Westwood Primary School in Lowestoft is delighted to be named a Centre of Excellence, after receiving the prestigious Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) for the third year in a row.

The IQM is a national award which recognises the work that Westwood Primary School does to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Following an assessment review visit in June, the IQM inspector noted that Westwood is shaped by a “relentless pursuit of improvement”.

The IQM inspection report praises the school’s “detailed and ambitious” school development plan, as well as its “extremely comprehensive self-evaluation” which considers every possible element of school life and the wider community.

The report notes how the school governors are proud of the progress at Westwood, saying that “the school has really taken on the challenge of local deprivation and SEND, does not give up, and has made amazing progress over time.” 

With pupil safeguarding and SEND both being key priorities at the school, “that culture trickles down so that the children feel valued and safe.”

The report says that parents are overwhelmingly positive about Westwood, with more than 87% confirming that their children are happy at the school and that there are high expectations for pupil progress and behaviour. 

Parents’ comments include:  “Teachers at the school really care about their pupils” and [my children] “love it here and we love them being here.”

Westwood’s trust, the Active Learning Trust, is also praised by the IQM inspector for offering the school “a wealth of additional knowledge, collaboration opportunities and skill sharing”.

Lauraine Barnes, head teacher of Westwood Primary School, said: “We are incredibly proud to announce that our school has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence and awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark for the third year running.

“The Centre of Excellence designation reflects our commitment to maintaining high standards and continuous improvement in education so that all our pupils feel valued and can thrive.

“This is a significant achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our staff. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them, as well as all our parents and carers for their ongoing support.”

Lynsey Holzer, CEO of the Active Learning Trust, said: “We are delighted to see Westwood Primary maintain this status, creating a nurturing and supportive environment for every child, regardless of background or ability. 

“As a trust, we are restless for excellence so that our children can thrive and prosper, ensuring that all members of our school community feel valued and empowered.”