New Row St. Patrick's Primary School

Overview

This Sustaining Improvement Inspection was conducted in April 2017 following a previous evaluation of "very good" effectiveness. Due to industrial action involving "non-co-operation" by teaching staff, the inspection was severely limited and could not fully evaluate classroom teaching or learning outcomes. Consequently, the ETI states it is "unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children."

Strengths

• The new senior leadership provides "clear, strategic direction for the continued improvement of the school."
• Development priorities have been "selected skilfully in order to effect change at an appropriate pace."
• The school fosters a "whole-school culture of collaborative learning, support and challenge."
• Staff, governors, and parents have been "empowered to understand the school’s data" through capacity-building work.
• Teachers "use data well to inform planning for learning at all levels."

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no specific areas for improvement due to the inability to evaluate classroom practice.
• The ETI was unable to assess the "work of the co-ordinators" or the "outworking of the teachers’ planning for learning."
• Full evaluation of safeguarding arrangements was prevented by the industrial action.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements are "satisfactory" and reflect departmental guidance, with Year 6 pupils reporting they "feel safe," though the ETI could not fully evaluate the implementation of these measures.