'Achieving Early' Quality Mark for Hillmorton Primary School
A national accolade for quality has been awarded to Hillmorton Primary School in Rugby for its work in improving the wellbeing, resilience and self-esteem of its Early Years pupils who are vulnerable to underachievement.
The ‘Achieving Early’ Quality Mark Award recognises the impressive work being done by the school to help children in the first few years of education to flourish and develop, ensuring their needs are met at every stage. The award has been developed by leading education charity Achievement for All (AfA), a leading organisation that works in partnership with schools to improve outcomes for all children and young people vulnerable to underachievement regardless of background, challenge or need.
Hillmorton Primary School has been working in partnership with Achievement for All since 2014 and was designated as a ‘Quality Lead’ School in 2016. They are the first school in Central England to be awarded this accolade, in recognition of impressive work being done by the school to improve progress in reading, writing and maths for all pupils, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.
Catherine Crisp, Head Teacher at Hillmorton Primary School, said: “We are absolutely delighted to build on our existing success as Achievement for All Quality Leads to achieve this additional accolade for Early Years. This award recognises the hard work of our talented Early Years team to provide a high level of support for children and families based on individual learner need, ensuring all children are enabled to reach their full potential. Regular conversations with parents strengthen links between home and school, breaking down barriers and providing a consistent support system for the child and clear, personalised targets.”
Warwickshire plays host to West Midlands Early Years Leads' meeting
On Tuesday 13th November Warwickshire hosted the West Midlands Local Authority Early Years Leads' meeting at Pound Lane in Leamington Spa. These termly meetings gather representatives from local authorities across the West Midlands to provide an opportunity for professional dialogue and a forum to discuss current Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) issues. This is a focused, agenda-led meeting that includes engagement with Ofsted.
The group were fortunate to be joined by Alex Magloire Senior HMI for Early Years in the West Midlands who provided an update on Ofsted developments and led a discussion on inspection outcome statistics across the region.
Schema Play presented information about their recent project work in Walsall and Sandra Bowering from Warwickshire County Council's Integrated Disability Service presented information about the Warwickshire Inclusion Kitemarking Scheme (WIncKS).
WIncKS is a kite mark that recognises high quality provision in early years settings and childminders for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The next closing date for applications is 25th March 2019. Applications should be submitted using the WIncKS Application Form 2019-20 and returned to the contact for your area (listed at the top of the application form).