Ofsted defines an educationally inclusive school as one in which the teaching and learning; achievements, attitudes and well-being of every young person matter.
Inclusion Quality Mark provides schools with a nationally recognised framework to guide their inclusion journey.
The IQM team help schools evaluate and measure how they are performing; empowering them to improve and grow. And when they’re successful, we recognise their achievement through a system of highly valued awards that provide external validation of their inclusive status.
In July 2022, we once again welcomed our IQM Assessor into school to evaluate our annual progress towards our Flagship Project. 'Developing a Mentally Healthy School'.
The Assessor's Evaluation Report stated that,
'Yew Tree Primary Academy is a growing and superbly inclusive community primary academy. It is a vibrant, ever-changing, and developing community with a happy, family-orientated environment where many exciting things happen in and out of the classroom. It is a school that celebrates each child, embraces differences, and this is reflect by the fact that the pupils are listened to and valued, they feel they belong and continue to achieve and grow. It is an outstandingly inclusive school whose inclusive nature is deeply founded in their ethos and vision to DREAMBIG for Excellence for All.'
'Conversations during the day with staff, pupils, a parent, and an external partner reinforced the view that there is an immense level of pride they feel in their school. Staff engage and work with their peers and the children and their families to meet needs, often going above and beyond what is expected of them and in this regard they are exceptional. Achieved through a belief in inclusive education and a belief in a true partnership with families and carers, and when needed, external partners providing superb levels of advice, support, and care.'
'Staff take immense pride in providing superb pastoral care, actively promoting equality and diversity, and thereby ensuring that Yew Tree is an extremely welcoming, inclusive and caring school.'
'Inclusion occurs naturally and is ingrained in every aspect of the school due entirely to the efforts of the staff, led by the inspirational and aspirational Principal and her Leadership Team. Pupils are at the heart of an encouraging and challenging curriculum and environment where everyone recognises and celebrates differences, communicates the importance of learning, and believes that everyone can achieve, and this is underpinned by extremely positive and trusting relationships with parents and the local community.'
'The passion of the staff who see what they do as a vocation shone through formally and informally during the day and clearly demonstrated the superb education and support that is offered across the school setting. This is a true community school where exceptional collaboration, teamwork and support is why the school is so successful with staff who naturally promote equality and diversity.'
'It is clear to see the pride that staff take in their learning environments both internally and externally and their pride in demonstrating how they are continuing to develop and evolve what they offer.'
'During the tour I was able to have a conversation with the Schools Speech & Language Therapist who was able to give me a brief overview of her work and who felt that Yew Tree is a very inclusive school and that she reiterated that feels a valued and supported member of the team.'
' I was also able to meet a variety of School Council members from different year groups who engaged in conversation about their roles and came up with some interesting ideas for future discussion at council meetings. It was a pleasure to meet and talk to such mature and articulate pupils.'
'It was an absolute privilege and pleasure to engage in conversations with everyone involved in the review and to hear their differing but supportive opinions of the school and their involvement whether as a member of staff, visitor parent or pupil. What became apparent was their united belief that the school is a superbly inclusive place to be a part of and that it will continue to evolve and change to meet the need of its community and rise to whatever challenges are thrown at them in the future.'
'It was a privilege to meet with such passionate, dedicated, and enthusiastic staff, who are supported to achieve success and deliver such superb support, care, nurture, and learning experience in a superbly inclusive school. Everyone involved with the school should be extremely proud of what they continue to achieve, and the emphasis placed on ensuring everyone is nurtured and included.'
'The school continues to move forward in terms of its superb inclusive practice, and I continue to be firmly of the opinion that the school fully meets the standard required by the Inclusion Quality Mark to maintain its status as a Flagship School.'
Yew Tree Primary Academy
The Avenue
Halewood
L26 1UU
Tel: 0151 477 8950
Email: school@yewtreeknowsley.co.uk