The National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) has awarded Sancton Wood School in Cambridge the prestigious NACE Challenge Award.
The award recognises excellent support for more able learners as part of a school-wide commitment to challenge every pupil. It shows that high expectations and ambitious learning are embedded across the school.
The Challenge Award is part of NACE’s Challenge Development Programme. Schools use the NACE Challenge Framework to review their work, identify priorities and plan lasting improvements.
To gain accreditation, a school presents evidence of its work and impact. An expert NACE assessor visits the school, observes learning, reviews the evidence and speaks with pupils, staff and governors.
The award provides:
- Independent recognition of high-quality provision for more able learners
- Evidence that the school’s approach supports wider improvement
- A clear plan and ongoing support for further development
- Opportunities to share ideas and learn from other accredited schools through professional development, research and other activities.
More than 500 schools across England, Wales and internationally have received the Challenge Award. Accredited schools represent all phases and a wide range of contexts. To retain the award, schools are reassessed every three years.
NACE’s assessor said: “Sancton Wood has a clear and inclusive whole-school philosophy for challenge. Leaders and staff consistently describe more able provision as part of everyday teaching rather than a separate track. The wider curriculum and enrichment offer provide multiple routes through which potential can be developed.”
NACE CEO Paul K. Ainsworth commented: “Congratulations are in order. This prestigious award celebrates how Sancton Wood School support their pupils to realise their potential, and the whole school community should be proud of this achievement.”
Sancton Wood School will continue to strengthen its work for more able pupils and share effective practice with the wider education community.
CEO Paul K. Ainsworth remarked, “Our vision is that all young people, including the more able, can develop their abilities without limits – no matter what barriers to learning they may face and no matter what school they attend.”
Sancton Wood School commented: “We are delighted to have achieved the NACE Challenge Award. This accreditation reflects our commitment to ensuring that every child is supported, stretched and challenged to achieve their full potential.
“At Sancton Wood, we believe that excellence in education is about creating an environment where every child can flourish. We are proud that the strength of our curriculum, the quality of teaching, and the way we encourage pupils to think deeply, take intellectual risks, develop independence and embrace a wide range of opportunities across school life have been recognised through this award.”
Find out more at nace.co.uk/challenge