Awards and Quality Marks

In October 2022, His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) carried out a short Ofsted inspection. They were very complimentary about many aspects of the school, including , ‘Staff know all pupils well and adapt their teaching to meet pupils’ individual needs. They have high expectations for pupils’ learning and behaviour. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well in class. Pupils’ personal development is strong. They learn how to keep themselves healthy. Pupils take part in sports festivals and competitions with other schools. Pupils enjoy a broad range of after-school clubs.’

Greenfields was awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark and asked to become a Centre of Excellence. Greenfields was reassessed in December 2020 and December 2021 and for the second and third time awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark: Centre of Excellence.

In December 2022, we were assessed to become a Flagship School for inclusion and were successful in gaining this award.

The assessor commented “…The Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and leaders have a clear vision for Greenfields Community Primary School and communicate their desire for every pupil to succeed effectively and well. This is an extremely happy school where pupils enjoy their learning and want to achieve well. They speak highly of the changes made over this year, especially the introduction of the new library, Year 6 buddies helping the younger children, presenting at the Common Room Newcastle on reducing energy, visiting Kielder Observatory, extra- curricular activities and enriching experiences children are offered…”

Please click on the following link to read a story IQM have shared on their website highlighting our recent IQM success https://iqmaward.com/news/greenfields-community-ps-achieves-flagship-status/

If you would like to discuss your child with our SENDco, please contact Mrs Amy Banks 0191 6250100

"Greenfields Community Primary School is a school that is the hub of the community. There are high levels of care, high aspirations and a holistic approach throughout the school. Pupils are encouraged and enabled to thrive, to engage and to experience success. The four core school values, ‘Be amazed, be brave, be original, be bold’ underpin life at Greenfields and are a golden thread to drive the school. Staff have built a culture where pupils strive to achieve. Positive relationships are at the centre of the school. The belief that all children at Greenfields are important and valued is clear. The well-being of the whole school community is considered at Greenfields. Staff are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils, parents, carers, staff and other stakeholders. Leaders acknowledge that schools have a central role to play in enabling pupils to be resilient and to support good mental health and wellbeing. Staff use their training and experience and work hard to understand the behaviours of their children and ensure that they have strategies in place to allow children to regulate. The close working relationships with families also supports this. Throughout the day, staff demonstrated skills of de-escalation and children were effectively supported."

Greenfields was awarded the Leading Parent Partnership Award in July 2021 in recognition of the way in which the school engages with our families and the support we offer. We have an active parent group who support us through fundraising and regular volunteering. If you would like to get involved, please contact us on 0191 6250100 or by emailing adminteam@greenfieldsprimary.org.uk

Below highlights the strengths identified by the assessor during the assessment:

School leaders have a clear vision of how they want to continue their work. Next steps have already been identified. These show clearly where the school will develop practice over the next three years. Parental partnership is an integral part of development plans and will, without doubt, continue to go from strength to strength.
Governors work closely with school leaders to ensure the vision becomes a reality. The Chair of Governors firmly believes the school’s presence at the heart of the community has fostered improved communication with the wider community.
Leaders are reflective practitioners and priorities for the school are borne from a firm evidence base.

The headteacher has developed key roles within the staff team to further strengthen the work with families.
There was a genuine enthusiasm when talking to staff about their work with parents. They felt the process of working towards the award has enabled staff to think about the impact of what they do and to make any necessary changes, no matter how slight.
As the school has worked towards the award, staff have been kept well informed about progress. In addition, they have been fully involved in its development and because of this, they have “ownership” of the LPPA award.
Staff are very flexible in their approach to involving parents and are determined to effectively communicate with all stakeholders.
The school publishes a high-quality newsletter, reflecting the expectations of the school. It informs parents, on a regular basis, how leaders have responded and acted upon feedback.

Parents are very appreciative of the staff and feel confident in approaching school if they have any queries or worries. They value the regular contact with staff and school leaders. They feel that communication is a strength of the school. One parent stated, “…improved communication has also been a key factor for me this year, the school has worked hard to try and keep parents informed and provide comprehensive information by email/School Gateway”.
As their child progresses through school, parents are well informed about key milestones, such as change in Key Stage.
Parental voice in the school is strong and they are frequently consulted about all aspects of their children’s education. Parents feel valued by the school and know their opinions matter and are acted upon. Another parent felt, in her words, “…school has always gone above and beyond to support my son and our family”.

