The Chantry School in Worcester has achieved the Inclusive School Award
Facilities are Above and Beyond
The Chantry School is an 11–16 mixed Academy located in Martley, seven-and-a-half miles west of Worcester and serving rural West Worcestershire. There are currently 887 pupils on roll with an intake of 175 pupils in Year 7.
The school has recently expanded to accommodate the population growth in the surrounding area. They have completed a £2.25m building programme to support this development comprising new maths accommodation, science facilities, a humanities block and dining space. The facilities available to the students and staff are above and beyond what would normally be available, and the staff used this to their advantage to ensure that the opportunities available are equally impressive.
The Chantry School serves a wide rural catchment area including the villages of Abberley, Astley, Broadheath, Broadwas, Clifton-on-Teme, Great Witley, Grimley & Holt, Hallow, Martley and touching the western suburbs of the city of Worcester.
They have a strong partnership with their local primary schools, with nearly all pupils in those schools regularly visiting the site to take part in competitive sports’ events against other primaries. This partnership extends also to a local special school. Positive relationships with Riverside Special school have resulted in opportunities for students to access mainstream education. This in itself is very rare and highlights the strength of The Chantry’s inclusive strengths.
Our Assessor explained, “I thoroughly enjoyed my 2-day visit to The Chantry School. Sincere thanks to Ruth Robinson for preparing and co-ordinating the extensive paperwork and organising the timetable for my 2-day visit. Thank you also to the Headteacher, Dr Andrew Dickenson, for welcoming me into the school.”
Positive Experiences
Our Assessor met with numerous staff during the visit and also external bodies which were eager to share their positive experiences working with The Chantry School, notably the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) Ruth. The school has a clear identity and is dedicated to providing the children in its care with an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of race, gender, ability or disability.
Everybody our Assessor met was warm, welcoming, and extremely helpful. Over two days our Assessor met with a variety of stakeholders, either in groups or individually. A standout meeting was the time spent with a large group of Teaching Assistants (TAs) whose care for the students was infectious. They clearly knew the students they supported and knew each other’s strengths as a team. This allows for collaborative working ensuring the students get the support they need at the right time from the right member of staff.
High Standards and Expectations
Many learning walks afforded the opportunity to see first-hand how the school works. During social time our Assessor was given the freedom to observe students in their natural environment. The welcome extended beyond the staff and many students approached to talk and extend a welcome to the school.
Very high standards and expectations are visible throughout The Chantry for students, staff, and parents. The pupils engage positively in all aspects of learning and respect is very much a two-way process.
This is a truly inclusive school and you leave feeling inspired by the processes in place to ensure the best environment for students. These processes are then backed up by a staff body that clearly buy in to the vision of the Headteacher.
Leadership and organisation of inclusion at The Chantry School is highly effective. Safeguarding processes and procedures are thorough and clearly communicated to all and all meetings triangulate to ensure there are no gaps in the Safeguarding provision.
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.