IQM is the only national inclusion award in the UK. For over 20 years and in over 20 countires, schools, MATs and Local Authorities use the Inclusion Quality Mark to recognise exemplary inclusive practice.
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January 9, 2023
Stuart Road Primary Academy in Plymouth has achieved the Inclusive School Award.
Stuart Road Primary Academy is a smaller than average inner-city school with 178 pupils on roll. There is one class per year group. The building itself is a large Victorian building and the school is based over three floors.
The school recently received a section 5 inspection and continues to receive a ‘good’ grade from OFSTED (November 2021).
The school is part of the Reach South Academy Trust with a total of 14 schools within the academy. All schools work closely in partnership with one another. There are eight primary schools in Plymouth who offer support and monitoring to one another. There are termly ‘hub’ subject meetings within the partnership for EYFS leads, SENCos, English leads, maths’ leads and visible learning leads. This encourages learning from one another and sharing good practice across the Trust.
Stuart Road Primary Academy works in close partnership with Goosewell Primary in Plymouth. James Gentile is the Executive Head supporting both schools and Britta Nicholls (originally the Deputy Head from Goosewell) is the new Head of School.
Stuart Road Primary Academy is a small school making a big impact in its community. As the Chair of the PTA says, it is like “an urban school with a village school feel”.
The school population is diverse and the school builds on that diversity through its curriculum and pedagogy. The building itself is unique and looks like it belongs in a bygone era. However, the learning environment is well planned and organised on different floors and every bit of space is used well.
Classrooms are generally large and are well maintained. Displays are thoughtful and contribute to children’s learning. Playgrounds are small but are well used and the children appreciate them and enjoy playing in them.
Although there is a new Head of School, teachers and support staff tend to stay a long time. They are very supportive of each other, of the pupils and families in their care. Collaboration and collegiality are integral to the ethos of the school and its way of working.
Inclusion is for all and is fully supported by the leadership. Inclusion is always difficult but it is even more difficult in a small school with few spare resources. They make it work by being creative and by staff taking on even more and more.
It is their goodwill and determination to include all the children that makes Stuart Road Primary Academy an inclusive school. The new Head of School is very clear about the sort of school she wants to lead and her determination to build on the successes of the school so far is a real strength.
Becoming part of the REACH MAT has been beneficial for the academy and our Assessor felt sure they will develop this partnership even more over the next year.
There is a lot of good practice to be shared by staff at the academy. All those our Assessor met were keen to learn more and to develop their practice in the classroom.
They are all open to new learning and development and are also happy to share their own practice. They will make ideal IQM partners. They have much to be proud of.
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: info@iqmaward.com for further details.
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The only national award for inclusion in the UK, IQM has been committed to recognising exemplary inclusive schools for over 20 years and in over 20 countries around the world. The three awards allow schools and organisations to dcelebrate their inclusive practice against nationally recognised framework.
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