A PRIMARY school is most definitely speaking the language of success.

Pupils at St Michael's CE Primary School may speak a total of 28 different languages — but they all understand the word 'succeed'.

The school in Great Lever has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Inclusion, for removing any potential barriers to learning and promoting equal opportunities for all pupils, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, attainment and background.

The school was awarded the status by The Inclusion Quality Mark assessors.

The headteacher Alison Hart, was described as being "committed to inclusion at every level" at a school where "everyone shares the same vision; inclusion is not something you do but something you breathe, and here at St Michael’s, that is certainly the case!"

Mrs Hart said: "'We are absolutely delighted that the excellent provision at St Michael's CEP has been externally recognised as meeting the standards to become a Centre of Excellence for Inclusion.

"The assessment confirms the sustained commitment of staff and governors to inclusion and the removal of barriers to success."

The school was praised for its facilities including having specialist classrooms for intervention.

Assessors said: "There are currently 28 languages within school and staff are well equipped to remove any potential barriers to learning, having a range of over 11 different spoken languages between them.

"The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is below average yet the school has had many external validations that recognise its strong inclusive practice. The school was inspected by Ofsted in 2015 who acknowledged the stimulating provision both indoors and outdoors.

"More recently in the school’s National Society Inspection, the relationships amongst all members of the school community was deemed outstanding. Children are confident and courteous, a growing strength of the school since its last IQM assessment. Inclusion certainly is at the heart of daily life."

The report adds: "There is a sense of continual improvement and a desire to provide more opportunities for the community in which the school serves.

"In the words of the children, St Michael’s CE is a place where ‘children help each other by sharing and being friends altogether’.

"The staff are united in the passion they have for their school, and proudly describe all they have achieved together for the benefit of all types of learners. The diversity of faiths, backgrounds and languages are embraced within the school community, supported by a strong Christian character."