St Columba's Primary School

Overview

This report details a sustaining improvement inspection conducted in November 2019, which was significantly limited by industrial action. Because teachers refused to cooperate, the inspectorate could not fully evaluate teaching quality or school planning, stating it is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children.”

Strengths

• Year 6 pupils spoke “enthusiastically about their learning across the curriculum.”
• Children explained how the reward system is used to “promote positive behaviour and to enhance learning.”
• Pupils highlighted their enjoyment of extra- and co-curricular activities both in school and in the wider community.
• The school has achieved awards in STEM, environmental, and global learning initiatives since the previous inspection.

Areas to improve

• The report states the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully” the quality of learning and teaching within classrooms.
• The inspection could not assess the school’s capacity to effect improvement through self-evaluation and effective school planning.
• The school is designated a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Safeguarding

The report notes that while arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education” and children report feeling safe, the ETI was “unable to evaluate fully the outworking of the arrangements for safeguarding” due to the industrial action.