Knocknagor Primary School

Overview

The inspection found that Knocknagor Primary School has a "high level of capacity for sustained improvement in the interests of all the learners." The report rates outcomes for learners, quality of provision, and leadership and management as "very good," noting that the school operates at maximum capacity with a new principal appointed in September 2017.

Strengths

• Children attain "very good standards in mathematics" and apply learning to real-life contexts using ICT effectively.
• The quality of provision for numeracy is "very good," with "excellent differentiation" meeting the needs of children in composite classes.
• Most observed lessons were "very good and outstanding," supported by a "skilled team of classroom assistants."
• Children’s behaviour is described as "exemplary," with pupils being "confident and very respectful" and showing "very good levels of independence."
• Leadership is "skilful and experienced," with staff working "collegially and effectively" to share responsibilities for school improvement.

Areas to improve

• The report states it will be important that the employing authority, governors, and staff "plan for, and manage, issues related to the sustainability of the school provision and school budget" to address current and future needs.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding children "reflect the guidance from the Department of Education," and children report that they "feel safe in the school" and know what to do if they have concerns.