The Flagship School Award is the pinnacle of the IQM Award programme.
It celebrates schools that not only model inclusion within schools but actively influence the broader educational landscape through innovation, research, and sharing best practices.
Schools at this level demonstrate sustained excellence in inclusive teaching, actively contribute to national discussions on education, and act as hubs of inspiration for others seeking inclusion awards for schools. This award acknowledges that inclusion is deeply embedded in ethos, strategy, and classroom practice.
Primary Science Quality Marks have been awarded to over 300 nursery, infant, junior, primary, middle, international and special schools this month to celebrate their commitment to excellence in science leadership, teaching and learning. So far, since its national launch in 2010, more than 5000 Primary Science Quality Marks (PSQM) have been awarded, creating a solid foundation of quality science education for over 1,000,000 children.
PSQM is a comprehensive evidence-based professional development programme that effectively develops science leadership, ensuring teachers have the knowledge, capability and support they need to transform science education and shape future generations.
The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire.
Helen Sizer, PSQM Co-Director said: ‘By enabling effective science leadership, PSQM is powering the potential of all children to see the relevance and importance of science in their lives, now and in the future. Schools that have achieved a Primary Science Quality Mark have demonstrated a significant commitment to science leadership, teaching and learning and the profile and quality of science in each accredited school is very high. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, headteachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”
Principal, Paula Baines-Chambers explained that the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) is achieved through a year-long professional development process, consisting of an initial audit, followed by action and evidenced-based reflection. Ashwood are committed to developing our curriculum and are always looking to enhance our offer.
The School Games Mark is a government-led awards scheme launched in 2012 to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community.
To get the award, Ashwood needed to demonstrate how we are/have:
- Maintaining and growing your school’s engagement in the School Games and your delivery of the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) 60 active minutes for every child/20 minutes for SEND children.
- Delivering and engaging in competitions that create positive experiences based on the motivation, competence and confidence of young people.
- A clear focus on transition points and we can use sports to support with this transition e.g KS1-KS2, preparation for secondary school.
- Supporting the personal development of targeted young people through youth engagement and leadership.
- Advocating and engaging key stakeholders on the value of the School Games to support local provision and improve the experiences for your young people and their families.
- Promoting equal opportunities for all young people regardless of their gender.
- Use physical literacy to develop fundamental movement skills of all children.
Ashwood have been successful in gaining ‘Elklan Communication Friendly Status’. This is awarded to schools that have trained and supported their staff in communication and language development.