Impact:

The LPPA co-ordinator has been highly effective in her role. The comprehensive portfolio is just one document which evidences the thoroughness of her approach and attention to detail.
Across all areas of the school, there is a consistent approach to informing and engaging parents. This is borne from a clear vision and direction from school leaders and the highly effective way in which the LPPA Co-ordinator guided developments.
The induction schedule is very thorough and provides parents with a wealth of information. Because of this, parents feel well informed as their children start the school.
Feedback from parents via the various methods used by the school, reflect the positive relationship between the school and the parent body. Leaders and staff have worked hard to foster and develop these relationships which in turn has positively impacted on the whole school community.

Greenfields has been awarded the Basic Skills Quality Mark in four consecutive assessments.
This is in recognition of the whole school strategy to improve performance in English and maths, the quality of teaching and the progress made by all groups of pupils in English and maths. The award also recognises the school’s commitment to improving the skills of staff in the application of English and maths in the school and the involvement of parents and carers in developing their child’s English and maths

The Eco Schools Award is an internationally recognised award for excellence in environmental action and learning. Eco-Schools empower pupils, raise environmental awareness, improve the school environment and also create financial savings for the school.

The Eco-Schools programme provides a unique opportunity that empowers pupils to lead change within their school and have a positive impact in their wider community. The programme encourages pupils of all ages and abilities to work together to develop their knowledge and environmental awareness.

Our Healthy School Award was re-accredited in 2019, recognising the school’s achievements in supporting the health and wellbeing of our pupils. To achieve the award, school completed the North Tyneside Healthy Schools Review, undertook an analysis of pupils’ needs, and identified new actions to help pupils achieve and maintain good health and wellbeing. We then had to show the impact of the changes we made and that these are sustainable.

In 2019, Greenfields was awarded Artsmark Gold by Arts Council England. The assessor commented that “Greenfields has consolidated their strong commitment to the Arts over time by further integrating the Arts within their curriculum and, during their Artsmark journey, ensured that their arts and cultural offer is embedded by developing a whole school creative curriculum map . . .the school has used arts projects to simultaneously teach children about Global Goals to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change.”

Greenfields was awarded the School Games Mark Gold Award in 2019 in recognition of:

Our clear tracking system that monitors young people’s engagement in School Games activity
More than half of our pupils took part in extra-curricular sport or physical activity in 2018/19.
Personal Challenge is a clear and key part of our School Games provision, with personal bests awarded in all subject areas.
School Games activities are well promoted to parents/carers and the local community via the website, newsletters, reflection events and assemblies.

Greenfields was awarded the Primary Geography Quality Mark in 2018 for fostering lively and effective geographical learning to raise the standards of geography teaching and learning for pupils.

Our teachers are not afraid to take risks, innovate and challenge to achieve progress in geography. Key threads through our geography curriculum are intercultural understanding, local fieldwork, environmental issues, critical thinking and sustainability. These are explored through a variety of places across the world, from local to global. Our school uses creative approaches to stimulate learning and places high value on using real-life issues to promote understanding.

In 2018, Greenfields was awarded the Historical Association Quality Mark Gold award in recognition of the excellence of our history provision. We are very proud to be the first school in the North East to have been awarded the History Quality Mark and to have achieved the Gold standard.

The assessor commented that the school has much to celebrate and has particular strengths, such as our approach to assessment in history.

Greenfields was awarded the International School Award in 2018 by the British Council in recognition of our global work in the classroom. The British Council commented: ‘The school’s fantastic international work has rightfully earned it this prestigious award. The International School Award is a great chance for schools to demonstrate the important work they’re doing to bring the world into their classrooms. Embedding an international dimension in children’s education ensures that they are truly global citizens and helps prepare them for successful lives and careers in an increasingly global economy.’

In 2018, Greenfields was awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark – the only national award scheme to develop and celebrate the quality of science teaching and learning in primary schools.

The assessor commented: “I was delighted that you included children and their ideas at the early stage of bringing science to life. Your calendar of events for the school shows a focus on links with the outside world. Delighted that your appeal for parents also helped with the shared value of science. The calendar also shows your focus on the outdoors. Your SMART week and other events alongside your whole school science principles are clearly driving science forwards.”

In 2023, our Science Lead, Amy Banks, was awarded Science Teacher of the Year Award. The award celebrates and rewards outstanding teachers in primary science.

Greenfields was also awarded the environmental accolade of a Woodland Trust Green Tree School Gold award in 2018 for getting involved in green activities including reducing carbon emissions and recycling. We have also planted new trees in the school grounds, had Forest School sessions and joined in various other Woodland Trust activities.

Greenfields offers a range of opportunities to bring the great outdoors, wildlife and green issues into the classroom. We plan activities to stimulate children’s imagination and sustain their interest in nature.

Greenfields Community Primary School IQM Review- Dec 2024

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