Longtower Primary School

Overview

This report details a Sustaining Improvement Inspection conducted in March 2017, following a previous evaluation of the school as “outstanding”. Due to staff participation in industrial action involving “action short of strike”, the inspection was severely limited. Consequently, the ETI states it is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children”.

Strengths

• The previous inspection in January 2014 evaluated the overall effectiveness of the school as “outstanding”.
• The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements are “satisfactory” and reflect “guidance issued by the relevant Departments”.
• Children reported that they “feel safe in school” and know “what to do and who to talk to if they are concerned about their safety or well-being”.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no specific areas for improvement because the ETI was “unable to evaluate” the lines of enquiry or the “quality of learning and teaching within the classrooms” due to non-cooperation.
• The school is designated as a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice” to address the lack of assurance regarding educational quality.

Safeguarding

The report states that while arrangements appear satisfactory and children feel safe, the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements for safeguarding in the school” owing to the industrial action.