St Wilfrid’s Academy Retains Flagship School Status

August 20, 2026

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Congratulations to St Wilfrid’s Academy on retaining their Flagship School status following their review in April. It is a testament to their commitment to strengthening mainstream inclusion for all using their partnership-based approach. 

Alternative Provision Offer 

St Wilfrid’s Academy delivers a highly inclusive, trauma‑informed Alternative Provision model that supports students from Key stage 2 to Key stage 4 who are at risk of exclusion, are excluded, at risk of disengagement, or poor life outcomes. The Academy’s work is rooted in early intervention, accurate assessment, multi‑agency collaboration, and reintegration, ensuring students remain connected to education and positively supported within their communities. 

St Wilfrid’s operates on the principle that behaviour is communication and that many pupils presenting with exclusion‑type behaviours have unmet SEND, communication, or emotional needs. Inclusion is therefore understood as identifying need early and accurately and removing barriers to learning and attendance. Supporting families alongside students and reinforcing mainstream inclusion rather than replacing it. 

The academy provides a calm, respectful environment where students feel safe, valued, and understood. St Wilfrid’s delivers a structured Day 6 and six‑week assessment offer, accessed via inclusion panels and IFAP. They also take students directly to roll through referrals from mainstream schools. Key features include full‑time attendance from day one with dedicated classes for Day 6 placements. There is a thematic, flexible provision at KS2 and curriculum‑aligned teaching at KS3 and KS4. 

Outcome Driven Inclusion 

Inclusion at St Wilfrid’s is outcome‑driven. Placements are time‑limited and purposeful, with clear decision points. IFAP allocates next placements following Day 6. Reintegration reviews are held before a return to the home school. New mainstream or specialist placements are identified where needed. Support continues into the next setting through Task Force or emotional wellbeing support through Fortis provision. This approach has resulted in strong reintegration outcomes, with the majority of students successfully returning to mainstream and sustaining placements. The academy has a strong focus on identifying previously unmet needs, recognising that many pupils arrive following repeated suspensions without diagnosis. SEND provision is proactive, relational, and embedded into everyday practice rather than treated as an add‑on.  

Family and System Partnerships 

The academy builds strong, trusting relationships with families, recognising their central role in sustainable inclusion. Parents and students attend admissions meetings and there are regular review meetings that are held throughout placements. Parent voice is actively gathered and consistently positive. PLAs act as advocates for students and families. Primary schools in particular are encouraged to visit regularly during placements. This partnership‑based approach reduces conflict, builds confidence, and strengthens home‑school relationships.  

St Wilfrid’s works closely with the Local Authority and system partners to support inclusive practice at scale. This ensures the provision strengthens the wider inclusion system rather than operating in isolation. St Wilfrid’s Academy exemplifies inclusive Alternative Provision, delivering early intervention, high‑quality assessment, and reintegration‑focused pathways underpinned by trauma‑informed practice and strong multi‑agency collaboration. Its work not only transforms outcomes for individual students but also strengthens inclusion across the wider education system. Through its work, St Wilfrid’s has validated the APST’s focus on early intervention and reintegration and has shown how AP can strengthen mainstream inclusion rather than replace it. The inclusion work has also provided credible, measurable outcomes to support LA confidence and DfE assurance. In summary, St Wilfrid’s Academy has supported the APST by translating strategy into practice, evidencing what works, and helping embed inclusive, sustainable AP pathways within the wider education system. 

Find Out More About IQM   

The Inclusion Quality Mark provides schools with a nationally recognised framework for developing and celebrating inclusive practice.   

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.