Bushmills Primary School

Overview

The report details a Sustaining Improvement Inspection conducted in May 2018, which was significantly limited by industrial action involving non-cooperation from staff. Consequently, the inspectorate was unable to evaluate the quality of learning, teaching, or the school’s capacity for self-improvement, meaning it could not assure parents of the education provided.

Strengths

• The previous inspection in November 2014 evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school as "good".
• During a follow-up visit in June 2018, the school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education".
• A group of Year 6 pupils reported that they "feel safe and happy in school" and know whom to contact regarding safety concerns.

Areas to improve

• The report states the school must address arrangements for safeguarding, which initially did not reflect Department of Education guidance.
• The school needs to resolve the impact of industrial action to allow for a full evaluation of education quality and safeguarding outworking.

Safeguarding

The report notes that while initial evidence was lacking, a follow-up visit confirmed that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education," though a full evaluation of their outworking remained impossible due to ongoing industrial action.