Rathcoole Primary School

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was significantly constrained by industrial action, with almost all teachers refusing to cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was unable to evaluate classroom teaching or assure stakeholders of the overall quality of education. The report highlights serious concerns regarding staff morale and working relationships, noting that the school is a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Strengths

• Year 6 pupils reported enjoyment of activities such as “numeracy, writing stories” and outdoor learning, taking pride in roles as “digital leaders” and “anti-bullying ambassadors.”
• A transition project is appropriately focusing on the “development of the role of middle management” with clear processes for using data to set priorities.
• There are established opportunities for parents, staff, governors, and children to contribute ideas through various consultation processes.
• The school has previously achieved awards including the Boxall Quality Mark for Nurture and the ‘SUSTRANS’ Bronze Award for active travel.

Areas to improve

• The “quality of the working relationships among the staff” is identified as an important area for improvement, with poor communication negatively impacting morale and improvement efforts.
• The employing authority, governors, and staff must plan for the “sustainability of the school provision and school budget” to address current and future needs.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education” and children know who to talk to, but the ETI was unable to fully evaluate these arrangements due to the industrial action.