Finishing off the gloomy first month of the year we are delighted to welcome three new schools to the IQM family. Joining us this week are The Bridge School, Oakwood Junior School and Star Primary School.
Excellent Example of Inclusive Practice
First up this week we travelled to Suffolk where we welcomed The Bridge School as an IQM Centre of Excellence. Described by our Assessor as “an excellent example of inclusive practice” this was a school which impressed.
Our Assessor explained, “Inclusion is evident in all aspects of the school’s work and there are good links with the community. The Headteacher works effectively with her leadership team, the Governing Body, The Trust, parents and staff to ensure that everyone has similar aspirations for children at the school.
“The school’s values, Independence, Kindness and Compassion, Inclusivity, Courage, Positivity and Respect, reflect the attitudes and aspirations of all staff for the pupils. Inclusivity is at the heart of everything the school does. The school believes that everyone can learn, achieve and has the potential to be successful. Positive relationships are the key to success and are underpinned by mutual trust, respect and caring for one another.”
• Read more – The Bridge School Achieves Centre of Excellence
Pupils are Put First
Also securing Centre of Excellence status this week was Oakwood Junior School in Derby. From the warm (sloppy) welcome from Oakwood’s friendly dog Ron to the committed and passionate staff our Assessor found a school which left a lasting impression.
They noted, “The school was calm and orderly and pupils with challenging needs were handled with respect and kindness. Staff are very resilient and go above and beyond to meet the needs of pupils and their families. The pupils are, quite simply, put first at Oakwood.
“The school is in the heart of the community. Many staff live in the community and the school represents a safe place for pupils. The receptionist is well known to parents and does a great job getting reluctant children through the door in the morning. The contextual, local community knowledge is a strength of the school. The school welcomes and encourages parental contact. Parents are encouraged to speak to any adult in the school who will then pass on information to the relevant member of staff for follow up.”
• Read more – Oakwood Junior School Achieves Centre of Excellence
Truly a Community School
The final school to join the IQM family this week was the shining Star PS which secured the Inclusive School Award.
The Canning Town school was described as our Assessor as truly ‘a community school’.
They added, “Children at Star are helped to understand how to make the environment better and how to value our future. Staff believe that it has to be a safe place. Children have a good understanding of safeguarding and know who they can talk to confidentially. This is truly a ‘community’ school.
“The Welfare Support Team have a deep commitment to inclusion and have thoroughly bought into the Headteacher’s vision. They said that all children are welcome here and the offer is adapted to suit the individual’s needs but, “We have high standards for everybody”. The individual is looked at holistically and the team understand that each child has to be in the right place before they can properly learn. The School Counsellor is the main link between the parents and the school.”
• Read more – Star Primary Achieves Inclusive School Award
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.