St Brigid's Primary School & Nursery, Carnhill

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, with teaching staff refusing to cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) states it is “unable to assure... of the quality of education being provided” and could not fully evaluate outcomes, provision, or leadership.

Strengths

• Questionnaire responses from parents, staff, and children were “highly positive,” indicating satisfaction with the school’s “inclusive and welcoming ethos.”
• A sample of Year 7 children demonstrated “fluency, expression and understanding” in reading and a “very good understanding” of key mathematical concepts.
• Children spoke enthusiastically about “extensive extra-curricular clubs” and their roles in Eco- and School-councils.
• The school development planning process is underpinned by “rigorous... self-evaluation” and effective use of assessment data.
• There are “extensive links and partnerships with the local community” to enhance holistic development.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no specific areas for improvement in teaching or learning, as the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully” these domains due to non-cooperation.
• Appendix A lists urgent health and safety actions: renewing perimeter fencing, renewing the alarm system, and securing staff car park gates.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education,” though the ETI was unable to fully evaluate their outworking due to the industrial action.