Drumadonnell Primary School

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was significantly limited because teaching staff participated in industrial action and refused to co-operate with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI could not fully evaluate the quality of learning, teaching, or the school’s capacity for improvement. The report concludes that the inspectorate is unable to assure parents of the quality of education provided and has designated the school as a high priority for future inspection.

Strengths

• Year 6 pupils spoke positively about their learning, noting that teachers "listen to their views" and provide guidance.
• Children reported being "challenged and encouraged to approach mathematics and science using differing methodologies."
• Pupils valued their classroom activities and opportunities for a "wide range of extra-curricular activities."
• Students highlighted good opportunities to develop leadership through the ‘Friendly Faces’ playground ‘buddying scheme’ and school councils.
• Children reported feeling safe and described accurately the actions required to remain safe online.

Areas to improve

• The school has identified the need for a review of the anti-bullying policy in preparation for impending changes to statutory requirements.
• The ETI was unable to evaluate the quality of learning and teaching or the school’s self-evaluation processes due to non-co-operation.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education" and are compliant, though the ETI was unable to fully evaluate their outworking due to the industrial action.