Ballycastle High School

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning the ETI was “unable to assure the quality of education” and could not fully evaluate teaching, leadership, or care. Despite these limitations, the report highlights strong examination results and a positive school ethos, while noting specific health and safety concerns.

Strengths

• Pupils are described as “friendly and confident,” reflecting a “welcoming and inclusive ethos.”
• Examination attainment is “consistently well above the Northern Ireland average,” particularly for pupils entitled to free school meals.
• “Well-embedded collaborative arrangements” with the adjacent maintained school provide significant benefits for curriculum choice and sustainability.
• Governors are “knowledgeable about the standards attained” and demonstrate a “high degree of confidence” in governance aspects evaluated.
• Questionnaire responses from pupils, parents, and staff were “very positive,” citing strong pastoral support and community reputation.

Areas to improve

• The school development plan priorities need to be streamlined, with “more robust baseline statements and measurable targets” to track impact.
• Advice and guidance on curriculum options must better meet the needs and abilities of a minority of pupils at Key Stage 4.
• Health and safety issues require attention, including risk assessments for class sizes, security arrangements, and slip hazards from leaking corridors.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education,” though full evaluation was prevented by industrial action.