Castleroe Primary School

Overview

This Sustaining Improvement Inspection was conducted during industrial action, with staff declaring non-cooperation with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) states it is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality education provided for the pupils” and could not fully evaluate learning, teaching, or safeguarding arrangements.

Strengths

• The report notes “appropriate and systematic self-evaluation processes” are in place, using internal data to monitor the reading programme.
• Key Stage 2 children spoke positively about their literacy experiences, demonstrating “good levels of fluency, appropriate intonation and have sound understanding of what they are reading.”
• Initiatives to involve parents and pupils have improved, including a new mobile app downloaded by 94% of parents and a school council where children feel “staff listen to them.”
• Children reported feeling safe and valued their “positive working relationships” with staff, while also engaging in leadership opportunities like the ‘Buddy’ system.

Areas to improve

• The ETI was “unable to evaluate fully” the quality of learning and teaching within classrooms due to staff non-cooperation.
• The Appendix identifies “clear safety inadequacies” at the front of the school, specifically regarding low fencing and risks associated with a cramped parking bay adjoining a main road.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education,” but the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the arrangements for safeguarding in the school” owing to the industrial action.