Springhill Primary School

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action involving "action short of strike," meaning staff did not cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the ETI was "unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education and safeguarding being provided for the children." The school is designated a "high priority for future inspection with no further notice."

Strengths

• The previous 2014 inspection had evaluated the school’s overall effectiveness as "good."
• Following the initial inspection, "appropriate refresher training for staff and governors in safeguarding/child protection has been arranged and/or undertaken."
• A range of pastoral policies have been revised to "reflect more clearly the guidance issued by DE."

Areas to improve

• The school must "develop further and embed the recent revisions to pastoral documentation to ensure the care and welfare practices within the school impact positively on the learning, teaching and outcomes."
• The board of governors must urgently review and improve "access control to the school premises, including the visitor reception and sign-in procedures," as current arrangements are "not fit-for-purpose."

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements were initially evaluated as "unsatisfactory," but a follow-up visit confirmed that revised arrangements now "reflect broadly the guidance issued by the Department of Education," though full evaluation was hindered by the industrial action.