved extremely useful in confirming that the Academy continues to meet the criteria of the IQM award. Discussions and evidence provided throughout the day focussed on key aspects of the Academy allowing a highly positive and extremely inclusive picture of the Academy to emerge. The passion of everyone the Assessor met during the day in both formal and informal settings shone through and was clearly demonstrated in the way that they work with each other, with children, and families.
Everyone spoken to clearly viewed themselves as part of ‘Rudheath Family Community.’ As the review unfolded it was evident, that they are at the heart of their community. Superb levels of collaboration ensure the Academy is successful, supported by superb teamwork from staff who naturally promote equality and diversity and see their educational roles within the Academy as a vocation. They should be justifiably proud of their success in this respect, where no-one is left out or behind and where everyone is included.
Discussions during the review focused on a review of last year’s Flagship Project as identified in the report above, the evolution of the Flagship Project for the year ahead that is already being successfully enacted and discussions about how staff ensure that all pupils, families, and staff are nurtured and cared for and supported and the way that they support each other. Discussions also focussed on the following areas:
A conversation about Community Championship Programme, run by two Teaching Assistants that focuses on staff well-being, involving parents in academy life, sustainability- recycling in the academy and working with local businesses and in the community to support a variety of programmes and community activities. The Academy has also started a Uniform Swap Scheme to further promote affordability and sustainability.
An opportunity to talk to the newly appointed Forest School Lead who works in the Academy for three days a week and how she is offering more opportunities for children and is keen to continue to evolve facilities and what the Academy can offer and possibly in the future work with staff to increase ‘Learning out of the Classroom Activities’ (LOTC). Funding opportunities and bids and a connection made with another IQM school to support this were among the discussions.
The PE Lead talked about the successful and well attended resumption of clubs and activities after Covid and the recent success of the girl’s football team, residentials and day activities at ‘Petty Pool’ and his plans for future development. Of particular note was their innovative approach to swimming lessons. Rather than continuing to use the local pool, last summer they used a company, Pools for Schools, which erected a large, heated swimming pool in the Academy grounds (staffed by fully trained coaches etc from the company) and for three weeks children were able to have daily swimming lessons – saving travel and changing times and therefore not missing lesson time. It has proven so successful that the Academy has booked it for the next two years and are already planning how it can be used more effectively.
Fully Invested
The conversation with the PSCHE Co-ordinator and the SENCo looked at the progress with No Outsiders and Tribal Classrooms since the last review, some of which has been detailed in the report above. It is clear to see that the Academy and the staff are fully invested in ensuring that both programmes are fully embedded in the inclusive ethos and working life of the Academy, as seen during a tour of the Academy.
The PSCHE Lead talked about how ReflectED was now so embedded in the fabric of the Academy that it occurs naturally. There was an opportunity to look at a number of documents and talk about the books used as part of No Outsiders programme which was both useful and informative and gave an insight into how it fits into the PSCHE curriculum, alongside the objectives set out by SCARF – Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, and Friendship Programme that they follow for PSCHE. This was a well thought out programme that suits the inclusive ethos of Rudheath Primary Academy.
Behaviour Policy
The discussion about the new Behaviour Policy followed by a conversation about the new uniform changes from September was enlightening and informative and is at the heart of why the Academy is such a superbly inclusive place. It is a testament to their inclusive values that they are continually looking at ways to improve what they offer for both staff, children and for families and evolve what they do to ensure continued success for all.
As a result of the Academy’s recent work on the project they came to realise that their Behaviour Policy did not reflect their inclusive ethos and therefore embarked on a journey of consultation and reflection in order to find a way forward that fit with Tribal Classrooms and would develop the values their children need to be successful members of society and their community. More details of the policy and how it is being introduced can be seen in the report above.
Rudheath Primary Academy have adopted a new uniform this academic year changing to an ‘active uniform,’ without logos. Partially in response to statutory guidance from the DfE to make school uniforms more affordable for all families so that children do not require a separate PE kit, but also due to an understanding that changing their uniform makes it more appropriate and affordable for all families and therefore more inclusive.
This has been also coincided with a uniform swap area in reception that allows parents to pick up items of uniform that they do not have or cannot afford to buy. Both initiatives have been very well received by both children and parents. There was a conversation about how this could be expanded to further support sustainability and support families.
Approachable at All Times
The conversation with two Early Career Teachers (ECT) was enlightening and a fantastic accolade for the staff of the Academy that they worked with. Their comments were extremely positive and clearly showed how they had been welcomed into their new school and roles. Both were very clear that they felt supported by all staff who they could immediately see supported each other, no matter their position or standing. They identified the fact that every member of staff cares about each other’s well-being and are approachable at all times. They feel pride in being part of the ‘Rudheath Family Community.’
There was the opportunity to look at and discuss with the Principal and Interim Principal the analysis of recent surveys undertaken at the Academy. Rudheath Primary Academy use QDP Services to provide surveys and analysis of those surveys to gather information from parents and children. The results of the surveys provide highly detailed analysis of the results not only for the Academy but benchmarks those results against other schools nationally allowing the Academy to not only see how they are doing internally but also on a wider national scale. The results/analysis is then presented to parents in the form of an easy to understand one page precis. The reports discussed were overwhelmingly positive and support the Academy’s status as a Flagship school for inclusion.
It was a pleasure to engage in conversations with everyone involved in the review and to hear their differing but supportive opinions of the Academy and their involvement whether as a member of staff, parent, or pupil. What became apparent was their belief that the Academy is a superbly inclusive place to be a part of and that it will continue to evolve and change to meet the need of its community and rise to whatever challenges are thrown at them in the future. It will be of great interest to see how each of these areas has moved forward at the next review and to re-engage with these extremely passionate, articulate, and inclusive members of the school community.
It was a privilege for our Assessor to revisit the Academy to conduct their review and to see the Academy in action and discuss their plans for the future. Again, meeting such passionate, dedicated, and enthusiastic staff, who are supported to achieve success and deliver such superb support, care, nurture, and learning experience in a superbly inclusive academy. Everyone involved with the Academy should be extremely proud of what they continue to achieve, and the emphasis placed on ensuring everyone is nurtured and included and no one is left out or behind. There are no outsiders at Rudheath Primary Academy.
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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