Garvagh Primary School

Overview

This Sustaining Improvement Inspection evaluated Garvagh Primary School’s capacity for self-evaluation and development planning. Due to industrial action involving non-cooperation by staff, the ETI could not fully assess classroom teaching or safeguarding arrangements. Consequently, the inspectorate states it is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality education provided for the children.”

Strengths

• The report praises “rigorous monitoring processes” that inform “good quality evaluations of the children’s learning experiences, progress and attainment.”
• Action planning is identified as a strength, featuring “systematic and highly visible links” between improvement actions and the school development plan.
• The principal promotes a “culture of robust self-evaluation” using “first-hand evidence and effective data analysis.”
• Year 6 pupils reported they are “happy in school,” valued positive staff relationships, and spoke with “pride” about recent improvements.
• Governors reported being “kept well informed” through “appropriate summative progress reports.”

Areas to improve

• The ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the quality of learning and teaching within the classrooms.”
• The inspectorate was “unable to evaluate fully the arrangements for safeguarding in the school” due to staff non-cooperation.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education,” and children stated they feel safe, though the ETI could not fully evaluate these provisions.