A Harrogate primary school has been awarded FLAGSHIP Status - the highest level of award - in their latest Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) review.
Oatlands Infant School, part of the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, has announced that it has won the only national inclusion award in the UK.
The IQM have existed for over 20 years and operate in over 20 countries. There are 100 Flagships internationally, with Oatlands Infants now being one.
Oatlands Infants were praised in the IQM report for their ‘relentlessly high expectations’ of all learners, staff morale and wellbeing.
The school was also praised for its bespoke sensory room, the school garden, how they're breaking down barriers to physical activity and active travel, how they're creating impactful and creative learning opportunities, and their "measured and compassionate understanding of pupils’ social, emotional, and sensory needs."
The report said:
“This was my third visit to Oatlands Infant School, and I was genuinely looking forward to returning after such a memorable visit last year, despite the challenging snowy conditions.
“Once again, I left feeling inspired by what I saw, heard, and experienced throughout the day. The sense of welcome and belonging is tangible.
“As one parent shared with me, “when your child comes here, the whole family comes.”
“This reflects the school’s openness, the inclusion of siblings, and the deeply held belief that it takes a whole village to raise a child."
Mr Harrison, Headteacher, said:
"We were delighted to see our strong relationships with children and their families recognised, with one of our favourite quotes in the report being.
“Parents consistently said that children thrive at Oatlands because they feel safe, represented and listened to.
“One parent captured the shared feeling of the group simply by saying, “our children are exactly where they need to be.
“I am so proud of our children, staff, and parents for shining so brightly - not just during our IQM review, but every day."
He added:
“Being part of such a supportive, local Trust with a superb central team has helped us to lay firm foundations in school, and our team of Early Years and Key Stage 1 experts are given the pedagogical freedom to take risks and try new things. Inclusion is not just meeting the needs of the few; it is seeing every child and adult thrive in and beyond our school.
“Every child deserves an incredible education filled with fun, love, laughter and, above all, a sense of belonging, and we work tirelessly to create that here at Oatlands Infant School."
The IQM report closed by saying:
"As leaders and stakeholders consistently articulated, diversity and inclusion are no longer separate strands at Oatlands Infant School; they are woven throughout the curriculum, systems, and daily practice.
“Inclusion is embedded within the fabric and DNA of the school. Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust holds realistic and ambitious inclusive expectations, and Oatlands Infant School stands out within the trust as a model of good practice, demonstrating how inclusive values can become the norm rather than an add-on."
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