Bellaghy Primary School

Overview

The inspection found that Bellaghy Primary School has a “high level of capacity for sustained improvement in the interest of all the learners.” The report describes the school as an “uplifting and positive environment” where outcomes for learners, quality of provision, and leadership are all rated as “Outstanding.”

Strengths

• Children develop “very well the richness and precision of their spoken and written language” through creative learning experiences.
• Teachers provide a “comprehensive curricular experience” with “well considered and creative planning” that makes learning memorable.
• The school’s approach to care and welfare “impacts positively on learning, teaching and outcomes,” nurturing each child’s potential.
• Leadership is described as “highly effective,” with “rigorously monitored” literacy outcomes and well-embedded self-evaluation procedures.
• Children exhibit “high levels of independent thinking” and enthusiastically participate in leading their own learning.

Areas to improve

• The employing authority, governors, and staff must plan for the “sustainability of the school provision and school budget” to address current and future needs.
• The report notes that the school’s toilets are “old and in poor condition.”

Safeguarding

The report states that arrangements for safeguarding “reflect the guidance issued by the Department of Education” and that children “feel safe in the school” and are aware of what to do if they have concerns.