Gaelscoil an Chaistil

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was conducted while teachers engaged in industrial action involving non-cooperation with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI was unable to evaluate the quality of learning and teaching or the school’s capacity for self-evaluation. The report concludes that the inspectorate cannot assure stakeholders of the quality of education provided and designates the school as a high priority for future inspection.

Strengths

• Year 6 pupils reported they were “happy in school” and felt safe.
• Children spoke positively about the “caring and friendly working relationships” with one another.
• Pupils indicated they know “what to do and who to talk to if they are concerned about their safety or well-being.”
• The principal co-operated with the inspection team regarding 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 needs to review child protection policies and elements of the positive behaviour policy to reflect “more fully the most recent guidance from the DE.”
• All members of the newly-constituted board of governors must receive necessary safeguarding training.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements reflect broadly the Department of Education guidance, but notes a need to review specific policies and ensure governor training, while acknowledging that the industrial action prevented a full evaluation of safeguarding outworkings.