Ballyclare Primary School

Overview

This Sustaining Improvement Inspection was conducted in April 2018 following a previous evaluation of "very good" overall effectiveness. Due to industrial action involving non-cooperation by a majority of teachers, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was unable to evaluate classroom teaching or fully assess safeguarding arrangements. Consequently, the report states the ETI is "unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children."

Strengths

• A "wide-ranging process of consultation" informed the strategic vision for using information communication technology (UICT) and school development planning.
• "Extensive arrangements" track UICT quality and outcomes, with both in-house and external facilitators providing staff training.
• Internal data indicates most children make expected progress in literacy and numeracy by the end of key stage two.
• Children in year 6 reported enjoying leadership opportunities, such as serving as "playground buddies" and members of the Eco-council.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no specific areas for improvement, as the primary focus was on the school’s capacity for self-evaluation and UICT planning rather than identifying deficiencies.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education," and children reported feeling safe, but the ETI was "unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements" due to the industrial action.