Ripon: Multicultural primary school wins inclusivity award

The school, which has pupils of 17 different nationalities, has become the first in the county to be given Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) award status

A multicultural primary school in North Yorkshire has gained a national award for its inclusivity.

Moorside Primary School and Nursery in Ripon is one of the most diverse in the county, North Yorkshire Council said, with pupils of 17 nationalities.

The authority said 10 languages were spoken at the school, with 20% not speaking English as their first.

The school has now become the first in the county to be given Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) award status.

IQM was established in the UK in 2004 and aims to support state and independent schools to become more inclusive.

Differences were celebrated at Moorside, the council said, with the school recognised for successfully promoting equal opportunity and inclusion for all.

Moorside Primary School and Nursery says differences are celebrated

Families at the school, which has 190 pupils, were from countries including Nigeria, Syria, Afghanistan, Poland, Pakistan, Romania, China and Latvia.

Claire Rowett, school headteacher, said she was "extremely proud of everything we have achieved".

"The success that we have had has been through the tenacious hard work of all staff and governors, working with our children and their families, which we value greatly," she said.

"Above all, we are proud of our pupils and their confidence in sharing the work we do together - they are the best ambassadors for our school."

Amanda Newbold, North Yorkshire Council's assistant director for education and skills, said: "The IQM award recognises the commitment by schools to provide the best education for all children irrespective of differences.

"This recognition truly reflects the wonderful work of staff, governors and, of course, the pupils."