Inclusion Quality Mark provides schools with a nationally recognised framework to guide their inclusion journey. The IQM team help schools evaluate and measure how they are performing; empowering them to improve and grow. And when they’re successful, we recognise their achievement through a system of highly valued awards that provide external validation of their inclusive status. There are over 5,500 schools in the UK who have either received an IQM Inclusive School Award, or are actively working towards meeting the standard required.

Inclusion promotes equal opportunities for all pupils, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, attainment and background. It pays particular attention to the provision made for, and the achievement of, different groups of pupils within a school and any pupils who are at risk of disaffection and exclusion.

At Oaklands we have had the Inclusion Quality Mark for a number of years and in March 2018 we were awarded the Centre of Excellence.  A Centre of Excellence brings schools together to share and build on their existing good practice in inclusion best practice.

We are now pleased to announce that in October 2021 we were successful in attaining flagship status.  The overarching aim of Flagship status is that an individual school which has achieved this status can now further its work in Inclusion through internal research activities.

In September 2025 we were selected as 1 of only 8 schools across the UK to become an IQM Champion.

What is a National Inclusion Champion?

A National Inclusion Champion is an IQM-accredited school that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to embedding inclusion across every aspect of its provision.

These schools not only meet the standards of their current IQM award level but also go above and beyond, influencing practice beyond their own setting.

National Inclusion Champions are role models in the field of education, showcasing the positive impact of inclusion on pupil outcomes, engagement, and wellbeing. Their work inspires other schools, local authorities, and educational communities to raise the bar for inclusive learning.