This week we welcomed schools from across England in to the IQM Family. Celebrating their success this week are Marden Lodge Primary School And Nursery, Oasis Academy Pinewood, The Brier School , Outwood Academy Shafton and Vaughan Primary School.
Diverse Cohort of Children
First to achieve Flagship status this week was Oasis Academy Pinewood. A school very familiar to IQM it has held the Inclusive School Award with Flagship status for an incredible 9 years. Our Assessor noted that the Romford school population has changed over the years and the numbers of pupils with special educational needs has noticeably increased. Furthermore, there is now a more diverse cohort of children as compared to other local schools. This is probably due to the fact that it is so welcoming to all children.
Our Assessor added, “The school’s reputation for meeting the needs of children with SEN is positive and it is recommended by professionals and by parents/carers who have children who attend the school.”
• Read more Oasis Academy Pinewood Achieves Flagship Status.
Students First, Raising Standards
Outwood Academy Shafton was the next school to achieve Flagship status. Our Assessor noted the Barnsley school continues to be an inclusive, high performing Academy that very much lives up to its mission statement of “Students first: raising standards and transforming lives.”
All staff at Outwood Academy Shafton are trained in positive framing and trauma aware practice. The leadership focuses on changing mindsets and creating a school where everyone ‘belongs.’
This is a tread our Assessor saw running through the Academy during their visit. They added, “New students are introduced to the ‘ACE’ arrival programme which lays out clear expectations. The ACE redeem programme supports students, identified through the behaviour strategy to make positive choices moving forward in a supportive way.”
• Read more Outwood Academy Shafton Achieves Flagship Status.
High Expectations
Securing the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status this week was The Brier School. Following their visit to Kingswinford our Assessor explained, “The Brier School has not only maintained its outstanding level of provision and quality of education, but it has also continued to improve.
“When Ofsted last inspected the school, it judged it to be ‘outstanding’ but recommended that they address some inconsistencies in the use of phonics when teaching reading,” they continued.
“Typical of those schools who are continually restless to improve, the school leaders embraced the suggestion and addressed it with the same level of “high expectations, high quality staff development, robust quality assurance processes and attention to detail” that were so evident in the previous review visit.”
• Read more The Brier School Achieves Centre of Excellence Status.
Inclusion is at the Heart
Next up for Centre of Excellence status this week was Vaughan Primary School. The Harrow school impressed our Assessor who noted, “All staff in the school believe all pupils should have access to the same experiences. They know their pupils well and all needs are considered and ensure that adaptions are made so that all can be included.”
They added, “There are clear plans in place for how the school wishes to embed and develop its work on Inclusion. There is no doubt that Inclusion is at the heart of all its work and that Vaughan Primary School constantly reflects on its practice in relation to all pupils.
• Read more Vaughan Primary School Achieves Centre of Excellence.
Leaders are Working Tirelessly
Smiling faces galore greeted our Assessor when they visited Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery. The Caterham school secured the Inclusive School Award.
Outlining the leaders’ motivation for working towards the Inclusive School Award our Assessor explained they wanted the school to be recognised externally for the great work that they feel is taking place across school. It is hoped it will support the work that is currently taking place to raise the profile of the school.
The IQM Assessor added, “Leaders are working tirelessly to raise the profile of the school within the local community and are focusing specifically on the EYFS department. Regular and exciting updates are posted to the school’s social media alongside extending community events in attempts to further build a positive reputation for the school. This is supported by termly newsletters that celebrate learning across the school.
• Read more Marden Lodge Achieves Inclusive School Award.
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.