Caring Head

Semi retired School Improvement Partner Former Head Teacher/NLE Well-being Champion MHFA IQM Ambassador/Assessor

[Greenwood Academies Trust @GreenwoodAcad]

🥳 Huge congratulations to Newark Hill Primary Academy!

The academy has been recognised as an IQM Centre of Excellence, reflecting its deeply embedded culture of inclusion and belonging. Families described the academy as inclusive, nurturing and rich with opportunities.💜

[Healing Academy @HealingAcademy1]

📷 A Landmark Achievement! Healing Academy is an IQM Centre of Excellence! 📷

Following a thorough two-day assessment on September 25th & 26th, 2025, we are thrilled to confirm that Healing Academy has not only secured the prestigious IQM Inclusive School Award but has also been officially recognised as an IQM Centre of Excellence!

The IQM Assessor, Mr. Dirk Pittard, highlighted how "the commitment to inclusion is a key driving force" behind all success at Healing Academy. This award is a testament to our holistic approach to education and signifies that we are at the forefront of inclusive practice.

Key areas of strength celebrated in the report include:

The Hive Resource Centre: Described as a "haven of safety and support," The Hive was praised for the swift and effective way it supports students' emotional and educational needs, ensuring tailored resources are always available. Thanks to our Trust SENDCO Mrs Cadey, Director of Inclusion Mrs Crawshaw and the Hive Team.

A Culture of High Performance & Cultural Capital: The assessment noted that Cultural Capital is valued on the same level of importance as academic progress. Our careers strategy in action, life curriucum and packed calendar of sports, enrichment, and ‘learning outside the classroom’ visits ensure all pupils develop citizenship, resilience, and a broad understanding of the world.

Exceptional Community & Intergenerational Partnership: The strong, reciprocal partnership with the Healing community was lauded. Our students' regular involvement in events like Senior Lunches and commemorations at the Healing Village Hall was specifically recognised for fostering vital intergenerational connections. Thank you to Mr Fieldgate the chair of our Local Academy Council.

Recognising All Achievement: The report commended our efforts to celebrate success for every student through the re-introduced annual awards ceremonies, which actively strengthen school-home relationships. Success and happiness for ALL.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs. Houghton, our Assistant Principal and IQM Lead, for her outstanding commitment and leadership in securing this highly deserved Centre of Excellence recognition.

This achievement belongs to every pupil, staff member, governor, and parent in our #TeamHealing community. We remain committed to ensuring every individual is valued and equipped for high performance, setting a benchmark for inclusion.

#IQMCentreOfExcellence #IQMAwardWinner #InclusionMatters #CulturalCapital #CommunityFirst #HealingAcademy #HighPerformance

[The Stour Academy Trust @thestouracademy]

We are incredibly proud to announce that Lansdowne Primary School has been awarded the prestigious IQM Inclusive School and Centre of Excellence Award! 

#Inclusion #CentreOfExcellence #IQMAward

[West Acton Primary School @westactonpri]

Following on from our success in achieving the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) Inclusive School Award in July, I am delighted to share that West Acton Primary School has now been recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Inclusion!

[Prof Colin Talbot (rerum cognoscere causas) @colinrtalbot]

Angela Rayner - £40k underpaid stamp duty - repaid. Lost jobs in Cabinet and Dep. PM.

Peter Murrell - £400k theft from SNP - going to prison

Huge coverage of both

Nigel Farage - £5m undeclared bung (possibly more) - goes to ground for a month.

Media coverage? You judge.

[Rio Ferdinand @rioferdy5]

The report today from Alan Milburn highlights the huge challenges facing young people… over 1 million classified as not in education, training or employment.

More worryingly the report flags young people are increasingly disconnected from society.

I’m not a politician but, @riofoundation has been working to support young people to develop the skills, networks and connections to help them back in to employment or education for a number of years.

This process takes time & we know that in order to get young people to that place where they can progress and achieve - we need to invest much further ‘upstream’ to bring them on a journey of confidence, aspiration and achievement.

We have worked extensively with a range of companies to invest in young people across the UK to offer solutions and connections to build meaningful careers and we continue to work with partners in all sectors to share our learning, capacity build organisations to engage with young people and employers on this journey to unlock opportunities.

