Ballykelly Primary School

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action where teachers did not cooperate with the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). Consequently, the ETI was unable to evaluate key aspects of the school’s performance, including outcomes for learners, quality of provision, and leadership. The report concludes that the inspectorate is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children.”

Strengths

• The school holds two Eco-Council Green Flags and participates in a shared education partnership.
• Leadership, the designated teacher, and governors cooperated with the inspection regarding safeguarding responsibilities.
• Children reported that they “feel safe in the school and know what to do to support their safety and welfare.”
• Safeguarding arrangements were found to “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education.”

Areas to improve

• The report does not identify specific areas for improvement because the ETI was “unable to evaluate” outcomes, provision, and leadership due to staff non-cooperation.
• The school is designated as a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education,” though the ETI was unable to fully evaluate their outworking due to the industrial action.