Wakefield district junior school given 'world class' status

Southdale CE Junior School has received the World Class Schools Quality Mark accreditation, joining a network of more than 120 schools internationally.

The accreditation is recognition of work helping children to develop world class skills and competencies.

The school is one of just a handful of schools awarded the Quality Mark in the 2022/23 academic year.

Headteacher, Kerry Partington, said: "We are committed to developing the skills, dreams and aspirations of our children.

"We create an environment and opportunities for our children to have experiences that are character building, challenging, nurturing and where pupils can realise their gifts and talents.

"As a school, we have always prioritised the development of each pupil so that they can understand what it means to be a successful, productive, and proactive member of their community and wider society.

"It is great that this has been celebrated at a national level. We are and continue to be, very proud of our world class young people, but we never stand still.

"We see every day how our school culture helps to shape and develop some truly outstanding young people, who can go on to achieve excellent things.”

Deputy headteacher, Rebecca Mohebi, said: “I know how truly exceptional the children at Southdale are and we aim to help them reach their full potential by providing a world class education.

"The award focusses fully on the experiences, skills and attributes of the children in school."

Tim Carr, vice chairman of governors, said: "This is something the local community should be so proud of. This international award, which Southdale is the first in the Wakefield area to obtain, places Southdale on both a national and international stage.”

Vince Foster, chairman of governors, said: “We continually strive for excellence and I am incredibly proud of everyone in our Southdale family.”

The WCSQM describes itself as “a charity concerned with developing the skills, competencies and characteristics young people need to thrive in an ever changing global economy.”

Its website states it is “not a conventional quality mark or assessment process”.

"We assess the pupils, not the school, against a framework of skills, competencies and characteristics that young people need to flourish in an emerging global economy.”