A SCHOOL is celebrating after achieving inclusion quality flagship status.

St Chad’s CE Primary School on Gladstone Street in Winsford has been named a centre of excellence for inclusion for the third year running.

This prestigious award recognises the ongoing commitment by schools to provide the very best education for all children irrespective of differences.

St Chad’s inclusion leader Sam Mason said: “We are so proud. This is a great achievement. We are now the only Flagship school in Winsford and one of only a handful of schools in Cheshire to receive the award after being a centre of excellence for inclusion for three years.”

The school now acts as a beacon to help other schools.

The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs is above average and there are a number of children with autism.

Almost a quarter of pupils are on the school’s safeguarding register and there is an above average number of looked after children.

Ofsted inspectors awarded a rating of ‘good’ in 2017 and noted that the school had “risen from the ashes of its previous underperformance” after being put into special measures in 2014.

After a rigorous evaluation, Inclusion Quality Mark (UK) Ltd assessor Barrie Carney said: “It is abundantly clear that inclusion lies firmly at the heart of this school.

“This is a very good and improving school with a dedicated staff and board of governors who are fully committed to retaining a truly inclusive ethos.

“Leaders have a clear vision and determination to improve and to ensure every child feels safe and is valued as an individual.”

Darcie, a one-year-old Cockapoo therapy dog was one of the first ‘members of staff’ he met on his evaluation visit.

Mr Carney added: “Darcie has been carefully integrated into the school and she is a hit with the children.

“Anecdotal evidence demonstrates the positive impact she is having with children particularly those most vulnerable.

“Leadership is highly effective and ambitious for all the children. There is a real sense of moral purpose and a strong inclusive, Christian family ethos.”

Every effort is made to ensure each child always feels safe.

Mrs Mason added: “We have a lovely butterfly room where children can come if they feel upset or need extra help.

“Every class has a sensory bag with toys. We have a full time safeguarding and welfare officer who works with me to make sure children have what they need.

“We are one big family. Everyone looks after each other.”

A new sensory garden, which volunteers have been working on since the spring, will be officially opened on September 27.

“This will be an opportunity for us to thank people who have helped with donations, plants or building materials or given their time to dig with us.

“It is wonderful to have come on such a journey to get Flagship status. It’s a reflection of all the hard work we have done striving forward to make sure everything is as good as it possibly can be.”