Sir Jonathan North Community College in Leicester achieves Flagship status for the third time.
Progress on Previous Targets
In reviewing the agreed targets for the past year (see page 5 of this report) the school has, as I fully expected, been rigorous and objective in its assessments of progress.
With regards to Target 1:
“To ensure that the College continues to share good practice not only within the college but also across the city and beyond on how to support students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and in particular students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH).”
the school has continued the already established collaborative work with partner schools, external providers and, more recently, as an active member of the newly formed IQM Cluster Groups. The last area cluster group meeting was hosted by SJNCC with the following agenda items presented by SJNCC staff:
1. Inclusion in Practice.
2. Innovative Practice.
3. World Class Showcase .
Partnerships
In addition to this the school continues its involvement with Challenge Partners, Teacher Training Consortium training (positive behaviour management). Following a successful Lottery bid the school is implementing a Mental Health initiative (ZUMOS)
ZUMOS: (www.zumos.co.uk)
“Our approach to building broad spectrum wellbeing across the globe is structured and robust. Our aim is to encourage every individual to self-empower and take control of their own wellbeing as well as accepting and utilising the resources that are available to them.
We aim to disrupt the current model of responding only to crisis by building powerful resilience, wellbeing and self-confident individuals who are self-motivated and empowered.
We aim to teach these skills from childhood on, so you simply become who you are, or to start change whatever stage of life you’re at or whatever circumstances you find yourself in. Change and the ability to cope comes from within and it is NEVER too late to start.”
Teaching School
Through its designation as a teaching school SJNCC offers the following support to schools and providers:
“Sir Jonathan North Teaching School offers an increasingly extensive programme of twilight, half day and one day courses each year. Our courses are delivered by experienced practitioners: NLEs, SLEs, LLEs, senior leaders and consultants. We also offer courses in partnership with local, regional and national organisations. For example, SSAT, Inspiring Leaders and Leicester Learning Services. Termly events and booking information is available on CPD and Training.”
College Website
The above information is taken from the school’s website. The website is highly user friendly and interactive giving essential information about the school for staff, students and parents, together with clear policy information and a signposting service for concerned parents.
The number of feeder primary schools has now grown to 60+, presenting quite a challenge for transition arrangements, accurate baseline assessments and staff collaboration.
CPOMS
Target 2.
To review safeguarding and implement the use of CPOMs.
The school’s safeguarding strategies and arrangements are carefully reviewed in regard to the Education Act of 2002 and the school ensures that it fully meets all the local and national responsibilities and best practice. Key staff members now using CPOMS.
Evaluating the Satellite School
Target 3.
To fully analyse the impact and progress of students within KS3 in the Satellite School and then review practice to ensure that the provision continues to maximise impact.
The innovative work, begun some years ago, to develop a satellite school provision enabling students in danger of permanent exclusion to remain in school is now well established and able to offer a wider range of curriculum choices supported by specialist teachers.
Staff are carefully selected for the satellite school with high levels of expertise and subject knowledge. The school has established very clear and non-negotiable entry and exit criteria for students together with a monthly referral panel meeting. The success of the provision has been remarkable in terms of both academic achievement, attendance and social/emotional development.
A Fully Operational Model of Inclusion
The school now has, through its links with Carisbrook School a fully operational model of inclusion which has enabled students to return to main classrooms following successful interventions of Carisbrook, The Satellite School and the Inclusion Centre.
SJNCC continues to operate detailed tracking of pupil progress data and achievement including:-
• PASS survey
• GL Assessment package
• PiXL
• Lexia
Innovation and Development
Sir Jonathan North Community College has always been at the forefront of innovation and development in its belief that learning should be enjoyable and rewarding. The college mission statement:
“We are a Learning Community which values each individual and aims for excellence in everything we do’. Our students leave Sir Jonathan North as confident young women, equipped with both excellent academic qualifications, a well-developed sense of who they are and the personal and social skills enabling them to be a happy and successful member of society.”
ensures that staff and senior leaders constantly “think outside the box” in order to provide an inclusive education for all students.
Pupil Premium Champion
The Pupil Premium Champion has, in recognition of the need to include all parents and students, developed an interesting funding strategy for all PP students addressing their pastoral and academic needs. The strategy gives families direct access to individual funding, providing essential resources such as revision guides, day to day in class requirements, PE equipment etc.
Since establishing the system parent involvement has increased and parents are more involved with their daughters’ learning journey. A quote from a parent I met on the day sums up the SJNCC attitude to parents and students:-
“It always feels like nothing is a problem!”
IQM Flagship School
I am completely confident that the school has the expertise and capacity to fulfill their well-deserved status as an Inclusion Quality Mark Flagship School and will be a strong partner for all the members of their IQM Cluster Group. The school continues to place the Inclusion agenda at the heart of all its practice and interventions and is a leader in innovative approaches. I would recommend without reservation that Sir Jonathan North Community College retains the accreditation of Flagship School and is reassessed in 12 months’ time.
IQM Inclusion Cluster
The next review will look closely at how the school has interacted with its Inclusion Cluster and promoted continuing outreach. Evidence of Cluster working will underpin the capacity for the school to maintain its Flagship status.
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.