Donemana Primary School

Overview

Donemana Primary School is described as a “nurturing and welcoming” institution at the heart of a close-knit community, where children are “well-mannered, friendly” and feel safe. The report highlights a strong inclusive ethos and effective shared education partnerships, but notes that inconsistent planning and teaching practices limit the breadth of learning experiences for some pupils. The school is currently in its first year of a three-year development plan and requires “sustained external support” to address identified areas for action.

Strengths

• Children are “fully included” in school life, with those having special educational needs supported well by staff and classroom assistants.
• A “well-established shared education partnership” fosters collaboration, providing enriched learning opportunities and reinforcing a culture of inclusion.
• The “inclusive welcoming ethos” is characterised by “warm and respectful relationships” between children, staff, and parents.
• The Friends and Family Association has successfully provided new interactive whiteboards and created an outdoor sensory garden, enriching the learning environment.
• Staff and parents report positive experiences, with staff feeling respected and parents praising the “close-knit family environment.”

Areas to improve

• Develop a “collegial approach to the self-evaluation process” to identify appropriate priorities for development and effect whole-school improvement.
• Improve “planning, teaching and assessment” to ensure progression in learning across the curriculum and better support the holistic development of each child.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for child protection align to the current statutory guidance.”