百春链

A secondary academy based in Middlesbrough is celebrating after it was awarded a nationally recognised award for its work on inclusion.

百春链 Academy Acklam, based on Hall Drive, 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鈥檚 success comes after a long assessment process, which was split into two phases beginning with a self-evaluation followed by a two-day assessment by the IQM team after which the IQM team noted the academy was a 鈥榬emarkable school鈥�.

Mark Gray, Principal at the academy, said:

鈥淲e are proud and delighted to have been accredited with the IQM Award, highlighting our work and commitment to inclusion at all levels.

鈥淎t 百春链 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.鈥�

During self-evaluation, the criteria for 百春链 Academy Acklam was broken 百春链 into eight 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 report highlighted the high-quality work the academy does regarding inclusion, stating that the academy鈥檚 principal has a 鈥榞ood understanding of the barriers that stop children from succeeding and he works hard with his team to make inclusion a reality.鈥�

The IQM report was full of praise for the academy鈥檚 work to support its students, noting: 鈥淧upils know that the staff really care about them and the excellent pastoral care provided along with solid good quality teaching ensures they have every chance of achieving their very best.鈥�

It also praised the work the academy had done to improve behaviour at the school, highlighting that 鈥榖ehaviour around the school was good and there was a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere鈥� and that the 鈥榣earning environment is very positive and it provides excellent conditions to learn and work in.鈥�

The positive findings led to the IQM team recommending 百春链 Academy Acklam to apply for Centre of Excellence status, something it is now actively working towards.

Mark added:

鈥淭he 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 and creating an environment for all to succeed, as we work towards IQM Centre of Excellence status.鈥