Our Inclusion Qua

1. IQM REPORT: WISTASTON CHURCH LANE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Date of Assessment 17th June 2011
Headteacher: Graham Prince
IQM Co-ordinator: Jeanette Webster
Angela Culshaw
Final Assessor/s: Julie Roberts-Joyce
Status: Re-Assessment 1 Successful
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2. School Context
o The school was formed in September 2007 as a result of the amalgamation of
adjacent infants and junior schools. The headteacher was appointed in
September 2007 and was formerly head of the junior school that was part of the
amalgamation.
o The headteacher, Mr G Prince, provides excellent leadership and together
with a very able senior leadership team promotes high standards and strives
for continual improvement. He is highly skilled at empowering others and has
an excellent capacity to build purposeful and productive working relationships
with staff, Governors and parents.
o The pupils are mainly of White British heritage.
o The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is below
average.
o The proportion of pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals is
well below average.
o The school has received the Investors in People Award and is currently working
towards Governor Mark accreditation.
Tour of the School
o The school has a pleasant, friendly and vibrant atmosphere.
o Classrooms were busy, a variety of pupil groupings was noted, and pupils were
on task and clearly enjoying their learning.
o Pupils were willing to share their views and were extremely proud of their
school. Each child’s talents are nurtured.
o Display is used as a mechanism for reflecting achievement back to pupils and
as a method of celebration as reflected in the infant Celebrations display.
Discussion with pupils
o Reward system is well established and valued by pupils – certificates,
headteachers award, golden dinner ticket, praise texts to parents, etc. The
school’s inclusive values are reflected in the SEAL ‘Fish Awards’ which are
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3. awarded for “making someone feel welcome”, “doing something brave”,
“solving a problem”, “dealing with feelings in a positive way”.
o Pupils feel safe, supported and able to seek help with any worries or concerns.
The site is secure and security staff monitor entry at the beginning and end of
the school day.
o Through the Eco Council pupils are very aware of sustainability and
environmental issues (school allotment). Wistaston Church Lane is a Fair
Trade School and pupils explained that a fair trade stall is to be organised and
run by the pupils thus reflecting global community in action.
o The school has all policies in place to ensure respect and care for others. Pupil
voice is an important part of the process of social development. It is clearly
evident that the school puts into practice its commitment to developing the role
of pupil voice. An example of good practice is the active and effective School
Council. This has a democratic based constitution and provides an excellent
example of the way in which the children are encouraged to develop decision
making skills. When interviewed, they clearly articulated their role and
responsibilities as school citizens and were very proud of their achievements
and their role in the Council, citing involvement in staff interviews and
cloakroom completion as examples. School council ‘suggestion boxes’ ensure
that all pupils have a voice.
o In their lessons pupils know and understand teacher expectations. They are
know how to access support and are encouraged to help each other. Pupils
respond well to the use of WALT/WILF and those interviewed were able to
articulate their progress. The target card is an example of good practice.
o A wide range of mechanisms are in place to support emotional literacy
including the friendship stop and the buddy system.
o Relationships at every level are a strength. Pupils felt that there is equality of
entitlement at Wistaston. They stressed that they know this to be the case
because “the teachers don’t have favourites; they treat everyone the same.”
o A wide variety of lunch and after school clubs are on offer and every child can
access at least one – guitar, choir, netball, athletics, newspaper, judo, film,
cookery and craft to name but some. One parent praised the introduction of
homework club “it makes you feel very supported as a parent and reduces the
stress of the parent”. Pupils appreciate and enjoy many enrichment activities.
Examples cited by pupils included residential visits from Year 2 on – Delamere
Forest, Burwardsley, Manor Adventure, and France.
o What pupils value most at Wistaston Church Lane;-
“Lots of interesting experiences such as the Second World War topic and
visiting Eden camp.”
“The play facilities especially the tyre park”
“Wistonia University because you can mix with others and do exciting things
like make cheese on a farm”
“Making alien models from recycling materials during Recycling Week”
“The clubs, especially football, choir and cricket; there is always lots of choice”
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4. Discussion with Community (including parents and governors)
o It was evident from interviews on assessment day that the school is held in
high regard by the local community. Local community groups and
organisations are encouraged to be involved in the school to contribute to and
promote cultural and social diversity; exemplified by the school inviting local
people to the summer fair, to attending the local church for a mock baptism
ceremony and participation in Town Sports.
o Open door policy is appreciated. Parents felt welcomed into school and
commented: “All the teachers are on the playground in the morning and it’s
easy to talk to them”. They stressed that the school is friendly and that they
feel able to contact the school at any time.
o Many parent helpers are welcomed into Wistaston Church Lane to share their
skills and provide additional support in different curriculum areas. Staff
expressed their appreciation of the support given by a significant number of
parent helpers.
o The PTA, Friends of Wistaston Church Lane School, is run by a small group
of dedicated parents who work hard to bring parents, staff and pupils together
in a range of social and fund-raising events. Funds raised are used to support
a variety of ‘extras.
o Pupils at Wistaston value opportunities to take part in local community events
which are varied and include - the school choir singing at the Wistaston
Village Fete.
o In line with ECM – Economic wellbeing the school provides many
opportunities to prepare pupils for their future. There are opportunities for
pupils to acquire enterprise skills through ‘grow a pound week’; pupils also
have opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of
economics and business through fundraising events whereby each class runs
a lunchtime charity stall in rotation in the Hope Shed.
