The Village School in Brent achieves the Inclusive School Award again for the third time.
Context
The school has already submitted comprehensive and accurate documentation of their own evaluation of progress and during my visit to the school, have now agreed on an action plan for 2019-20. It was an absolute pleasure to visit the school again and following their progress from Inclusive School through to their current Flagship status.
Sources of Evidence
A detailed timetable arranged for the day of my visit enabled me to meet the key members of staff responsible for the Flagship project work and view the evidence. The members of staff I met on the day of my visit included:-
1. Head Teacher.
2. Senior Leadership group.
3. A member of staff with key responsibility for the IQM project: Developments in Assessment for PMLD students.
4. A member of staff with responsibility for 2019-20 Flagship project: Key Stage 4 and 5, “Preparation for Adulthood” (PFA).
5. Assistant Head Teacher: Accreditation, destination for students, overseeing joint work with Middlesex University.
Previous Project
The Flagship project agreed for last year: “To create a meaningful assessment system that measures the progress of pre-subject specific students or PMLD students. In response to the Rochford review we aim to create an assessment system that attempts to measure progress against the seven strands of engagement, records progress against EHCP targets and creates opportunity for reflective practice to inform future planning and teaching.”
The Rochford Review
The Rochford Review: “The expert review of statutory assessment arrangements for pupils working below the standard of national curriculum tests. The review group brought together expertise in assessment, special educational needs and working with disadvantaged pupils. The purpose was to advise the Minister of State for Schools on solutions for assessing the abilities of pupils who don’t meet the standards required to take the national curriculum tests.”
Future Roll Out of Guidance
I had the privilege of being able to view what has been an intense journey of development for the school in terms of developing a “meaningful assessment system” to measure progress for PMLD students. The joint work which the school has undertaken with the teaching school alliance and Middlesex University has resulted in their work being recognised by the DfE and the approach will now be used in the future roll out of guidance to all special schools in the UK.
Project Work Details
Details of the project work were shared with me but due to pre-publication confidentiality some of the information could not be included in the IQM report. I was, however, able to view some of the video examples of the intervention and assessment programmes designed by the school. This included examples of how staff are able to utilise video evidence to determine baseline assessment and also record progress, some of which would be extremely difficult to note without the use of the video recording approach.
Assessing Student Engagement
The school shared their key descriptors referencing how student engagement is assessed and how this is utilised in action planning. The approach is innovative and demonstrates how the school has combined their expertise, inclusive ethos and determination to provide an outstanding teaching and learning environment for all students.
Demonstrating Interventions
The video system is also being used for CPD with key staff members being able to demonstrate interventions and use the filming to highlight approaches, techniques and how to evaluate impact.
“Video Me” Project
I can confirm that the school has far exceeded the expectations of the originally planned “Video Me” project and that their self-evaluation included in the submitted documentation is an accurate overview of how the project has developed. The school demonstrates, on all levels, their continued drive and innovation to impact positively on the life chances of their students.
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.
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