Newtownards Model Primary School

Overview

Newtownards Model Primary School provides a "warm, welcoming learning environment" where children feel "happy, safe and make progress in their learning." The report highlights a strong focus on literacy and emotional wellbeing, with staff actively reviewing the school’s vision and development plans. While practice is effective in many areas, the leadership is currently working to consolidate self-evaluation processes and ensure consistency across the school.

Strengths

• Writing is identified as a strength, featuring "high-quality emergent writing in the foundation stage" and independent writing by the end of key stage 2.
• "Effective and engaging tailored interventions" support children requiring additional literacy help, enabling them to make progress and develop confidence.
• Staff use professional learning from RISE (NI) and Calm Plan Training to promote children’s "emotional health and wellbeing," supported by initiatives like the 'RUOK?' day and sensory spaces.
• Children enjoy school, feel safe, and take on a "wide range of leadership roles," contributing positively to school life.

Areas to improve

• Leadership must "continue to identify, strategically and collaboratively, key areas for improvement which are linked intrinsically to the children’s holistic development."
• The school needs to "identify and disseminate the effective practice within the school to reinforce consistency in planning, learning and teaching."
• A "more consistent approach is needed" for individual education plans (IEPs) to ensure targets effectively build on each child’s progress.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for child protection align to the current statutory guidance."