The King John School Achieves IQM Flagship Status

September 7, 2026

---

The King John School has successfully achieved IQM Inclusive School Award with Flagship Status in recognition of its sustained commitment to inclusion, its highly effective practice as a Centre of Excellence and its continued drive to improve outcomes for all learners. 

Reading, Writing and Oracy at the Heart of School Life 

The Reading Strategy is firmly embedded as an integral part of the Teaching and Learning Policy and practice. All teachers are teachers of Reading, Writing and Oracy. It is a very good example of joined up working across the school. It is having positive measurable impact. 

The school library is centrally placed and well-resourced and is staffed by a Librarian. An audit has been carried out to ensure books reflect the diversity and school population. There are numerous Reading challenges and themed events to boost student engagement. The Tutor Reads programme ensures students are exposed to high-quality texts and to wider cultures and experiences. 

A Whole-School Approach to Inclusion 

The school has its own Pride Centres for KS3 and KS4 and these are focused more on supporting students with vulnerabilities and have moved away from using the centres as punishments. The Inclusion Panel is used to identify students who may be susceptible to behaviours that might result in suspension so they can have an intervention. They have now reduced the number of SEND students who are being suspended.

The school is very aware that students in the school have a wide range of support needs. These are not necessarily SEND needs but may be down to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) including trauma and anxiety. The school understands whatever the need it’s their job to provide support. 

Innovative Support for Communication and Language 

At The King John School, they recognise oracy as a cornerstone of academic success, social mobility and employment readiness. High-quality talk enables students to clarify thinking, deepen understanding and retain knowledge over time. It empowers them to participate confidently in lessons, articulate ideas with precision and engage meaningfully in academic, professional and civic life. 

The school is now moving to more of an intervention model next year. They screen students when they come into the school using a S&L screener. Staff spent 4 or 5 days training in the use of the Language Link Screener and meet regularly with speech and language specialists. Much of the therapy is then delivered in school. Nearly all Year 7 & Year 8 have been tested and now and this gives the school the information they need to plan the next stage of support. 

Opportunities for Every Student 

The students told the assessor there are around 120 clubs and activities! They don’t have to sign up for a term but just turn up on the day. They can try out lots of different clubs. Teachers/students and sometimes outside agencies run the clubs. There are lots of other workshops such as Drama that they can go to. 

The students told the assessor that they can start up a club if there is something that is not already on offer. One boy said he had started a club with 3 of his friends and got lots of students to come along. Another pupil set up a Card Games Club. All the students said the tea and toast club is the best! 

There are several whole school celebrations and events such a Jamboree Day which is happening next week. The students plan many of these days and there is real buy in from staff and students. These events all lead to a feeling of belonging. 

Preparing Students for the Future 

There has been a clear focus on ensuring that SEND and PPG students in particular, have aspirational and appropriate goals. The school has identified students who have multiple disadvantages and have been able to focus careers guidance particularly on these students. The Careers Co-ordinator provided clear evidence of the proactive measures in place to support and engage those students who are traditionally more difficult to reach. 

The school has a focus on the Year 10 – Year 13 students and have identified those who might be potential NEETS, and they are providing appropriate interventions to ensure no student leaves without a named destination. They also follow up to ensure no student is left without an appropriate destination. Transition for these vulnerable students is a high priority and is carefully planned and supported. The result of all the work on Careers Education and Guidance is that the school has very few NEETS. 

Find Out More About IQM 

If your school is interested in achieving IQM accreditation, 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.