Longdendale High School Celebrated for Inclusive Excellence

Longdendale High School, part of Stamford Park Trust, has once again been recognised as a Flagship School by the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM), reaffirming its commitment to inclusion, ambition, and high standards for all students.

Following a full-day assessment earlier this term, the IQM praised the school’s transformation under Head of School Michael Chiles, who joined in 2024 with a clear vision rooted in Respect, Resilience and Aspiration. The assessor described Longdendale as “an exciting place to be – for both students and staff.”

Since the introduction of the school’s new vision, a consistent and ambitious culture has been established. The Longdendale Way has brought clarity and focus to daily routines, behaviour, and classroom expectations. A central part of this is the Longdendale Legacy, a guiding ethos about the impact students leave behind when they “hang their blazer up” at the end of their school journey. Weekly celebrations, Legacy Points, and appreciation initiatives build a sense of pride and community.

The school is also developing new spaces to support student wellbeing, including an Aspiration Centre, a redesigned Respect Room, and internal alternative provision – all part of a wider commitment to inclusion and early intervention. The school’s support for students with special educational needs was noted as thoughtful and impactful, while strong communication with families, including personalised newsletters and a clear Family Handbook, ensures a consistent partnership.

Attendance has significantly improved, now in line with national averages, thanks to proactive support, regular rewards, and strong family engagement.

Beyond the classroom, every student takes part in weekly electives, designed to develop additional skills. These are interactive extra-curricular sessions such as debate club, extended science, cheerleading and peer mentoring aim to encourage students to foster new interests, form friendships and take on leadership roles.

The full Inclusion Quality Mark report highlights Longdendale’s inclusive ethos, strong leadership, and the tangible difference made by recent changes. It concludes with a recommendation to retain Flagship Status.

Head of School Michael Chiles commented “I’m extremely proud of the school staff who work tirelessly to bring the Longdendale Legacy to life so that every student can create a lasting legacy.”

This recognition reflects the school’s unwavering drive to ensure every student is known, valued and empowered to succeed.

For more details, the full report is available via the school’s website https://www.longdendalehighschool.org.uk/