Westfield Primary School Achieves IQM Inclusive School Award

August 18, 2026

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Westfield Primary School has been awarded the IQM Inclusive School Award in recognition of its strong commitment to inclusion and its ongoing efforts to create a fully inclusive educational experience that reflects the needs, aspirations and lived experiences of all members of its school community.

A Community Built on Care and Belonging

Westfield Primary School provides love, nurture and support for a community which has a big heart. Adults and children alike are friendly and positive, and warm, well-mannered interactions can be seen at every level and between every group of stakeholders.

New families and newer members of staff both say that they were “welcomed with open arms” by the community, and my experience as a visitor confirmed this to be the case. Some members of the community have very long-established links with the school over several generations, and they say that it has always wrapped a nurturing arm around its pupils. This suggests that this is a well-established cultural trait, but one which has been cleverly identified and developed by the current Leadership Team as the foundation of the school’s philosophy and vision.

Creating a Calm and Inclusive Environment

The calm, peaceful atmosphere within the school is a result of the consistent application of its key principles. Individuality is valued and additional needs catered for. There is a consistency of expectation from adults and the way they communicate. Language and the focus of interaction is positive, and all adults model the behaviour that they expect to see exceptionally well. Strong teamwork and collective responsibility are evident, including from support staff such as Mid-Day Assistants (who “encourage the children to eat well, but know their quirks and needs”) and the site team. Knowledge of the pupils as individuals makes their passage through the school day as calm and positive as possible. As one of the staff team put it, “we have to be close here, or it just wouldn’t work.” As a result, the behaviour of pupils is impressive, and their manners and the respect shown in their interactions are wonderful.

Strong Leadership Driving Inclusive Practice

School leaders have a particularly good understanding of where the school is and what they want to do to develop further. The Headteacher has built successfully from the foundations of existing good practice and has recognised and developed untapped potential within the team. As a result, she is very well regarded by all.

Leaders are focused on inclusion and pride themselves in the fact that so many of the families have chosen Westfield because of its reputation for meeting need. The provision for pupils who have identified additional needs is strong and their needs are well met.

The recently established Resource Bases have proved a significant catalyst for change. Teaching and learning within the Key Stage 2 Base was observed to be highly effective, with pupils achieving good outcomes following well-constructed input. Many of the practices which are used to help learners in the Bases were observed being applied across all classes with great effect.

Pupils and Families at the Heart of School Life

Pupils are friendly, well-mannered, and open, talking about their school with pride and in the most positive terms. They say it is “brilliant,” “fantastic,” “educational,” “creative” and a “peaceful community.” They talk with pride about their achievements and how they help each other. They have a good understanding of how some people may need extra support at times, and they can talk about how people have helped them in this way. “Teachers listen to us and get the full information” one of them told me, adding that “they let us talk and get ideas.” They also value the community feel of their school saying, “everyone communicates. If I was lonely, someone would say hello. People will come and make me feel happy.”

Parents are equally effusive in their praise. “Nothing is too much trouble,” “all the teachers talk to parents normally, they don’t talk down” and “communication is excellent” were some of their comments. Parents also value the expertise of school staff and say that they have a big, positive impact on their children. Evidence points to a school community where care, consistency and shared values combine to create a nurturing and highly effective environment for all. This solid foundation of relationships, routines, and shared purpose places the school in an excellent position to sustain and build on its successes.

Find Out More About IQM

The Inclusion Quality Mark provides schools with a nationally recognised framework for developing and celebrating inclusive practice.

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.