Knavesmire Primary School has been praised for its work on inclusion, becoming the third Trust school to receive the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM).
Following a lengthy process of self-evaluation, feedback and a formal two-day assessment visit from assessors, Knavesmire Primary School has not only been awarded the IQM but has also been named as a Centre of Excellence for inclusion.
The IQM provides UK schools with a nationally recognised validation of their inclusive practice and ongoing commitment to developing educational inclusion. Schools must be able to demonstrate that inclusion has a school-wide impact and is sustainable. The Centre of Excellence Award recognises those IQM Inclusive Schools which continue to demonstrate a commitment to outstanding levels of inclusive best practice.
The IQM states that in a school or education setting, inclusion means that every child and every adult who learns and works in a school is valued and whose educational and personal needs are met, and that it is also about parents and the community in which the school exists.
In the IQM report, the assessor recognised Knavesmire’s clear aim “to provide an environment that is friendly, welcoming and safe” every day, to all children, stating that “Upon meeting the Headteacher and the senior leaders you see and hear how they champion every child and staff member within the school.”
The school’s progressive and creative approach to giving all children the same opportunity is praised, with the assessor recognising “The school leadership has been creative in educating pupils struggling with mainstream classes by establishing a teaching provision called the School House.” The report goes on to say “the school and the Trust recognise the uniqueness of every child and promote inclusion through their holistic approach” noting that staff, pupils and parents “are proud of their school and what it offers its pupils and families.”
During her visit to Knavesmire Primary, the assessor spoke to pupils who “believed they had a voice and were highly involved in deciding what they wanted to learn.” The pupils also told the assessor how “the teachers and Teaching Assistants (TAs) check up on them regardless of the time it takes and they get lots of reassurance if they need it.”
The report states that the stand-out facility at Knavesmire Primary is the School House, where pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) spend some of their school day. The assessor recognises that this specialist provision “fully demonstrates the inclusivity of the school” and ensures pupils “thrive as lessons and interventions can be highly tailored and time-specific and develop pupil confidence in all areas. There is a strong focus on life skills and developing independence.”
The school is praised for its progress and vision “to develop every pupil’s potential but at the same time never allow them to stray from the high expectations.” The assessor expressed thanks to the school for the “insight into what can be achieved when inclusivity and high expectations are embedded in a mainstream primary school changing the lives of many pupils and families every day because every member of staff and pupil feels valued and respected.” She also commended the school and Trust leaders for providing support and challenge.
Adam Cooper, Headteacher at Knavesmire Primary School said “I am thrilled that we have received the IQM Award and been recognised as a Centre of Excellence for inclusion. With the support of the Trust, we’ve invested a great deal in our staff team in terms of development and learning, which means that they can better provide for our pupils. We’re very proud of our provision for all children, regardless of their circumstances and equally proud of the relationships we have built with parents, families and the community.”
“My thanks go to the whole team at Knavesmire who go the extra mile every day without even realising it!”
Sue Wight, Director of SEN and Safeguarding at South Bank Multi Academy Trust (SBMAT) added “It is an absolute pleasure to work with colleagues at Knavesmire; they thoroughly deserve this recognition. We have a vision for inclusion at SBMAT, not only at Knavesmire, but for every school within the Trust. As the report rightly highlights, Knavesmire is a leading light with its creativity of approach to supporting all pupils and so improving outcomes for all who enter the doors.”
Chief Executive Officer of SBMAT, Mark Hassack, said “A huge well done to Adam and the team at Knavesmire, the third of our schools to achieve the IQM. This award is a testament to the team’s commitment to inclusion, and alongside the designation of Centre of Excellence, it rubber stamps the extraordinary efforts that the team go to to ensure inclusion is top of the agenda. The report is a joy to read – congratulations to everyone!”
Millthorpe School and Woodthorpe Primary Schools were the first of the SBMAT schools, and the first two schools in the city of York, to achieve IQM status earlier this year.
Knavesmire Primary School’s IQM report can be found at: https://bit.ly/4c6bNFf
Knavesmire Primary School is part of the York-based South Bank Multi Academy Trust alongside Millthorpe School, York High School, Carr Junior School and Scarcroft and Woodthorpe Primary Schools and Inspire Academy.
19 July 2024
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