Hartlepool's West View Primary School earns prestigious Inclusive Quality Mark award

West View Primary School, in Hartlepool, is one of only 240 schools to receive the Inclusive Quality Mark (IQM) award.

IQM assessor Emily Carr’s report stated: “West View Primary school is a school that is at the heart of the community. The vision of an inclusive school is clear and permeates all conversations and practice.

“Parents talked, during the assessment days, about how this school is ‘a home away from home.’ One parent talked with passion about how the school ‘feels like a family’.’

"She described how all staff are approachable and how she ‘loves the school.’

“This sentiment was echoed in conversations throughout the two assessment days.

“All children at West View are valued and are supported in lessons so that they can all achieve their best. They have an ethos of ‘Keep up, not catch up.’ The headteacher described how inclusion is ‘integral to everything.’ She believes inclusion underpins all they do.”

Ofsted defines an educationally inclusive school as one in which the teaching and learning, achievements, attitudes and well-being of every young person matter.

The IQM award is split into three categories with West View receiving Centre of Excellence status.

Ms Carr continued: “It is evident that the leadership team of West View always place a high value on pupil, parent, and staff voice. All staff are clear of their responsibilities and understand the vital part they play in promoting the high standards of inclusion in school.”

She concluded that “inclusion is central to the school ethos”.

Headteacher Lauren Furness commented: “Clearly, we are delighted to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence by a national education body like Inclusive Quality Mark.

“The award is testament to the continuing hard work and commitment of everyone involved at West View to ensure that the school does everything it can to provide the best possible opportunities for all of our children and the community we serve.

"Our huge thanks extend to Natalie Boagey, our special educational needs co-ordinator, who worked diligently to lead on this across school.”

Andy Brown, chief executive of Ad Astra Academy Trust, which governs the school, added: “I would like to congratulate everyone at West View Primary School on this significant achievement.”