Seal of Approval for Community Engagement
Wade Deacon High School is one of the first schools in the country to be awarded a new quality mark for community engagement.
Investing in Community Engagement (ICE) has been developed by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) as a quality mark to celebrate the excellent work which schools do to engage with their local communities. Wade Deacon is the 6th school nationally to receive the accolade.
The scheme assesses schools on five key areas including the inclusiveness of community opportunities, the enhancement of learning and achievement for all, and a clear strategy for ongoing development.
Inspectors praised the “very good relationships” the school has with key community partners and the school’s “strongly visible commitment to working in partnership with parents to support their child’s learning.”
The work of the School Council also caught the eye of inspectors who noted that “Student Voice plays a big part in the development of provision at Wade Deacon and there is extensive and conspicuous evidence around the school to promote this involvement.” The School Council now has a group leading on Community Cohesion. The group was able to demonstrate a “high degree of understanding” in this area and have produced a DVD which they are showing to all of their peers during assemblies.
Assistant Headteacher responsible for Community Engagement, Mr Bramwell, said “I am absolutely delighted that our work in the community has been recognized as exceeding the ICE mark standards. This is testament to the outstanding commitment of staff and pupils to our community partnerships.”