Quotes from 2025

We are so delighted and so very proud to have had our latest IQM review report and confirmation of our IQM Inclusion Flagship status.

Some favourite quotes highlighted….

Whitefield simply never stands still. It is an outstanding school which is constantly evolving and looking for the next best thing for their pupils. What is impressive is that everything they do, they do exceptionally well.

A learning walk at Whitefield is always a privilege. The pupils are highly engaged, incredibly well behaved, and clearly enjoy learning and playing. It was lovely to see pupils enjoying the outside spaces, carefully designed to nurture inquiry and creativity. Play is purposeful; pupils were totally immersed in the activities; problem solving, collaborating, and cooperating with each other.

From parents about our work on emotional regulation

Parents told me:

“It made me a better parent.”

“My child is very self-aware as a result of the work of the school.”

“Out of the course, small details can have a big impact at home.”

“Everyone feels accepted at Whitefield and the children can speak confidently about their feelings.”

One parent described the inclusive culture at Whitefield; “It is such a nice welcoming warm safe place. The kids are genuinely loved, and the staff have a passion.”

From our pupils about myHappymind

The pupils love it. They told me:

“My happy Minds helps if you have had a bad playtime and gets you get ready for the lesson.”

“The happy minds breathing helps us calm down.”

“I use the journal to write down how my friends have related to me, like playing hockey with me. If you want to show you care you smile and make eye contact.”

“Happy minds lessons help us regulate our emotions.”

And on tech

Whitefield have been involved in some outstanding work around developing the pedagogy of using technology to support teaching and learning with a focus on supporting inclusion

Over the last 12 months staff have developed the use of technology to share resources with pupils. They share slide decks with vocabulary, explanations, models, and tasks, reducing the metacognition demands on the pupils. The has meant that pupils can work at their own pace and move on to the next task seamlessly and without adult intervention.

It was clear to see the huge impact this strategy is having on pupil’s independence and ownership of their learning process and outcomes.

Quotes from our 2024 Report

“Pupils and staff live by the powerful inclusive message, ‘Be Here, Be Me, Belong.’ As a visitor, I was welcomed with open arms. The minute you walk into the school you feel a sense of calm and emotional safety.”

 “Only the best is good enough at Whitefield. This officially ‘Outstanding’ school is one in which everybody buys into the school ethos. The strong sense of belonging to the Whitefield family is central to the culture. The importance of belonging and feeling safe is tangible across the school and within the wider community.”

 “The journey of the school concerning inclusion is focused on whole-school strategies and consistency. Leaders are passionate about everything they do. All practice is deliberate, research-driven, and designed to meet the needs of the children and the community.”

 “During my learning walk, I visited every year group. Children in all classes were engaged and enjoying their learning. They were thinking hard and were confident to offer ideas. Learning partners were supporting each other and children were making progress as a result of this embedded peer collaboration.”

“The curriculum has been carefully designed and tailored to meet the needs of the children at Whitefield Primary School. “

 


Whitefield Primary School Review – May 2024