St John Bosco Primary School Ballynease

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning teachers did not cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was “unable to assure” parents of the quality of education provided. The school is designated a “high priority for future inspection with no further notice.”

Strengths

• Year 6 pupils spoke “enthusiastically” about their learning experiences and the support received from staff.
• Children reported having “good opportunities to develop their leadership roles” through the Eco-Council and assisting younger pupils.
• Pupils spoke “very positively” about the benefits of participating in the shared education partnership with a local controlled school.
• The school holds a Green Flag Award as an Eco-school.

Areas to improve

• The school must continue updating and ratifying the safeguarding policy in line with current Department of Education guidance.
• The procedure for completing risk assessments requires review.
• A secure perimeter fence at an appropriate height is needed to secure the grass area.

Safeguarding

The report states that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance from the Department of Education” and that year 6 children feel safe, though the ETI was unable to fully evaluate the outworking of these arrangements due to the industrial action.