We are incredibly proud to have been awarded a Centre of Excellence status following our first IQM visit in the Spring Term, 2026. This shows the wonderful commitment the whole school community has towards inclusion of the whole community. 

The IQM website can be found here if you would like more information about the accreditation. 

Below are some snippets from the report which was issues following our visit. 

“Beechwood Primary School is part of the community; it is all about people coming together and helping each other.” This was the view of a parent governor, and it sums up completely the clear ethos which pervades all aspects of school life, creating a welcoming, inclusive, and values-driven community where people genuinely matter.

 Behaviour throughout the school is calm and respectful. There is a high premium placed on helping one another and this can be seen most clearly during unstructured times, when older pupils take their roles as buddies extremely seriously.

 The needs of pupils are considered through sensory circuits, areas for regulation, teaching and learning about emotion and the management of behaviour through the curriculum.

 As well as having a clear policy, school staff work exceptionally hard to impact positively on the behaviour of learners. They model behaviour exceptionally well, as could be seen in the Early Years snack time after break, where manners were impeccable. Modelling extends to the problem solving of staff and the maintenance of their well-being through collaboration and seeking the support of colleagues.

 There are strong links with the wider community, and these add great benefits to learners in terms of inclusion. Resources in school are carefully considered to reflect the diversity of the global population. An innovative approach is used, whereby protected characteristics are explicitly taught and then indicated throughout curriculum materials, displays, and resources using symbols.

 The school is a leading member of HPAN (Halton Primary Arts Network) which promotes art within the local area and affords pupils the opportunity to work with their fellow students from other schools, and to create exhibitions and performances. Visual art and music are key elements of the curriculum and promote inclusion through the opportunity for all to succeed, the raising of aspiration for all pupils and the sense of connection and community which participation in these events engenders.

 Pupils describe their school as amazing, brilliant, respectful, and energetic. They say the teachers make learning fun and they enjoy lessons. They are proud of the opportunities they have to learn outside of the classroom, such as in the forest school, sporting events, and visits to resources within the local community. “If you are struggling, there is always someone to talk to,” one of them told me. They understand the meaning of inclusion and give good examples of their understanding both in school and in the wider world.

 It would be impossible to paint a portrait of this school without mention of a particularly important member of the team: Nessa the school dog. She is part of the warm welcome that I am sure every visitor enjoys and she brings the community together. Her impact can be seen through the loving messages in the book of remembrance for her predecessor, Luna which is proudly displayed in the entrance area, and the love she gets everywhere she goes in school.

 In summary, Beechwood Primary School offers a warm, inclusive, and thoughtfully led learning environment where individuals are known, valued, and supported. The strong alignment between ethos, leadership and practice ensures that inclusion is embedded and sustained. A clear focus on well-being, collaboration and continuous improvement enables pupils and staff alike to thrive, creating a school community that is both caring and ambitious.