Buick Memorial Primary School

Overview

This report details a sustaining improvement inspection conducted in May 2018, which was significantly impacted by industrial action. Because staff participated in "action short of strike," they refused to cooperate with inspectors, preventing the evaluation of teaching quality and school planning. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) could not provide assurance regarding the quality of education or safeguarding at the time of the visit.

Strengths

• The report notes that during a follow-up visit in June 2018, the school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education."
• Year 6 pupils reported that they "feel safe in school" and know "what to do and who to talk to if they are concerned about their safety or well-being."
• The previous inspection in 2015 had evaluated the school’s overall effectiveness as "good."

Areas to improve

• The ETI was unable to evaluate "the quality of learning and teaching within the classrooms" due to non-cooperation.
• The inspection could not assess the school’s capacity to effect improvement through "self-evaluation and effective school planning."
• The school was designated a "high priority for future inspection with no further notice" to address these gaps.

Safeguarding

While the initial inspection found no evidence that safeguarding arrangements met Department of Education guidance, a follow-up visit confirmed they "reflect broadly the guidance," though the ETI remained unable to fully evaluate their implementation.