St Joseph's College

Overview

The inspection was conducted during industrial action, meaning only the principal and senior leadership team co-operated. Consequently, the ETI states it is “unable to assure... of the quality of education being provided” and could not fully evaluate teaching, learning, or specific subject provisions. Despite these limitations, the report notes positive questionnaire responses and some strong examination outcomes.

Strengths

• Questionnaire responses from pupils, parents, and staff were “largely positive,” with pupils expressing a “clear sense of belonging and pride.”
• The proportion of pupils attaining five or more GCSEs at grades A*–C, including English and mathematics, has improved and is “above the Northern Ireland average for similar schools.”
• Governors are described as “well-informed” and committed, with the ETI expressing “confidence in the aspects of governance evaluated.”
• The curriculum is “broad and balanced,” with KS3 developments including “moving image arts, computer science and experience of coding.”
• A pilot nurture programme has been introduced to support pupils “at risk of disengagement from education.”

Areas to improve

• The quality of action planning in the school development plan is “variable” and would benefit from “more robust base line statements and more specific measurable targets.”
• Risk assessments are required for access within premises and older windows, and the CCTV monitoring system “requires review.”
• Visibility panels are missing from the pastoral office door and some classroom doors have opaque glass, prohibiting visibility.

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.