St Anne’s RC Primary School Achieves IQM Centre of Excellence Status

September 9, 2026

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St Anne’s RC Primary School has achieved IQM Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status in recognition of its unwavering commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and ensuring that all pupils feel safe, happy and able to succeed. The assessment found a school where inclusion is woven through every aspect of school life and where all pupils are enabled to thrive. 

Together Our Community Shines 

The school’s Catholic mission statement, “Together we grow in faith, knowledge, and love. Together we show respect, kindness, and confidence. Together our community shines,” reflects a deep commitment to unity, inclusion, and personal development. 

Relationships between staff, pupils and families are exemplary. During a coffee morning, parents spoke highly of the school, with one sharing that staff keep “a special eye” on their pupil, while others described the team as “amazing.” 

Ready, Respectful and Safe

A particular strength of the school is its unwavering commitment to inclusion, which is woven through every aspect of school life. Leaders and staff demonstrate a relentless drive to ensure that all pupils feel safe, happy, and able to succeed. 

Strong links to the school’s values, ‘ready, respectful and safe,’ were evident, with one pupil noting, “If we are respectful and safe then that means we can learn more because we are always ready.” 

Pupils celebrate each other’s faiths and differences with maturity and kindness, contributing to a culture where everyone feels valued and included. 

The Hive and Wellbeing Support 

Leaders make highly effective use of resources to support inclusion. Spaces within the building have been adapted thoughtfully, including sensory rooms and breakout areas. 

The Hive provision is a notable strength, offering tailored support for pupils with Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) needs, school refusal, or challenging behaviour.  

Regular reviews ensure that reintegration into mainstream is a key focus, and evidence shared during the visit highlighted the positive impact this provision has had on individual pupils. 

Alongside this, the nurturing ethos of the school is enhanced by elements such as occasional visits from the school dog, Maple, with one pupil explaining, “Maple’s job is to keep everyone happy and make us smile.” This small but meaningful example reflects the warmth and care that underpin the school’s approach. 

Wellbeing for both pupils and staff is central to life at St Anne’s. The ‘Give Me Five’ strategy is particularly effective, enabling pupils to identify five trusted adults they can talk to, ensuring they feel safe, heard, and supported. 

Broadening Horizons for Every Pupil 

There is a clear emphasis on creating an ambitious and engaging curriculum that promotes a love for learning. Enrichment opportunities are a particular strength, with the school funding a wide range of experiences to enhance cultural capital. 

Whole-school productions, such as ‘Wicked and Oz at St Anne’s,’ exemplify this commitment, with all Year 6 pupils involved in meaningful roles including acting, singing, dancing and production support. 

A Family Community 

Relationships across the school are characterised by a sense of unity, with staff describing the school as “a family.” One governor noted they “couldn’t get over the atmosphere” when they first walked around St Anne’s. 

This culture of care, combined with strong community links, ensures that inclusion is not just a feature of provision but is embedded within the ethos of St Anne’s. 

A pupil perhaps summed up the school best when reflecting, “If we work together as a school, then school can make a difference to the community.” 

Find Out More About IQM 

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.