Gaelscoil na gCrann

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, with teaching staff refusing to cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) states it is “unable to assure... of the quality of education being provided for the children.” The report notes that “no performance level [is] available” for outcomes, provision, or leadership, and the school is designated a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Strengths

• A group of Rang 6 children “shared fluently and confidently in Irish” and spoke positively about the “friendly and supportive school environment.”
• Pupils highlighted the “school’s house system and associated rewards” and the “extra-curricular activities available to them.”
• Children performed an “award-winning drama,” demonstrating “well-developed skills in communication, emotional awareness, singing and dancing.”
• Children reported that they “feel safe in school” and are aware of procedures if they have safety concerns.

Areas to improve

• The school must “update aspects of the safeguarding and child protection policies to reflect more fully DE guidance,” specifically regarding bullying and risk assessment.
• The school needs to “review and address urgently the safety arrangements around traffic flow and car parking” to ensure safe access and exit.

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 outworking due to the industrial action.