Mercia celebrates Inclusion Quality Mark Flagship Status

This national award is only given to a small number of schools across the UK – approximately 100 – and we are honoured to be one of them. It follows three years of us working with IQM, in which time we also earned Centre of Excellence status – one of only approximately 240 schools nationally – and have worked hard to build and share best practices in inclusion. 

 

How did we achieve this award? 

To receive the award, we worked closely with the IQM team, setting three key targets and showing the progress we've made through detailed reports and evidence. Each year, an IQM assessor visits our school to review and support our progress; they last visited us at the end of March 2025. 

As part of this process, our staff also take part in IQM Cluster meetings alongside other leading schools, where we share ideas and examples of good inclusive practice. 

We also created a school-wide project focusing on inclusive teaching and learning, based on research and real experiences in our school. This project will continue to be reviewed each year for the next two years to ensure ongoing improvement. 

 

How do we promote inclusion? 

Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do at Mercia, supporting our students in a wide variety of ways, including:  

• Academic and pastoral interventions 
• Extra-curricular activities and trips 
• Transition support from primary school to post-16 destinations 
• Careers education, including university visits and industry speakers 
• Regular wellbeing checks and reward systems 
• Listening to student and staff voices 
• Working closely with parents/carers, primary schools, and external professionals 

We also regularly review our pathways to make sure students can follow a route that suits their strengths and interests – whether that’s through mainstream education, alternative provision, or specialist support. 

 

What does it mean to be a flagship school? 

Being a Flagship School shows our commitment to inclusion at the highest level. It recognises the work we do to lead, share and develop inclusive practices not just within our school, but across the wider community. 

When visiting us in March, the assessor was especially impressed with our inclusive ethos, the range of opportunities we offer, and how we have continued to improve – even with the challenges of recent building issues. We’re now looking forward to a new school building in 2027 and continuing our journey with the Lionheart Educational Trust. 

“This achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our staff and students towards fostering an inclusive environment,” explained Assistant Principal Kelly Lundman 

“We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, and this recognition motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of inclusive education.” 

As a Flagship School, we will continue to be reviewed annually and receive support from IQM. We’ll proudly display our new gold IQM plaque in school and use the Flagship logo across our communications as a sign of our dedication to inclusion. 

This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our whole school community – students, staff, parents and carers – and we are excited to continue building a school where everyone feels supported, included and inspired to achieve their best. 

For more information about IQM, visit their website here - https://iqmaward.com/