I welcome this report that shines a spotlight on an issue we have been addressing for over 10 years, and I truly hope that we as a society can can come together to get our our young people learning and building a better future.

@riofoundation is ready to work with partners who share our passion to help young people achieve that goal!

[Sam Strickland @SamStrickers181]

If we want kids to be work ready then the following would help them …

Turning up on time

Adhering to a code of conduct

Not arguing

Meeting deadlines

Being polite, kind and respectful

Wearing a uniform

Doing things they may not like

Doing things that are hard

Etc

[Geoff Barton @RealGeoffBarton]

Today, @alanmilburn1958 published his devastating interim report on young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Here's a reminder of what the @OracyCommission said about the foundational nature of oracy for employability: https://t.co/CztGQ1SQMJ

[IQM Kevin O’Neill @Kevin_Inclusion]

All schools will be required to publish an inclusion strategy from December 2026. This will be used “to hold them accountable on how they will deliver inclusive whole-school approaches and evidence-based support to meet the needs of their cohort, including pupils with SEND”.

[IQM Kevin O’Neill @Kevin_Inclusion]

Pulling students from the classroom because they have a label harms a sense of belonging (and self-efficacy). There are wonderful alternates to this approach that are research based and support belonging. We all have strengths and needs. #LeadInclusion #EdLeaders @iqmaward

[IQM @iqmaward]

💭 Oaklands School encourages all stakeholders to engage with inclusion and to live by inclusive values every single day. By working together, every learner can experience the benefits of the school's inclusive vision.

#IQMAward #NationalInclusionChampions #InclusiveEducation

[IQM @iqmaward]

Alison Merrills joined the school’s December Parent Forum to celebrate this wonderful achievement. Alison said a few words about the strong culture of inclusion at Oaklands and then presented the National Inclusion Champion banner to the Headteacher, Sarah Osborne.

[IQM @iqmaward]

🏫We would like to extend a big IQM congratulations to @OaklandsSchool_ , one of our National Inclusion Champions for 2025-26🌟

If you would like to read the school's own words on becoming a National Inclusion Champion, you can check out their blog 💻 : https://t.co/LhNkowueDB

[IQM @iqmaward]

Abbeyfield School awarded prestigious flagship school status for outstanding inclusive practice https://t.co/FKElsOLkXQ

[IQM @iqmaward]

Cluster groups are just one of the fantastic benefits of becoming a Centre of Excellence or Flagship School with IQM. Schools can meet termly to discuss current issues facing schools in the area, collaborative approaches to new practice, and much more!

[Made In England @BuyEnglishMade]

Dartington Crystal.

Handcrafted in Torrington, North Devon since 1967.

One of the very few remaining large-scale crystal factories still operating in the UK — where skilled glassblowers continue the traditional craft.

In an industry where so many famous British names have moved production overseas, Dartington has kept the skill alive here in England.

We don’t want to lose these companies.

That’s why we're building https://t.co/eWD8weWXHH 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 — to help people discover and support the brilliant makers who are still producing here.

If you love beautiful glassware, consider backing the ones still doing it in Britain.

[Sam Strickland @SamStrickers181]

A huge element of being a school leader is understanding & working with people. Often this requires emotional intelligence, experience, empathy & understanding.

[Patrick Ottley-O'Connor @ottleyoconnor]

Bank Holiday reminder: wellbeing isn’t just about rest, it’s about connection ❤️

From respite foster care & zoo trips to long walks, gardening & BBQs with family, friends & neighbours, the best moments are the ones spent together
#teacher5aday #connect #wellbeingmatters

[Allie Esiri, Poetry curator @AllieEsiri]

Alison Steadman, articulate and insightful on loss. And a joy of a reading of Millay.
We curated these films for #CelebrationDay. Thanks to @Independent

[ALASTAIR CAMPBELL @campbellclaret]

Whoever is Prime Minister in the coming months for heaven’s sake try to get David Miliband back into UK politics to be part of your team. His interview on Today programme just now a reminder of how much his voice and his brain are missed.