Top marks for school with its second ‘quality award’
A school is celebrating national recognition for its continued “commitment to provide the best educational opportunities for all pupils”.
West Rainton Primary School, near Durham City, has earned its second successive Inclusion Quality Mark Award, this time with Centre of Excellence status.
Itjoinsaround200schools in the country with this level of award.
The accreditation recognises schools which ensure every child has a strong sense of belonging and individual identity to springboard them to academic success.
The assessment paid particular attention to the school's remote-learning offer and wellbeing provision during partial closures periods since the pandemic.
Parents and pupils said they felt a sense of belonging during what was a very isolating time.
Assessors were also very impressed with the strong social, moral, spiritual and cultural curriculum embedded in the school as they saw pupils as young as two celebratingtheHindufestivalofDiwali and Year 6 pupils rehearsing a film version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Headteacher Alison McDonough said: "Our school is the heart of the community and has its community at its heart.
"This fantastic accolade recognises how hard the entirestaffteamworkstosecure the inclusion of every individual within that community.
"We pride ourselves on prioritising the happiness and wellbeing of every pupil through our positive relationshipsacrosstheentireschool.
"It is pleasing that this award has shown how we've even continued to grow and improve on our last award, especially during a pandemic where inclusion was vitally important.
She praised school deputy headteacher and special educational needs and disabilities co-ordinator Susan Firth, who added: "Quite understandably,weareabsolutely delighted with such a high level of accreditation, which recognises exactly what our wonderful school is all about.
"Inclusionhasalwaysbeen, andwillalwayscontinuetobe, at the heart of West Rainton Primary School. Being part of such an amazing community is a genuine privilege, and the culture of our school is exceptionally unique."