Knockloughrim Primary School

Overview

This monitoring inspection was conducted during industrial action involving 'action short of strike', resulting in the non-cooperation of the principal and teachers. Consequently, the ETI was unable to evaluate the quality of education or improvement actions, stating it could not 'assure parents/carers... of the quality of education and safeguarding'. The school was designated a 'high priority for future inspection with no further notice'.

Strengths

• The report identifies no strengths as 'no key findings can be reported' due to staff non-participation.
• A subsequent safeguarding visit in September 2017 found that arrangements 'reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education'.
• Children reported that they 'feel safe in school' and know 'what to do and who to talk to if they are concerned'.

Areas to improve

• The school must address the lack of cooperation that prevented the evaluation of learning, teaching, and outcomes for learners.
• The ETI noted it was 'unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements for safeguarding' due to ongoing industrial action.
• The school requires a high-priority follow-up inspection to demonstrate improvement and satisfactory practices.

Safeguarding

While initial evidence was not provided during the June inspection, a follow-up visit confirmed that safeguarding arrangements 'reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education' and that children feel safe, though full evaluation was hindered by ongoing industrial action.