Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence

Platanos College is very proud to be an Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) Centre of Excellence and Flagship School, reflecting our unwavering commitment to inclusive practice and equal opportunities for all pupils.  The college first achieved Centre of Excellence following a rigorous assessment in 2019.

Since then, this prestigious award has been successfully re-validated on multiple occasions, most recently following our 2025 IQM inspection, confirming the strength, consistency and impact of inclusion across the school. Our continued accreditation demonstrates that inclusion is not a one-off achievement, but a deeply embedded and evolving part of daily life at Platanos College.

The Inclusion Quality Mark provides schools with a nationally recognised framework to support, evaluate and strenthen inclusive practice. Through robust self-evaluation and external review, the IQM enables schools to measure their effectiveness and identify areas for continued development.

IQM defines inclusion as promoting equity, access and high expectations for all pupils, regardless of background, need, attainment or personal circumstance. Particular attention is given to how schools support and improve outcomes for vulnerable and diverse groups of learners.

Centre of Excellence status recognises outstanding practice in inclusion and enables schools to work collaboratively to share expertise and support others on their inclusion journey.

Only around 240 schools nationally hold this designation, placing Platanos College among a small group of schools recognised for exceptional inclusive leadership and practice.

Inclusion is at the heart of what we do at Platanos College and the IQM is one recognition of this work.

Achieving and sustaining the Centre of Excellence and Flagship status reflects the collective commitment of our pupils, parents, staff, trustees and external partners to ensuring that every child is supported to succeed academically, socially and emotionally.

During the most recent inspection, the college and its practice was assessed across different areas including teaching and learning, leadership, pupil support systems, parental engagement and outcomes for pupils with additional needs.

The IQM assessor commented:

“Platanos College demonstrates a deeply embedded culture of inclusion, underpinned by an unwavering belief that every pupil can thrive. Inclusion is not a bolt-on but central to the school’s ethos, curriculum, and decision-making. All members of the community leaders, staff, and pupils consistently articulate values of equality and high expectations.”

To read more about the award, please click here.

For a copy of the report, please click here.

Representatives of Platanos College receiving the IQM award: Ms Williams (centre left) and Ms Henry (right). Photo courtesy of the IQM and www.anthonyupton.com.

Platanos College continues to promote high quality inclusion practice and aims to maintain the IQM standard. Furthermore, the college is working to sustain inclusion excellence over time and make a wider contribution to inclusion practice beyond its community, through inter-school support and collaboration, as well as with other external partners.

We are proud of how far we have come and remain fully committed to continuing our development as an inclusive, ambitious and supportive school for every learner.