Killowen Primary School

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was significantly limited because staff did not cooperate with inspectors due to industrial action. Consequently, the ETI was unable to evaluate the quality of learning and teaching or fully assess the school’s capacity for improvement. The report concludes that the authority cannot assure stakeholders of the education quality provided, marking the school as a high priority for future inspection.

Strengths

• Year 6 pupils are "proud of their small school and its long history" and report having a "good range of learning opportunities."
• Children speak "enthusiastically" about friendships formed through shared education and community projects such as ‘Arts a Wonder’.
• Pupils enjoy specific activities including "art activities, playing sport and the topic work including how the human body works."
• Students have opportunities to develop leadership capabilities through the School Council, where fundraising led to the purchase of playground equipment.

Areas to improve

• The employing authority, governors, and staff must plan for and manage issues related to the "sustainability of the school provision and school budget."
• The school needs to "review and update its Positive Behaviour Policy."
• There is "unsecured access between the premises of a local business and the school," which requires attention for health and safety.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements "reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education," and children know what to do if they have safety concerns, though the ETI was unable to fully evaluate the outworking of these arrangements due to the industrial action.