Green Ridge Primary Achieves Centre of Excellence

Introducing Green Ridge?

Green Ridge Primary Academy is a newly built school that benefits from being designed to meet 21st Century specifications with versatile accommodation. The school is situated in the middle of a new, large estate of Berryfield, that is continuing to grow. The plan is to build 5000 properties with a high percentage of social and affordable houses. The modern school building is therefore surrounded by equally contemporary houses that gives the impression of growing and developing together.?

Accessible by All?

The school is built on one level therefore it is accessible for all. Where there are steps, the ramps are available to provides access for wheelchairs. In addition to bright purpose-built classroom, there are a number of rooms, which can be utilised for interventions, counselling and therapy. There are currently a few empty classrooms used by next door year groups but as the school is gradually reaching its capacity, these additional facilities will be taken up.?

Confident Pupils?

During the school tour, it was evident that pupils are confident in their environment; they are settled in classrooms and use the outdoor space effectively for learning and enjoyment. Pupils were engaged in activities, not distracted by visitors at all. Similarly, pupils were equally confident at break times moving around the school in an orderly way and engaging in play or conversations with peers between the lessons.?

Bright, Welcoming Environment?

Leadership pays attention to the interior of the school as they believe in maintaining a good balance between a typical primary school outlook with essential displays and information and having an inviting and attractive space. There is emphasis on tidiness, functionality, and a pleasant aesthetic look, which is achieved through having inbuilt bespoke furniture, educational and informative displays.?

Inclusion at Its Heart?

All classes are of average size with adequate space for the learning groups; being new they are bright with lots of light and windows/doors to open for ventilation, an important consideration in the Covid-19 era. There is evidence of meaningful curriculum taught and activities design to develop appreciation of the values the school stands for and guides its children to understand and embrace. The inclusion agenda is echoed in pieces of pupils’ work available in each classroom. The school is well equipped including the library and these help to create an inclusive learning environment that serves the school’s population’s needs and reflect its values.?

Positive Ethos?

Green Ridge Primary Academy is committed to deliver on its ethos and values that leadership, supported by staff, promotes in all aspects of school’s operation and dynamics; inclusion permeates everything they do. This commitment was evident at the outset of the assessor’ visit during an informal observation of parents and children on arrival to school and continued through the rest of the day in professional meetings and conversations. Visitors, in line with the Covid protocol, are warmly welcome by all staff and pupils, and there is a happy atmosphere with vibes of energy and positivity.?

Dynamic Purposeful Curriculum?

Pupils recognise their school as ECO friendly and are knowledgeable about its history, how it has developed over the last five years. They feel they learn a lot and??

?“not just English and maths but we go outside and have practical lessons.”?

They think that having the school’s dog Barkley enriches their learning and consider him as a member of the school community.?

Peer Support?

Children feel safe to confidently engage in conversation with unfamiliar visitors because they trust adults who work with them. In the meeting with the Assessor, the children stated that: “teachers keep us safe and make us work to improve our progress.” The pupils spoke confidently about their work and opportunities they have to extend learning beyond the structured lessons, like going on trips and having visitors into school. It was particularly pleasing to hear the children talking about their mixed ability group and its advantages. “You can ask the partner how to spell rather than annoy the teacher.” They explain their GDS (Greater Depth Standard) groups, self-check stations, self-editing process, table partners and many other examples of assessment for learning classroom practice that they are exposed to.?

Global Citizens?

Green Ridge Primary Academy is undoubtedly a place for children to develop academically, emotionally, and socially as well as form their personality; they learn about how to conduct themselves in a range of situations, knowing that they are safe and cared for by all professionals. This notion of feeling safe and accepting the necessary boundaries when learning and playing came across strongly in observations during the course of the assessment day.?

Relentless Drive?

The SLT form a strong team, united in their desire to create a happy and stimulating place for children to thrive; they know the community they serve and believe that every child in the school should have opportunities to learn, experience rich curriculum and feel included. The fact that the school is new and is growing, has additional appeal to staff, who feel that they are contributing to shaping of the school. Together they all work tirelessly to continually drive the school forward and to overcome difficulties that the pandemic, changing intake population and wider life experiences like current increasing living costs pose onto all stakeholders. This was evident from the discussions with the SLT including a Governor and confirmed by subsequent conversations with members of staff.?

Valuable Expertise?

There are clear structures and procedures in place at the Green Ridge Primary Academy and the Headteacher is ably supported by SLT, including the Director of Inclusion, who plays a pivotal role in ensuring that pupils with SEND and additional social, emotional, and other needs are provided for. Her deep knowledge of the needs of SEND and vulnerable pupils is commendable, as is her relentless pursuit of ways to address emerging issues like a child being at risk of exclusion or having specific barriers to learning such as being non-verbal. The majority of SEND pupils within the provision are integrated with the rest of their age-appropriate group, which impact positively on their wellbeing and teaches others tolerance and acceptance of differences, as reflected in the inclusion agenda. There is a small number of pupils whose needs exceeds school’s expertise and resources. Those pupils are provided for in line with their EHCP aims and objectives and remain in school until a suitable provision become available.?

Collegiate Approach?

There is a collaborative feel at the Green Ridge Primary Academy where everyone is invited to contribute to its vision and strategic planning for the smooth running of the school and to secure its successful future. The leaders communicate clearly and openly with staff and care for wellbeing of all. This caring attitude contributes to high staff morale that was so obvious in how staff interacted and related to each other, their relationship with children and reaction to visitors.?

Find out more about the IQM Inclusive School Award?

If your school is interested in obtaining the IQM Inclusive School Award or you wish to talk to a member of the IQM team, please feel free to telephone: 028 7127 7857 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm) or email: [email protected] for further details.?