Dromara Primary School

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was significantly limited because staff participated in industrial action and refused to co-operate with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI could not fully evaluate the quality of learning and teaching or assure stakeholders of the education provided. The school is designated as a high priority for future inspection with no further notice.

Strengths

• Year 6 pupils spoke enthusiastically about school life, describing teachers as “helpful and kind”.
• Children are “confident and articulate” and eager to take on leadership roles, such as through the School Council.
• Pupils enjoy specific activities including reading, outdoor learning, and the “daily mile” walk.
• Students appreciate the “Dromara Dynamos” rewards system and after-school clubs like Eco-club and ICT.
• Children feel safe and are knowledgeable about farm safety and online safety.

Areas to improve

• The report states the ETI was unable to evaluate the quality of learning and teaching within classrooms due to non-co-operation.
• The inspection could not assess the school’s capacity to effect improvement through self-evaluation and effective school planning.
• The ETI was unable to fully evaluate the outworking of safeguarding arrangements.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements reflect Department of Education guidance, and pupils report feeling safe, though the ETI could not fully evaluate these arrangements due to the industrial action.