St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School has achieved the Inclusive School Award.
Well Thought Of
St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School is a voluntary aided, inner city primary school with a nursery provision, for children aged 3-11 years-old. The school is currently welcoming pupil numbers above the Published Admission Number (PAN), with around 237 pupils on roll. Located in Toxteth, an area of high deprivation in Liverpool, there are around 47% of children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), a number significantly above the national average. Around 70% of pupils are from ethnic minority backgrounds with 45% of children speaking English as an Additional Language (EAL). 26% of pupils have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), a figure well above the national average.
The school is well thought of in the local area and is consistently oversubscribed. Despite the additional challenges faced by the school’s demographic, the children make excellent progress throughout their time at St. Patrick’s. The school motto, “be the best that you can be,” encourages children to aim high in all aspects of their lives. The diverse range of backgrounds, abilities and needs are celebrated, contributing to an ethos where all children are supported to thrive. The whole school community is accepting of each other’s differences, with acceptance being “the norm”.
Family Ethos
The Senior Leaders began the assessment day by describing St. Patrick’s as a “family”. This sentiment was echoed by all stakeholders throughout the day. The family ethos is founded on strong, positive relationships that exist between the staff, pupils, parents and carers. The Headteacher explains how the school would not function effectively without these strong relationships. There is also a tremendous sense of belonging nurtured in the school community. Once a child or adult belongs at the school, they will be part of the St. Patrick’s family forever.
On the day of the IQM Assessment, the school was operating differently as half of the building had been condemned due to an issue with the roof the week before. Despite this huge disruption, the school maintained a calm atmosphere. As a visitor, it was impossible to notice that half of the building was out of action as the strong culture and routines meant that the pupils adapted quickly to the new set-up. Staff’s flexibility has ensured that the school continues to operate fully despite half of the resources being cordoned off in the part of the building which is currently out of bounds. This adaptable mindset demonstrates the staff’s commitment to providing a consistently high-quality educational experience for the children of St. Patrick’s.
Exceptional Inclusive Provision
Throughout the assessment process, the school’s exceptional inclusive provision was evident from the comprehensive paperwork and effective communication to the welcoming atmosphere which is embraced by all stakeholders. The school community embodies a family environment, a theme consistently referenced by everyone across the assessment day, including the children themselves.
Parents and carers express high levels of positivity towards the school, feeling well-supported within an open culture that prioritises strong relationships with families. Parents and carers are grateful for the unwavering dedication to inclusive practices, commenting on how members of staff focus on understanding the unique needs of each child and forging deep connections with each child and their family.
The children exhibit excellent behaviour and attitudes throughout the school day, actively engaging in learning and safely participating in playtime activities. Interactions among pupils and staff are consistently positive, contributing to the overall inclusive ethos.
An excellent culture of safeguarding ensures that children are kept safe and well looked after by the adults in school. Safeguarding procedures are characterised by responsive and timely support. The school adopts a holistic approach, collaborating with Pastoral Support and the in-house Therapist who works closely with families. The support for disadvantaged children is outstanding, benefiting from an enriching curriculum and an outdoor environment that offers unique experiences not easily accessible elsewhere. The staff’s wellbeing is also prioritised by Leaders, evident in their sense of being valued and their enjoyment of working as a closely-knit team. They feel trusted as professionals, empowered to make decisions and demonstrate adaptability and flexibility in supporting each other, the children and their families.
Sense of Community
Despite being situated in a city, the school cultivates a distinct sense of community and togetherness, creating an environment that surpasses the typical urban school setting. This community-focused school provides a refuge for all amidst the numerous challenges that exist around it.
For the IQM Assessment, the IQM Co-ordinator and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) provided wide-ranging evidence to validate the process. The inclusive approaches evidenced in the robust documentation were reflected in the daily practice observed on the assessment day.
The Assessor was warmly welcomed into the school. Staff received the process with an open culture of self-evaluation. This reflective culture ensures that the school continually moves forward in terms of its inclusive practice. Senior Leaders know the areas of strength well and have clear plans to improve any areas that need further development.
Our Assessor added, “It was a genuine pleasure to meet all the children, staff, Governors and families on the day. Thank you to all for your valuable contributions.”
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.