St Fanchea's College

Overview

This sustaining improvement inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning most teachers did not cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate was unable to fully evaluate the school’s quality of education or safeguarding arrangements. The report states it is unable to assure parents of the quality of education provided, noting this will be reflected in future inspections.

Strengths

• The school has developed a ‘central pupil database’ that informs target setting and intervention programmes.
• Progress of individual and groups of pupils is “baselined, tracked and monitored to good effect.”
• The Key Stage 4 curriculum has been broadened with a “more appropriate range of subjects.”
• Post-16 provision is enhanced through “successful collaboration with the local further education college.”
• Pupils spoke positively about “caring and friendly relationships” and reported that they “feel safe.”

Areas to improve

• The employing authority, governors, and staff must plan for the “sustainability of the school’s provision,” particularly at post-16 level.
• The post-16 curriculum offer remains “overly limited due to the small numbers.”

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements reflect Department of Education guidance, and pupils reported feeling safe, though the ETI was unable to fully evaluate these arrangements due to the industrial action.