Achievement for All Quality Mark

Achievement for All was a whole-school improvement programme that aimed to improve the academic and social outcomes of primary school pupils.

Trained Achievement for All coaches delivered a bespoke two-year programme to schools through monthly coaching sessions which focused on leadership, learning, parental engagement and wider outcomes, in addition to focusing on improving outcomes for a target group of children (which largely consists of the lowest 20% of attainers).

The programme cumulatively reached over 4,000 English schools.

Letter of congratulations from Sue Burrows Deputy Regional Lead – West (02 July 2019)

I am writing to congratulate you formally on achieving the Achievement for All Quality Mark and to say thank you for the warm welcome you, Kerry, Ros, Ruth and your team gave to me.

I am sure you won’t mind me saying just how impressed I was with the way in which Kerry as School Champion has led the AFA programme, and the time given by staff, parents and governors, all of whom will have made important contributions to your shared enterprise.    I think it is clear for all to see just how much of an impact it has had on your children and families.

You have worked with your skilled coach David in a very professional and meaningful way and is good to hear that his AFA coaching has been a positive experience. this coupled with David’s expertise  has proved to be the basis for a meaningful partnership for all.   I know David will look forward to working with you all in September.

It was an absolute pleasure to meet you and to see the wonderful experiences you are all creating at Market Drayton. The school is a hive of activity and it was delightful to witness first hand the continuous provision in Reception and Year 1, where children and staff were deployed inside and outside in a very creative and meaningful way. The children were highly motivated and engaged in their learning with the staff team effectively participating as required. Many schools would benefit from the experience of seeing this excellent provision.

I enjoyed looking around Market Drayton; and the displays which adorn every corridor and classroom are of the highest quality, celebrating key areas of work within school and beyond.  All spaces are designed and used to good effect for all children to use; the outdoor willow area looked very inviting. The caring ethos which abounds, provides that safe a secure environment in which children are able to learn, be challenged and encouraged to shine both academically and socially. ‘Reach for the Stars’ and succeed is a consistent message that lies at the heart of your lovely school; brought alive by the little girl whose story writing was improved and very good, when asked if she wanted to be an author said “…well actually I think I would rather be a doctor’….speaks for itself !

You are changing mindsets and removing ceilings for children who may previously have been regarded as having little chance of succeeding.   

In particular from talking with parents Jodie and Jess it was very clear just how much engaging with the Achievement for All programme, and particularly the Structured Conversations have made a significant difference to relationships between home and school.  Parents talked about staff ‘going the extra mile’ in order to help their children, whilst supporting them as parents to become more adept in dealing with their children at home.  Parents thought your teachers ‘were amazing‘ and ‘Mrs Scott and Mrs Simmons don’t mind what time of the day it is, they will talk with you and offer advice  and maybe strategies that suit X at home and school’.

‘Communication is brilliant’ they told me and we want to come into school now, their children are ‘more confident’ even singing in the Talent show is possible for one child who could not make eye contact in the beginning …. They spoke of their children loving Homework Club and Play Therapy, parents working with their child in school and lunch together …….and the praise goes on and on! Summing up they feel they can trust the school and your support ‘takes a weight off our shoulders’ ….’ everyone goes above and beyond‘.

Developing behaviors for attendance has been a key focus throughout the AFA programme and close collaboration between you, parents and other identified agencies has meant children take pride and enjoy coming to school. The work you do to support vulnerable children and their families is outstanding.  

There is a quality of practice within Market Drayton that springs from an ongoing and very careful analysis of issues arising from your vigorous monitoring and review processes. This reviewal cycle informs the preparation, planning and targeted investment that underpins the school and your staff team striving for better in all that you do.   Clear and effective tracking documents, rigorous analysis of progress data across all areas allows vulnerable children to be easily identified.  Thank you for sharing your latest Summer term review and overall self esteem summary.

The impact of your leadership is having on the school is clearly apparent. The drive, ambition and commitment you and Kerry and SLT as leaders of Market Drayton is reflected in the way in which other members of staff are taking responsibility for children’s learning.

The staff team are well supported by an excellent programme of training and regular invested time to plan together a curriculum that ensures the provision best matches the needs of children in your school. Ruth and Ros as governors, were knowledgeable about AFA and passionate about the work of your school, both painting a very positive picture citing ongoing work that highlights the active role governors play in raising progress and attainment for all.

Please thank Jodie, Jess, Ruth and Ros for taking time to talk with me it was a privilege to meet them.

Please pass on my thanks and congratulations to you all at Market Drayton for their contributions in achieving the Achievement for All Quality Mark. You will shortly receive a letter with a kitemark attached.

I look forward to following your AFA journey next year and look forward to being able to celebrate becoming a Quality Lead School in the not so distant future.

Once again many thanks for your time, and if there is anything we can do to help then please do not hesitate in getting in touch  .

Kind regards   Sue