Gortin Primary School

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was significantly constrained by industrial action, as teachers refused to cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was unable to evaluate classroom teaching or assure stakeholders of the quality of education provided. The school is designated as a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Strengths

• The school possesses a “well-constructed school development plan” with “high expectations” and recently won the ‘Best Kept School Award’.
• Older pupils report “very good opportunities to develop their leadership capabilities” through Eco- and School-Councils.
• Children enjoy literacy, numeracy, and a “wide range of extra-curricular activities,” including gardening and music.
• Corridors feature “attractive displays” that celebrate achievements and include work on anti-bullying and emotional awareness.
• Pupils benefit from “shared education activities” and report feeling safe and well-supported by staff.

Areas to improve

• The employing authority, governors, and staff must plan for the “sustainability of the school provision and school budget” to meet current and future needs.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education” and children feel safe, but the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements” due to the industrial action.