An Easingwold secondary school is celebrating after it was awarded a nationally recognised award for its work on inclusion.
Outwood Academy Easingwold was awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark Award by IQM.
The award provides UK schools with a nationally recognised validation of their inclusive practice and ongoing commitment to developing educational inclusion.
The academy’s success comes after a long assessment process, which was split into two phases beginning with a self-evaluation followed by a two-day assessment by the IQM team.
Laura Eddery, principal at Outwood Academy Easingwold, said: “We are delighted to have been accredited with the IQM Award, showing that inclusion at all levels is paramount to us.
“At Outwood we believe that every child deserves the best education, no matter their start in life and we work tirelessly to ensure we deliver on this belief. This accreditation is testament to that work.”
There are over 5,500 academies and schools in the UK who have either received an IQM Inclusive School Award, or are actively working towards meeting the standard required.
During self-evaluation, the criteria for Outwood Academy Easingwold was broken down into five sections, focusing on inclusion values and practice of the school, the learning environment, resources and ICT, learner attitudes, values and personal development, learner progress and impact on learning, and learning and teaching.
The follow-up two-day inspection consisted of the academy being visited by Inspector Kelsey Clark-Davies, who went through the five self-evaluation topics in detail for a full formal assessment.
Following this assessment, the IQM praised the academy in its report. One area highlighted and praised in the report is the academy’s work on the mental wellbeing of students. It was noted in the IQM report that ‘the mental health and well-being of pupils and staff is an integral part of the school’s curriculum development and vital to its success within student achievement.’
The work done by the academy to help those students with SEND was also praised, with the report saying that ‘SEND needs are given highest priority and individual support for personal development is provided.’ The report noted that this support went beyond the student and that the parents of those students with SEND are ‘very well supported and receive timely information as well as regular reviews.’
The Principal added: “The assessment process was very professional and thorough and we were happy to welcome the IQM Inspector to our academy.
“The accreditation is not the end of our inclusion journey, and we will continue to promote the inclusion quality principles of promoting access and diversity, raising achievement for all, creating an environment for all to succeed, and improving the inclusive nature of all schools.”
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