Mercy College Belfast

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning only the senior leadership team co-operated with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI states it is “unable to assure the quality of education” and could not fully evaluate teaching, learning, or pupil outcomes. Despite these limitations, the report notes positive pupil attitudes and confidence in governance.

Strengths

• Pupils were observed to be “polite, confident and engaged well” during discussions with inspectors.
• Pupils spoke positively of the “supportive ethos in the school” and “good relationships” with staff and peers.
• Governors are described as “well informed” and focused on exercising “support and challenge functions” to secure improved outcomes.
• The school has implemented a standardised assessment system at Key Stage 3 to inform target setting.
• Headline examination performance improved in 2017, particularly at Key Stage 4.

Areas to improve

• Action plans for pupil progress require “more effective use of the baseline measurements” to set appropriately challenging targets.
• Clear and regular monitoring of progress based on “first-hand evidence” is needed to track improvement more precisely.
• Aspects of safeguarding and child protection policies need review to reflect developments in pastoral provision.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education” and pupils feel safe, but notes a need to review policies to align with pastoral developments.