Valentine Primary School Achieves IQM Centre of Excellence Status

September 7, 2026

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Valentine Primary School has achieved IQM Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence Status in recognition of its unwavering commitment to inclusion and its determination to do “whatever it takes” for every child. The assessment highlighted a school where high expectations, nurture and ambition combine to ensure that every pupil is supported to be the best version of themselves. 

Doing Whatever It Takes 

Inclusion at VPS is absolutely central to the school’s ethos. All pupils are encouraged to be the best version of themselves, within the school’s safe, nurturing and supportive environment. The whole school culture is focused on instilling high expectations, no excuses and doing whatever it takes for every child. One teacher said: “The EHT really cares about the children. It’s the passion behind why we’re here. It’s about individual progress”. Removing any barriers for children and ensuring inclusive practice, is upheld at every level; with “no glass ceiling for pupils”. 

One Governor said: “Inclusion runs through Valentine Primary. It’s like Blackpool Rock. It’s integral.” 

An Ambitious and Inclusive Curriculum 

The VPS curriculum is underpinned by the LAT framework. Covering the National Curriculum objectives, it broadens and deepens the statements that underpin that set of subject descriptors and provides a sequential progression of learning across the core and foundation subjects, which is well sequenced, ambitious and inclusive. 

The website shares the curriculum vision and how “Leaders are resolute that Every child deserves a curriculum that will inspire, motivate and enable them to achieve their full potential.” The five character heroes in the character curriculum, Community Chloe; Independent Isla; Opportunity Olly; Mindful Mohammad and Engagement Erin represent the character virtues the school is trying to instil. 

Developing communication, language, vocabulary and reading skills is a high priority. 

Learning That Comes Alive 

VPS sets high expectations for all its pupils, with teachers delivering engaging, high quality lessons, which respond to the need of all learners. Across the school, teaching reflects these high expectations with clear modelling; well sequenced learning and timely feedback, ensuring that any learner misconceptions are swiftly dealt with. 

The use of hook lessons; VR headsets; the developing outdoor curriculum, with its 1 hour of gardening per week and real-life experiences helps to bring the curriculum alive for the pupils, so that it becomes “a lived experience”. During the visit, Y1 pupils were transported to a magical world during their hook lesson; Y2 pupils were discovering space through the use of the VR headsets; Y3 were using the MIRO board to look at flowers to attract pollinators and Y5 pupils were excited to plant their potatoes, pumpkins and tomatoes in raised planters. 

Behaviour, Belonging and Personal Development 

“Pupils feel valued, safe and secure here. They are polite and well mannered. Pupils rise willingly to meet adults’ high expectations for behaviour. Warm, respectful relationships permeate the school. At social times, pupils play harmoniously together. They readily use strategies they have learned to solve disputes and problems” – Ofsted, May 2025. 

Pupils were unanimous in that they love coming to school; they feel safe; children behave well and there is no bullying. One teacher said that “pupils know they are safe here; safe, happy and celebrated.” “The school has transformed pupils’ behaviour” – Ofsted, May 2025. The AHT/SENCo shared how behaviour has radically improved; learning behaviours are explicitly taught, recognised and valued and there is an increased recognition of pupils demonstrating effort, focus and resilience. 

Sharing Expertise Beyond the School 

VPS is a very outward facing school that has developed a wide range of links beyond the school. The HISP commented on the EHT and AHT/SENCo’s generosity in sharing expertise, saying “They are innovators who will do absolutely everything they can and go the extra mile”. The EHT has led a webinar for NASEN on whole school SEND and alternative provision and was invited to Parliament as part of the national conversation around solving the SEND crisis. The AHT/SENCo has recently presented to all the SENCos in the city on the work that he has been doing using AI for writing and also supported a SENCo in Walton-on-Thames. They are passionate, however, that these do not define what their pupils are able to achieve. 

Find Out More About IQM 

If your school is interested in achieving the IQM Inclusive School Award, 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.