Woodside Primary School in Cheshire has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
A Wonderful Environment
At Woodside Primary School it is very clear to see how hard everyone has worked to create such a wonderful environment that stems from the ethos and leadership qualities of the Headteacher, and members of the Senior Leadership Team who have clearly played a major role in creating such a reflective and continually developing school. Woodside has a distinctive character, spirit and attitude which speaks of its ethos. The school has managed to create an environment that supports everybody’s wellbeing, learning and respects everyone’s rights. Underlying this and supporting their inclusive ethos is the assumption that all children have a right to the same educational opportunities and where possible to be included in mainstream classes, being integrated, and not segregated by placing children with difficulties elsewhere. Adjustments are made so that all children can access what they need and this flexible and accommodating approach means all children can achieve and thrive. Staff are trained in inclusive pedagogy and view it as their role to teach all learners in a diverse classroom for which they should be commended and applauded.
The School Ethos
As the Headteacher states on the school’s website:
‘We pride ourselves on investing heavily in our pupils’ education by supporting them intensely to achieve a high standard of education tailored to their abilities and needs’. That fits in well with their mission statement, ‘Educating with pride, learning together’.
These inclusive statements are clearly embedded in the school’s ethos and everyday life and were clearly demonstrated by staff, pupils, and external partners who all take pride in their work in the school and their learning environment, with all staff working tirelessly to provide all pupils and their families with the best possible education, care, nurture, and support to enable them to reach their full potential and have the best outcomes in life. This is a very happy and successful school where all are welcome, and everyone is part of the family. They pride themselves on valuing every child and helping them to achieve success whatever their starting point, or unique gift or talent. Staff endeavour to deliver an exciting and relevant curriculum that inspires and motivates all children. Enhancing the pupil’s learning through teaching, visits, and visitors where appropriate that are linked to curriculum that are specifically designed to enrich their experience. They encourage children to be independent learners and thinkers, developing them as responsible members of their community. The school’s exceptionally strong partnership with parents is vitally important to them as they firmly believe that children have the best chance of success when the school and families work closely and co-operatively together.
Staff Make A Difference
Inclusion occurs naturally and is highly pervasive and ingrained in the positive culture of the school, as is the dedication and drive of the staff to make a positive difference to everyone they work with fitting seamlessly with their vision:
‘Continue to pursue higher standards through a broad and cohesive curriculum with an emphasis on independence, as it is through these that individuals can take responsibility for their own learning, make informed choices and solve problems…. foster an ethos of challenge and high expectation with high self-esteem and respect and understanding of other’s cultures and beliefs. We will seek to provide opportunities for experiential and explorative learning, building on what the children already know’.
Truly inclusive statements that everyone involved with the school models daily and should be proud of enacting.
Pupils Come First
There is a genuine ambition and integrity amongst all stakeholders revealing that what really matters most are the pupils who come first, and all receive equitable provision and support. Staff are dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled. Their sense of drive and determination to improve the outcomes for all came through extremely strongly as did their sense of being a team and part of the ‘Woodside family’. The implementation of rigorous, but supportive and fair structures and processes support the staff in all areas and at all levels to work strategically and collaboratively together. Inspirational and aspirational leadership coupled with strong teamwork amongst the staff is at the core of relationships and their success. They are motivated to improve and to improve the lives of everyone involved with the school so that they achieve their potential and goals. Everyone is clear about the vision and next steps for the school with excellent reflective skills and what came across very clearly is that they want the best outcome for all pupils whatever their starting points or individual need. Staff will not settle for anything but the best for the pupils, the families, the community and themselves.
Parents Are Supportive
Parents are extremely supportive of the school and keen to explain that they are partners in their children’s education and that they worked closely together. They felt that the school was extremely inclusive and couldn’t be faulted, as they understood the different needs of the children in their care and often went above and beyond what would be expected of them to ensure their children got the best education, care support and opportunities. They were keen to stress that children are accepted for who they are, and nothing is too much for the extremely supportive staff of the school, who know their children extremely well. A fantastic accolade for the staff and clearly demonstrates their superbly intuitive inclusive ethos and is something that the school and the parents should be proud of.
Pupils Are Proud
Pupils and members of the school council are extremely positive and they talked about their ‘Woodside experience’. They were articulate and mature in the way in which they discussed their own experiences of the school and what they liked about their time in school. It was clear that they felt that the school is an extremely inclusive place going to support them. They are very proud of their school. The pupils are a credit to themselves, the school and their families and showed the tremendous relationships between each other and the staff.
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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