Dromore Primary School

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning teachers did not co-operate with the process. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children.” The school is designated as a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Strengths

• Year 6 and year 7 pupils spoke positively about their learning experiences and valued “shared education opportunities” with other local schools.
• Children reported having “good opportunities to develop their leadership capabilities” through roles in school and eco-councils.
• Pupils stated they “feel safe in the school” and are aware of procedures for raising safety or welfare concerns.
• Senior leadership co-operated with the inspection regarding their safeguarding responsibilities.

Areas to improve

• The employing authority, governors, and staff must plan for the “sustainability of the school provision and school budget” to address current and future needs.
• The school must “establish a schedule to ensure an accurate and timely review of all associated safeguarding polices,” including drugs and RSE policies.
• A health and safety matter regarding a perimeter fence that is “too low to secure fully potential access to or exit from the school grounds” remains unresolved.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education,” though the ETI was unable to fully evaluate their implementation due to the industrial action.