Carhill Integrated Primary School

Overview

This Sustaining Improvement Inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning teachers did not cooperate with inspectors regarding classroom activities. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate states it is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality education provided for the children.” The report notes that the previous inspection evaluated the school as “good,” but this inspection could not fully evaluate learning and teaching.

Strengths

• The report highlights “notable improvements” in the monitoring and evaluation of numeracy, noting that “regular, formalised and systematic methods” are in place.
• Planning for numeracy is described as “systematic and detailed,” with “appropriate administrative structures” supporting consistency and “ample quantifiable targets.”
• Older pupils spoke positively about their experiences, particularly regarding the School Council and Eco-committee, which provide opportunities to “acquire new knowledge and skills.”
• Children complimented the “range of extra-curricular opportunities” and their positive working relationships with staff.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies serious health and safety hazards, including a perimeter fence that is “not robust and secure in places.”
• There are “exposed holes in the playground” which present “very serious and unforgiving tripping hazards.”
• The lack of an assembly hall limits the delivery of the statutory PE curriculum and raises issues of “equality of opportunity.”

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education,” and children stated they feel safe, though the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the arrangements for safeguarding” due to the industrial action.