St Michael’s Church of England Primary School retains IQM Flagship status

August 27, 2026

---

The retention of IQM Flagship status highlights St Michael’s Church of England Primary School‘s enduring commitment to inclusion. Having held the IQM Inclusive School Award consecutively since 2017, the school continues to lead through innovation and the development of outstanding inclusive practice. 

St Michael’s Church of England Primary School presents as a deeply inclusive, nurturing and aspirational setting where pupils are genuinely at the heart of all decision-making. Inclusion is not an isolated strand of the school’s work but is fully embedded within its ethos, daily practice and strategic development. This is evident in the way staff, pupils, parents and external partners describe the school as a welcoming, supportive and highly responsive community. 

Specialist Provision Supporting Success 

A defining strength of the school is its strong culture of collaboration and openness to external expertise. Professionals, including the visual impairment service, spoke highly of the school’s willingness to listen, reflect and act on advice. This is demonstrated through effective partnership working that leads directly to improved outcomes for pupils. For example, pupils with visual impairment are not only well supported academically, through adaptations such as touch typing and precision teaching, but are also fully included in wider school experiences, including residential visits. The school’s commitment to removing barriers is further illustrated through practical support, such as enabling access to transport and staffing to ensure full participation. 

The school’s investment in specialist provision, particularly through the development of The Hive, is a notable strength. This carefully designed provision provides both indoor and outdoor learning opportunities, with well-trained staff delivering highly effective interventions such as bucket time. The quality of adult interaction within this provision is a key feature, with staff skilfully modelling language, using visuals and engaging pupils in meaningful and motivating ways. Importantly, The Hive operates as part of a continuum of provision, supporting pupils to successfully reintegrate into their classrooms. Staff shared powerful examples of impact, including pupils who have progressed from requiring intensive support to confidently participating in whole-class events such as assemblies. 

High-Quality Teaching for Every Learner 

Across the school, there is a clear commitment to high-quality universal provision, where all pupils are supported to access learning. Observations of classroom practice, including an inclusive PE session, demonstrated how staff adapt teaching so that all pupils can participate fully and achieve success. The environment in Early Years is particularly strong, with calm, well-resourced provision and highly effective adult-child interactions that promote engagement, communication and early development. This strong foundation is built upon throughout the school, ensuring continuity of inclusive practice. 

Supporting Wellbeing Through Strong Relationships 

Pastoral care is a significant strength and reflects the school’s understanding of the social, emotional and mental health needs of its pupils and families. The development of the learning mentor role has had a considerable impact, providing targeted support for pupils and acting as a vital link between home and school. Interventions such as mindfulness sessions, friendship support and wider work with external organisations have strengthened this provision. Staff and pupils spoke positively about the relational approach within the school, with adults being highly visible, approachable and invested in the wellbeing of every child. 

Pupil Voice, Opportunity and Belonging 

The breadth of opportunity available to pupils further demonstrates the school’s inclusive ethos. All pupils are encouraged and supported to participate in a wide range of experiences, including trips, residential visits, sporting events and enrichment activities. Leaders have taken deliberate action to remove financial barriers, for example through subsidising residential experiences and offering a wide range of free extracurricular clubs. Pupils benefit from opportunities to take on leadership roles in Year 6, ensuring that every child can contribute to the school community and develop a sense of responsibility and pride. 

Pupil voice is strong and reflects a school where children feel safe, valued and empowered. Pupils spoke enthusiastically about their experiences, highlighting the support they receive from staff, the inclusive nature of activities and the positive relationships they have with one another. They demonstrated a clear understanding of how teachers adapt learning to meet individual needs, describing how staff check understanding, provide additional support and offer flexibility in how learning is recorded. Children also spoke with pride about their participation in festivals, community events and performances, reflecting a culture where diversity is celebrated.  

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.