St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School in Croydon achieves Flagship School status.
Inclusive Practice is Prevalent
St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School is an excellent example of a school where inclusive practice is prevalent in all areas of school life. The school is rightly proud of its great success in supporting all types of learners to make good progress. The Head teacher, Inclusion Leader, and the Leadership Team as a whole, have very effectively communicated the inclusive vision, which underpins the school’s work with the children.
Visitors Warmly Welcomed
Visitors to the school are warmly welcomed and staff and pupils alike are friendly and willing to enter dialogue about their work. Very good relationships are evident, staff speak very respectfully to the children and value them as individuals.
A High Performing School
The school is high performing and most of its results are above national expectations. In its last Ofsted in 2012 the school was judged to be ‘Outstanding’, and it has also been awarded the ‘Outstanding’ grade in its church school inspection. The staff are never complacent however and strive for the best possible outcomes for their current pupils. This is supported by rigorous systems of analysis and a determination to break down barriers to learning for all learners. The school is also a National Teaching School.
The School Knows Itself
“Leaders, managers and governors have an accurate understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for development, and this leads to well organised action plans. Data is used extremely effectively to check and improve how well pupils are doing and to put high quality interventions and support in place.” Ofsted 2012.
A Clear and Inclusive Vision
The Headteacher has effectively led the staff in a revision of the school’s key values. Consequently, there is a very clear and inclusive vision, which is shared by the whole school community. Under the overall aim of ‘Learning with God’s Love’, further values have been identified which support the children’s academic, social, moral and spiritual development. The values are reinforced through assemblies, RE and PSHE schemes, and are modelled through contexts which the children can understand and have relevance to their understanding.
Behaviour is Exemplary
Behaviour is exemplary. The children have great pride in their school and demonstrate an enthusiasm for learning. All types of learner have their steps to success celebrated and this ensures that all children feel valued for their own achievements. This approach also leads to the development of confidence and high aspirations for the future. Children are attentive and hard working in class, displaying many of the attributes which the school seeks to promote. They are respectful to each other and willingly collaborate, so they can support each other in their learning activities.
High Quality of Teaching
The high quality of teaching ensures that children make good progress from their starting points. The curriculum is creatively planned to ensure that children are fully engaged, with reference to their range of interests and experiences. Blocks of cross curricular learning often stem from stimulating and high-quality texts, which captures the children’s attention and makes learning enjoyable.
Teamwork and Co-operation
There is a great sense of teamwork and co-operation amongst the staff. High levels of professional dialogue take place, to ensure that strengths, knowledge and expertise is shared and that all staff are appropriately supported. The SENCO ensures that class teachers are aided in the process of identifying children who need intervention programmes in order that they achieve their full potential and outcomes are carefully monitored and evaluated.
Parents have Confidence in the School
Parents have every confidence in the school and value the extent to which the staff are approachable and accessible. The SLT are proactive in continually revising ways in which parents can give the school feedback, and further developing the partnership. The school has a thriving Friends Association which makes a difference in relation to the raising of additional funds, and in providing community events which further strengthen relationships between the staff, parents and children.
IQM Cluster Group
The school invites external feedback and as such has fully embraced the IQM process. It has used the review as an evaluative tool and has been rigorous in its analysis of previously set targets. It is a member of an IQM Cluster Group and as such demonstrates its commitment to the dissemination of good practice and the exchange of ideas.
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.