Academy 360 Rewarded with Flagship Status

A thriving Sunderland school has been officially awarded national Flagship and Centre of Excellence status for creating an environment where all its students can succeed.

Academy 360, a member of the Laidlaw Schools Trust, joins an exclusive cohort of schools across the country to scoop a coveted IQM (Inclusion Quality Mark) award after an outstanding inspection by the industry body set up to ensure inclusive education.

An inspector examined how the Pennywell school met the social, emotional and mental health needs of its students, was reducing the attainment gap between students with special educational needs and their classmates and looked at the transition between primary and secondary school.

Principal Rachel Donohue was praised for her “visionary” leadership and teachers for creating a “can do” culture across the all-through academy embracing all students’ talents.

The IQM Flagship and Centre of Excellence award follows Academy 360 being deemed “Good” by Ofsted inspectors last summer – its best ever Ofsted report and confirmation of a remarkable turnaround at the school that was earmarked for closure before the Principal and her dedicated leadership team successfully raised standards.

IQM inspector Rachel Campbell said in her inspection report: “Where the academy was once described as in a challenging and desperate situation, the current leadership team has taken the all-through school from strength to strength.

“The Principal is described by her senior leaders as having a clear sense of moral leadership.

“There is a can do culture at Academy 360. The learning here is purposeful.

“There is a genuine inclusive ethos and the school is a safe and happy place for all.”

IQM was created to provide schools with a nationally recognised framework to evaluate their efforts in ensuring every child has the best possible education to give them the best start in life.

Ms Donohue and her teaching staff were praised for seizing every opportunity for every student to learn.

“Staff have led a culture shift at the academy which places inclusion at the heart of everything,” she said.

“Our job as professionals is to remove barriers to learning which enables young people to learn, thrive and achieve.

“We do that through creative means and removing barriers to success.

“This award will give students and parents every confidence that the exceptional staff at Academy 360 go the extra mile, embracing every opportunity to make a difference to their education and ensuring children enjoy their success.”