o In line with ECM – Be Healthy the school promotes healthy lifestyles through
a variety of mechanisms including the Golden Mile, water coolers, ‘Let’s Bike’
cycling proficiency and a wide range of sporting activities.
o The school is committed to embracing diversity and has an established link
with a school in Tanzania. Visitors from the Tanzanian school are currently
working with pupils to build a native mud hut in the school grounds. Pupils
interviewed were looking forward to the forthcoming themed week –
Caribbean Week.
o A creative curriculum has been introduced throughout the school and this
provides the opportunity for all children to access a broad and exciting
curriculum. The work is differentiated to meet the children’s individual needs
and all the children are provided with challenge. A variety of teaching and
learning activities are incorporated into the lessons allowing the children to
progress at their individual levels. Theme days are also delivered using multi
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5. sensory teaching approaches and experiential learning e.g. ‘Outdoor Activity
Day’.
o The school operates an exciting ‘Wistonia University’ programme where
pupils engage in their chosen focus. These cover a diverse and wide range of
activities with parents, local businesses and members of the local community
actively involved in delivering Wistonia University. This is an example of good
practice.
o Recognition must be given to the school's support for local and national
charities such as St Lukes Hospice, Barnadoes, Blue Cross, NSPCC, RSPCA
and Tanzed to name but some. Through involvement in such activities pupils
develop a greater understanding of and concern for the needs of others.
o Targets are displayed and readily available to the children through the newly
developed ‘target card system’, which clearly from interviews with pupils is a
very effective system and is to be commended. Pupils receive feedback from
their teachers concerning their progress towards those targets. Children are
tracked effectively and teachers use the data to inform their future planning
and teaching strategies.
o Parents, pupils, staff and governors are consulted through questionnaires and
results are reported.
o Excellent transition arrangements highly valued by all. Parents interviewed
appreciated home visits for new starters and their attendance at several
school events including productions, Christmas lunch etc. They described the
staff as “very approachable”, “they make the children feel really special”.
o There are strong links with a range of partners in the community; this to
include Shavington and Malbank High Schools, Sainsbury’s and Nantwich
library.
o Governors are regular visitors in school and share their skills and talents to
the benefit of the school and its pupils; this to include support with ICT and
office admin, accompanying residential visits and organising school discos to
name but some.
o Governors are aware of and contribute to inclusive practice throughout the
school. They are appreciative of the supportive ethos at Wistaston Church
Lane and paid tribute to the headteachers leadership and the commitment of
the staff who they described as “fantastic”.
Discussion with Staff
o “As a staff we are very proud of the school” teacher comment.
o Team work is a strength at Wistaston Church Lane; with many mechanisms in
place to facilitate communication in the school community (staff meetings,
subject leader role, CPD). Staff comment: “Since amalgamation and Graham
became headteacher there have been so many opportunities for staff
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6. development”. Examples of inclusion related training include every child a
writer, anger management and Makaton.
o Staff interviewed felt that their roles are acknowledged and their contribution
valued.
o All interviewed demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting the school
vision throughout the school and the wider community. The vision is based on
the ‘4 C’s – be courteous, caring, calm, and confident young learners.’
o Communication, liaison with and support for parents is a strength. Parents
cited the sharing of curriculum information letters, school newsletters, the
school website and access to staff as examples,
o There is a wealth of evidence as to the quality of classroom display, including
visual time-tables; working walls and interactive opportunities for pupils e.g.
WOW words. Classrooms are vibrant and children use displays to support their
learning.
o The strength of teamwork at Wistaston is reflected in the full participation in
school life of every member of staff. This is best exemplified by the caretaker
running an after school club. One member of staff commented on the caretaker
“he’s brilliant, very hands on, knows all the children by name and runs an after
school club”. Whilst another observed “as a staff we all get on rally well, we
support each other and socialise together”. Staff are skilled, committed and
enthusiastic. One member of the teaching staff commented “the office staff are
very friendly”, whilst another agreed “there is lots of enthusiasm here”.
o There is a strong partnership with other local schools including Shavington High
School and Malbank High School with visits, use of facilities including science
labs and music suites. Staff and governors reaffirmed that an effective
programme is in place to support transition to high school including extended
transition for those who need it.
o Teaching and learning activities are enhanced through themed weeks e.g.
Caribbean Week and Recycling Week.
o Staff work closes with other schools in the local area to host and rotate a
variety of events e.g. staff exchanges; shared gifted and talented events and
class swap e.g. ‘Fairy Tale Day with Shavington Primary School, Town sports.
Overview of visit
o The school is very well led and the SLT are efficient and effective managers.
o The Headteacher provides outstanding leadership demonstrating an energy
and determination in furthering the learning experience of every child at
Wistaston Church Lane. He encourages and successfully achieves extensive
involvement of different stakeholders throughout the school and wider
community.
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7. o The school demonstrates a very inclusive ethos which is embedded throughout
the school community.
o Expectations are high and behaviour is excellent.
o The portfolio of evidence was offered giving clear examples of systems,
processes and activities to develop further inclusive practice in the school.
The careful and appropriate selection of evidence fully supports the IQM
assessment process.
Significant Strengths
Element
2. Pupil Attitudes, Values and Personal Development
3. Leadership and Management,
4. Staffing Systems and Organisation,
6. Teaching and Learning
10. Community are considered to be significant strengths.
Area(s) for Development
o To consider pupil request to implement German as a taught language
o Item 4 of the Inclusion Action Plan.
Renewal of IQM date:
Summer Term 2014
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