Getting Started
How can I get some additional information on the IQM award?
What do I do if I want to proceed with the award?
How much does registration cost and what does this entitle me to?
After registration, how do we proceed?
The Process
How long does the process take?
How long will the award be valid for?
How much help/support will I get?
Can I talk to someone who has achieved the award?
Do I have to do the elements in number order?
Do I have to complete the entire tracking document before submitting it?
The Assessment
When must the completed final Tracking Document be submitted?
What happens when I have submitted this document?
What happens if I need to cancel my assessment?
What form will the assessment day(s) take?
Who will the assessor want to interview during the assessment and how long will the interviews take?
Will I get feedback at the end of the assessment?
What form does reassessment take?
Other
What is the background of your assessors?
Which type of schools/colleges can apply to do the award?
Which parts of the UK are working towards the award?
Getting Started
How can I get some additional information on the IQM award?
Please complete the request form for an information pack under the “How to Apply” tab and you will be able to download a free information pack. This pack includes a Powerpoint presentation, a flowchart detailing the process and associated costs, a blank template of one of the ten elements and a registration form.
What do I do if I want to proceed with the award?
You will need to complete a registration form and submit it to us. You can do this online or complete and email to info@inclusionmark.co.uk or by fax on 020 7190 5860.
How much does registration cost and what does this entitle me to?
Registration costs £29.50 plus VAT and never expires. Upon registration you will be sent the Tracking Document for all ten of the elements and a couple of sample elements relevant to your educational establishment to help to get you started.
In addition registration entitles you to free, unlimited telephone and email support for life.
After registration, how do we proceed?
Identify your key stakeholders who can help to support you to complete the various sections of the Tracking Document. You may find it beneficial to put together a small working party and nominate individuals who can take responsibility for completing sections of the Tracking Document. Stakeholders can include management, students, teaching and non teaching staff, governors, parents/carers, transition partners, local business partners and any other interested parties. In this way everyone is included in the process and will, hopefully, take ownership of it.
The Process
How long does the process take?
This will depend on how much work your school has already undertaken in regards to inclusion. We do not put a time constraint on a school moving forward towards assessment. We see the process as an important part of evaluating a school’s inclusive practices.
How long will the award be valid for?
A school is required to be reassessed every three years. A member of the IQM team will contact the school before the reassessment is due allowing the school appropriate time to plan for reassessment.
The costs are dependent on the number of students on roll and how the school approaches the process:-
- As an individual school
- As one of a cluster of schools
- Supported by Local Authority
- Requiring a visit from one of our consultancy team
- So please feel free to contact one of the IQM team to discuss costs,
How much help/support will I get?
Upon registration you have access to free, unlimited telephone and email support indefinitely. You can contact us on 01256 316536 between the hours of 9 and 5 if you would like to chat to someone about the process, the type of evidence you will require or if you need clarification on any of the criteria.
Can I talk to someone who has achieved the award?
Yes, if you contact us we will arrange for you to talk to someone by telephone/email who has been through the process and achieved the award. You may negotiate with your contact to arrange a visit to go and see their school and how they have embedded inclusion into their practices.
Do I have to do the elements in number order?
The elements may be completed in any order and some evidence may be used to support two or more criteria.
Do I have to complete the entire tracking document before submitting it?
Absolutely not, we recommend you submit one or two elements at a time to elements@inclusionmark.co.uk for feedback to make sure you are on the right track. Feedback is generally within 2 – 3 days. This will reduce the possibility of wasting any unnecessary time and give you the confidence to complete the remaining elements as you work towards achieving this award.
The Assessment
When must the completed final Tracking Document be submitted?
All necessary documentation should be with us three weeks before the assessment at the very latest.
What happens when I have submitted this document?
The assessor will contact the school at least two weeks in advance of the assessment to discuss the proposed timetable in detail and to answer any questions/queries you may have. He/she will supply you with their email address and a contact number so that you can contact them when it is convenient for you.
What happens if I need to cancel my assessment?
You may cancel/postpone up to 6 weeks before your assessment. Where less than 6 weeks’ notice is given an administration fee of £300 will be charged.
What form will the assessment day(s) take?
A typical assessment day would look something like this:-
08:30 Arrive at school.
08:35 Introductions followed by tour of school and classrooms.
09:00 Timetable to observe lessons, interview a selection of pupils, staff and governors.
12:00 Lunch with pupils.
12:30 Interview with HT and any other key staff.
15:30 Summary and conclusions.
16:30 Depart.
In schools when 2 or 3 days are allocated, similar proportions of time spent on activities should apply. The school will design the structure and timings for the visit to ensure minimal disruption to the school day.
Who will the assessor want to interview during the assessment and how long will the interviews take?
Interviews are normally held with:-
- Headteacher and IQM coordinator.
- Chair of governing body.
- Pupils.
- Staff /SMT.
- Parents and carers.
- Community, school and LA partners.
- Support staff.
- Other governors.
- Transition partners.
- Staff from other support agencies.
If any of these stakeholders are not available please let your assessor know before his/her visit.
Interviews normally last approximately 20 minutes each.
Will I get feedback at the end of the assessment?
Yes, the assessor will feed back at the end of the assessment and inform the school of his/her recommendation.
The assessor will submit a draft report to the school to check for statistical accuracy. The school will be expected to respond to this within 2 business days. If there are any points of concern, these must be raised and discussed with the assessor at that point.
The report will then be submitted to the Quality Assurance Board of IQM Ltd for discussion and ratification. The school will be informed of the Board’s decision within 3 weeks of the assessment visit.
Successful schools will receive notification of the outcome, a copy of the final report and IQM logos by email which can be put on their websites. Schools will also be invited to a central presentation in London to receive their IQM plaques. Alternatively, if they are unable to attend this event the plaque can be sent out directly to them in the post.
The award is valid for 3 years before reassessment is necessary.
What form does reassessment take?
The process is absolutely identical to the original assessment. Schools would be expected to show how they have moved the inclusion process on within their schools within the last 3 years. In addition the school would need to show how any “areas for development” mentioned in the previous assessment have been addressed.
Other
What is the background of your assessors?
All of our assessors come from an educational background, either at a senior level in schools or local authorities, with a considerable number having OFSTED experience. We are always looking to add to our portfolio of assessors and if you feel this is something you may wish to do in the future please feel free to contact one of the IQM team.
Which type of schools/colleges can apply to do the award?
This award applies equally to nursery, primary, middle, secondary and special schools as well as PRUs, FE Colleges and Academies. It also applies equally to independent and state schools.
Which parts of the UK are working towards the award?
Schools/colleges from each LA in England have or are working towards the award. The award is also held by educational establishments in both N. Ireland and Wales.
