Ballougry Primary School

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning teachers did not cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI was “unable to assure” parents of the quality of education and could not evaluate outcomes, provision, or leadership. The school is designated a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Strengths

• A majority of parents who responded to the questionnaire “expressed positive views about the life and work of the school.”
• The school maintains “close links with the founding members of the Honourable Irish Society.”
• The school participates in the “Shared Education Peace IV programme” with other cross-border primary schools.
• Evidence provided showed safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education.”

Areas to improve

• The employing authority, governors, and staff must “plan for, and manage, issues related to the sustainability of the school provision and the school budget.”
• The principal must ensure all safeguarding policies are reviewed to “reflect current guidance from the Department of Education.”
• Health and safety risks require attention, specifically a “low boundary wall” and safety systems that “need to be reviewed and updated.”

Safeguarding

The report states that while provided evidence reflected Department guidance, the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements for safeguarding” due to the industrial action.