‘Highly inclusive’ as Oasis Academy Silvertown retains IQM Centre of Excellence status

A local secondary school in East London has retained the status of ‘Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence’. They are just one of 200 schools in the UK to receive this prestigious award.

Together, everyone achieves more – Oasis Academy Silvertown, situated in Rymill Street, London impressed the independent assessor saying; “The school has very obviously taken the idea of inclusion and equality with aspirational goals for all students completely to heart. It was very clear to me that every single member of staff I met was passionate about and happy to articulate their personal and academy commitment to inclusion.”

Highlights within the report include;

• “The inclusive culture of the academy has meant that on both a strategic and operational level, the needs of each individual student has been taken on board.”
• “All staff treated students with respect.”
• “The academy places a lot of emphasis on restorative conversations, so staff and students have the chance to resolve any disputes.”
• “Students spoke positively about the academy… and its good reputation.”

The Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence status, is awarded to a school when they build on the success of being one of the very special schools which holds the Inclusion Quality Mark award. A Centre of Excellence brings schools together to share and build on their existing good practice in inclusion best practice.

Emily Boxer, Acting Principal at Oasis Academy Silvertown, commented on the award saying; “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this Centre of Excellence Status, which is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and passion of all the staff at the academy and local community.”

“At Oasis Academy Silvertown, we are committed to ensuring that we celebrate and promote pride in all of our students and staff – our wonderfully diverse community. We are delighted that this has been recognised by IQM too.”

During the academy’s review, the assessor completed many strategic discussions with school leaders, students, and parents.

Assessor at Inclusion Quality Mark UK Ltd, commented on the academy’s status saying; “Overall, I really enjoyed my day at Oasis Academy Silvertown as part of their Centre of Excellence review.”

“It continues to be a highly inclusive Academy, with staff who are dedicated, passionate and committed to inclusive values. It is clear from talking to all staff from the Acting Principal to the LSP that leaders continue to prioritise inclusion. Their work towards their IQM targets over the last 12 months has had a clear and obvious impact.”

“I am delighted to recommend that the academy retains it Centre of Excellence status. The next review will look closely at how leaders have fulfilled the targets outlined in this year’s action plan and how they begin to engage fully with the IQM cluster group.”