St Catherine’s Primary School

Overview

The report details a sustaining improvement inspection conducted in May 2019, noting that most teachers did not cooperate due to industrial action. Consequently, the ETI states it is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children.” The evaluation relies primarily on evidence from the senior leadership team and pupil feedback, rather than classroom observations.

Strengths

• The school developed a “practical mathematics programme” to enhance problem-solving and financial literacy, blending it across the curriculum.
• Year 7 pupils displayed a “very positive attitude” and were “confident in their knowledge” during mathematics activities.
• Systems for identifying children needing additional support have been “streamlined and developed further,” including the use of assistive digital technology.
• Year 6 pupils reported a “friendly and supportive school environment” and highlighted their enjoyment of extra-curricular activities.

Areas to improve

• The school must urgently conclude work with the Education Authority to address security arrangements and “restrict public access to the play areas.”
• The ETI was unable to fully evaluate the quality of learning and teaching or the specific lines of inquiry due to non-cooperation.

Safeguarding

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