A primary academy based in Wakefield is celebrating after being named an Inclusion Centre of Excellence by national body, IQM.

Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate, based on Canal Lane, which was recently awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark Award by IQM, has followed up that success by being named an IQM Centre of Excellence.

IQM was established in the UK in October 2004 with the objective of supporting both state and independent schools to become inclusive and the award provides UK schools with a nationally recognised validation of their inclusive practice and ongoing commitment to developing educational inclusion.

Lynsey Hadfield, Principal at Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate, said:

“We are thrilled to have been awarded IQM Centre of Excellence status, which highlights our ongoing commitment to inclusion at all levels.

“At OPA Lofthouse Gate, we believe that every child deserves the best education, no matter their start in life, and we work tirelessly to deliver on this belief.

“We are excited to continue with our hard work and maintain our determination to always be improving and doing our best for the children that attend our academy.”

As part of the assessment process, the academy underwent a two-day inspection consisting of an IQM assessor meeting with members of children, staff, parents and academy council members.

Focusing on the Special Education Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) team, the report praised its, ‘highly effective’ work noting that its ‘contribution to the support and wellbeing of children’s families has a direct impact in supporting parents and for them to tangibly see their children attain.’

OPA Lofthouse Gate’s success comes after a long assessment process, which was split into two phases, beginning with a self-evaluation and followed by a two-day assessment by the IQM team.

The assessment report praised the academy’s journey since becoming part of the Outwood Family in 2013, noting that ‘due to the systems of support built around the Academy, children achieve extremely well from starting points’ as well as highlighting the impressive outcomes are the academy which are above the national averages in Reception, Year 1 phonics, and Key Stage 1 reading and maths.

Most notable was the academy’s impressive score of 92% in Key Stage 2 combined attainment, compared to the national average of 65%.