Holy Trinity College

Overview

This Sustaining Improvement Inspection was conducted in May 2019, but its scope was significantly limited by industrial action involving non-cooperation with the Education and Training Inspectorate. Consequently, the report states that the ETI is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the pupils” and could not fully evaluate classroom teaching or safeguarding arrangements.

Strengths

• The school demonstrates a “coherent, joined-up approach to the holistic development of the pupils and their well-being,” supported by creative initiatives and staff collaboration.
• There has been “year-on-year improvement in the outcomes attained by the pupils in English at GCSE,” with attainment now above the Northern Ireland average for similar schools.
• The proportion of pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English and mathematics, is “well above the corresponding average.”
• Pupils report that their views are “valued, listened to and acted upon,” and they speak with pride about leadership roles such as prefects and ambassadors.
• Students describe learning experiences confidently, highlighting enjoyment of “group work, problem-solving and investigations” and appreciation of teacher support.

Areas to improve

• The school is focusing on “improving the outcomes at post-16” following a decrease in the proportion of pupils achieving three or more A levels or equivalents at grades A*-C in 2018.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education,” and pupils reported feeling safe, though the ETI could not fully evaluate the outworking of these arrangements due to industrial action.