Abbeyfield School awarded prestigious flagship school status for outstanding inclusive practice

Abbeyfield School in Northampton, part of Creative Education Trust, has been recognised with a national award for its exceptional commitment to inclusion.

Following an in-depth review, the secondary school has been awarded Flagship School Status, the highest level within the Inclusion Quality Mark framework, placing it among a small number of schools across the UK acknowledged for exemplary inclusive practice.

Inspectors observed a wide range of high‑quality interventions, including reading fluency programmes, nurture provision, sensory‑regulation spaces and STEM learning opportunities.

Students told the assessor that the school’s inclusion hub “helps me to calm down” and that the support available “makes my lessons easier because they teach me coping strategies.” Staff described the hub as a place where students “embrace it and thrive with its support.”

The IQM assessor highlighted that Abbeyfield “continues to move from strength to strength in terms of its superb inclusive practice” and confirmed that the school has fully met the standard required to join the select group of Flagship Schools.

Other highlights from the review include praise for the new principal’s “clear vision”, his clearly established expectations for students, and his ambition for the school to provide a warm welcome to every student and to be seen as the centre of the local community.

The recently promoted assistant principal is also praised for working “tirelessly” to ensure that SEND and inclusion have a high profile in and around the school, including ensuring that there is a persistent focus on improving the quality of support for students with additional needs. The assessor noted the “laser-like focus on the provision of SEND at Abbeyfield School”.

The review emphasised the rapid and transformational improvements made to Abbeyfield’s SEND and inclusion provision over the past year. The report notes “excellent progress” in the development of inclusive practice, praising the school’s newly designed inclusion hub, strengthened systems, targeted interventions and a clear ethos built around the mantra “Learning Without Limits, Removing Barriers.”

The report also highlighted the school’s strengthened leadership, improved behaviour systems and growing confidence across the staff team. Teachers reported feeling better equipped to meet the needs of learners and praised the extensive training available. One member of staff said: “I have been flooded with opportunities and support.”

Henry Gowney‑Hedges, Principal at Abbeyfield School, said: “I am extremely proud that Abbeyfield has achieved Flagship Status. This award recognises the tireless work of our staff and the remarkable determination of our students. Inclusion is central to our values and to our vision for Abbeyfield. The assessor’s comments reflect the strength of our provision and the positive culture our community has built together.”

Emma Gother, Assistant Principal and Inclusion Lead at Abbeyfield School, said: “This award celebrates the journey our school has been on and the commitment we have made to ensuring every young person is seen, understood and supported. Our Inclusion Hub has become the heart of the school, and I am delighted that the assessor recognised the impact it is having on students’ lives.”

As part of its Flagship Status, Abbeyfield will continue to contribute to national best practice through the IQM “Schools in Search of Excellence” cluster. Over the next year, the school will develop a new sensory garden to further enhance provision for vulnerable students.

The assessor praised the school’s ambition, noting that Abbeyfield is “in a strong position to develop its provision even further.”