Cumbria’s Inclusion Chartermark (IC) evolved from Inclusive Cumbria – a policy strategy with political endorsement. Cumbria’s Inclusion Chartermark was developed because: 

• the Local Authority (LA) accepted that it had no objective tool for measuring the level of inclusion in a school;
• the Primary National Strategies (PNS) were setting new standards for inclusion;
• there were limited opportunities for good SEN practice to be celebrated and shared between schools;
• schools needed a guidance and evaluation tool which enabled them to plan the development of more inclusive practice at a whole school level.

Building upon these principles a trial document was created which relied, to a significant extent, upon the guidance developed by the PNS (external link) within The National Strategies. The trial document was piloted in 10 schools during academic year 2005/06 and, based on the success of the pilot, was opened to all Cumbrian schools in 2006/07.   In this inaugural year 22 schools submitted applications for IC status and 21 were successful at one of the various levels.

Current position

All schools have been provided with a hard-back folder and CD-rom which contains all the materials to introduce them to the IC school self-evaluation materials and the 3-level award scheme.

Two moderation panels, serving the north and south of Cumbria, have been formed and these panels include: specialist advisory teachers; school improvement officers; headteachers; SENCOs; senior educational psychologists; senior education officers (SEN) and Inclusion Coordinators.   The commitment made by these panels in relation to applications received is that:

• they will be read by a minimum of two moderators;
• each applicant school will be visited at least once;
• the final moderation decision will be made by the full panel;
• the written feedback given to the schools will contain not only the result, but helpful “next steps” guidance where this is appropriate;
• successful schools will be invited to a high profile awards evening;
• successful schools will be invited to showcase their inclusive practice at the ceremony.

The IC moderation process is managed by two area assessment officers.   For further discussion and/or information please contact:

• Alison Hughes (north and west Cumbria)
  alison.hughes@cumbriacc.gov.uk 
• Angela Hutchinson (east and south Cumbria)
  angela.hutchinson@cumbriacc.gov.uk