A secondary academy based in Normanton is celebrating after it received a nationally recognised award for its work on inclusion.

Outwood Academy Freeston, based on Favell Avenue, 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 has been split into two phases beginning with a self-evaluation followed by two separate single-day assessments by the IQM team.

The first single day assessment has taken place virtually due to the ongoing pandemic, with the assessor satisfied that the academy met the criteria needed for the award. The second assessment took place in September, when the assessor visited the academy for further assessment.

Lisa Allott, Principal at Outwood Academy Freeston, said:

“We are thrilled 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 Freeston 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 virtual assessment day consisted of the academy’s leaders talking with Assessor Kelsey Clark-Davies, who went through the five self-evaluation topics in detail for a full formal assessment.

The report noted that ‘inclusion is at the absolute heart of all which is done’ at the academy, and highlighted the high priority that mental health and well-being of both staff and students is given, with Outwood having in place a mental well-being strategy in place. 

As well as the academy being praised for its work caring for students, and staff, the report highlighted the academy ‘celebrates its community and promotes respect for the different protected characteristics as defined in law and students value the importance of this.’

Relationships between the staff and students were highlighted within the report, it stated:

“The Principal is clear that inclusion is about everybody, there is a clear vision around inclusivity and there is an ownership of inclusion at all levels. There is a real sense of genuine care and affection for students which permeates throughout and quality of relationships is strong.”

Due to impressive showing of the academy, the report also recommended that it consider applying for IQM Centre of Excellence status.

According to IQM ‘becoming an IQM Centre of Excellence is an opportunity for schools to build on the success of being one of the very special schools which hold the Inclusion Quality Mark Inclusive School Award.’

Just over 200 schools in the country have been awarded the title of Centre of Excellence by IQM.

Lisa added:

“We were happy to welcome the IQM Inspector to our academy to carry out the assessment and the process was thorough and professional.

“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.”