St Damian’s RC Science College, Ashton-Under-Lyme in Lancashire, has achieved the Inclusive School Award for the third time.
School In Context
St Damian’s RC Science College is an outstanding, inclusive, heavily oversubscribed Catholic School in Tameside, Greater Manchester. The Headteacher, Governors and Senior Staff provide inspirational leadership across all aspects of the College. This is clearly evident as the school has continued to move forward since gaining its Ofsted rating of Outstanding in 2017, challenging its dedicated staff and students to reach for their full potential in every aspect of their school lives.
The St Damian Way
The school was inspected by the Diocese of Salford (under Section 48) and graded as ‘Outstanding’ in March 2016. The school is rightly extremely proud of this recognition as it illustrates that St Damian’s encapsulates the true values of a Catholic school, of which inclusion is at its heart. This is evidenced by high levels of respect, equal opportunities, regardless of ability and outstanding personal relationships. The school has recently relaunched its mission statement in September 2021 through consultation with staff and students, “The St Damian’s Way,” which encompasses at its very heart, the phrase “Inclusion is paramount, we ‘Believe to Achieve’ for ALL” and “Mutual Respect is the foundation for our actions.”
Dynamic Governors
The Assessor had the great pleasure of meeting with two long standing members of the Board of Governors who have been and continue to be instrumental in driving forward the inclusion agenda within the school and wider community. The Chair of Governors was recently named ‘National Governor of the Year’ at a ceremony in the House of Lords in December 2021 and has subsequently been named in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours, a richly deserved accolade for the governance leadership clearly seen at St. Damian’s.
Mutual Respect
Throughout the 2-day visit, the assessor consistently witnessed staff and students showing mutual respect for each other, which created a calm, purposeful and inclusive feel within the school:
“The close-knit staff believe that all pupils can achieve and echo a culture of high expectation. They foster excellent relationships to ensure that pupils become the very best they can be.”
Exemplary Behaviour
The behaviour of pupils was always exemplary during the visit. The dress code and pride with which students wear their uniform was also evident at all times. During conversation, students explained that there was the expectation that they would achieve. It had become ingrained in them. Our Assessor met two students that had completed managed moves from neighbouring schools and very successfully transitioned to St Damian’s. Both felt supported, included, and explained that the culture at the school made it hard not to flourish given the support and focus on their personal development and welfare.
Thoughtful Provision
The fabric of the school, a PFI build in 2011 is in excellent condition. It is clear that staff and students take great pride in their environment. Words of encouragement, messages of success and celebratory images of student achievement adorn the walls. The school exterior is well landscaped with green spaces which are welcoming and give students calm and relaxing areas to play sport and interact socially between academic lessons. The chapel is a welcoming and bright area, fittingly, at the heart of the cross shaped building. It is the hub of the school and is always open for the students. The catering staff were very proud to show me that they have not only embraced Natasha’s Law, labelling every preprepared meal with full allergen ingredients but have gone the extra mile. Students and staff can pre-order any meal in the morning with the knowledge that it will be prepared in an allergen safe area just for them, reducing their anxiety around food safety.
Specialist Support
In meetings with a number of representatives of external agencies including an Education Welfare Officer, Mental Health Worker and School Police Liaison Officers it became clear that the school seeks and embraces additional support and expertise wherever it has a need that cannot be met using staff from within the school. There is a rich timetable of extra-curricular groups and clubs including a well-attended fledgling LGBTQ+ lunchtime group derived from student voice.
Parental Praise
Parents articulated the transformational journey that their families had been on, explaining that this was a special place, something they had not previously experienced from a school. They described the college as an extended family, giving support and care way beyond their expectations. They were able to explain how the consistent, respectful, and supportive culture of the school was having a positive impact on home life. All explained how happy their children were, how safe they were and how their needs were being met in a very caring, nurturing environment. All had no doubt that their children would achieve their full potential at St. Damian’s. When I asked if there was anything that could be improved, they asked for a 6th Form.
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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