St Thomas Cantilupe Church of England Primary School is celebrating an extraordinary achievement, becoming the first school in Herefordshire to secure four prestigious awards for inclusion, global citizenship, children’s rights, and sustainability.
The school has been recognised with the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM), the Global Neighbours Award, the Silver Rights Respecting Schools Award, and the Green Flag Award (Distinction), a testament to its commitment to excellence in education and community impact.
The Inclusion Quality Mark recognises schools that go above and beyond to ensure every child thrives, irrespective of differences.
St Thomas Cantilupe is the first school in Herefordshire to gain the IQM, and was described by the assessor as “a delightful place to learn and work” where “there is a thoroughness to detail which is almost tangible.”
The report praised the school’s “forensic” approach to meeting individual needs and noted the school’s “clear strategic vision” and “calm energy.”
The assessor noted “everything in the school emits a sense of high quality and extensive thought has been put into the creation of an ethos of inclusion.”
The panel has decided the school’s inspirational practice warrants the award of IQM Centre of Excellence status. Only 240 schools in the UK have met the standard required to become an IQM Centre of Excellence for outstanding levels of inclusion best practice.
The Global Neighbours Award has been awarded in recognition of the school’s outstanding commitment to fostering global awareness, social justice, and courageous advocacy among pupils.
The report praised the school’s bold action and student-led projects such as food bank drives, raising awareness of food insecurity, cultural heritage daysand debates, highlighting their passion for making a difference locally and globally.
The assessor commented: “all voices are valued, with pupils being nurtured and supported.”
The UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Award celebrates the school’s success in embedding children’s rights into daily life.
Pupils have become fearless advocates, campaigning to improve water quality in the River Wye and even appearing on BBC Newsround and Countryfile.
Pupils have also measured air quality, led litter picks and worked in partnership with Hereford Food Bank.
The assessor noted that “inclusion is a priority at the school” and that the school has a strong focus on dignity, respect, and tackling global issues.
UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Programme Director, Martin Russell, said: “This Award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of the school’s planning, policies and practice. A community where children’s rights are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted.”
“Meanwhile, the Green Flag Award, a symbol of outstanding environmental action, applauds the school’s hands-on sustainability efforts.
“From building bird boxes with families and installing a sedum roof to organising clothes swaps, reducing food waste and completing traffic pollution surveys, every year group has spearheaded an initiative to protect the planet.
“The assessors were particularly impressed by pupils’ work with local recycling groups and their “investigative” approach to reducing pollution: “we applaud you for reducing your carbon footprint.”
Headteacher, Asha Begley comments: “These awards reflect our belief that every child’s light deserves to shine brightly. Whether it’s through inclusion, advocacy, or caring for our planet, our pupils impress us daily with their commitment and empathy.”
The very first school to hold a Hay Festival residency, working with professional artists for a week, the school believes giving access to the creative arts is essential to enable children to grow and develop. Chief Operating Officer, Adrian Lambert said: “To see the children and staff embrace the work and flourish throughout the week was truly inspiring.”
Hereford in Bloom has been very glad to be supported by the school over the last few years. Whilst the outcome of this year’s award will not be known until October, the judges were bowled over with the passion and plant knowledge of the children. They were also very impressed with the gardens and the stumpery area the children instigated and care for.
“The children and staff of St Thomas Cantilupe CE Primary School have shown inspiration and enormous enthusiasm, when showing us their projects. It was a delight to visit them during the Heart of England in Bloom judging day.” Kevin Knipe Chairman HIB
With a demand for places, St Thomas Cantilupe’s success story is no surprise, but as the IQM assessor put it, “complacency isn’t in their vocabulary.”
If your child is starting school in September 2026, you are invited to book a personal tour by contacting the admin teamvia: admin@st-thomascantilupe.hereford.sch.uk
Follow the school on BlueSky @st-thomascantilupe.bsky.social
