It is a tremendous honour that we at St Andrews International School Bangkok have been granted the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
What is the Inclusion Quality Mark and why is it important?
The Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) Centre of Excellence Award is a prestigious recognition given to schools that demonstrate sustained, embedded, and authentic inclusive practices. It signifies a commitment to further development and supporting other schools in becoming more inclusive.
Following a two-day inspection last month by two of the IQM assessment team—Mr Kevin O'Neill, Head of Education at IQM, and Mr Dirk Pittard, IQM Ambassador and Assessor—we received a detailed and thorough report on our school. The report was unreservedly glowing, and we are immensely proud of our whole school community.
The first line summary sets the tone for the IQM report on St Andrews:
“A modern, progressive, visionary and beacon inclusive international school. One that is at the heart of its broad and diverse community and, moreover, one that ensures that the community it serves acts as the heartbeat of the school.”
St Andrews Bangkok makes history
At the time of inspection, St Andrews were informed to be the first international school to be awarded the Centre of Excellence accreditation. This is a huge milestone for our school – a reflection of our whole school commitment to establishing an inclusive culture for all students; the dedication of our teachers in creating the best environment for learning and growth; and the unwavering vision of our Head of School, Paul Schofield.
The Impact of the IQM Partnership
The IQM are respected school improvement partners, based in the UK and at the forefront of inclusive practices, who currently work with around 6,500 state and public schools and institutions (both in the UK and globally). Their team of experts, including former and current school leaders, provide valuable insights and support to help schools improve their inclusive practices.
Receiving the IQM Centre of Excellence Award would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our staff and school community. As we continue on our journey towards creating an inclusive environment for all students, we are grateful for the support and guidance provided by the IQM. We look forward to sharing our culture and best practices with other schools, making a positive impact on the education sector as a whole, and our students now and in the future.
