St Joseph's Primary School

Overview

This report details a Sustaining Improvement Inspection conducted in May 2017, during which teachers engaged in industrial action and refused to cooperate with inspectors. Consequently, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was unable to evaluate classroom teaching or specific learning priorities, stating it is “unable to assure parents/carers... of the quality of education being provided for the children.”

Strengths

• The school development plan was devised through “appropriate consultation” and identifies clear action plans for improvement.
• The school gives “high priority to the development of children’s physical and mental health and well-being” through planned curricular programmes.
• Children report having “regular opportunities to participate in school improvement” via school and Eco-councils.
• The school was recently awarded its “first green Eco flag.”
• Children reported that they “feel safe in the school” and are aware of procedures for raising safety concerns.

Areas to improve

• The report does not list specific areas for improvement because the ETI was “unable to evaluate” the lines of inquiry or the quality of learning and teaching due to non-cooperation.

Safeguarding

The school provided evidence that safeguarding arrangements “reflect broadly the guidance issued by the relevant Departments,” although the ETI was unable to fully evaluate their outworking due to the industrial action.