Blessed Patrick O'loughran Primary School

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning teachers did not cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI states it is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children.” The report notes the school is a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Strengths

• Children spoke positively about “the encouragement given to them by their teachers.”
• Pupils valued “the wide range of learning experiences in school.”
• Students appreciated “the opportunities for leadership they have through the Eco-council and as prefects.”
• Children enjoyed “a range of extra-curricular activities including the links with the local Horticultural Society.”
• Year six and seven children reported that they “feel happy and safe in school and know who to talk to if they have a concern.”

Areas to improve

• The school needs to “update the anti-bullying policy to incorporate the guidance from the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum.”
• The employing authority, governors, and staff must “plan for, and manage, issues related to the sustainability of the school provision and school budget.”

Safeguarding

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